Packaging Tips: How to Prepare Your Package for Shipping
The package is the first physical thing a customer touches when their order arrives. A short, practical guide to packaging that protects the product without wasting money on materials.
Packaging is part of the product
The package is the first physical thing a customer touches when their order arrives. Damaged, oversized, or wasteful packaging undercuts even the best product. Good packaging protects the item, looks professional, and costs as little as possible.
Match the box to the item
The single biggest packaging mistake is using a box that's much larger than the item. Empty space costs money two ways: you pay more for the box itself, and you pay more in shipping because dimensional weight goes up. Keep a small range of box sizes on hand and pick the smallest one that fits the item with a half-inch of padding on each side.
Cushioning that actually works
Three cushioning materials cover almost every shipment:
Air pillows. Cheap, light, fill empty space well. Best for non-fragile items where the goal is just to keep things from rattling.
Bubble wrap. Heavier than air pillows but offers real impact protection. Wrap fragile items twice, with bubbles facing the item.
Kraft paper. Looks more premium than plastic. Works for non-fragile items and as a void fill. Heavier than air pillows; not a good choice for cost-sensitive shipments.
Seal the box properly
Use packing tape — at least two inches wide. Tape across the top seam, then across both side seams. For heavy packages, do the same on the bottom before you load it. Scotch tape and duct tape don't hold up; they fail in sorting facilities, and the package opens in transit.
Label placement
The shipping label goes on the largest flat side of the box, facing up. Don't put it on a seam (the box can flex and crack the barcode) or wrap it around a corner. If your label sticker isn't peel-and-stick, use clear shipping tape over the whole label so it survives weather and handling.
Don't over-pack
It's tempting to add extra cushioning "just in case." Resist. Every extra ounce of packing material is an ounce of billed weight. Use enough to protect the item — no more.
