Packaging Box Ideas To Discourage Shoplifting

Packaging box designs can play a role in helping retailers discourage theft. Retailers work hard to try and discourage shoplifting incidents. They invest in security cameras and mirrors that allow for good views of even hidden corners. When planning the layout of stores, they try to ensure good visibility that will make it less likely for a shoplifter to be successful. They also try to ensure good staffing so that shoplifters will be fearful of attempting theft when an employee is nearby.

Product manufacturers can also help retailers by applying certain ideas to their packaging box designs.

Go bigger

While the rule of thumb is to invest in packaging that is a good fit for the size of the product, going a bit larger may help in discouraging theft from stores. Shoplifters typically target items that they can most easily put in their pocket or bag and walk away unnoticed. If too big, it may appear as a bulge and increase the chances of getting caught. If your product is on the smaller side, you may want to consider opting for packaging that is bigger, and that will make it difficult to hide. Even just a longer backboard that is incorporated in hanging packaging can boost sizing for smaller items.

Seal your packaging box

Some shoplifters can go the extra mile to liberate the item they want from its packaging and hide it on their person. For a small item, even in a big box, this can make it harder to deter theft. The best solution here would be to seal the boxes well before allowing them to go to retailers and be shelved. Whether it means using glue or water-activated tape, try to seal the packaging such that shoplifters would struggle to open them up without being noticed.

Use display boxes

For high-end products, especially those of small size, it is advisable to avoid displaying and stocking them on store shelves. Manufacturers should consider sending out orders to retailers with a few empty display boxes that provide comprehensive information on the product. These can be left on the shelf, with instructions on what counters customers can go to ask for the product. This is often a negligible expense as the cost of a few extra boxes when ordering packaging wholesale and in bulk is minimal.

An alternative would be to create cardboard placeholders that customers can find on the shelves detailing the product and can pick up to exchange for the real thing when going to check out.

Must-Have Shipping Materials For Small Businesses

Small businesses tend to start with limited capital and therefore have to be careful about their spending until they begin to see revenues grow. This restricted spending also applies to their choice of shipping materials. As more consumers opt to shop online through e-commerce platforms, there has also been an increase in the number of businesses that are expanding their presence online to capture this market. This has made it necessary for even small businesses to ensure they invest in adequate stocks of shipping supplies. Here are the most basic types of supplies they will need to include in their inventory.

Shipping materials – mailers and boxes

The most basic shipping material is the mailer or box within which a product is packed. It is the primary security for the product and on which shipping information is placed so that shippers know where to deliver the package. Cardboard boxes are the most frequently used packaging material that can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Mailers are a good option for shipping documents or flatter-shaped products. Both options can be customized to fit a range of products to better protect them and minimize shipping costs.

Filler and cushioning shipping supplies

Once you have customized your choice of mailers and boxes, the next consideration should be the interior filling. Many products are not box-shaped and thus when placed in the packaging, will have voids around them. Filler can be used to fill in these spaces. It can also be used to provide cushioning.

When products are being shipped, they will be subjected to varying degrees of handling that could lead to damage. Cushioning within the box can help protect the product from rattling around inside the box or mailer and becoming damaged. Filler can also act as a barrier if the packaging is damaged and liquid or sharp item penetrates the interior. There are various types of shipping materials that can be used for these purposes including bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and inserts.

Tape shipping supplies

These shipping supplies are used to seal and reinforce packaging so that it does not come undone during transit and allow the contents of a box or mailer to spill out. There are different kinds of packing tapes that can be used depending on the type of box. You can even have them customized in terms of color, width, or with branding messages.

Shipping materials label

This is the final step of the shipping process when you add shipping address details and other information as to the contents of the box that the shipper may require, such as how to keep the box in an upright position or if it contains fragile items. Shipping labels work well to display branding messages and logos.

