The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to E-Commerce Packaging
2021 has been an immensely strange time for brick and mortar retailers, and e-commerce has become the saving grace for many of these businesses.2022 will continue to see a shift to e-commerce and we may be looking at a norm of online shopping as the year continues to pass due to convenience and supply chain issues.
But, what does this mean for brand differentiation?
Brick and mortar stores offered the upper hand for brands as customers were able to interact with their packaging and product first hand.
With online shopping it’s more difficult to brand differentiate as customers are only able to interact with images of your products.
This is why it’s important to consider your e-commerce packaging and the impact it may make on your customers from their mail rooms to their unboxing experience!
How Does E-Commerce Work?
When thinking about how e-commerce works, you have to think about two distinct elements:
- How your product is presented online vs. in person
- How shareable is your unboxing experience.
While it’s true that the first impression is made through the computer screen, the first physical interaction is where you can count on customer retention.
The unboxing experience of your products plays a crucial role in the true first impression customers have of both your brand and product.
While this may seem more convenient than splurging on premium packaging, it’s actually more difficult than it seems!
Your customers’ expectations and anticipation is built from a simple digital image they see on their computer screens.
Your business is responsible for meeting and/or exceeding customer expectations.
How do you accomplish this?
By choosing packaging based on the purpose rather than the appeal.
What is Ecommerce Ready Packaging?
Ecommerce packaging often refers to packaging that is used to ship your products directly to your customers.
Many brands are taking the opportunity to showcase their creativity and brand identity by fully customizing their shipping boxes to stand out from their competition.
When looking at exactly what ecommerce ready packaging is, there are a few different elements to consider.
Source: PakFactory
The main thing to consider when choosing e-commerce packaging is how well it will protect your product.
After all, isn’t that the purpose of all packaging?
Ideally you’ll want to package your products in durable materials and fool proof structures.
With that being said, ecommerce ready packaging is specific to your product and the journey it will endure.
The Importance of Ecommerce packaging
The right e-commerce packaging helps your business stand out.
The wrong choice can lead to a plethora of issues ranging from damaged products to weakened brand connections and customer retention.
To create e-commerce ready packaging, one of the better guidelines to follow is Amazon’s aim to create ‘Frustration-free packaging’ (FFP).
This consists of creating packaging that is low waste, easy to open, and offers considerable protection during shipping without driving up costs.
This seems like a lot to pack into one kind of packaging, but it is completely possible when you work with packaging experts during the design process.
Working with a packaging expert can be vital for guidance around the right materials to use and the marketing message that needs to be conveyed.
Protection
The primary reason e-commerce ready packaging is essential is because it protects what you’re trying to sell, which in essence, is a pretty simple objective.
Shipping and distribution will be a stress-free process for your business, and you’ll have a slew of happy customers that receive their product undamaged and ready to be used.
Furthermore, well-protected products add significant value to your brand. There is no risk of refunds and exchange, and it creates a strong impression that serves your brand well overall.
Marketing
From a marketing standpoint, e-commerce ready packaging provides a lot of return if you make the proper investments.
Through the right design, you can create a meaningful unboxing experience for customers that they will always remember — which is vital for building brand equity with customers.
Source: PakFactory
It primes them for the product itself and creates a sense of excitement.
Ultimately, all of this will serve as crucial components in building an authentic and long-lasting connection with your customers.
The First Steps of E-commerce Packaging
Packaging has become just as important as the product in delivering a first impression.
Thorough research and planning will help you find ways to have your packaging complement your merchandise and brand identity.
Furthermore, custom packaging can help you create a strong brand identity that’s sure to impress your customers.
If you are in the beginning stages of deciding your first e-commerce packaging for your online products, we’ll help you out in deciding which options work best for your product!
Before starting anything, you will have to know what your overall goal is for your packaging.
Determining your budget based on how much value your packaging can bring to your product will help lay the foundations for a successful packaging design.
Well designed packaging will almost always pay for itself.
