Guide To Saving Big On Shipping Supplies

shipping supplies
More and more businesses are selling their products online. This means also having to arrange for shipping of the products to buyers. While how much shipping companies will charge for this service is important, so too is the cost that goes into packaging products for transport. Shipping boxes, envelopes, and bags are stock in trade. But other materials are needed to ensure items are well-secured and able to survive transit. Shipping supplies like tape, bubble wrap, labels, and twine are very useful in this. Here is how you can access such supplies at an affordable or even free cost.

Shop Around for Shipping Supplies

In much the same way as you would shop around for an affordable yet quality box manufacturer, so too should you seek out supplies for shipping. A good place to start is with the box manufacturer you already use. Many such businesses have expanded to include shipping & packing materials in their product lines. You will be in a better position to negotiate for discounts that will make such orders even more affordable. Try to time your purchases for the same time as when ordering boxes.

Order Free Shipping Supplies from Shippers

Many major shippers like UPS, USPS, and FedEx offer free or deeply discounted shipping & packing materials for clients that use certain services like priority shipping. You will likely need to log into their websites to look up such deals or visit a service center to enquire. If you qualify, USPS can even have your mail carrier deliver them to your premises for free.

Print Yourself

Rather than order pre-printed labels or be forced to take time handwriting them, consider investing in your own printer. Brand new thermal label printers can be a bit pricey but in the long run, you get to save as they do not rely on ink cartridges and toner.

Look for Recyclables

Filler materials like newspapers and other packing materials can be easily got in cities and towns where there are recycling initiatives. People will often post the availability of such supplies that can be picked up for free via social media, online classifieds, and bulletin boards.

Reach Out to Other Businesses

Shipping supplies like filler material, inserts, and even boxes can be freely or cheaply sourced from businesses that receive their stocks in bulk. From department stores to supermarkets, many such businesses are often happy to have anyone take these items off their hands. Target looking around late at night or very early in the morning when they are unloading shipments and stocking shelves.

Impactful Liquor Packaging

liquor packaging
Despite the ups and down the global economy has faced in recent times, it continues to thrive. The entrepreneurial spirit carries on as evidenced by the many new ventures that keep popping up. The number of new entrants can however make for a highly competitive market that calls for both newcomers and existing businesses to get creative in how they can secure their market share.

For those in the liquor business, packaging can play a key role in defining products. Here is how such businesses can use liquor packaging to preserve and keep growing their client numbers.

Liquor packaging design

When people shop for liquor in stores or online, they are drawn to eye-catching designs. You need to make use of a design that allows your product to stand out from the competition and will catch the attention of whoever is browsing. When ordering a prototype of the liquor box you want to use, go out to stores that will stock your brand and see if they can be confused with a competitor’s offering. Make whatever changes that will make your product easily distinguishable and therefore recognizable to your target clients.

Find A Cause

Today’s consumers are quite morally conscious. From the environment to homelessness, they prefer to support businesses that in turn support social causes. Find a way to align your brand with a positive cause and incorporate this message into your liquor box design. You will find that consumers that share the same views will be more likely to choose your product as a show of support.

Liquor packaging value

When people are faced with many options of the one thing they want, it can be difficult to make a decision. You can help gain their attention by offering extra value to their purchase. It could be anything from a complimentary shot glass to a recipe for a delicious cocktail on the liquor packaging. However, you display these offerings, ensure that it is professionally done to impress potential buyers, and encourage them to give your product a try.

Test And Review

When launching a new product, or relaunching an old one with new packaging, it can help to get impressions from your clients before committing to a full order. You can get liquor stores and bars to offer free samples and collect information from buyers on what they think of the new designs. Use this feedback to settle on the final design you think will get the best response from shoppers.

Tips For Packing Boxes For Shipping More Securely

boxes for shipping
Care must be taken when packing large shipping boxes. Since the box will likely pass through many hands and travel a long distance, it is vital to do your best in ensuring the contents are well-secured. Here are some tips on how to ensure this.

1. Choose The Right Size

The box should always be larger than its contents, but not overly so. Depending on the fragility of the contents, you may want to include some packing material like an insert, packing peanuts, or even just newspaper to provide some added protection.