Creating Custom Packaging For Small Business

Is it time to create custom packaging for small business stores or e-commerce?
Much like larger corporations, small businesses need to pay attention when it comes to creating custom packaging. Packaging remains a powerful representation of a brand that can help boost its visibility and reputation in the public eye. The designs can not only impart important messages to onlookers, but they can also impact customers unboxing experiences which can go a long way in influencing their decision to make repeat purchases and the opinions they share about the brand.

Here are some issues that need to be addressed when developing custom packaging for small business use.

Choose the correct custom packaging for small business

Before you even start considering the coloring and logos that will go into packaging design, you need to find packaging that is suited to your product. For instance, you will find that packaging that is suited to selling glass bottled beverages will be different from that of toilet paper.

You need to consider such factors as security, durability, cost-effectiveness, and convenience when choosing the style and material of the box. You may also want to consider differences in packaging for when your product is on shelf displays in stores and when it is being shipped as e-commerce orders.

Once you have the type of boxes and other packaging materials that will be in use, you need to also ensure that they come in the right dimensions. Custom packaging of the right fit will be cost-effective and ensure better security for the product within.

Custom packaging artwork

Once you have settled on the style, material, and dimensions of the box you will use, you then need to delve into the outer appearance or artwork. From coloring to the use of logos, this aspect of the packaging will be a big help in distinguishing your product from that of competitors. While the prime focus should be given to the outer appearance, for certain products, and at particular price points, you may also want to also customize the interior of the box. Choose graphic designs that not only give your product a unique appearance but will also make the right impression on your target market.

Also, consider what information will be included in the design. From slogans to the business address, brand name to QR codes, ensure that you strategically include information that will also support your marketing efforts.

Custom packaging quantity

Businesses should ensure they keep a reasonable stock of packaging depending on their demand and storage capacity. They should also try to order an amount that lets them take advantage of bulk discounting that box makers provide to their clients. Make a note of peak shopping periods like Christmas when orders are likely to go up and ensure you have sufficient packaging on hand.

Corrugated Cardboard Best Sealing Methods

Corrugated cardboard boxes are the most popularly used shipping material. They are lightweight, strong, and customizable in a variety of ways that make them highly useful and versatile when it comes to shipping products. Some consideration however needs to be given when it comes to sealing them up before shipping a corrugated box out.

Corrugated cardboard perfect seal

Before you even start loading a corrugated box with contents, you will need to ensure the bottom side is properly sealed. Just folding over the flaps is not going to be enough unless you are transporting feather pillows. Anything else that is reasonably heavier will end up falling out of the bottom once you lift the loaded box. Use packing tape to seal the edges of the larger box flaps that should be brought together last. You can also choose to further reinforce boxes that will be used for heavy loads by sealing the outer edges along the bottom.

Corrugated cardboard fold

Start by folding the shorter flaps that face each other, before folding the larger flaps. While it may seem that an interlocking flap arrangement is stronger, it tends to weaken the box. Fold the flaps correctly before using packing tape to seal the edges. The H shape-sealing pattern is the best for ensuring the box remains stable and the contents secure.

Perfect packing tape for the corrugated box

There are many different types of packing tape; however, the best option for corrugated cardboard boxes is water-activated tape. This tape has a strong adhesive gum coated onto Kraft paper. Once activated using water, the adhesive is absorbed into the carton material and bonds strongly. It is an excellent safety measure as it is impossible to remove this tape from the box without leaving evidence of tampering. It is also able to strongly withstand rough handling, allowing the contents of the box to be well secured for the duration of the journey.

Corrugated box protective contents

When loading a corrugated box with contents, ensure a good fit. Businesses should invest in custom boxes that better fit the sizing of their products. This should be complemented with the use of filler material that will fill voids and provide added cushioning. Without filler, products can end up rattling about inside the box and becoming damaged from even minor impact. Filler, like wrapping paper, bubble wrap, inserts, and packing peanuts, help protect the contents of the box during transit.

