everything you need to know about packaging

Ecommerce Packaging: Everything You Need To Know

14 min read

The significant number of competitors means online businesses must do whatever they can to differentiate themselves. There are many ways to do so, but one of the best and easiest is packaging. Let’s take a closer look at the general principles of ecommerce packaging and the best ways to go about it.

Product Packing Basics

Product packaging has three purposes. The first two are well-known: protecting a product during shipping and ensuring it arrives at the appropriate destination through the shipping system. The third is to present a branding experience til kunden, which is an often underutilized purpose by many ecommerce companies.

Several factors go into product packaging, including selecting the right packaging, inserting padding and protection, sealing the package, og forsendelse.

Packaging for Ecommerce: Protecting Products

Første ting først. Packaging is meant for protection.

Der er ikke noget værre end at bestille en vare online, venter tålmodigt på, at den ankommer, og derefter have det dukke op på din hoveddør i en brudt, lemlæstede rod. Men desværre, dette er en ret almindelig begivenhed. According to various online resources, så mange som 1 i 10 forsendelser er beskadiget under transporten.

For dig, this means it’s important to ensure your orders are properly packaged to minimize that risk.

While the exterior package already adds some level of protection, internal padding is often needed for protection during shipping. There are several options for this, inklusive:

Loose fillers: Loose fillers are materials like packing peanuts or shredded paper that can help cushion the product. The one downside of loose fillers is that products can shift around during transit when not packed in tightly enough.
Foam: Foam protection can consist of large sections that hold the product in place or thin layers that wrap around the product.
Bubble wrap: Bubble wrap is one of the most popular options for shipping protection. It can be easily bought in large rolls of varying sizes, making it efficient for products of many sizes.
Air pillows: Air pillows are large plastic air pockets that can be packed around a product for cushioning.
Cardboard inserts: These are simply rigid pieces of cardboard that can be inserted around the product to hold it in place during shipment.

Don’t ever skimp on internal packaging protection. While it may save cost in the short term, it can add up when returns or refunds begin to stack up.

i øvrigt, damaged products can create a negative brand image, leading to customers leaning toward other brands or bad reviews.

Types of Product Packaging for Ecommerce

Before going any further, let’s take a quick look at the various types of packaging for ecommerce. Disse inkluderer:

Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated cardboard boxes are retailers’ most common form of packaging. De er general shipping boxes that can be purchased from any store or postal service.

An example of corrugated boxes. Billede kilde: Amazon

There are many different types and sizes of corrugated boxes, which make them a popular option for many sellers. This is especially true for those who sell large products.

Tuck Top Product Boxes

Tuck-top boxes are a separate type of cardboard box with tabs to secure it shut. They may have one tab that goes into the inside front of the box or two tabs that slide into the sides.

An example of tuck top boxes. Billede kilde: Amazon

These boxes are most commonly used for small or medium-sized products, but there are some larger versions as well.

Padded Mailers

Padded mailers are an excellent option for smaller products and those needing extra protection.

An example of padded envelopes (mailers). Billede kilde: Amazon

These are essentially envelopes with bubbles or additional padding inside. They are great for jewelry, bøger, elektronik, og mere.

Poly Mailers

Poly mailers have become an increasingly popular option for many sellers. These envelopes are commonly made from paper or polyethylene LDPE.

An example of poly mailers. Billede kilde: Amazon

They are light, overkommelige, and self-sealing, making it easy to package many products. Imidlertid, their size and durability do limit the contents.

Choosing the Ideal Product Packaging

The proper packaging for a product can vary between sellers and the particular product. Imidlertid, here are some immediate points to consider:

Budget: The chosen packaging must be within the budget and allow the company to ship the product without significantly reducing profit. Imidlertid, this doesn’t mean choosing packaging based on cost alone.
Beskyttelse: Som nævnt ovenfor, product protection is one of the most important packaging parts. While poly mailers may be affordable, they don’t offer the best protection. This could be a risk when shipping fragile or delicate items. Consider packaging that will ensure the product arrives at the seller in the best shape. Selecting the more affordable packaging can be tempting, but that could cost more in the long run from returns and refunds from damaged products.
Forsendelsesomkostninger: While this slightly comes under the budget heading, forsendelsesomkostninger must also be considered. Generelt, larger and heavier packages will cost more, so be sure to factor this in when choosing packaging.

Sourcing Når emballage

Når det gælder om at finde en leverandør til din emballage, du har brug for et firma, der kan give dig høj kvalitet, alsidige skibsfart produkter, der hjælper få dine emner sikkert til kunden.

Some options for sourcing your packaging include eBay, Alibaba, og PaperMart (for at nævne et par stykker). For det meste, buying these shipping materials in larger quantity means getting a larger discount — so don’t be afraid to stock up.