2. Choose The Right Boxes for Shipping

Less fragile items like clothing can be easily packed and shipped using used boxes. More delicate items like crockery and electronics will require new boxes whose structural integrity is not compromised. Ensure the thickness of the boxes for shipping is also suited to its contents. Thicker walls offer better protection.

3. Pack It Right

Use packing materials to fill up any empty spaces and as added protection around your contents. This will prevent the contents from coming dislodged and banging into each other in the box. Remember to add a layer of such protection both at the bottom of the box and very top before closing it. If packing several items, place the heaviest and largest ones at the bottom and the lightest ones on top. This will reduce the pressure and likelihood of damage in transit.

4. Indicate Fragility

Where you have easily damaged box contents, it is important to call this factor to the attention of shippers. Labels that indicate a need to handle with care or that the contents are breakable should be used. The better informed shippers are about what they are handling, the more care they will take.

5. Reinforce

Use packing tape to reinforce the bottom and side edges. This can help preserve the integrity of the box for longer and if unexpectedly exposed to such damaging elements as water. Avoid the use of regular masking tape or adhesive tape.

6. Choose The Right Shipper

It is best to work with a shipper that has well-trained staff that will handle your large shipping boxes properly. Shop around the various shippers that serve your area and choose the one with a strong reputation for careful handling. If you are a business, you may want to consult other businesses in the area that ship similar products. Avoid choosing a shipper based on just rates. If they are the cheapest yet continually damage your items, you will still need to pay extra to make replacements.

Mistakes To Avoid When Packing Carton Boxes

Carton boxes have become an integral part of businesses today. With more consumers opting to make purchases remotely, businesses have to rely on such packaging to get their products to their destination. But using them can sometimes result in damage and other challenges. Often such mistakes can prove costly, causing the business to have to make up for it by offering a refund, replacement, or cover the cost of repairs and shipping again. Here are few problems to be on the lookout for and avoid much of this waste.

1. Choosing The Wrong Size

The wrong size of boxes and cartons can be detrimental to meeting shipping needs. Too big and the contents could end up rattling around inside. This clashing against one another could cause the products to become damaged. Too small and you could end up being unable to properly close the box. If the items spill out, it could lead to their damage and make theft easier. If the shipper has to repackage, the cost could be passed on to you or the recipient. Either way, it can be a financial loss.

2. Ordering The Wrong Quantity of Carton Boxes

Many businesses often have high seasons when orders come in fast and furiously. Having a low stock of carton boxes to use for shipments can mean delays that can cause your business reputation to suffer. It is important to keep track of your stock of boxes and order fresh supplies in good time to avoid such problems.

3. Poor Packing

Some packing behaviors can often lead to damaged products. For instance, if packing several items for delivery, you never place the heaviest items on top. They can create added pressure on the items below, causing them to become damaged.

4. Lack Of Filler Material

Even with an optimal size of box, many products will often leave gaps of space here and there, more so if the product does not match the shape of the box. The filler material helps fill in such spaces and provides extra protection and insulation against moisture and vibrations.

5. Reinforcing Carton Boxes

As an added safety measure it is best to reinforce boxes and cartons. This can be as simple as using packing tape along the seams. Failure to do this can often lead to damage that weakens the structural integrity of the box.

6. No Labels

Labels are a good way to provide additional information to shippers on how to handle the box. Information such as breakable contents and keeping the box upright can help to better protect the contents. Using labels can also help in ensuring delivery details like addresses are clearly legible.

How To Best Store Corrugate Containers

corrugate containers
Corrugated cardboard boxes are often easily accumulated. More so when you order items to be delivered. They can be easily disposed of but many people tend to store them for later use. They can come in handy when you want to send out a package or when moving. They can also be used to store a variety of items. However, no matter how durable and useful they can be, they require careful handling to preserve their structural integrity. Here are a few tips on how best to store them.

Flatten Your Corrugate Containers

Once the box is empty, try to flatten it along its edges. This will ensure the corrugated boxes take up minimal storage space and can be easily stacked for later use.