Fiber Dividers Protect Tiny Products Easily

fiber dividers
Box dividers can be a helpful addition to your business’s packaging. You can use them to better organize items within the box and protect them from banging into each other by separating them into mini compartments. The latter benefit is especially helpful when you are packaging fragile items that can easily break if they hit each other, as with wine bottles and glasses.

They can be made from various materials. Fiber dividers are the most popular option as they produce minimal dust, are recyclable, and provide good cushioning. Here are some of the sectors where businesses should consider incorporating them.

Fiber Dividers for Beverages

Businesses that sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in glass bottles can benefit from the use of a divider. They can be placed inside cardboard boxes or plastic crates to separate the bottles. This separation ensures the bottles do not bang into or scrape up against each other and remain stable. They provide extra reinforcement and protection that ensures the bottles can more safely arrive at whatever destination they are being shipped to.

Dividers Protect Food

Certain foods benefit from the use of dividers in a box. They can help to separate different food items like a partitioned lunch box. Most people prefer this separation to easily distinguish the foods and keep items that are of different consistency separate.

They can also be used to improve the presentation of food in a box. It is said that people eat with their eyes before they eat with their mouths. Presentation matters, so it is important to ensure the contents in a box are kept stable and in their own section. More so with high-end items like luxury chocolates. Use fiber dividers to keep foods organized. Without this separation, the food may end up squished on one end, especially if the container is being carried from one place to another.

Subscription Boxes

Businesses that offer subscription boxes will often send out packs of multiple items to their subscribers regularly. The items are usually sample-sized. It makes for a better presentation when the items can be arranged separately. Allowing them to get all jumbled up during transit makes for a less than enjoyable unboxing experience. If some of the items are made of hard material and others soft, you also run the risk that damage could happen as the items bang into each other along the way. Separating the items will ensure they arrive at their destination safely.

Storage Tips for Cardboard Boxes

Thanks to online shopping and gift giving on the holidays, people now often find themselves with a sizeable stock of cardboard boxes. If there is no or minimal damage to the box, you can reuse them. However, when set up, even lightweight boxes can take up a large space. Here are a few tips on how best to store your boxes so they do not take up much space and can safely be reused when the time comes.

Empty and clean the cardboard boxes

Before you put any items into storage, you need to empty and clean them. Unpack the box entirely and tap it while facing upside down to remove any dust. Do not use any water or wet cloth to wipe it down. Cardboard material will absorb moisture which can disrupt its structural integrity. Carefully remove any extra packing material like tape as well. If the box is already damaged you can simply dispose of it or recycle it.

Flatten the cardboard box

Opening up the cardboard box completely and flattening it is the best way to save space on storage. You can easily flatten and pile the boxes. Given how lightweight cardboard material is, even piling them very high should not pose a danger. You can easily do so on a high shelf.

Find a dry storage space for your cardboard boxes

Your cardboard boxes need a dry space for storage. If exposed to moisture, not only will they weaken, they can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. This space should be ideally off the ground to avoid the risk that a water leak will get to the boxes. Basements are not recommended as they often have damp air that can contaminate boxes.

Remove insects from the cardboard box

Insect and rodent activity can also interfere with the storage of boxes. Many can feed on the material or break it down to use for nesting. This can be problematic in both homes and businesses as insects and rodents can grow in numbers, causing damage to property and a health hazard.

Make the cardboard box accessible

When storing your boxes, you should ideally organize them by size. It will make it easy to identify and retrieve the size of box you want at any given time. Also, ensure that whatever space in which you store them is easily accessible. This will make retrieval easy and allow you to comfortably inspect them regularly. It is important to keep an eye on your stored boxes in case there is water damage or insect infestation. Detecting such problems early may allow you to salvage most of the boxes before they become too damaged to be reused.

Why Customized Boxes Need A Logo

More and more businesses are investing in customized boxes in a bid to market their brand. This platform has become increasingly important as more shoppers go online, providing ample opportunity for existing and potential customers to discover the brand and be encouraged to make purchases.

