Author: Lyra

How Businesses can Reduce Shipping Damage in a Few Simple Ways 

Posted on by Lyra

Businesses thrive on packaging that gets to the customers in a safe, effective way. The problem, however, is that they might think that there’s enough protection, only for it to break during transit. That’s never fun. 

The simplest solution that you get is having better packaging. That’s right, it’s a simple series of steps, but the overall benefits that come with these packaging adjustments can be felt, reverberations that many customers resonate with. 

The Materials and Insides Matter 

Your first solution is to look at the materials that you use both outside and inside. 

If you need extra protections, a corrugated box might be the solution you’re looking for. Though they tend to cost more, they offer worthwhile benefits that you’ll be grateful to have when shipping out. 

But, the insides matter just as much. Protecting the corners, holding the packaging in place with suspension packaging and the like are all good ideas. 

If you’re looking to save money and offer protection, inserts made of cardboard might be the solution that you’re looking for.   You’d be surprised at how much power protective inserts have. 

Then, there’s foam. Foam is magical, and it offers limitless protection to the items that are inside. With foam, you can make it moldable too, which fits your packaging needs. 

Finally, air cushions.   You might want to use air cushions or pillows for your packaging needs. This will ultimately reduce your packaging, making it stronger and fit your needs.   

The insides matter, just as much as the outsides. 

Void Fill Fittingly 

The right void fill matters to a degree, but it mostly relies on how you put it in there. 

Too little, and your stuff is going to break. Too much, and you can kiss your efficiency goodbye. People hate it when they get items that are just littered with void fill.   Using the right amount is good. 

Wrapping the void fill around the package is a good start. Try to have it sit near the center or focused in the center.   If possible, keep it at least an inch away from the sides. 

If you’re noticing you’re using too much, aim for a smaller box, as that could be the problem. It will also save you a ton on dimensional weight charges if you just have the right void fill, and the correct amounts to make it fit the needs that you have. 

The Real-World Carrier Claim reduction tips 

There’s a lot of carriers that don’t want you spending a ton of money on void fill or having to send out returns or refunds. 

The first thing is to try to aim for almost equal weight and DIM. Don’t use oversized boxes or stuff them with foam. It doesn’t work.

When in doubt, always tell a carrier that something is fragile. You might be asked when shipping the item, but if you’re not, make sure to let them know, and also stamp on their FRAGILE HANDLE WITH CARE to help with reduction of breaks and drops.

Some shipping also helps with the efficiency and protection of these materials. Ground shipping does risk humming and static, while airplanes might be tightly cramped. Make sure to research, and choose the appropriate shipping for your needs that fits what the customers want. 

Having better packaging is a simple solution to the problem of shipping damage for businesses. Being mindful of how they’re put together is not only good for your needs, but good for the overall needs that your business has, and the results these offer too. 

The Best Ecofriendly Supplies for Ecommerce 

Posted on by Lyra

Getting the right types of shipping supplies is important. You want something that ships the items effectively, helps with the transit, and will keep everything safe. As well, you might want something that’s more eco friendly for the items as well.   This is because being ecofriendly is important, as it will help with improving the overall state of your packaging and customer perception. 

You might wonder if there are good items online to buy for this. guess what? There is! Here are a few different ecofriendly packaging supplies to choose from. 

Ecofriendly Products that Work 

There are a few that really stand out when choosing the right supplies for ecommerce businesses. 

Biodegradable mailers are one example. These are mailers that can be broken down, and usually with biodegradable mailers, they tend to be easy to toss away, because they simply break down. It’s simple, effective, and will really shake things up. 

Recyclable cardboard is one example of this too. Many times, cardboard is the best material for the job, but some cardboard isn’t recyclable due to varnishes and glues.   The alternative is a cardboard that you can recycle with no qualms or issues, and it works great for ecofriendly brands. 

Water-based inks are a third one. These are inks that dissolve in water. With water-based inks, you’re able to have a package that’s fully sustainable, and it can be great for ecommerce brands of all kinds, especially if you want to build a product that focuses on sustainability from beginning to end. 

Alternatives to Bubble Wrap 

Bubble wrap is a very common one that you might want to use. But, it suffers from the problem of it being very unsustainable. It’s a plastic, so it will go and break down over time, and that’s a problem.   

The solution? Bubble wrap alternatives. 

Packaging peanuts for instance are one type of way to use an alternative to bubble wrap. But polystyrene isn’t sustainable. So, the solution is to use packaging peanuts made from paper, soy, or plant-based fibers. 

Mushroom packaging is another hot, new thing.   It’s literally made from mushrooms, and could be a good way to use compostable alternatives to regular bubble wrap. 

Some crinkle paper is another. This is also good for composting, because provided there’s no bleaches or dyes on it, it’s sustainable. 