Stack Corrugate Containers Properly

Do not stack your corrugated cardboard boxes too high to avoid them toppling over. Try to lay them down on a flat, smooth, and clean surface. This should be a surface above the floor, like on a shelf or pallet. Leaving them on the ground makes them more likely to suffer damage from moisture or insect activity.

Handle Carefully

Do not just throw or otherwise roughly handle the boxes. You want to preserve their condition as best you can. Try to carefully stack them and remove them when needed. Always handle with care.

No Heavy Objects

Do not place heavy objects on the corrugate containers. They can crash the flutes causing distortion and affecting the shape of the box when unfolded. It can also cause punctures that will make the boxes unusable.

Alternate Bundle Direction

When you look at flattened boxes you will often find one side is thicker than the other. Avoid stacking in the same manner. Use an alternating pattern to ensure better stability of the stack.

Keep Indoors

This will help prevent exposure to outdoor elements like rain and insect activity. Ensure that even indoors the boxes are kept away from any sources of moisture. This can damage the cardboard and destroy its structure. Also, avoid any area that exposes the corrugate containers to wide fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Too much heat can cause the material to become brittle while moisture will cause it to break down.

First In, First Out

Try to make use of your oldest stock of cardboard boxes first. Even under the best conditions, these boxes will still deteriorate, making sense to make use of those that are closest to the end of their useful life.

Advantages Of Using Package Labels On Shipping Boxes

When shipping merchandise, it can be helpful to use package labels. They can serve as a helpful tool in communicating certain information. Here is why your business could do with a little investment in this type of packaging material.

Package Labels Marketing

Package labels can be used for branding and promotional efforts. You can make them distinct in terms of color scheme, shape, and other aesthetics. This can make your brand more easily identifiable to existing customers. You can also use stickers to enhance the appearance of plain boxes, drawing attention to your business name and logo. Laser printer labels can be easily customized to whatever design for this purpose. Include such information as your company’s e-commerce site, address, and location. Or, consider a QR code that leads whoever scans it to your website.

Handling of Package Labels

Some products are easily breakable and require extra caution when handling. You can use labels to indicate a need for this extra care. Shippers will often handle boxes that are indicated as fragile more carefully to avoid the contents getting damaged before delivery. This can be particularly useful where you have a stock of various items, some of which are more delicate than others. the labels can be used to ensure the more sensitive items are distinguished. They can also indicate which side is up to avoid unnecessary damage that can come from having the box transported upside down.

Professional Appearance

Boxes that are being shipped often need to have certain information indicated visibly. This includes the destination and the return address. To avoid any confusion, it is best to have labels printed with this information, rather than having it handwritten. It also gives a more professional appearance to the delivery, which is good for the image of the business. Be sure to test out different designs of the labels against the box to see what the overall impact will be. Use designs that impart the impression you desire.

Make Shipping Easier

Besides offering care instructions for the shipment, using labels can also make the process of preparing a shipment easier. Without having to handwrite labels, you can ensure address details are easily discerned. Fixing the label takes just a moment. Laser printer labels also tend to be more durable, ensuring that even if exposed to moisture the details remain visible. Shipping is made easier thanks to better accuracy. Making these labels is also quite affordable, whether you choose to use standard motifs or customize your own design.

Choosing Suitable Protective Product Packaging

protective product packaging
Different products will have different needs in terms of packaging. This applies to both the kind of box they use and any filler or inserts that are included to help prevent damage. When businesses ensure that their products are delivered intact, it helps to build their reputation as being reliable and limits the cost of having to make repairs and replacements.

It is important to carefully consider several factors before investing in packaging. The goal should be to arrive at the type of protective packaging that will ensure the safe delivery of the contents most consistently yet affordably. Here is what you need to consider when making a choice.

The Product

As said, products can be different. Those that are more easily susceptible to damage need to be given added protection. If they arrive damaged, they could be deemed unusable and force the business to have to send out a replacement. Such sensitive products can include crockery, fresh produce, and electronics.

Businesses need to arrive at an optimal choice of protective product packaging that does not result in them over- or under-packaging. Either result can lead to serious financial losses.