Adding value by promoting, protecting and complimenting the respective product, can boost your brand visibility in turn boost your sales.
What is the target market and how are your competitors packaging their products?
This plays heavily into your product/brand differentiation.
Source: PakFactory
All of these factors can help determine the type of packaging and the volume you need for your first production run.
Custom packaging can leave a lasting impression on your customers giving your products a higher perceived value and quality.
Based on where you want to place the product and how much space it may occupy, you can now determine the measurement of your packaging.
To be the most cost effective and protective it is best to minimize the dimensions and keep the packaging lighter and smaller.
Through structural engineering packaging specialists can help you create packaging that leaves minimal space for your product to move around in.
Exploring E-Commerce Packaging Materials
Corrugated boxes and poly mailers are the most popular packaging materials on the market for e-commerce packaging.
Made from recycled materials, corrugated packaging is very protective and can come in various shapes, sizes and thicknesses making it incredibly versatile for a range of products.
Choosing the right material stock depends on your artwork and your branding designs.
Check out the different options below:
- Natural White (Digital & Offset): For colorful and flood printing.
- Bleached White (Digital): Brighter output of colors to mimic offset printing slightly
- Kraft (Digital & Offset): Environmental and rustic look — perfect with black print and there is no coating required.
Read more on choosing your packaging materials
Material Thickness Options
Typically, manufacturers can make the suggestions on the thickness of the paper based on the weight of your products and the dimension of your box.
E-Flute
The average thickness of E-flute is 1.2mm.
This type of fluting is ideal for packaging;
- Software
- Retail
- Beauty
- Food
- Etc.
B-Flute
The average thickness of B-flute is 3.0mm.
This type of fluting is ideal for packaging;
- Shoes
- Industrial products
- Furniture
- Etc.
Discussing Popular Packaging Styles
Now that you have a better idea of your material choices and thicknesses, you can start looking for the ideal structure to accommodate your product.
Consider how much protection you need and the weight of your product.
Heavier and larger items generally require greater protection to withstand harsh shipping and handling conditions.
Roll End Tab Lock Corrugated Boxes
The tab lock roll end box or mailer boxes are corrugated box styles that are well sealed, sturdy and easy to unbox.
This is the most popular e-commerce packaging box due to its durable capabilities and unboxing experience
Source: PakFactory
Regular Slotted Corrugated Box
Slotted corrugated boxes are your typical shipping box.
The sheet is formed where one panel and one end panel can be joined together to create the box.
This style is ideal for large and heavy weight items that need that extra support and care during shipping.
This type of box requires manual taping when put together, but this is simple enough and can be done very time efficiently.
Roll End Tuck Top Corrugated Boxes
Roll end tuck top boxes can be folded without hassle during assembly.
The top can open and close smoothly and ensures maximum closure with a tuck based on the inside of the box.
These boxes are ideal for;
- Catalogs
- Clothes
- Gifts
- Electronics
- Health products
- Beauty products
- Small hardware
Shipping Poly Mailers
The poly mailer is a flexible packaging type, made from polyethylene LDPE, or paper.
Think of an Amazon bag or FedEx mailer bag — these are both poly mailers.
A padded envelope is also considered a poly mailer.
With it being light and versatile, it is a popular choice for e-commerce businesses that ship all types of products of light to medium weights.
Source: PakFactory
This packaging type is very cost-effective, tear-resistant and usually waterproof!
They have a self-seal adhesive strip for easy closure and are available with a padded interior or as a simple flat-packed bag, making packing and assembly a breeze.
Unfortunately poly mailers are not great for heavy products, since they may not provide adequate protection and support.
Choosing the Right Printing Method
While your custom shape and size is important to accommodating your products, the printing is important to accommodating your customers.
Displaying clear and concise information is important to forming an authentic connection with your customers.
Maintaining full transparency allows you to build up your brand credibility and gain a loyal customer base.