When designing and branding these boxes, a logo must be incorporated. It is a highly effective tool in making a brand memorable. Many small businesses do not spend enough time developing a well-designed logo, thinking that a focus on just the name is more important. Here is why you should consider consulting with professionals in creating the right logo.

Draw attention

Logos work better at drawing the attention of people, especially at a glance. A well-designed logo that is attractive and striking will stir the interest of an observer, encouraging them to read more of the branding that appears on a box.

Encourage curiosity

Once a person’s attention has been captured, the next step is for them to want to learn more. They become more inclined to read the name of the brand on the box and even slogans. If there is a handy QR code, they might also give it a quick scan. Doing all this will make the encounter more memorable for the observer and encourage them to dig deeper by looking up the business or brand online and discovering what products they offer.

Add distinction to your brand

Now that many businesses engage in e-commerce, there is a need to try and distinguish one’s brand from the rest. A logo is a great way to make your shipping boxes look unique and distinguish them from those of your competitors.

Brand loyalty

The more often people see your logo, the more it resonates with them and the stronger brand loyalty you build. Many people make purchases of everything from sneakers to electronics simply based on a logo they have frequently seen and associated with positive qualities.

Affordability

Adding a logo to customized boxes will hardly add any cost to your order with a box maker. This means that not incorporating a logo when ordering custom boxes wholesale means you are leaving money on the table.

Trust and expectation

When people see a logo for a company they know and love, they instinctively trust it. It does not just have to be on a box. It could also be on a business card, advertisement, or social media page. This trust and expectation come from having repeatedly seen the logo, which is easily achieved when you incorporate it into all your marketing materials.

Heavy Duty Shipping Boxes – Shipping Cost Tactics

For any business that is growing its e-commerce sales, a major concern has to be shipping costs. Whether you are sending out heavy duty shipping boxes or small shipping boxes, the more shipments there are, the higher your shipping costs will be. And this will directly impact your profitability. Hence the reason you should consider these tips for limiting shipping costs.

Heavy Duty Shipping Boxes Rate<strong

Whenever you are shipping out a considerable number of orders, it is important to ensure you are getting the best rates possible. Different carriers will offer differing rates for different destinations. So, while shopping around it may be worthwhile to consider which carrier offers the most favorable rates for the locations you have most of your customers. However, try not to contract too many carriers. Spreading yourself thin may not lead to as much savings as you would have hoped.

Many carriers can also be negotiated with for lower rates. Even small businesses may be able to secure lower rates than those given to members of the public. Do the same when taking insurance. Some third-party insurers do offer better deals than when taking insurance from the carrier.

Small Shipping Boxes Free Packaging

Many carriers offer their clients free packaging materials. This can include heavy duty or small shipping boxes, mailers, envelopes, pouches, and labels. Using the carrier’s packaging materials can reduce the need to buy the same from box makers and other suppliers. However, keep in mind that these materials are either going to be plain or branded for the carrier. It may be better to use your own branded packaging materials to help with marketing.

Small Shipping Boxes Pay Online

Many carriers offer discounts when shipping is organized for and paid for online. Not only can this save you money on shipping, but also time as you can arrange for pick-ups rather than have to lug your shipment to their outlets.

Heavy Duty Shipping Boxes Prepayment

Major carriers do offer a prepaid shipping option that is also discounted. This can be especially helpful when you have a particular product that is frequently ordered on its own, so you already know certain details such as what the weight and dimensions of the package ahead of time.

Heavy Duty Shipping Boxes Associations

Some business and industry associations do negotiate for lower shipping rates for their members. Check with the associations you are already a member of to see if your business can take advantage of such deals. The bigger the association, the more bargaining power they have to negotiate for better rates.

