Why Shipping and Packing Materials Are Important

Business has become a global experience made possible by the explosion of the internet. Even small Mom and Pop companies can easily make, fill and ship orders to customers across the nation or living in distant lands.

Shipping has become a major means for getting those far away customers their ordered products. The sheer size of the shipping industry means that the personal care and attention that used to come with sending packages years ago has morphed into a highly insensitive business that jostles millions of packages daily along extensive lines and via various vehicles. Product damage and loss are a very real experience nowadays.

Protect Your Goods

However, there are actions you can take to better protect your precious goods during transport. The best approach is the use of shipping and packing materials which help prevent damage by keeping items safely separated, wrapped tightly, and held securely together.

Materials for Separation – Many products are damaged because they rub or bump together during shipment. Damage of this nature can be significantly reduced by using Styrofoam peanuts, molded foam inserts, corrugated cardboard rolls and other similar shipping and packing materials.

Materials for Wrapping – Tightly wrapping packages together in plastic wrapping materials also prevents shifting, shaking and other damaging effects that occur during the shipping process. Applying a thick plastic covering around your shipment also adds a protective layer against bumps, thumps and gouges. Polyethylene tubing can be used to secure individual items while plastic pallet wrap can secure entire pallets of boxes or items.

Materials for Securing – There are other items you can use to help secure your shipments besides plastic wrapping materials. Twine and shipping tape are both used extensively to prevent the loss and damage of precious goods during shipment.

When these materials are used together, they significantly reduce the chances that your shipped products will be lost or damaged. Packing materials used to separate and cushion items within the boxes, twine and tape used to secure packages together and plastic wrap applied to the outside of the entire group will help to ensure your items get to their distant customers, keeping both you and them happy.

Turn to an Industry Leader

When you require shipping & packing materials for your business, it is worth turning to a leader in the industry for quality goods at competitive prices. Instabox is such a company and they carry a wide selection of shipping supplies and packaging materials that will protect your goods as well as make your business shine. If you want to reduce the expense of lost and damaged goods and maintain good customer satisfaction, turn to Instabox for your packaging and shipping needs.

[9/18/2014]

Qualities of Custom Labels That Get Results

Each product that your company produces can have dozens if not hundreds, of competing products vying for customer dollars. Even if you know that your product outperforms the majority of your competitors’, if you can’t get people to choose your product over the others then they will never know.

One way to grab the attention of shoppers is through custom labels that announce your product. If the label is eye-catching then your product stands a better chance of being selected out of the hordes of other competing products lining the shelves.

Following are some of the qualities of successful custom labels that you can incorporate into your next product project.

Communicate without Words

Colors and images speak to a person’s psyche and grab their attention without them usually realizing it. Therefore, you can use both color and images to communicate positive messages to consumers contemplating what products to buy.

The colors and images you use should be connected to your brand as well as your product. For example, if your company sells bottled water, then you may want to use the colors blue and silver in a logo that contains the image of a wave. This way, customers will instantly recognize your brand regardless of what new item you produce. Think of Pepsi and its wavy blue and red circle as an example.

Select Text Wisely

Once you have a good foundation of color and image, you can add text. The words and fonts used on custom labels are extremely important. They must balance the overall look of the label, not be too distracting, and they need to compliment your brand.

When selecting text, take care when selecting fonts. The general rule of thumb is never use more than two varying fonts on your labels. You also want to select a font that best accentuates your brand, like the cursive font used to add more elegance to the brand name Coca-Cola.

You also want your label to be readable without customers having to squint. For example, if you produce wine, then you want shoppers to be able to read the important details from the aisle. If customers have to pick up your bottles to read the wine labels, then you have probably used more text than necessary.

Consider Label Size

The size of your labels is just as important as what’s printed on them. The label should be sized in direct proportion to your product. If the label is too small then people will pass by without noticing it. If it is too large, it can look tacky or be damaged during handling processes.

High-quality wine labels and other custom labels from specialized companies like Instabox can make your products stand out above your competitor’s.

[9/15/2014]

Preprinted Labels Make Communication a Breeze

Throughout the journey of products from manufacturer to consumer, communication is required to provide instructions, give warnings, offer information and make sales. Customized labels are the best for offering product information and selling the product to consumers, but various common instructions and warnings can be conveyed using generic, less expensive preprinted labels.

Importance of Messages during Shipping

It is extremely important to provide key messages on your packages during the shipping process for numerous reasons. First of all, package destination directions are required for shipping personnel which can be resolved with ship-to or address labels. Package handlers will also need to know if the contents of that package are fragile or dangers which is conveyed using fragile or dangerous goods labels. Once the package reaches its destination, point of sale or deli labels communicate where those particular items go and this side up tells how it is to be unpacked while the packing slip enclosed ensures proper order filling. Customers also benefit from preprinted labels and their messages. Label instructions can tell them how to store the item via a keep refrigerated label and where it originated with a made in Canada label.

