Are you going to start a business? Well congratulations! It’s an adventure full of excitement and challenges. One of the important things you might not have thought of in your entrepreneurial journey is shipping supplies. They may sound simple, but shipping supplies are the backbone of any successful business’s logistics. Let’s dive in and discuss the essentials you need to get your shipping process right.
Why shipping supplies are crucial for any business
Imagine you’ve just packed your first order. It’s a beautiful product, perfectly wrapped, and ready to delight your customer. But have you thought about what happens when you send it for shipping? This is why shipping supplies play a crucial role. The right packaging supplies and shipping labels can ensure your product reaches your customers safely, creates a professional impression, and keeps your customers happy. Without good shipping supplies, your logistics can quickly turn into a logistical nightmare – think damaged goods, unhappy buyers, and lots of refunds.
Corrugated boxes: the standard for shipping
Corrugated boxes have a little extra padding to protect products for shipping various items. They’re sturdy boxes, made from layers of paperboard, that can handle heavy loads and provide excellent protection. They come in various sizes, so you can find the size that is suitable for the product. It’s always good to have a range of box sizes on hand to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Including these shipping supplies in your business inventory can help ensure your product ships safely to your customers.
Bubble wrap in bags, mailers and rolls
Bubble wrap is used for shipping fragile items. Like glassware, electronics, ceramics – if it’s breakable, bubble wrap is your go-to. Bubble wrap comes in ready made pouches or bags with sealable strips, roll form to cover a whole product, poly bubble mailers with bubble lining inside, and kraft bubble mailers that have bubble padded lining inside and kraft paper outside, a cost effective yet eco friendly choice. These types of bubble wraps add a layer for shock absorption to keep products safe from damage during transit. Investing in good quality bubble wrap ensures your items arrive intact and maintains customer trust. It’s a key part of your shipping supplies.
Packing tape: the essential sealant
Packing tape is a must for packing your products and shipping them safely. A strong adhesive tape to pack your boxes stays sealed during shipping. Adding a heavy-duty packing tape to your shipping supplies adds an extra layer of protection to your product.
Don’t forget markers, stickers, and shipping labels
In addition markers and stickers are useful for writing special instructions like (“Handle with Care”) or writing a personal thank-you note. These may sound small but these can make your packages more professional and improve the customer’s unboxing experience. Customers often appreciate these thoughtful gestures that enhance the effectiveness of your shipping supplies.
And now with the latest advances in shipping label software, you can include important messages or notes with your colorful shipping labels. Using these modern shipping labels can take your brand up a notch. For example, with Epson Label Boost, you can print colorful promotions and secondary labels, all on one label, with ease. Download your free trial today at Epson.com/labelboost
Cushioning materials for extra protection
Cushioning materials are used for one more layer of protection for fragile items that may need more protection such as foam peanuts, air pillows, or shredded paper. They work by filling empty spaces in your packages. They don’t let products move and protect products during transit to minimize the risk of damage. These materials are especially useful for shipping odd-shaped items. If you have such items that you think may need more protection during shipping you can add cushioning material according to your needs.
Plastic tarps and sheeting for protecting large goods or covering
Plastic tarps are very important and used for many things like covering and protecting goods from weather conditions. These are heavy-duty sheeting tarps that are used for shielding large shipments from dust, water, and scratches. For instance, if you’re shipping furniture or a stack of boxes, a sturdy plastic tarp ensures everything stays secure and clean.
Poly mailers for lightweight items
Poly mailers are one of the materials that comes in shipping supplies usually used for lightweight products/items. They’re those slim, plastic envelopes that are surprisingly strong and easy to use. For example shipping products like clothes, books, or accessories of any product, poly mailers can be a perfect choice because they are lightweight, reduce shipping costs, and durable enough to withstand the postal system. Bonus point? They’re water-resistant, protecting your package from unexpected weather conditions.
Types of poly bags and their uses
Poly bags are versatile and come in various types to suit different packaging needs. Choose the best for your business:
- Flat Poly Bags: These are the most basic type of poly bags, these are used for packaging loose items usually used in grocery shops or any other retail or wholesale. These bags comes in different thicknesses and sizes to suit every product size from small to large items.
- Zip Lock Bags: These poly bags can be resealable bags no need to seal them with heat or twist ties these are great for organizing items that need protection from dust or moisture. Some commonly used for storing electronics, jewelry, or small hardware components for easy and fast accessing.
- Zip Lock Bags with Hang Holes: Similar to zip lock bags, these bags come with a hole for hanging. These are excellent for retail displays and help improve product visibility to keep items secure.
Wrapping it all up
Shipping supplies might not sound exciting but they play a crucial role for your business. In shipping supplies that we have learned about such as boxes, poly mailers, bubble wrap, and shipping labels, each material plays a different role for protecting your products during shipping to reach your customers safely and professionally. Always remember, satisfied customers mean repeat business, and that’s the ultimate goal.
Now, stock up on these essential shipping supplies according to your product requirements and ensure your shipping process is seamless and efficient.
This article was written by Abdul Basit | and Beyond Boundaries from TechBullion and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.
