Did you know that factors like energy costs and labor affect the prices of shipping materials? It’s important for businesses to know which packaging supplies are most essential in case of price surges.
Are you overwhelmed by all the options for your product packaging? Some shipping supplies are more necessary than others, especially on a tight budget.
The following guide will explore the 5 shipping materials every business must have on-site.
1. Corrugated Boxes
Corrugated boxes are versatile and work well to protect any goods you might ship. They’re created from multiple layers of cardboard glued together which makes them very durable.
Other benefits of corrugated boxes include their lightweight and ability to stack easily. So, they’re a great option if you plan to move and store boxes frequently.
You can customize their sizes to fit any product and choose between single and double-layered options. Corrugated boxes also allow businesses to apply their logo in full color to all sides.
2. Shipping Tape
Standard tape dispensers can’t handle the pressure and tension of shipping and handling packages. If you don’t use tape made for shipping, your package might open during transit and damage your product.
Shipping tape comes in many colors and sizes to match packages and branding. Shipping tools like tape dispensers make applying the heavy-duty tape much faster, too.
3. Labels, Printers, and Scales
You’ll need plenty of labels whether you’re using boxes, envelopes, or mailers for shipping. Applying labels with addresses on them to a package saves a ton of time.
They also help you keep your packages organized and accounted for. Most importantly, they make sure your packages get to the correct customers and reduce human error.
You can’t have labels for your packages if you don’t have a quality label printer on-site. If you buy labels online to print, they’ll even come with tracking notifications so you can see your shipment’s progress.
You’ll need a shipping scale to accurately find the weights of your packages before shipping them, too. They help budget your shipping costs and prevent any surprise charges.
4. Cushioning
Cushioning materials add a much-needed layer of protection, even if you use a durable box. It’s especially important if you deal with fragile products.
Bubble wrap is a very common cushioning material that most businesses keep on hand. It’s easy to wrap around products of all shapes and sizes and it doesn’t take up much space.
Styrofoam planks, packing peanuts, and air pillows are other great lightweight cushioning options. If your product isn’t very large or fragile, consider using packing paper to maximize space.
5. Wafer Seals
Adding a wafer seal to your package can make a great impression on your customers. They’re an affordable way for small businesses to upgrade their presentation.
The circular stickers add visual appeal and also protect important information on your packages.
The Most Essential Shipping Materials
Now you know which shipping materials are the most crucial and most common for businesses to use. Boxes, tape, and cushioning help protect products while labels help them get to the right destination. Add a quality scale to the mix and you’re all set!
We hope this guide helps solve your business’s shipping needs. Please contact us at Packaging Fulfillment to place an order for essential shipping materials.