Other types of labels are also required for every single package shipped, such as barcode labels that provide identification of the product and the manufacturer throughout the process. Preprinted labels are also quite handy when shipping products through foreign hubs. International labels using easily identifiable pictures communicate your messages across language barriers.

Benefits of Preprinted Labels

Dangerous goods labels and other types of ready-to-go labels have a variety of advantages over customized labels. Such labels are cheaper because they require no special instructions or customization. They also save time because they can be taken directly out of the package and applied to packages without any special treatment.

Applying these labels to your packages is definitely worth the effort as they can save you a great deal of money and hassle in lost packages, damaged products, disappointed customers, lawsuits from injured handlers and more. Ready-to-apply labels come in an extensive assortment of messages and instructions that can be applied to various product shipments.

Instabox is a major supplier of labels of all types and for all occasions. Using such a reputable company as a label source ensures you receive labels that are easy to read, large enough to be noticed and bright to catch the attention of handlers.

[9/11/2014]

Paperboard Display Strategies That Increase Sales

Competition for customer dollars is fierce and the battle only intensifies as the struggling economy and climbing prices eat away at their cash. In order to boost sales, store owners and managers have to get creative in how they present both the layout of their store and the displays they use to attract customers to various items.

Here are some successful strategy ideas from Instabox for using corrugated displays to attract customers and increase sales.

Catch Them at the Entrance

In today’s helter-skelter world, people are pressed for time and constantly rushing through one activity just so they can rush to another. When shopping, people tend to go straight to listed items, pick them up and hurry through checkout.

However, that is bad news for store owners. In order to slow people down, you want to catch their attention with bright, attractive displays at the entrance point(s) of your store. Displays that work best include seasonal items like key Christmas electronics, or products that encourage customer interaction such as plants to touch and smell.

Create Destinations

A store that simply consists of aisles can make people feel like mice running through a complicated maze. This sensation causes people to move through quickly in order to find the exit, much like the mouse in the maze.

Again, getting shoppers to slow down is a key element in boosting sales. Therefore, give them destinations at the ends of aisles by utilizing displays of discounted items. People that know an appealing paperboard display awaits them at the end of each aisle will slow their movement through the aisles.

Break Up Monotony

Corrugated displays also make great mid-aisle arrangements that slow shoppers down. Customers tend to rush through store aisles and only scan for the products they need, particularly if the aisles are long.

However, by placing an attractive paperboard display here and there throughout your aisles, people tend to stop and look at those particular items being offered. Once they stop at the display, they also tend to more closely look over the shelved items in the display’s background.

Use Warm Shapes

Researchers have found that people are attracted certain shapes over others. Two of the shapes that both attract people and set them at ease are circles and U-shapes. Use this to your advantage by either choosing corrugated displays designed with these shapes or creating those shapes in the display’s background.

[9/8/2014]

Improve Shipping with Proper Shipping Boxes and Other Tips

Economic instability, booming worldwide competition and various other factors make business survival a constant battle not to mention growing the company. It has become increasingly important to find ways to establish customer satisfaction while at the same time saving time and expense.

Shipping is a critical part of any company offering products to customers located outside their local areas. And with the arrival and immense growth of the internet and mobile smart devices, the need for streamlining shipping practices has mushroomed as well. Here are some valuable tips for maximizing the efficiency of shipping for your company.

Expedite Turnaround Time

Shipping products out to customers as soon as possible is valuable in a couple of ways. First of all, it gets a customer’s order to them rapidly, which wins you big satisfaction points. Fast shipping also allows you to utilize low-cost shipping methods like ground instead of next-day.

Make Warehouse Adjustments

Expedite shipping time even further by making key warehouse adjustments. Items that sell more frequently should be placed closer to order filling stations so less time and resources are required and they move out faster. As your business grows, invest in advanced automated shipping systems which boost efficiency even more.

Use Proper Packaging

Shipping costs can be reduced by ensuring that the right sized shipping boxes are used. Sending items in boxes that are too large has a couple of detrimental consequences. Boxes that are too large have extra internal space that must either be filled or items can be damaged in transit. Also, small shipping boxes cost less to ship than larger ones and are more easily managed. Specialist companies like Instabox provide the perfect shipping boxes to meet any product requirement.

Ship in Bulk

Shipping individual orders to international destinations can be extremely costly. To significantly reduce shipping costs for your global customers, consolidate numerous orders to the same regions into single shipments.

