Packaging Supplies: What Are the Essentials?

PackageIt Team • January 13, 2022

Basic Packaging Supplies

Packaging items for shipping can be stressful. Whether shipping items daily for an ecommerce shop, or preparing packages for ordinary business needs every so often, discovering you don’t have the correct materials or enough packing supplies is an inconvenience that can ruin your day. It’s double the effort and twice the time if you need to stop and order shipping and packaging supplies after you’ve already started.


You can avoid such hassles by ensuring you have the right materials and resources ready right from the start. So, what are the packaging supplies every ecommerce, small business and home office should have? Make sure you are prepared with these essentials.


1. Boxes


One thing to keep in mind about boxes – they are not all the same. Standard boxes come in different sizes, sturdiness, color and strength, which means you may need a variety depending on the items you need to ship. Smaller boxes are best for heavier items. This way, you won’t be packing too much in a box and end up too heavy. Lighter items or oddly shaped items do best in medium and large boxes.


Mailers

Also keep in mind mailers and tubes. These are economical methods of guarding and containing products that are susceptible to impact and abrasion during transit. They’re commonly used for books, CDs, DVDs and other small, compact items.


2. Filler Material

Loose Fill and Void Filler

Loose Fill and Void Filler


Sometimes referred to as void filler or packing peanuts, loose fill is essential for shipping certain products, especially if your product creates unevenly shaped voids within the carton. Expanded polystyrene, also known as EPS or plastic #6, is available in 100% recycled polystyrene, anti-static and biodegradable versions. Also to consider are void filler pillows. These are an alternative to bulk loose fill, and offer the advantages of efficiency, space savings, and a smaller carbon footprint. A void fill machine is required to quickly and easily fill the void filler ‘pillows’.

Packing Paper and Bubble Cushion


For smaller shipping jobs, newspaper, packing paper or bubble cushion may be all you need. These are readily available and can also be customized with company logos or special messaging.

 

3. Packing Tape


If there’s a packing supply that you will need more than you think of, it’s the packing tape. An essential for sealing any box or carton, tape can also be customized with company and product images, logos and slogans. How does packaging tape and shipping tape differ? Packaging tape has a long-lasting adhesive that works in both hot and cold temperatures.


There are many excellent quality packing tapes that you can reliably use in more ways than one. And don’t forget the tape gun or dispenser. Depending on your shipping volume, these tools can prove to be invaluable.


Considerations for eCommerce


Shipping and packaging supplies for a larger eCommerce shop are slightly different from general packaging supplies. If you regularly ship products or components, here are some things to keep in mind:


Customs Cartons, Boxes, Bags, or Padded Envelopes


There are many stock items you can use for shipping. But you might need custom or specialty packaging for special products or items you ship frequently. You name it, a custom box can be created for any product or item needed to be shipped: Corrugated mailers, white die-cut mailers, one-piece folding boxes, plus everything from meat patty boxes to record file boxes.


 

Sturdy Exterior Packaging


You want your products to arrive without any damage. To prepare for storage and shipping conditions, you may also need crating solutions and transport supplies. Corrugated containers and crates systems are available to protect from product loss and to optimize shipping budgets.




Make it Easy with PackageIt Solutions


Packagining and shipping can be incredibly challenging, but they don’t have to be. If you’re too busy to get the packaging supplies you need, PackageIt can help. Our inventory and expert resources can provide you with all the basic and custom packaging supplies you need. Just call PackageIt at 888-743-0907 to discuss your packaging needs with our representatives.

Call us today!


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