What Material Should You Use, and How Should You Package Products for Delivery?
If you sell products in a way that customers visit your store in person and simply pick them up, you may not need separate product packaging. But what about products sold online and delivered by courier? Yes, packaging is not only important — it is essential. No matter how great the product is, if it does not retain its quality by the time it reaches the consumer’s hands...
Source: smallbiztrends.com
If you sell products in a way that customers visit your store in person and simply pick them up, you may not need separate product packaging. But what about products sold online and delivered by courier? Yes, packaging is not only important — it is essential. No matter how great the product is, it means nothing if it does not retain its quality by the time it reaches the consumer’s hands. As products move from seller to buyer through multiple channels, packaging is what protects them along the way. Proper product packaging can also translate directly into lower costs, since any damage during transit ultimately comes out of the seller’s pocket.
But the phrase “proper packaging” is still somewhat abstract. What material should you use, what method should you choose, and what kind of box is appropriate so that packaging is neither excessive nor insufficient?
What Should You Package It With?
The goal is always to protect the product safely, but the best method varies widely depending on the product. First, let’s look at what kind of material is suitable for protecting goods in different situations.
1. Corrugated board or paper
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One of the most representative packaging materials is corrugated board, or paper. Because corrugated board is both lightweight and sturdy, it can protect products without adding much weight to the shipment. That is why corrugated boxes are used as standard courier boxes. Of course, clothing items such as T-shirts or sweaters may not require box packaging. But for products with even a slight risk of damage, corrugated boxes are used in most cases.
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2. Rigid box
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Sometimes you need packaging that feels more premium and is sturdier than a paper or corrugated box. In those cases, a rigid box is a good option. A rigid box is made by using thick corrugated board as the inner core and then wrapping it again with premium paper, fabric, leather, or other materials to increase durability. Because it uses more material than a standard paper box or corrugated box, it tends to cost more, but it creates a luxurious look and can protect the product more effectively in practice. However, to prevent the box itself from being damaged during shipping, it is often wrapped once more with furoshiki cloth or placed inside a courier box.
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3. Document envelope or bubble mailer
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When people think of “courier” or “delivery,” a box is usually the default image. But in fact, there are cases where a box is not needed. For small items such as jewelry or crafts, or flat products such as books or electronics, box packaging can leave too much empty space inside and actually make protection less effective. In those cases, envelope packaging is a good option. If the product is truly as thin as paper, a document envelope may be enough. Otherwise, a bubble mailer with protective cushioning is a better choice.
4. Delivery bag
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Reflecting the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging, reusable delivery bags are also commonly used these days. This is difficult if delivery happens only once, but if customers regularly order from one place, it is possible to pay a certain amount and keep using a delivery bag over time, with the courier collecting it afterward. This method is often used for grocery purchases, especially early-morning delivery services.
How Should You Package It?
Now that we’ve looked at what materials are suitable, let’s talk about how to package products more safely. Simply placing items in a box or envelope is often not enough.
1. Use cushioning material
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If a product is being delivered, that also means it will effectively be “thrown around” several times before it reaches the customer. That is the reality. You have to account for the product shaking around inside the box, envelope, or bag, being exposed to external impact, and facing differences in temperature or humidity. If there is empty space between the packaging and the actual product, that can be dangerous, because the product will move and collide within that space.
Filling that space with cushioning material is the simplest and most effective solution. Cushioning materials include bubble wrap and foam sheets, but eco-friendly cushioning made from paper or corn starch has become especially popular lately.
2. Seal it securely
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Just as important as keeping the product fixed inside the box is making sure the box stays properly closed. Boxes do sometimes open and let products fall out, which is a terrible outcome that really does happen. Boxes are generally sealed with tape, and you should use box tape or duct tape with strong enough adhesion. It is also important to use the H-taping method to protect both side edges. If the product is relatively heavy, pay even more attention and make sure the box does not open under any impact.
If You Chose a Corrugated Box
Have you chosen the most suitable material and method to package your product? If you have decided to use a corrugated box, you are not quite finished yet. Corrugated boxes also come in different types. Corrugated board is, quite literally, paper that has been strengthened by creating wave-shaped flutes in the base board, and those flutes can be made differently depending on the intended use.
Source: 99designs.fr
- First, A-flute corrugated board is relatively thick at about 5 mm. It therefore offers excellent cushioning, but its strength can vary depending on the paper used. It is a good choice for lightweight but bulky products such as dolls or clothing.
Source: 99designs.fr
- B-flute corrugated board is about 3 mm thick. It has greater density and strength than A-flute board, and it is the most commonly used type. It is suitable for products that are not especially large, heavy, or fragile.
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- E-flute corrugated board is thin at about 2 mm. It is dense and easy to handle, but because it is thinner, its cushioning performance is lower. It is useful for packaging small items such as cosmetics that are both light and compact.
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- Finally, BA-flute is very thick at about 8 mm total thickness because it combines B-flute and A-flute into a double-wall corrugated structure. The box itself is heavy, but it is essential for packaging large, heavy appliances and similar products.
All these technical terms and specific choices may feel a bit overwhelming. If your product is somewhere in the middle — neither too light nor too heavy — or has a somewhat unusual shape, you may have even more to think about. In that case, visit the Packative website and consult with an expert. You can get detailed guidance and handle the entire ordering and production process quickly and easily.
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In particular, the new corrugated folding box category has recently been added, so you can now conveniently order folding boxes made of corrugated board from Packative as well! You can choose standard sizes for quick and easy ordering, or freely customize detailed dimensions, thickness, and inner and outer materials. With the automatic quotation feature, you no longer need to waste time wondering about pricing. Try it now!