Provide a Return Service

UPS commissioned a study recently through Forrester Consulting which revealed that companies that provide a clear and easy return policy on their products tend to experience better sales than those businesses that do not. A return policy produces stronger customer loyalty and more favorable praise to customer friends and family, both of which boost revenue.

By utilizing these and other streamlining tips, you can create a shipping process that is fast and efficient, saving your company both time and expense as well as ensuring that your customers keep coming back.

[9/4/2014]

How Custom Designed Cartons Affect Consumers

Packaging is one area that is often overlooked by many companies yet plays a major role in the success of the products or items contained within. A great deal of effort is usually placed in the actual package that contains the product for sale, but what about cartons used to ship or store those items? Quite often, a plain corrugated carton is selected to meet those requirements.

However, those plain Jane cartons can be transformed into vehicles that significantly increase business. Consider the following packaging points before prepping your next product shipment.

A Box Is More Than a Box

A box is much more than a container for shipping, storing, or displaying items. Cartons also have the ability to display important information and encourage brand reinforcement. These points are key targets of any successful business plan.

Custom designed cartons not only meet the needs of packaging and shipping items, but they also provide an extremely visible platform to display a wealth of advertising and information. The product, brand logo and both product and company information can be attractively placed on each carton which has the potential to be handled and viewed by hundreds of people along its path from manufacturer to the shipper and then to consumers.

Innovation Creates Business

How a carton displays and opens is another powerful selling tool. Cartons that open with an easy and creative format and then allow the contents to be removed in a structured order are attractive to customers that then look forward to the next product. It is a plus if the package design allows customers to actually view the product before purchasing it as it removes a great deal of mystery as well as suspicion. Apple is extremely well known for its innovative packaging that is almost as attractive as the products contained therein.

Another innovative way to attract customer attention using custom designed cartons is to create unique shapes. Not much attention is given to a standard square box, but customize a carton to uniquely fit your product and eyes are drawn to it.

Combine a uniquely shaped corrugated carton and an attractive means of opening it and revealing the product inside with an appealing and informational outer surface and you have the makings of a product desired by the masses. Instabox is a specialist in designing and producing customized cartons.

[9/2/2014]

Box Partitions and Other Ideas for Making a Smooth Move

Moving to a new home or office is exciting. However, the process of making that move can be extremely stressful. Not only does everything have to be packed for moving, but necessary items have to be found at the new location. Practically everyone that has ever moved knows what it’s like to have to desperately search through a mountain of boxes to find a needed item.

However, if you apply a little preparation effort before the move, you can save yourself a lot of aggravation. By creating an organized system, you can make the transition effortlessly and with all items readily at your disposal. Here are some packing tips from Instabox.

Color Code Your Boxes

Most people already pack items according to individual rooms, keeping kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, dining room, etc items together. However, once the day of the move arrives, all those boxes get mixed up. Once they arrive at the new location, it can be like a massive shell game of finding the needed item in the correct box.

This problem is readily solved by color coding your boxes according to room. You can use colored markers or construction paper to apply assigned colored squares to room boxes. For example, assign red to the living room, blue to the kitchen, yellow to the bedroom, etc. By using a color coding system, you can ensure that all boxes are distributed to their appropriate rooms in the new location, significantly reducing extra box moving and item searching.

Create a List

To simplify the process of finding needed objects, create a list of items that are in each box. Write a large number on the box with a black marker that corresponds to the listed items. For example, under box number one on your list, write juicer, blender, coffee maker and bread machine. Then write a large number 1 on the box. To simplify things further, write the number in the large color coded square you created so that box number and room number are instantly identifiable.

Divide and Protect

Another unpleasant fact about moving is that items get broken during the process. However, if you utilize cardboard box partitions as you pack, you not only better protect items from crashing into one another, but you also can better organize the contents. Using the example of kitchen items above, if you place box partitions in box number one, then you help prevent damage to those valuables. Cardboard box partitions are also extremely convenient for separating large numbers of small items such as contents from your sewing room or garage.

As you can see, a little preparation time can save you a great deal of stress as well as protect your valuable items from damage.

[8/28/2014]

Types of Laser Printer Labels

There are many companies that also specialize in laser printer label printing. Laser printers are very common in business marketing and other resourceful aspects of the world of business. They can be used to print flyers, programs, brochures, labels, and so much more. The images that can be printed onto different types of paper keep their shine and real-like image after being transferred. For this reason and many others, companies benefit from using all types of laser printer labels. A laser printer can handle all types of labels, whether they are being printed on a full length, half length, or quarter length sheet of paper. Some printers can even be set up to print on smaller measurements or certain patterns.

