If your product constantly gets damaged in transit, with customers consistently saying, “I need it now,” express packaging is the solution. And it’s not just about quick delivery in pretty boxes.
Businesses can slash their shipping costs and decrease damage return rates just by optimizing their packaging.
So, keep reading to select the best material, understand packaging types, and leverage the right machinery to ensure your product stays safe, is delivered quickly, and still satisfies your customers.
What Are the Best Express Packaging Materials for E-commerce Shipping?
If you use the wrong packaging material, the product isn’t the only thing that gets damaged. Your brand and reputation will also suffer, and that customer may not order from you again. But the right express packaging keeps the product intact and appeals to the customers. With this? You’d likely get one of those viral unboxing videos showcasing your logo.
The best packing material for your e-commerce shipping depends on what you’re shipping. While sustainability should be a major focus, here are some of the best express packaging materials you can choose from:
- Corrugated Cardboard Boxes
Corrugated cardboard has a specialized structure that gives it superior strength and protective qualities. The box is made from a multi-layered material called a corrugated flute board sandwiched between two flat sheets of paper called linerboards. This packaging provides cushioning, absorbs shock, and provides some insulation from temperature changes.
The strength and durability increase with the number of flute boards, ranging from single (one flute board between two liner boards) to double and triple corrugated boxes, each offering progressively higher protection.
- Flexible Mailer Bags & Envelopes
Flexible mailer bags and envelopes are also known as poly mailers. If your product is non-fragile and lightweight, this moisture-resistant packaging is designed for it. Compared to rigid boxes, poly mailers are thin, which means they take up less space and reduce shipping costs.
Flexible mailer bags usually feature self-sealing adhesive strips for easy closure. To promote privacy, some are opaque. Like corrugated boxes, poly mailers offer excellent customization opportunities for branding and are available in various sizes for non-fragile items.
- Protective & Void Fill Materials
Empty spaces in your packing can be detrimental to the successful shipping of your product. And that’s why protective and void-fill materials fill that space to cushion your product while in transit. This is especially important for fragile and heavy-duty products.
Some void fill materials you can use for your e-commerce shipping include:
- Air pillows
- Packing peanuts
- Paper fill
Some protective packing materials include:
- Bubble wrap
- Foam sheets
- Edge protectors
- Sustainable Packaging Materials
50% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, proving that more people are interested in eco-friendly materials. This is more rampant among Gen Z and millennials. Beyond just willingness, people are choosing and switching brands due to sustainability, which is why your brand can see higher growth than those without sustainable express packaging. Many of the materials listed above, when sourced responsibly, can be eco-friendly options.
How to Design Effective Express Packaging
Packaging design has a direct impact on your bottom line and customer loyalty; it’s not just about putting your product in a box. Here’s how to do it correctly:
- Understand Your Product & Its Journey
What you don’t understand, you can’t protect. First, evaluate the weight, distinctive shape, and fragility of your product. Next, consider its journey: How far will it go? Will it deal with multiple transfers, automated sorting, or different climates? Being aware of these facts enables you to select the appropriate degree of protection.
- Put Protection First Without Overpackaging
Getting your item delivered safely is the top priority, but “more” isn’t always “better”. Ensure your packaging is the proper size to reduce wasted space, which conserves material and lowers shipping costs. To cushion the product and keep it from moving, use suitable void fill and protective materials, such as air pillows or paper fill. Always make sure that the sealing is sturdy and dependable to keep everything contained.
- Optimize for Speed & Efficiency
Your packing process should be as rapid and seamless as your delivery. Select materials like poly mailers with self-adhesive strips or boxes that are simple and quick to assemble. Packing, inventory control, and automated handling can all be sped up by standardizing package sizes.
- Enhance Your Brand & the Unboxing Experience
Sometimes, it’s not just about the product but how unboxing it makes your customer feel. So, when designing your express package, keep the user experience in mind. Don’t just create an interesting package; brand it with your logo and business details. This improves your brand perception and could even lead to some free publicity.
Automate Your E-Commerce Packaging Machines for Faster, More Efficient Fulfillment
In the world of e-commerce, automation in express packaging is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a game-changer. It’s how companies cater to many orders quickly. Using machines to automate the packing process ensures that everything is done reliably and significantly increases productivity.
Why Should You Automate Your Packaging?
Automating your express packaging line is good for your bottom line and your customers in the following ways:
- Increased Speed and Throughput: Machines work consistently, packing more boxes per hour. This means that orders will be processed and delivered faster.
- Reduced Labor & Errors: Automation reduces the need for manual labor and ensures effectiveness, which lowers the chance of human error and makes packages more consistent.
- Minimized Damage & Waste: Consistent packing and sealing by machines lead to fewer damaged items, happier customers, and less material waste.
- Scalability: Automated systems can easily handle more work, so your business can grow easily.
Essential E-Commerce Packaging Machines
- Case Erectors/Box Formers: These devices eliminate manual folding by assembling flat cardboard blanks into ready-to-fill boxes.
- Automatic bagging/mailer machines: These devices automatically open, fill, and seal flexible bags or poly mailers, making them ideal for large quantities of non-fragile small goods. A good example is this express packaging and sealing machine.
- Void fill machines: They automatically dispense materials, such as paper or air pillows, to cushion goods and stop them from shifting while in transit. No more hand stuffing.
- Strapping machines: These machines automatically apply tension-reinforcing straps to heavier or larger boxes that require additional security.
- Labeling systems: Automated labelers precisely apply shipping labels and barcodes, ensuring accuracy and speeding up sorting.
- Palletizers: For high-volume operations, these machines automatically stack and arrange packages onto pallets, optimizing loads for distribution and warehousing.
How to Choose the Right Express Packaging Machinery Manufacturer
It’s one thing to choose the right material and another to select the right express packaging machinery manufacturer. With decades of experience, below are some of Guangdong Eastern Packaging Machinery Co. Ltd.’s essential factors to consider when choosing the ideal manufacturer:
- Manufacturer’s experience
- Research & Development capabilities
- Quality certifications
- Customization options
- Comprehensive support
- Global presence
Conclusion
Express packaging is far more than just an eco-friendly box or mailer. Getting it right can mean superior product protection, streamlined fulfillment, significant cost savings, and an elevated brand experience, all the things that contribute to your customer’s loyalty.
When you thoughtfully select your express packaging material, design for efficiency, and leverage automation, you gain a competitive edge in the fast-paced environment of online retail. Book a consultation with Guangdong Eastern Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd. to upgrade your express packaging equipment today.