Distance

The further away a product will travel means the more handling it will be subjected to. More so where there may have to be changes in transport like from air to road freight. Longer distances also tend to mean more exposure to damaging influences like vibration and moisture. It is advisable to establish what kind of exposure products will be exposed to en-route to their destination and ensure that the protective packaging used can adequately withstand these challenges.

Meet Regulations for Protective Product Packaging

When transporting products, especially across borders, there are likely to be regulations that must be met. Certain standards are called for when packaging certain products. It is important to investigate what these standards are for the different territories and ensure that you meet them when deciding on what protective product packaging to use.

Performance of Protective Product Packaging

Testing out different packaging is important. You want to ensure that it meets whatever requirements are required by different authorities and shippers. It is also necessary for your choice of packaging to suit your budget while providing the standard of protection you need. Also, consider the quality of the packaging in terms of sustainability and recyclability. This can be very useful when it comes to branding as many consumers prefer to patronize businesses that are environmentally conscious.

How to Reuse Your Cardboard Boxes for DIY Crafts

reuse cardboard boxes
Cassandra Rosas

Whether it is because you’re moving to a new home or because you’re just doing a lot more online shopping lately, collections of cardboard boxes are probably a part of your life or have been at one time or another. Boxes may seem useless, but cardboard can be reused in many ways before you end up recycling them.

In America, the average person uses approximately seven trees every year in paper products. Recycling cardboard only uses around 75 percent of the energy needed to make new cardboard, and every ton of recycled cardboard saves 9 cubic yards of landfill space.

Like paper, cardboard is made from wood fiber. There are two different types of cardboard: corrugated and chipboard, or paperboard. Corrugated cardboard is made in layers, with the middle core layer folded into a zig-zag structure. Paperboard is a grayish, single layer of cardboard that is more firm than paper but can be torn easily — think cereal boxes. Recycled cardboard becomes paperboard.

Tips for Recycling Your Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard is easily recyclable, and as long as you are recycling it correctly, you’ll save a lot of resources. Most municipalities have some kind of facility that will take your cardboard boxes as long as you break them down and flatten them for collection or drop off. Most towns will pick up your cardboard at your curb in large quantities, or you may have to go to a recycling center, in which case you should call ahead and find out what the rules are in your area.

Some waste collection services won’t take cardboard or paperboard if it’s wet. Wet cardboard fibers are less valuable for recycling centers. Water also makes the cardboard heavier, which ruins the value, since it’s sold by weight.

Sometimes, you can’t recycle your cardboard; if it’s contaminated with pizza grease or wax of some kind, you´ll have to toss the contaminated cardboard in the trash. Still, you may be able to compost it or use it to line your garden beds with it for weed control.

But for those who love to repurpose things, there are many ways to get some great use out of cardboard boxes before it’s time to send them to the recycling plant.

Ways To Use Cardboard Boxes Around the House

DIY household storage. Using cardboard boxes for storage seems like an obvious choice, but you can make it fancy. Wrap your cardboard boxes in decorative papers, wrappings, or simple labels to create low-cost home storage decor that is functional as well as beautiful. Simply take your box, some adhesive, and enough paper, fabric, or other materials, and wrap your box in an entirely new look. Mix and match the colors and patterns to give your shelves cupboards and other storage areas an attractive, coordinated look.

Shoe rack. Shoes already come in a storage box, so do you really need to buy another shoe shelf when you can build shoe storage out of the boxes they came in? You can assemble your cardboard box shoe rack in various ways — stack your boxes together using a glue gun to make them sturdy and secure. For a more intricate design, try this unique folded cardboard shoe rack.

Drawer dividers. Keep things tidy in your drawers with sturdy cardboard dividers. Imagine opening up your sock drawer, and every pair of socks is neatly visible. Drawer dividers are not only helpful for clothing, but also for the utility drawer, utensil drawers, and bathroom drawers.

Cardboard Boxes as Home Decor

Photo frames. Turn your cardboard boxes into photo frames, which you can decorate more efficiently than wood or other materials. Once you have decided the size of photos you’re going to frame, cut a piece of cardboard for the back, then cut another layer the same size to place over the top of it. Leave one end of the frame open to slide the photo into place, but use glue or staples to connect the frame layer to the backing. Try this tutorial for more ideas.

