The guide to the perfect package: how to pack your goods properly?

According to the Sealed Air 2014 - Packaging for e-commerce study conducted in the United States, 66% of consumers believe that packaging tells how well the merchant takes care of them and their order. At a time of continued growth in e-commerce, this is vital for companies.

If the packaging of a package seems to be a harmless gesture, there are however some essential bases to respect. Follow our guide to the perfect package, step by step.

Ask yourself the right questions for a perfect packaging of your goods.

Asking the right questions
Packing your goods properly seems very simple, but the reality is quite different. A well-packed package requires you to ask yourself some essential questions before sending your goods. Here is a non-exhaustive list to help you in this task...

What: what do you put in your crates?
Where: where do you ship your products?
When: When do you need the products?
How: how do you plan to send it? By carrier, by La Poste?
This question is far from being insignificant because the load breaks are more violent, the parcel will be more badly handled with La Poste than with courier professionals.

How many: how many products should you put in the package?
Why: why do you want to use this type of crate?
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1st step: the choice of packaging
This first step partly answers the question: "What do you put in your crates? "The wrong choice of packaging can have negative consequences on the condition of your package at the time of receipt: a sunken, damaged crate may disappoint the consumer.

To avoid this, you must think....

The type of packaging (case, pouch, tube, etc.).
And ask you what product to ship. This question determines the nature of the packaging you will use. Indeed, a fragile product requires resistant packaging, while a product of unbreakable nature (a sweater, for example) may very well be sent in a plastic bag.

There are several qualities of resistance, which are determined according to the weight and type of the product: single, double or triple flute body. Always keep in mind that between your company and the recipient, packages will be handled several times, stacked, loaded and unloaded with more or less care!

 At the size of the package

A well-packed and protected package requires a crate size adapted to the product. If the cardboard is too large, you may either abuse the cushioning (see step 2) or see your product hit the walls and arrive damaged.

Step 2: Wedge the product
You have chosen a packaging with the right dimensions, strong enough to protect the product, but this is not necessarily enough to stabilize it in the crate.

For this purpose, there are different types of cushioning: kraft paper, bubble wrap, compressed air cushions, foam, etc.

There are different types of shims, some of which are integrated directly into the carton.

Once again, ask yourself the question of the nature of the product to be shipped:

If the object is fragile, choose an effective protective packaging such as bubble wrap;
If the object is not fragile, but it could be damaged by hitting the corners of the cardboard, choose a cushioning solution such as kraft paper or air cushion.


Step 3: Set up the product
Several cases: you can have a single delicate product to pack, or several goods to put in the same package.

In the latter case, you can use the objects to wedge them together according to their weight or shape: the heaviest object must be placed first, at the bottom of the box so as not to crush each other. Then distribute the other products around and above the heavy object.



Step 4: Close the package
Now that your product is in the right packaging, protected by effective cushioning, you can close your package. It seems obvious, but there are a few rules to follow.

With tape: choose a solid, 5 cm wide tape to prevent the cardboard from opening on its own. You can close your box in several different ways with a roll of tape:

L-shaped: for light products
U-shaped: for heavy products or the transport of light products that will pass through several stages of transport
By combining L and U: for the transport of heavy products over time
In H: very secure method adapted to all products.
 Good advice on how to apply your adhesive to your packages.

> Read also: adhesive, good practices to know!

With a strapping method: strapped, the package is secure and will not open. However, this method is suitable for delivery by carrier and not by post, as the package could then get caught in the conveyors and tear.

Step 5: Ship the package
The essential is done, the package well packed, protected and closed. It must now arrive at port in good condition! To do this, be sure to place your shipping labels as follows:

On the briefcase pocket, the addresses of the recipient and the sender must be clearly visible;
Consider the "International" or "Fragile" labels, so that the carrier can take some precautionary measures during transport.
The package is now ready to be shipped. Thanks to the good care given to your packaging, the consumer should experience a joyful moment of unboxing and recommend the company without hesitation.

The three key points to remember:

Ask yourself the right preliminary questions before packaging a product: what, where, when, how, etc. This will save you time in preparing orders.
Consider the nature of the product to be shipped and opt for appropriate packaging and cushioning.
Close the package securely and apply the necessary shipping labels for a smooth transport.