Hvorfor materiel op? Because as you source your packaging materials, you’ll need to figure those costs into the retail price of your item (eller at tilføje en ekstra forsendelse / ekspeditionsgebyr). Holde omkostningerne nede i emballagen afdelingen betyder mere overkommelige emner til kunder og højere marginer for dig.

Going Above and Beyond with Product Packaging Design

Many ecommerce sellers default to using the easiest or cheapest product packaging. While this is understandable in the early days of an ecommerce store, sellers should try to shift to creating an impression with their packaging.

Med andre ord, det er essential to design packaging that is pleasing and impactful to the customer. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that can be achieved.

Packaging Design Points

Some ecommerce businesses may not know where to begin when it comes to designing packaging for ecommerce. Heldigvis, some immediate design points can be considered, såsom:

Product size and shape: One of the first factors to view is the size and shape of the product. If a product is uniquely shaped, it may be worth having a custom-shaped box created for it.
farver: Packaging color alone can make a difference when it comes to creating an impression. No one enjoys the color of a simple cardboard box or black bag. If the company has a logo or color branding, these can be great themes to introduce to packaging.
Kopi: Copy is the written words that are included in a package. If there will be a copy included on the package, it is vital to use it effectively. The copy should be clear enough to communicate the point but concise to not overwhelm the reader.
Imagery/Graphics: Imagery and graphics on packaging add visual appeal for the customer. These can include items or things associated with the product. For eksempel, if the product is an herbal shampoo, the packaging could have herbs or associated ingredients detailed around it.
Publikum: The target audience should always be one of the most senior design points. Trods alt, the point of designing packaging is to appeal to those who will buy the product. Consider who has been purchasing the product and what audience should want it. Is it a specific age group or gender? Is it for those with a specific interest?
Internal flair: Add a bit of glamour to packaging by including internal flair through tissue paper, indsatse, or other decoration. This makes the package that much more pleasing for customers to open.

Emballage Tilpasning

Tilpasning er altid en god ting, og der er et par forskellige måder, du kan opnå dette til din emballage. Den indstilling, der er bedst for dig, afhænger af dine behov og budget. Vi ser på to forskellige veje, samt fordele og ulemper ved begge.

DIY Tilpasning

If you are a small to mid-sized ecommerce business and are managing the shipping process on your own, du kan implementere tilpasning på standard emballage, du har bestilt ved hjælp af skræddersyede frimærker, klistermærker, og pakning tape, styrke din virksomhed branding. Dette er en mere hands-on og tidskrævende tilgang, men arbejder for dem, der ønsker at minimere emballage-relaterede udgifter.

An example of a crafted package design

Fordele: The DIY customization route adds a personal touch to packaging, som hver ordre vil se lidt anderledes end de andre. Det er også meget mere omkostningseffektiv venlige at tilføje disse billige tilpasninger på egen hånd.

Ulemper: Adding the custom stamp and/or branded stickers to your packaged orders will take more time, og vil ikke se så standardiseret som hvis du brugte custom-made, branded emballage.

Tilpassede Emballage

For dem, der ønsker en mere standardiseret og poleret udseende til deres afsendt ordrer, skræddersyet emballage kan være den vej at gå. You can design and order custom packaging from sites like Packlane or Pakible, og skabe skibsfart materialer, der styrker din branding.

An example of a custom package design

Fordele: Hver ordre emballage er nøjagtig det samme, og det er en mindre skridt for dig i opfyldelse afdeling ordre. Dette look er poleret og professionel.

Ulemper: Generelt er det dyrere, og det har ikke den håndlavede touch, DIY tilgang gør.

Eco-Friendly Packaging

The rise in ecommerce has also led to a significant increase in waste production, which has made more people concerned about the environmental impacts. Heldigvis, this has also contributed to an increase in eco-friendly packaging.

Svampeemballage til Mr Bailey x adidas Originals OZLUCENT sneakers

There are ample eco-friendly materials, packaging made from recycled materials, og mere. This can be a great way for ecommerce businesses to adhere to their eco-friendly standards and appeal to customers with the same interests.

Konklusion

Product packaging is a critical part of ecommerce, and there can be a lot to it.

Imidlertid, creating or finding the proper packaging that protects your products and elevates your brand can be key to ecommerce success.

We hope this guide helped you learn everything you need about product packaging.

Good luck in your selling journey!

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

We have compiled some common questions asked by those new to online selling.

What is ecommerce packaging?

Ecommerce packaging is the supplies and process associated with enclosing, protecting, and shipping a product to a customer.

Is there a standard packaging for ecommerce purposes?

There is no standard packaging for ecommerce products, as it can vary depending on the product’s size, fragility, og mere. Imidlertid, cardboard boxes tend to be the most common choice.

Do you need packaging stamps for ecommerce products?

Packaging stamps can be an easy way to add the address to any packaging when self-fulfilling. Imidlertid, it is more common to use prepaid shipping labels with all the necessary information to save time and shipping costs.