Lamps. Fold cardboard into different geometric shapes to make cool lamps and paper lanterns for beautiful accent light in your home. The sky’s the limit for ways to fold and cut cardboard into geometric shapes.

Mirrors. Make a sweet mirror frame out of boxes or cardboard using various shapes and adding some bling, like this amazing mirror made from toilet paper rolls and sequins.

Repurpose Cardboard for Your Pets

Cat hammock. Since cats love boxes, period, you may not even have to turn your cardboard box into anything special in order for your cat to think it’s a luxurious, private getaway just for them. But constructing a cat hammock is probably as much fun for you as the hammock is for your cat. Try some of these clever ideas for your cat’s hammock.

Cat scratching structure. Cat scratching apparatuses are known for being expensive and taking up a lot of room. Not anymore. Make your own cat scratching post or pad out of leftover cardboard, and feel no shame about throwing it into the recycling bin or compost pile once your cat is finished with it.

Dog house. A home for Fido is easy to build out of cardboard, and it makes a great little indoor hideout for your dog. Simply cut a door big enough for your dog to enter, toss in his favorite blanket and chew toy, and your old cardboard box is now a doghouse.

Dog bed. Cut a couple of large or small boxes down to a more shallow profile, and stack them inside each other for durability. Add some pillows and blankets for your dog to snuggle with.

Birds houses. If they’re made out of sturdy cardboard boxes and painted with a waterproof coating, you can create a range of beautiful birdhouses for your covered patio.

Ways to Reuse Cardboard Boxes in the Office

Filing and storage. Sturdy cardboard boxes are great for storing old files and other office essentials that you need to keep but want out of your sight. Clearly label the boxes, and put them in the storage closet.

Decorative storage. You can make some attractive office decor with nice little cardboard boxes, adding your own special touches. Use fabric, decorative paper, ribbons, or other items to adorn your boxes. Use oatmeal boxes for pen holders or glue cereal boxes open on one side together to store files.

Markers, pens, and pencils caddy. A handy desktop caddy is easy to make with a low profile box as the tray or base and adding tubes or boxes in which to stand up your markers, pens highlighters, rulers, and other supplies. Color coordinate the design with your office decor.

DIY Cardboard Playhouses & Crafts for Kids

Pretend kitchen. Every appliance in the kitchen is box-shaped, which makes cardboard boxes great for creating a play kitchen the kids will adore. With a few cuts, a hot glue gun, some paint, your child’s imagination, and your ingenuity, you can create a refrigerator, sink, stove, dishwasher, and microwave. Use cardboard to make accessories, like a toaster, pots, and pans, and even cardboard play food.

Dollhouse. Making cardboard dollhouses is a super fun and creative project for kids—and adults—of all ages. A cardboard house can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be. Keep it simple with a single box for creating a miniature room—paint the interior, add cardboard furniture, and make little dolls out of clothespins or sticks—or go wild, and make an elaborate, multi-box, multi-story home with doors between rooms, stairs, and a rooftop garden.

Fort. Little kids love big boxes, especially when they’re big enough to make into a fort. As with cardboard dollhouses, a cardboard fort can be as simple or as epic as you want it to be. Toddlers will be happy with anything they can walk into and hang out inside. Bigger kids—and many adults—will find great joy in creating a large structure with rooms and tunnels. Just make sure you check the weather so you’ll be able to enjoy your fort before it rains.

Car, rocket ship, submarine. Whatever type of vehicle your kid is into, you—or they—can make it out of a cardboard box. Use scissors or a utility knife to cut doors and windows, and have your kids use markers to draw on the details, like the wheels, handles, and controls—or make them out of cardboard and glue them on.

Wild card boredom-buster. Give your kids a bunch of cardboard boxes on a rainy afternoon and see what kind of magic happens.

