Note: Neil Patel does not provide custom shipping boxes. If you’re looking to buy shipping boxes, check out Packlane.
We devote a lot of attention around here to service-based companies but figured it was well past time to give product suppliers some love too. After all, getting products to your shoppers’ doors is all about the destination, and if you can squeeze a bit of extra branding and customer loyalty in the process, why not?
Here are five ways to make sure your brand gets noticed and gets attention!
1. Custom Shipping Boxes
Boxes have a variety of logo printing options, from simple logo placement to complete design on all sides
Few things are more exciting than when that long-awaited Amazon package arrives on your doorstep with its distinctive “grinning” A-Z logo. Ever wondered how you could get that kind of high-end service for your own products?
Custom Boxes Now is one of many services that can make it happen. From simple 2-color designs on regular cardboard to more premium-grade printing across the entire box, you can give your package a look that’s unmistakable. The best part is that you can fully customize the look online and get a quote instantly – no waiting.
For even greater variety and wholesale discounts, check out The Custom Boxes, as they provide the ability to search for your ideal branded box by style and include specialty designs such as die-cut boxes, windowed and display boxes, food, cosmetic and wine boxes (and much more).
2. Custom Shipping Bags
Custom bags, bows, and fillers create a fully pulled-together look
If you’d like a bit more sophistication for your products, look no further than Bags and Bows. From simple merchandise bags to high-end fabric bags and gourmet bags, you can ship your product in style.
Bags and Bows also include all the trimmings to complete the look, including crinkle-cut fillers, tissue paper, ribbons, bows and much more. Many of their products are eco-friendly as well.
For when you need something a bit simpler, take a look at Plus Packaging. They provide security packaging, polyfoam bags, and poly mailer packaging. Custom runs have a minimum of 10,000 pieces, where regular non-branded versions have a 3,000 piece minimum.
3. Shipping Peanuts
Biodegradable packing peanuts made with corn starch
Speaking of eco-friendly, it’s hard to beat the ingenuity of biodegradable shipping peanuts. Fully non-toxic and static-resistant, packing peanuts from U-Haul are sustainable and safe around kids and pets.
Made with corn starch, these peanuts are designed to stack up to even the toughest traditional polystyrene competitors, providing improved cushioning against stacking and impacts. What’s more, they dissolve instantly in water without harming your pipes and can also be used to make compost.
Are they brandable? Not exactly. But today, customers are more eco-conscious than ever, and using this type of product in your shipping shows that you’re working hard to reduce your company’s carbon footprint as well.
4. Custom Shipping Tape
Shipping tape doesn’t have to be the same, boring brown or clear color. U-Line produces some excellent choices for sealing with your brand’s colors and logo. The differences in products lie in the type of material used for the tape, how they can be printed, and available colors.
For smaller businesses, however, U-Line can be prohibitively expensive. Another option for custom shipping tape comes from Seton. Here, you can customize the color (choose from 7 different options), choose size and text, add your logo and number of rolls, and get an instant estimate so you’ll know the exact cost in just a few minutes.
5. Monthly Mailer Boxes
Custom top-fold boxes with various inserts for cushioning and display
You’ve no doubt heard of (or perhaps even signed up for) monthly subscription boxes. Everything from makeup to dog treats can be hand-picked and sent directly to you every month for a small fee.
If you’ve ever wondered how to style your monthly mailer service, Salazar Packaging has your answer. Top fold boxes with dividers are one of the most popular “subscription box” choices, and inner dividers can be customized depending on your product.
How Much Do Custom Shipping Items Cost?
The cost depends on the degree of customization, the size of the box/carton, the number you need and the colors involved.
Some sites have a bulk ordering option, while others specialize in smaller, more personalized printing runs that give you full control over the process. In many cases, these companies are very flexible in the types of artwork and formats they accept, and nearly anything can include your logo.
Some sites allow you to simply input the dimensions of your ideal box, along with logo and coloring options, to see an immediate price and place an order.
Packing to Protect
We’ve all heard horror stories (or perhaps been victims ourselves) of poor shipping and handling practices. The fact is, the responsibility lies with you, the seller, to protect your package from as much misuse and mishandling as possible.
For example, many sellers place their item inside the box and pour shipping peanuts or filler around it. This doesn’t provide the kind of structural cushioning you need, especially for fragile items.
Putting a layer of padding or filler in and around the item and then (gently!) shaking the box to ensure NO MOVEMENT is the best possible way to start your product on a safe journey.
The structural integrity of your boxes is another key to keep in mind. Remember that your carrier will put boxes that can be as much as double the weight and thickness of your own product, on top of your box, so it needs to be structurally strong. Choosing the right size box and paying careful attention to the edges when folding will ensure that each corner acts as a support for the inevitable weight dropped on top of it.
The Unboxing: Turning Your Branded Items into a Social Experience
Who would think that something as simple as opening a package could turn into a social sharing experience?
That’s what the folks at LootCrate had in mind when they created their monthly subscription service. Their monthly delivery is themed around a specific topic that appeals to gamers.
LootCrate encourages subscribers to share their unboxing on social media
More importantly, their packaging encompasses everything a gamer would understand and be attracted to, from “tips for the perfect unboxing” (see below), to QR codes that, when scanned, take subscribers to a special “members only” area with special videos.
These points, together with hashtags, help spread the word about LootCrate in a way that’s fun and interactive.
The closer the next crate comes to shipping, the more the #LootCrate hashtag pops up on Twitter – and it’s all an integral part of their marketing strategy. Many subscribers submit their unboxing reactions to LootCrate via video or photos, and LootCrate proudly displays them.
By incorporating these kinds of tips into your own packaging strategy, you can also have your customers enjoy the thrill of the unboxing.
What if I Need More Help?
We realize that for some product suppliers, ordinary shipping supplies may not fit the bill. You may have an unusually shaped product that requires something a bit beyond what ordinary customization can deliver.
Also, you may want more control over the quality process to ensure that your item can sustain maximum shelf life and avoid tell-tale signs of tampering. For more involved issues like these, you may want to hire a packaging engineer.
These professionals do more than just advise you on how to pack items. They also provide direction on quality control, RFID tags, recyclability, tamper-evident barriers and much more. F
or specialized items where only the best will do, it pays to have one of these advisors on your team to ensure minimal losses while maximizing product longevity.
Share Your Packaging Experience!
Do you sell products online with branded shipping? What has your experience been so far? Share your thoughts and comments with us below!
About the Author: Sherice Jacob helps business owners improve website design and increase conversion rates through compelling copywriting, user-friendly design and smart analytics analysis. Learn more at iElectrify.com and download your free web copy tune-up and conversion checklist today!
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