One of the commonly used types of labels is the shipping label. This can be used for residential or commercial purposes. It normally holds information that is needed for the post office or delivery company. This information normally includes the senders name, company name, address, and phone number or website. It must have the receivers name and correct address in order for the item to be delivered to correct recipient.

Delivery companies also use labels to track packages that are being shipped. This label can be called a shipping label or an in-route label. These labels have a barcode or a QR code printed on them and can be scanned by devices to check the package number and destination. Other information such as GPS location can also be obtained through this code. When the package arrives at one or many of the stops along the route to the destination, it is checked into a system that can normally be accessed online by the receiver and sender. The numbers within the barcode or QR code are turned into a specific tracking code used to access this information.

Food and beverage labels are also commonly printed on laser printers. Custom printed labels are used for specific companies and applied to the products upon delivery of the labels. These labels can vary with the product. Some may be printed across a sheet of paper, whereas others may take up the whole sheet. Bottles are normally printed rectangular whereas logo labels may be custom designed without perfect images.

Another type of commonly used labels are address labels. They can be used for residential or commercial purposes. When certain professions send letters to their consumers, they use a pre-printed address label and attach it where the sender’s address belongs on the envelope.

[8/21/2014]

Types of Custom Packaging

When it comes to distributing top quality products, having the best packaging available is a key ingredient to it being successfully shipped. Many products have set measurements that allow them to be placed inside of a box, with a divider, and shipped across the world without any damage. However, there are many products that do not meet set measurements and therefore require custom packaging.

Custom packaging can range from poster board to hexagonal shaped boxes, each designed specifically for the product in which is to be packaged, shipped, and delivered. One of the most commonly used custom packaging is Die-cut boxes. These can come in several finishing options which may include matte, glossy, or aqueous coating. Die-cut boxes can also be ordered specifically for the custom size that is needed.

Another type of custom cardboard packaging is stationary packing boxes. These boxes are designed to hold stationary type objects such as pens, pencils, paper, notepads, and other objects you would frequently find on a desk. Custom packing boxes that are designed for stationary require specific measurements. These specific types of boxes are used by colleges, schools, government offices, training institutes, and retail shops. They can also be customizable for other business needs.

When you walk into any store that avidly displays products, you encounter a special type of custom packaging, the display box. These boxes can range from small to extra-large and everything in between. They are normally seen near cash registers in retail and convenient stores displaying new products or products that are on sale. Some jewelry stores may use display boxes to show off their current name brand selection.

Special packaging boxes are used for fragile things too. The cosmetics companies use custom packaging boxes to help keep their fragrances, nail polish, eye shimmers, mascaras, creams, and other products from sliding around during shipping. These boxes also offer complete protection to every inch of the product whether it is fragile or not.

There are several other types of custom packages that are specifically used for certain products. One of the reasons why most companies choose custom packaging or boxes is because they can have their name branded across the container, in the design of their choice. The boxes can even display their company logo. It allows for companies to also advertise their products during shipment and delivery. Custom packaging compliments the products in which they are made for. They can help enhance the showcasing of new and upcoming products.

[8/18/2014]

Special Features of Custom Fiber Dividers

When packaging a product to be shipped around the world, there are several important steps that must be made. There are several decisions that should be carefully made before the packaging and shipping process begins. Some of these decisions may include what type of boxes to use for shipping or the type of partitions or dividers used to ensure the safety of the products.

There are several types of boxes that are used to ship specific products. However, there are certain dividers that are used specifically for certain products. Some are even custom made to fit neatly around small or larger products when multiples are placed in a box to be shipped. Fiber dividers are used for short or tall packages that require compression strength to help contain the product and prevent damage.

With fiber dividers there are special features that go into the storage of products. Each partition or divider is set up specifically for product protection. Fiber dividers have a few other mentionable features as well. Corner cuts help to reduce problems that may come from inserting. Instead of having square edges, they are cut to prevent snagging. There is enough room at the top or bottom of the divider to provide a locking space while it is open. The locking feature restrict any movement of the strips within the divider.

Another great feature of a cardboard box divider is an adhesive coat that is applied to the vertical sides of the divider. This feature helps hold the divider in place. It also helps by allowing the package to be moved in any manner without losing, shifting, or damaging the divider. The orientation notch is found at the top right hand corners of fiber dividers. They are made specifically to ensure that the divider can be opened or closed properly. When closing, the two rectangular shaped cut outs should fold on top of one another flawlessly.

These are just some of the features that can be found when using a fiber or regular cardboard box divider. With each type of custom made divider there are certain specializations put in to help with specific products such as wine, perfume, or other glass bottles. Without the use of a divider during shipment the product may be at risk of severe damage. This damage can result in losing most or all of the shipment. Dividers are especially warranted when the packages include fragile products.

[8/14/2014]