Most of the time, anything plant based that has cellulose in there is a good way to make it work, especially for corrugated and cardboard alternatives. 

It can be a struggle, but there are a lot of different ways to make your ecofriendly packaging sustainable on all fronts. 

More Customers Like This 

Yes, customers do demand sustainable packaging, especially compared to those that are not sustainable. With more and more demand for this, it’s something that you have to consider now.

Many are focusing on the impact their packaging has on things. Plastic is overtaking our landfills, choking our oceans and reefs, and contributing to the global output of greenhouse gasses, which in turn causes problems. That’s why, it’s important for when you’re building packaging to consider those that pride on being ecofriendly.   You owe it to yourself to use this, and more customers are taking charge to reduce their carbon footprint, which is why, starting now you should build a packaging experience that shines, really integrates the customer input that’s needed, and stand out amongst the sea of people that don’t have the normal packaging supplies in place.

Building the best demand possible is important, and with the right sustainable actions, you’re able to give packaging that helps make your business stand out. 

The Different Types of Tape Options 

Posted on by Lyra

We think of tape as just a means to seal your packages or close something. 

Right? 

Well, that’s where you’re a little off the mark. Shipping tape isn’t just used for utility. It’s a branded asset that can even be used as a marketing touchpoint. With customized tape being something on the more affordable end these days, using this type of type is not only a good thing for you to do now, but it can also offer the ultimate in branding assets that will help to make your packaging shine.

But it’s more than just a brand asset.   This type of printing is actually good for improving the overall state of your packaging. Here, we’ll go over how shipping tape has evolved, and some of the core ways to make your packaging work with it.

Tamper Evident Tape 

There’s many different types of packaging tape, including tamper-evident tape. This is tape that shows whether someone’s messed with the item.   This can be tape that has a seal that breaks if you touch it, or that will show something on it if the packaging has been opened.

For security sensitive goods, this is needed, because it will show if someone messed with this, protecting the items that are inside.

So yes, tape isn’t just used to seal and say something, but it’s also used for security too. 

Ecofriendly Tapes 

Another evolution of tape, is the ecofriendly aspects of tape. Tape is actually more eco-friendly than ever before. In the past, it was made with plastics and patrols, which did a number on our environment.

But these days? We now have tape that’s ecofriendly, such as paper tape. Again, it can be tossed or recycled, or even composted in certain cases, without much trouble. 

There’s also water-activated tape, which has the double features of security and sustainability. With this tape, you put it on, wet it with some water, and it creates a seal.   This again, is very sustainable, and it’s good for the ultimate in protection.

Tapes to Withstand Temps 

Many temperatures are growing, and with extreme temperatures being a problem, many companies are looking for tape that can take the heat.

There are some.    With heat-sensitive tape, you’ll be able to use the tape that’s there, and from there, use these materials in order to withstand all of the temperatures that are out there. So if it’s going through  a heat tunnel or something, this tape will help with this, and make it better for you as well. 

Color Coded Tapes 

Finally, we’ve got color coded tapes. While this can be used for branding, it can be used mostly in warehouses.   For many brands, this is good for warehouse options and organization. For instance, green might be something that requires no special treatment. Yellow might need some void fill or extra protection. Finally, you’ve got red, which indicates that it needs to be taken care of immediately. 

These help to speed up and offer adequate protection to the packaging whenever you can.   If you’re someone who is worried about their packaging, or needs some extra peace of mind when choosing the right tape, then you’ll be able to, with this, create a tape that best fits you. Again, the sky’s the limit with tapes, and there’s so much you can do with this, so consider your options today, and use that tape not only to seal, but for you to do so much more as an asset today for your branding and security features that you can use to make this really pop as a result. 

How to Reduce Waste While Keeping Packaging Efficient 

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There’s a lot to consider when boosting packaging efficiency.   There are a few common ones that many companies use, and it gets them in trouble as a result. Whether it’s through returns, or upset customers, not making sure your packaging is efficient for your needs can make or break your packaging. 

Some common ones include using way too much void fill, which I see as wasteful for a lot of customers, and it can impact how customers see you as a company. 

Single-use materials are also out of style.   Sure, it might seem like a good initial idea, but if you’re only using single-use plastics and other materials, that’s seen as wasteful and inefficient, which can in turn impact the way customers perceive your brand and interact with it. 

Finally, you have mis-sized containers, where you put a small item in a giant box.   Again, might seem like a good idea in theory, but in practice, it looks useless and a waste of resources. 

On the flip side, cramming an item into a tiny container looks like it might work under the guise of being efficient, but this can cause packages to explode during transit, potentially ruining the item. 

Again, all of these are inefficient, and you need to be mindful of such factors when choosing items. 

