Forgetting about your packaging supplies is one of the quickest ways to grind your operation to a halt. You may have the products, and the people to handle them, but if your shipping cartons are nowhere to be found, well… that’s a problem, isn’t it?
Stocking up on packaging supplies ahead of time is key to your warehouse and its fulfillment success. You may be thinking that it’s never been a problem before now—and that might be true—but, it doesn’t mean it won’t be one in the future.
So, why stock up on packaging supplies ahead of time?
You’ll be ready for sales spikes and big orders.
It’s easy for your packaging needs to get lost in the whirlwind of managing a business. The last thing you want is to be running a successful sale or landing a big order, only to discover the packaging supplies you need are gone from your storage area.
Buying packaging supplies ahead of time means you’re ready for those big rushes, avoiding the headaches that come with last-minute panic. Plus, ordering in advance means you can take advantage of packaging sales, greater selection and variety, and a lower chance of backorders or delays.
Be sure to buy and stock at least 10% more packaging supplies than you think you’ll need. No matter how prepared you are, no matter how much you’ve analyzed sales—all it takes is that one sale that really pulls in the customers, and your packaging shelves will empty right out.
You’ll save money on your packaging budget.
Ordering ahead of time gives you breathing room. You can wait for inspiration to strike, or for packaging sales to present themselves. That time to think may help you discover that cost-effective multi-depth boxes will cover the range of products you offer. In turn, they’ll save you from buying bundles of regular corrugated boxes in multiple sizes—potentially discovering some were a mistake to purchase, costing you both money and storage space.
More importantly, you can buy in bulk. That, combined with buying ahead of time, is one of the best ways to keep your packaging budget from being used up too quickly. High order volumes are extremely cost-effective for everyone involved—packaging providers experience reduced overhead and can pass that on to their customers.
You’ll have options, lots of options.
Another benefit of buying early is that you can plan your packaging strategy. Going with standard packaging supplies is always an option, but that extra leeway might coax you into trying flashier materials or custom branded packaging. Here’s some quick suggestions:
The Good Stuff
Corrugated Boxes & Mailer Envelopes will handle most any product you ship.
Packing Paper can be wrapped around products or stuffed into shipping containers.
Packing Tape will keep customer orders sealed and protected on their journeys.
The Great Stuff
Corrugated Mailer Boxes & Glamour Mailers add visual pizzazz to shipments.
Bubble Cushion & Foam will help protect products and keep them in place.
Water-Activated Tape provides extra strength and security for valuable shipments.
The Awesome Stuff
Printed Boxes & Mailers will make your business stand out from the crowd.
Branded Tissue Paper makes any shipment seem more expensive and classy.
Branded Tape & Labels are cost-effective options for trying out custom packaging.
And finally: delivery takes time.
Unfortunately, until teleporters are invented, delivering something will always take time:
TPC Tip: Ordering early is great advice to give to your customers, too!
Like we said, great products deserve great packaging. You’ve certainly got the former, and by planning ahead, you’ll have plenty of the latter. For all the packaging supplies you’ll need to meet demand and keep things safe, see what The Packaging Company has waiting for you.
