Have you ever gotten something in the mail that had been
damaged to some extent? Maybe even
destroyed? When it comes to selling your
product, or even offering a gift to your client, having them unwrap something
that’s been broken is the opposite effect you want to be making.
This is where proper packing and shipping
techniques are going to save the day, and you can accomplish them both by
following 8 simple steps:
- Reusing some shipping supplies is frugal and economically friendly, but if you are using an old box you should make sure that previous packing labels and barcodes have been removed. Not only will it look better for your company, but it will help avoid your package being improperly scanned and sent to the wrong place.
- Use the H-tape method when sealing a box. This ensures that your package won’t reopen before it’s supposed to. Taping along all of the seams will produce an H, hence the name of the taping method. Also, don’t assume that a box is always best the option. Mailing envelopes and even tubes can better serve you, and save you money in the process.
- Proper shipping supplies really make a difference. For instance, 2 inch wide plastic or reinforced paper tape is what you want to be using for packaging and shipping. Masking tape is inefficient, and postal service providers flatly refuse to ship anything sealed with duct tape. But you wouldn’t want to be using duct tape for a professional look, anyway… Right?
- If you are sending something super fragile and valuable, nest one box inside of another, cushioned well. This might cost you more on shipping supplies, but it’s going to save you paying for a returned item and losing your customer’s business if your product shows up broken.
- Using newspaper is a great way to recycle, but the ink really does stain some stuff.
- Including a second shipping label within your package will actually save you money in the long run if you wind up having to process a return.
- Check shipping schedules so that you can properly calculate when a package should be arriving to your customer. Even being off by one day can lose you return business.
- The USPS, FedEx, and UPS are all major service providers, so you can rest assured that you are going to get good service. On the other hand, you may be paying more for that assurance. Look into local messenger services who would be more than happy to receive your business!