How to Optimize Material Use 

The best way to optimize the material use is to match the packaging to product size and functionality. On average, try to make it so that you’re only leaving a couple inches of space. 

If you know that an item needs a foam shell around it for protection, then you simply design a package with a foam shell in place to make this easier.   It can really help, and make things easier for you to get to customers. Plus, for fragile items, the right box is the solution to protect your time, since you don’t have to worry about them breaking during transit too. 

What Sustainable Alternatives to Seek Out 

You want to look for sustainable ones, because again, it’s multi-use shipping. It also looks better and far less wasteful. 

The best ones are reusable insets, which the customer can keep to hold the product in certain cases. Recyclable plastics are another one. These are plastics that can be easily recycled, no matter where you are or the type of situation that you’re in. 

You also might want to look into compostable options that will help make this work for you. 

The Guide to Implementation 

Figuring out whether you’re efficient or inefficient with packaging waste is important. 

The best way to do this, is to run a packaging audit, where your packaging is thoroughly checked and inspected to ensure that the items inside are properly taken care of. 

Cost-effective packaging is another one too. making sure that you’re still in the black with your packaging efficiencies and the like will help save you money in the long-term as well, and make it far more effective for you to use.  

Being mindful of the problems will help to make this easier. If you’re still not sure whether or not your packaging is efficient, implement the impact metrics that are there. This will measure the waste reduction and customer satisfaction improvements, which will help to see how efficient your packaging is, and how effective it can be in the long-term. 

Trying this packaging today will help make it better, so consider different ways to reduce packaging waste, while also keeping it effective, for your own overall success and wellness with the customer support you’ve dreamed of. 

What’s the Best Packaging Materials and Protectors for Fragile Items 

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Packing fragile items is a bit of a challenge for many retailers.   Which is why, in order to make sure that the items survive the transit, you want to use packaging tests to ensure that nothing is amiss. 

Drop tests are one, where you drop it and see how the box is faring. If it’s able to keep its form and shape together, then it’s good. If not, it might need some changes. 

Vibration tests are good too. used for electronics, this tests whether the circuits are intact after being on a humming, vibrating truck or other means of travel.

Finally, environmental stress testing such as extreme heat, cold, humidity, even rain and flood might be used. These will simulate environments where there’s extra stress involved, in order to make it easier for you to get the items together and properly protected. 

Now that you know the tests, what’s the best way to protect your items so that they survive stress tests?  Read on to find out. 

The Effective Cushioning 

A lot of cushioning is super effective for your toes. 

Foam is one example, because they tend to be very strong, and you can make it modular as well. 

Bubble wrap is another one, where you’re able to put it together using bubble wrapping. Though not as sustainable, there are ecofriendly options. It also tends to be the best for vibration resistance too. 

With foam, you also want to choose anti-static foam, which will help reduce the static vibrations from ruining the items. 

Finally, corrugated inserts. Such inserts are made with corrugated materials, and tend to be pretty strong, which are good as well for more sustainable options. 

Designing for protection 

You want to layer the materials in a way where there is immediate cushioning, then a good external cushion. For instance, using bubble wrap around an item directly followed by foam will help to add extra protection. 

This is especially important for odd items. Adding either a corrugated or foam insert then other protections will help to ensure that the protections for those items are possible. 

Balancing Costs and Protections 

One thing to consider when putting together such items is using the right balancing of costs of the items and overall protections. Though it might seem okay to have these lightweight protections, it might not be enough. Too much, and you’re paying extra costs. This is why, when you’re putting together your packaging, don’t be afraid to run tests as well, which will help with seeing the true factors that are in place, and what works for you. 

You want to look into plant-based ones as well, as they also double as being ecofriendly, while also safeguarding the products in place to make this even better for you too. 

The Best Practices 

For most of these, you want to make sure that your packaging is built around the item. 

For instance, antistatic foam is one to use with this, especially for electronics. It will, in turn, make it easier for your protections to be in place. Glass is another one. Having something to wrap around this followed by an external cushion will serve to offer the best protections for your items. 

When you’re building packaging for fragile items, try your best to make it so that they’re protected from all elements. Be mindful of how they’re put together, work on wrapping, and you will, as a result of all of this, build the best packaging protections that you can get, and will, as a result, craft an incredible box that will keep items protected, and customers happy. 

How a Carrier Calculates Dimensional Weight, and How to Reduce Costs 

Posted on by Lyra

Dimensional weight is something that carriers work with to calculate the shipping costs of things. 

Also known as DIM weight, it shows how much space a package is currently occupying, in relation to the actual weight that’s there. It’s used by carriers, for lightweight, but not super bulky, types of packages. 

Calculating this will help with improving the optimization of your packaging, and control the costs of shipping. It can save you money if you put it in a smaller box, especially if the weight remains the same. 

