Why is product packaging so important?

As a same day courier service, we often get asked questions concerning packaging, and what the best thing to do inside the boxes when sending parcels.

To us, packaging your items is one of the most important things. In this blog posting we take a closer look at some of the best methods available.

One general point to make is to say that the packaging will depend on your items. Size, weight, fragility and some other factors will all determine what materials are best to use. If you are in doubt asking an expert will be one of the best things you can do to protect your parcel.

Bubble wrap is among some of the most commonly used packaging for sending items. Bubble wrap is essentially a plastic sheet on a roll, which is often cut to suitable size. Bubble wrap contains small, frequent spaces of air (like bubbles.) This acts as a cushion to help support delicate items and can be used to ‘line’ your box as an extra initial layer of protection.

Air pillows are another packaging method which must be considered for sending items. These are similar to bubble wrap but are individual sacs full of air – literally looking like a small pillow which is made out of air, hence the name. Air pillows cushion items similar to bubble wrap, but due to the bigger size, often play a good role in keeping items from moving whilst being transported. This ensures that the chance of damage is reduced. Air pillows are often used to fill the empty spaces inside the box, so produce extra cushioning effect. Air pillows are relatively cheap, easy to get hold of an are an extremely versatile product for sending items.

You will often see parcels packaged with a type of polystyrene foam inside. This is another popular material used for sending items via a courier. Polystyrene foam can be used for a wide range of packages from very large items, to simple and small transits. Polystyrene foam is light-weight, low cost and often has other advantages that people don’t automatically think of. These include being moisture and bacteria resistant, aswell as being a good insulator for the contents. This can be useful to know if you are sending any products where consideration of these factors is important.

Surprisingly enough, paper and card can produce good results when used as an internal packaging method. Thick paper and cardboard can be used well to hold items in place – this is especially so if these materials are adapted to suit the shape / size of the box. Remember that paper and card can be recycled or used again, which makes them a popular green packaging material.

Why is product packaging so important?

Packaging it everywhere no matter what you are buying, but have you ever stopped to wonder what purpose it is really serving and why it is there? We would guess you know the obvious answer to this, but are perhaps unaware of some of the clever other reasons why packaging exists. As a delivery company and same day courier, we see and deal with packaging all the time – whether that is an outside of a box, or inner cushioning and so we know all of these reasons well.

Obvious

*Packaging is there to protect the product. That is hardly a shock and is no surprise. If you have purchased something online or it is being shipped from one location to another appropriate packaging is vital to ensure the product does not get damaged and stops in the best condition when being transported by the courier or delivery company.

Not so obvious

*Packaging is also designed as a safety feature and to provide a canvass for vital information. This can include the basics such as the name and address of the sender / receiver, to what is in the parcel and whether these are hazardous or dangerous goods. In the case of the latter, the packaging is likely to be robust and structured in such a way that it can safeguard against problems associated. If the item is food or drink related, then manufacturing dates and use by dates are important information that needs to be placed on the packaging and therefore the packaging can soon become an inventory of goods.

*Packaging is also all about promoting the item and so serves a useful purpose of advertising. Ever wondered why shopping bags have the stores name on them? You are providing a great marketing tool for them. Packaging works in a similar way. Original and unique packaging can stand out from competitors and can be one way the business is likely to be remembered. It stands to reason, if you open a parcel and there is some fancy logo branded packaging inside it (or even on the outside,) you are far more likely to remember this than someone who uses only plain. The clever thing about psychology is you are therefore likely to use that company again – assuming all else is fine with your transaction.

*Packaging can say a lot about your ambition to sustainability. Don’t you just hate it when you order the smallest of things which turn up in the biggest boxes you could possibly imagine? 21st century is all about the environment and recognising our contribution towards it. Those that use packaging responsibly, aswell as those who use quality recycled and biodegradable materials are likely to gain some of the best benefits when it comes to customer satisfaction.

*Packaging is all about the usability. Customers are looking for packaging that is designed simply, yet it can withstand the ‘rough and tumble’ of being transported and handled, aswell as being easy to open but not so easy that it all falls apart with a mere touch. When it is finished with, people want to be able to dismantle it with ease, potentially reusing it or recycling it if possible. All these factors need to be considered when suitable packaging is being developed.

Who would have thought that there was so much more to packaging than simply protecting the product?

Do you know we offer a wide range of courier services? These include bespoke services such as fine art (an area where careful packaging is extremely important!) Click the link to find out more.