Because of the harsher shipping journey e-commerce packaging faces, high quality printing is not usually recommended for the exterior of the box as they will likely get damaged, tarnishing the overall unboxing experience.
Instead, e-commerce businesses tend to opt for interior printing or minimal exterior printing.
These are the two main printing options for corrugated linerboard:
Digital Printing
Digital printing prints directly on the packaging material, working similarly to your average printer you use at home or at the office.
It is perfect for low quantity orders and is far less expensive than other printing methods, since no printing plates and dies are required.
Check out our digital printed corrugated boxes: PakFactory’s Digital Corrugated Boxes
Typically, digital printing is advised if e-commerce businesses are looking to print on the exterior of their packaging.
Because digital printing is much more cost effective and time efficient, e-commerce businesses can afford the risk of potential damage in return for a little brand differentiation.
Digital printing is the best for low quantity orders as it is the most cost and time effective printing method.
For digital, you can either go for no coating or a gloss varnish providing a minimalistic semi-gloss effect!
Offset Printing
Offset printing is a printing press technique that transfers the ink from a plate to a rubber roller (or blanket) and then to a paper material.
It is typically used for printing large quantities of;
- Newspapers
- Brochures
- Stationery
- Magazines
- High quality boxes
The set up costs are quite expensive for offset printing. However, the quality is impeccable!
Typically, offset printing is advised for printing on the interior of the packaging or on box inserts for optimal color output and quality.
Due to the set up costs being so high, it’s best to opt for offset printing if you have a high quantity order.
What makes offset the desired choice for printing is its ability to print in PMS Color and produce special printing processes such as;
These finishing capabilities are much more difficult to achieve with the digital printing process.
Using Custom Box Inserts
You can also consider adding box inserts for protection or promotional inserts for marketing purposes.
Box inserts offer extra support and durability for your products and also allows you to enhance the unboxing experience by adding value to your packaging.
To help you decide, we have enumerated some types of inserts for different purposes.
Box Inserts
If you want to protect and organize your products, you can use cardboard or foam inserts to divide and protect your products.
These types of box inserts will prevent your products from moving around in the box during transit.
Source: PakFactory
They also enhance your brand identity through offering a higher end unboxing experience.
Box inserts are available in:
– Plastic
Promotional Inserts
Promotional inserts are one of the cheapest ways to promote your product and increase brand awareness, customer loyalty, and sales.
A custom message, cross promotion or a simple thank you can be a powerful statement to reflect your brand’s narrative while improving your customers’ unboxing experience, ensuring your brand remains in the good sentiments of your customers.
Promotional inserts, gives customers the motivation to continue engaging with your products and an opportunity for them to get the most value out of your brand.
Furthermore, customers look to make an authentic connection with brands and this is a great way to work towards aligning your company with your customers.
The Production and Shipping Process
You will have minimal involvement in the last step of this guide.
This is when the manufacturer mass produces your packaging based on your final packaging specifications.
Typically you will be the one to take care of this part of the process on your own by finding a freight forwarder to complete the shipment for you, or asking the manufacturer to ship the product to you with their forwarders or by express.
There are four main ways you can ship your products:
- Sea Freight (Coming from overseas and typically the least expensive option for international shipping)
- Air Freight (Overseas or local, quickest and most costly)
- Ground Freight
- Express (Courier)
Logistics can be a daunting process, especially, if you are shipping internationally, requiring several documents for declaration, customs clearance and policy.
The benefit of working with a courier is that they are able to help you through the clearance process, while shipping through freight may require a bond which needs to be purchased and renewed annually.
Et Voila!
Don’t let the process overwhelm you — instead, see it as an opportunity to connect with your target market.
When you understand what your target market is looking for, it will enable you to come up with packaging that will help sell your products and attract new customers!
While it may seem troublesome to start on your own e-commerce packaging project, with proper preparation and support from reputable vendors, any business can achieve a professional e-commerce packaging solution.
Request a quote today to get custom packaging and box solutions for your ecommerce business!