The way this is done is by measuring the length, width, and height in inches, multiplying this, and then dividing the resulting number by what’s called the DIM divisor. This is varied by carrier, either 139 or 166 usually. 

Now, you then take the DIM weight, that number divided by 166, and then compare it to the current weight. If the carrier sees a discrepancy, it will charge the greater one. 

Now, sometimes these numbers are close, but if the number is huge while the product is small, you have some adjustments to do. 

The Common Packaging Mistakes that Cause DIM Changes 

Most of the time, the causes of DIM changes are on you, and how you package them. 

Oversized boxes are one example of this. The tiny item in a big box isn’t going to cut it with most carriers. 

Another one is underfilled packages.  If you need all that space for your item, that’s great, but there’s a strong chance that you don’t, and it will trigger a much higher DIM charge. 

Padding overflow is a third one. Some people put in too much padding, under the guise of being efficient. It isn’t efficient, and it ends up causing a lot of trouble in the long term as well. 

The Smart Solutions 

Most of the time, the simplest answer is a smart solution. 

The correct-sized box is one example of such. putting the right box together plays a huge role in your packaging solutions, and makes it easier for you. 

Poly mailers rather than a box is another solution. For small trinkets and items, this is one of the best ways to make things better for you in the long haul as well. 

Modular inserts to minimize the voids, such as foam inserts and cardboard ones, also help with minimizing the void while also not causing packaging overflow. Again, it mostly involves smart packaging. 

The Best ways to Check This 

Now, most of the time, using an online DIM calculator will help with getting you the total DIM before going to the post office. There are also sites where optimization strategies are used too. These, of course, will help to optimize the packaging to make it easier on you, and more efficient. 

If you’re having trouble, there are also guides that will give you tips to try this, and will in turn, help to ensure that your packaging is integrated correctly into the packaging needs that you have.

So does this have an impact on the overall costs of your packaging? Yes, it does. Many times, when you optimize the packaging correctly, you save yourself a ton on various charges by the courier and the like. Being able to ensure that your packaging dimensional weight is effective for the packaging needs that you have is a huge part of this. 

So, by doing such, you’ll be able to calculate DIM, ultimately reduce the costs of such items, and in turn, it will make everything far more efficient too. 

What Labeling do I Need for International Shipments 

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Many of the items that you ship overseas are a little different from regular packaging. They involve different compliance essentials and various documentation that will make it easier for you to get the item to the customer. 

Obviously you have the name and address. You need that to get it anywhere. Another one that you’re going to want to have as well is HS codes, or harmonized system codes which classify goods. These will show the country of origin, where it’s going, the receipt and shipping information, and all other declarations for customs that are needed. 

When shipping to where the EU is, you may want to include the EORI number, known as the economic operators resignation and identification, along with the certification marks that are there. 

This is of course, on top of the barcodes for the items that contain information that’s crucial, the type of service that the packaging might need, such as express or ground, dimensional weight for correct handling and pricing, and special instructions for handling, such as if an item is perishable or fragile, on top of the regular customs declaration for those international shipments you’ve got. 

Different Shippers 

You want to make sure that you choose the right shippers as well. 

UPS and USPS are used in the US for example.   UPS tends to handle bigger, more fragile and expensive shipments, while USPS handles just about everything else. FedEx is used for specialty and other major shipments. 

Many international companies might also use DHL and other carriers. Some might start with a carrier from their country of origin, and then get into the US or destination country.

Some shippers also use different types of codes. UPS for example has more specific diet label dimensions and a very particular type of format for the barcodes, while FedEx might use another type of code requirement. Many times, having the label printing software configured for different carriers and generating the correct label based on a specified shipping method plays a major role. 

Handling Fragile and Restricted Goods 

Many times, you also need to focus on trying to have the right protection in place when shipping. 

Letting the courier know that something is fragile is a good place to start, but accurate labeling also plays a major part.

A bigger issue is usually restricted goods. Certain items can’t come into the country without the right documentation, and if you don’t have that, it’s going to mean major delays and frustrations for both you and customers. Making sure that, should you choose to ship out such items, you have the right documentation in place, will help with the delays and reduce the lead times for such things. it’s important to consider, as the correct labeling and documentation is necessary, not just for local shipping, but on an international level. 

When in Doubt, Use Automated Solutions 

If you’re not sure whether your item needs specific labels, there’s now automated solutions that will help you with generating the correct compliant labels that will ensure the proper documentation for these items. 

Many shipping platforms help with this, and the right compliant labels will make it so that you’re able to improve your experience, and thereby strengthen your company’s shipping practices. 

Overall, if you’re using labeling and documentation to help with making sure that the items remain compliant, you’ll be able to not only get international shipments out the door, but also improve the overall speed of your packaging, from the beginning of the process, all the way to the customer’s door, no matter where it may be.