Shipping Materials for Your Small Business

Small businesses are an essential part of the North American economy. In fact, over 95% of companies located in the United States and Canada are classified as small businesses.

If you own a small business that ships orders directly to consumers then you know the importance of getting your products to the customer’s door safely and on time. Having high-quality, reliable packaging materials is the first step to achieving this goal.

There are some standard shipping supplies that every small business will need to successfully ship merchandise to their clients. Whether your small business is new or well-established, you can save money by buying packaging and shipping materials in bulk. Read below for the types of shipping materials you will need for your business.

Boxes and Mailers

First things first, you will need to decide how your products will be shipped to your customers. Two of the most popular methods for mailing items include cardboard boxes and mailers.

Cardboard boxes offer some of the best protection for your items. If you have odd-shaped products or merchandise that is more susceptible to damage, a cardboard box can ensure it arrives safely. Corrugated cardboard boxes come in a variety of sizes, shapes, styles and even colours that are sure to fit your products and the image of your brand.

Mailers are perfect for smaller or flatter items that are less prone to damage from the shipping process. These also come in a variety of sizes, colours and styles, each of which offer their own unique advantages such as self-sealing, cushioning or weather-resistance. Additionally, mailers often have cheaper shipping costs thanks to the compact nature of the package.

Depending on the size and variety of the products you ship, you may need to have an assortment of styles and sizes available to you at all times. Luckily, there will always be something that fits your needs, small or big.

Cushioning & Void Fill

In order for your product to arrive at your customer’s door in the same condition that it left your facility, you want to implement a strategy for packaging the inside of your box and keeping your items secure during transit.

Cushioning is crucial for protecting a product that is susceptible to damage from the long and sometimes rough shipping process. Adding additional padding is ideal for products that are oddly shaped or made of fragile materials such as glass, porcelain, ceramic, etc. Cushioning can come in a variety of forms including bubble wrap, foam, paper and more.

Void fill such as kraft paper, packing peanuts, shredded paper and air pillows are often used to keep products from shifting or shaking around during transit. They can be used in conjunction with cushioning or on their own. No matter what type of product you are shipping, you want to ensure that there is very minimal space left in your box to prevent your product from being crushed or shifting.

It is important to have these materials on hand at all times to ensure that you can protect your products and get your merchandise safely to your customer. This helps reduce the number of negative experiences that consumers have with your company due to broken or damaged products.

Tape and Labels

Now that you have the right mailing method and a safe environment for your product, it is time to seal and address your box. Using quality tape and informative labels are vital for ensuring that your package does not bust open during the shipping process and is handled accordingly.

There is a variety of packing tapes that are specifically designed for sealing cardboard boxes and they are available in a variety of sizes and colours. If your small business is growing, you can save both time and money by investing in a tape dispenser to expedite your packaging process.

Labels can come in many different sizes, shapes and designs and they are also multi-purpose. You can affix a custom logo label directly to your package to help increase brand awareness and recognition. Alternatively, you can invest in shipping labels that are relevant to the products inside and can help further protect your products, for example, “Fragile”, “Do Not Stack” or “This Side Up”. Additionally, you can buy plain labels that are compatible with laser and inkjet printers and can be used to print unique shipping labels.

How To Make Your Small Business Stand Out

Small businesses undoubtedly appreciate each and every one of their customers. A great way to gain repeat business and word-of-mouth recommendations are to show your customers how much you love and appreciate their support. Below are some tips and tricks to help your small business stand out against the competition.

• Many consumers today are beginning to make eco-friendly decisions when it comes to the companies they purchase from, if your brand aligns with these values you can benefit from adopting eco-conscious shipping materials.
• Include thank-you letters in each and every package that you send out. A customer will appreciate the extra recognition and it will make it feel more personal. If possible, also include a small repeat customer discount to encourage a second purchase.
• Try wrapping the inside of your package with brand-aligned tissue paper and sealing it with a brand sticker. This boosts the unboxing experience that your customer receives and ties everything together nicely.

Need High-Quality, Affordable Shipping Supplies For Your Small Business?

At The Packaging Company, we know the importance of supporting small businesses which is why we offer high-quality, affordable packaging and shipping solutions. Additionally, we offer a rewarding loyalty program that can help save your small business tons of money! Visit our website today to explore our packaging materials and find the right shipping solution for your company, we guarantee we will have it!