Blog Post

The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Shipping Supplies for Your Business Needs

PackageIt Team • Mar 13, 2023

One of the top priorities for any business owner is ensuring that your products are shipped safely and securely. But with so many shipping supplies available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones for your products and your needs. In this complete guide, we walk you through the basics of what you need to know to make informed decisions when it comes to selecting shipping supplies.


Why Choosing the Right Shipping Supplies is Important

Selecting the appropriate shipping supplies is essential to ensure that your products reach their destination safely and without damage. If your products doesn’t reach the customer in excellent condition, it reflects on your company, products, and brand. Here are some reasons why choosing the right shipping supplies is important:

  1. Protects your products during transit
  2. Helps to maintain your brand image
  3. Ensures customer satisfaction
  4. Reduces the risk of returns and refunds
  5. Saves you money in the long run


Types of Shipping Supplies

There are various types of shipping supplies available, and each serves a different purpose. Here are some of the most common types of shipping supplies:


Boxes

Boxes

Boxes are the most common type of shipping supply used to protect your products during transit. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and strengths to accommodate various products. When selecting boxes, it's important to choose ones that are the right size and strength for your products to ensure they are protected during shipping. You also have the option of custom boxes which can help to protect your products even more and also further promote your brand.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is a lightweight, flexible plastic material that is used to cushion and protect items during shipping. It's available in different sizes and thicknesses, and is particularly useful for protecting fragile items.

Packing Peanuts

Packing peanuts or loose fill are small foam pieces that are used to fill empty space in boxes and provide cushioning during shipping. They are particularly useful for protecting delicate or irregularly shaped items.


Tape

Tape is used to seal boxes and secure packaging materials. There are various types of tape available, including standard packing tape, heavy-duty tape, and reinforced tape.


Labels

Labels are used to identify the contents of boxes in the warehouse as well as provide important shipping information for transit such as the recipient's address and shipping method. It's important to choose labels that are durable and easy to read to ensure that your packages arrive at their destination safely and on time.


Factors to Consider When Choosing Shipping Supplies

When selecting shipping supplies for your business, there are several factors you should consider. These include:


Product Size and Weight

The size and weight of your products will play a significant role in determining the type of shipping supplies you'll need. It's important to choose boxes and other packaging materials that are the right size and strength for your products to ensure that they are protected during transit.


Fragility of Products

If you're shipping fragile items, you'll need to take extra precautions to ensure that they arrive at their destination safely. This may involve using additional cushioning materials such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts, or selecting boxes that are specially designed to protect fragile items.


Shipping Distance

The distance your products will be traveling is an important factor to consider when selecting shipping supplies. If your products are traveling a long distance, you'll need to choose packaging materials that can withstand the rigors of long-distance shipping.


Shipping Method

The shipping method you choose will also play a role in determining the type of shipping supplies you'll need. For example, if you're using a courier service, you'll need to ensure that your packaging materials meet their specific requirements.


Budget

Finally, your budget will also be a consideration when selecting shipping supplies. It's important to balance the cost of shipping supplies with the need to ensure that your products arrive at their destination safely and in good condition.


Tips for Choosing the Right Shipping Supplies

Shipping Partner

Finding the right packaging and shipping supply vendor is key to help securing all the items you need for shipping. A shipping and supply expert like PackageIt can do the work for you and help save time to research, compare, and assess all your options. We will provide high-quality products at competitive prices and with reliable delivery options. But you might still need to secure some items on your own. What are some of the things to look for when shopping for shipping supplies:


1. Conduct research to identify the types of shipping supplies that are available

2. Consider the size and weight of your products to determine the appropriate size and strength of boxes.

3. If you're shipping fragile items, use extra cushioning materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts.

4. Choose packaging materials that can withstand the rigors of long-distance shipping if your products will be traveling far.

5. Make sure your packaging materials meet the requirements of your chosen shipping method.

6. Balance the cost of shipping supplies with the need to protect your products during shipping.

7. Consider buying shipping supplies in bulk to save money.

8. Label your packages clearly and include important shipping information like the recipient's address and shipping method.

9. Test your packaging materials before shipping to ensure that they provide adequate protection for your products.

10. Consider eco-friendly shipping supplies to reduce your business's environmental impact.

Conclusion

Selecting the right shipping supplies is crucial for ensuring that your products reach their destination safely and without damage. Consider the size and weight of your products, their fragility, the distance they will be traveling, and your budget when selecting shipping supplies. Use the tips outlined in this guide to make informed decisions when choosing shipping supplies for your business needs.


Let the experts at PackageIt help. We have been providing custom packaging solutions to businesses in the Pacific Northwest since 1974. We treat you like a partner and take care of your packaging needs allowing you to focus on what is important to you. Contact us today.


FAQs

  • 1. What are the most common types of shipping supplies?

    The most common types of shipping supplies include boxes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, tape, and labels.

  • 2. How do I choose the right size and strength of boxes for my products?

    Consider the size and weight of your products when choosing the right size and strength of boxes. Boxes that are too small or weak may not provide adequate protection during shipping.

  • 3. What types of packaging materials should I use for fragile items?

    Use extra cushioning materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts for fragile items. You may also want to consider using boxes that are specially designed to protect fragile items.

  • 4. Can I save money on shipping supplies by buying in bulk?

    Yes, buying shipping supplies in bulk can be a cost-effective way to meet your business's shipping needs.

  • 5. Are there eco-friendly shipping supplies available?

    Yes, there are eco-friendly shipping supplies available that can help reduce your business's environmental impact.

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