What Purpose Packaging Material Serves

Most products today come in some form of packaging. The packaging material used can vary greatly based on such factors as the type of product, budget and safety desired. However, packaging plays several other important roles that make it vital for businesses that deal in physical goods to carefully consider their design and what level of investment they will put into their manufacture and customization.

Identifier

Packaging of products allows consumers to distinguish one brand or product from another. Businesses need to be careful about the outward appearance of packaging to ensure their customers can easily identify their product from that of competitors. This can help boost sales and further promote the brand.

Packaging material safety

Packaging also helps to protect the contents within. Depending on the type of product, there may be a need to protect it from pests, exposure to light, heat, and moisture. Most products may also be legally required to be packaged and details of the products indicated on the packaging so that consumers have enough information to make an informed purchasing decision. With the right packaging, businesses are better able to ensure that the products they send out arrive within consumers’ reach in good condition.

Product details

As said, product packaging can help to provide vital information on the product being offered for sale. This can include weight, ingredients, and guidelines on use. All these kinds of information can be useful to consumers and further encourage them to make a purchase.

Distribution

Most products can be inconvenient to distribute unless already packaged in fixed quantities. Having this kind of arrangement can also make it easy for retailers to arrange products on display for customers to pick out and buy. Therefore, the packaging is crucial for enabling easy storage and distribution of products.

Marketing

Packaging of products can be customized in a variety of ways that will help with marketing a brand. The use of attractive packaging in colors that will attract shoppers and with catchy slogans can help further visibility, sales, and profit for the brand.

Packaging material versatility

Packaging can be used for other purposes beyond just marketing, storing, and distributing products. The packaging material can often be used for other purposes. Cardboard boxes can be repurposed as storage or shipping boxes, while polythene bags can be used to line trash cans or even protect plants. There are many ways in which packaging materials can end up being reused, with those that are recyclable and Eco-friendly being the most appreciated.

Why Order Custom Printed Packaging In Canada

No matter the size of your business, it can certainly benefit from the marketing potential that comes from custom printed packaging in Canada. For small to medium-sized enterprises, in particular, the use of custom packaging can make them better able to compete against bigger brands. The outward appearance of products can heavily influence the purchasing decision of consumers by helping make a brand seem more unique and interesting. Here are more reasons to consider custom printed boxes in Alberta.

Flexibility of design

Custom packaging allows for a wide variety of specifications in design to be met. Whatever the size and dimensions of your product, you are sure to find a box maker that can customize packaging that will perfectly fit. You also have much leeway when it comes to choosing colors and what text will be included in the design. Some designs will also be guided by the type of product. For instance, packaging for foodstuffs is often simple whereas that for medicines may feature locking tabs for extra security.

Eco-friendliness

Even beyond Alberta, consumers around the world have become increasingly committed to efforts for sustainability, and prefer to support businesses that adhere to such principles. This has made it essential to invest in custom printed packaging in Canada that can be recyclable and ensure no harmful effects to the environment. Whatever raw materials that are used in the construction of the packaging, inks, and packaging supplies should not contribute to land waste.

Branding

You can make a strong brand impression when your products are delivered to customers in customized packaging. This is especially important for businesses that primarily operate online and are trying to make their brand more recognizable to the public. With the right packaging, brand awareness can be built by ensuring a prominent display of the brand name, product name, brand logo, and colors. It is important to ensure that whatever features you apply to the design, are unique and therefore more memorable. Try to be as creative as possible without drawing too much on other existing brands to avoid confusion.

Security

Many businesses have now become heavily reliant on eCommerce to grow their customer base and sales. This is because more consumers are opting to shop online and have the products they bought delivered to their doorstep. To ensure products arrive in good condition, businesses are needing to invest in a custom packaging that will appropriately safeguard commodities. Given the often-long distances and rough handling the items may suffer along the way, it has become vital to invest in a custom packaging that will prevent damage in transit. Custom packaging allows for designs and add-ons that will ensure this better security.