With a little creativity and imagination, you can turn your cardboard boxes into something fantastic, giving them a longer life, reducing waste, and lowering your carbon footprint. Getting clever and creating things like DIY storage bins, shoe racks, dog beds, and birdhouses can give you an enormous amount of satisfaction, and crafts like these help you relax and be creative. Kids and pets love cardboard boxes of all kinds, keeping them busy for long periods—and once they’re done with their creations and no longer interested, you can recycle the boxes. Repurposing your cardboard boxes is good for the planet, great for the kids’ imaginations, and benefits your health. Good thing you saved all those boxes!

How To Impress With High End Custom Boxes

When dealing with high end custom boxes, it is important to distinguish your brand in the market. This is what will make you more memorable and likely to attract good referrals and repeat business. An important aspect of marketing to this segment lies in the packaging of products.

High end custom boxes can be used to make that good impression that what you have to offer is of the best quality. These specialty boxes tend to make a brand stand out and should be carefully considered when ordered from manufacturers.

Production Process of High End Custom Boxes

It is advisable to source your custom boxes from a supplier that offers comprehensive services. this includes design and manufacturing processes, all under one roof. This helps reduce the risk of confusion or other breakdowns in communication that can lead to mistakes. A box maker that has a streamlined operation will better deliver on orders according to specifications agreed upon.

Customize

Work with a box designer that can help create a unique result that will set your brand apart. From shape and materials to color and inserts, ensure that the outcome is pleasing to the senses. You can play with textures and color effects to create a custom gift box that is elegant and charming. Choose accents that give a luxurious feel and look to match your target demographics’ tastes. Consider also having holiday-themed high end custom boxes made. The design should suit the occasion but still reflect the image of the brand.

Simplicity of High End Custom Boxes

Keeping designs simple is recommended for the high-end market. When you consider the existing high-end brands in the market, you will find that most use simple but high-quality packaging that is easily recognizable and appreciated by their clientele. While you should strive to be unique, understated colors and limited use of imagery can be a big help in making a positive impression. Rather than make the design busy, seek out unusual colors and other ways to simply but elegantly embellish your custom gift boxes so they remain functional yet beautiful.

Lasting Designs

Lightweight packaging that can easily be torn or otherwise damaged does not make for a good impression. You want a custom gift box design that is rigid and durable. These kinds of sturdy designs tend to make for a more enjoyable unboxing experience and create a better presentation when beautifully accentuated by such adornments as ribbons. Even though the boxes may not end up getting reused, the high-end market clientele still prefers long-lasting construction over flimsy materials.

Using A Ballot Box To Promote Greater Customer Engagement

ballot box
Businesses need to establish a good relationship with their customer base. It is what helps to create customer loyalty that is essential to business success. This means looking for other ways to interact with and engage customers outside of just the commercial transaction.

Ballot boxes can be very useful tools in engaging customers through different campaigns. They can be used to help collect data and carry out promotions. You can customize a ballot box in different ways to serve these purposes.

Prize Competitions

Running a contest is a good way to stir up interest and excitement amongst your existing customers. It can also attract the attention of potential customers and help convert them. it is also a good way to reward customers for their loyalty to your business.

And, despite what some may think, it can be a cost-effective promotion. Whether it is your own product or from a supplier, you can set a reasonable budget for the prizes, marketing, and management of the contest. Try to make it a fun experience that will hype your brand and cause more people to talk about your business.

Product Reviews Using Ballot Box

This can be especially helpful when launching a new product. You will want to get the views of customers. Where possible, allowing them to sample the product and drop a comment in a ballot box can provide an easy way to collect valuable data. It also makes customers feel important to know that their views will be taken into consideration.

Conduct Polls With Ballot Box

This is another way you can get views about products or services, and even employees. Creating a poll is another good way to collect data that can go towards product development, strategic decisions, and even assigning bonuses. Giving customers a say in more internal decisions made by the business makes them feel more intertwined with the brand and likely to remain loyal.

Customer Feedback

You have likely seen a simple white ballot box in many business spaces for the collection of customer views, complaints, and compliments. It allows people to give feedback anonymously on everything from customer service to product quality. They feel they can confidentially share their views and hopefully effect a positive change in a business they frequent.

For the best results, ensure that you regularly empty the box and review the contents. An overflowing box is an indication that it has been placed for show. This can give a negative impression to customers.