Small businesses often struggle to find packaging solutions that fit their needs. They want to get the job done quickly and efficiently without spending too much money.
But there are several options out there, and choosing the wrong one could cost you big bucks. In this article, I’ll cover the basics of small business packaging solutions and give you some ideas on choosing the right solution for your company.
What is Small Business Packaging?
The term “small business packaging” refers to any package or container used by companies with less than $5 million in annual revenue. This includes everything from shipping boxes to custom-made containers. The size of these packages can vary greatly depending on what they contain. For example, if it provides food products, then it will be subject to FDA regulations. If it includes medical supplies, it may need to meet specific standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. And so on.
The most common types of small business packaging include:
• Shipping Boxes – These come in all shapes and sizes but typically have dimensions between 4″ x 8″ x 12″ and 6″ x 10″ x 16″. You can use them as storage units or stack them up when not being shipped.
• Custom Containers – These are made specifically for whatever product you plan to ship. Some examples include corrugated cardboard boxes, plastic totes, wooden crates, etc.
• Pallet Racks – Used primarily for storing pallets, these racks usually consist of metal frames covered with wood slats.
How Do I Choose A Good Solution?
To choose the best choice for your company depends largely on two things:
1) What do you need the box/container for?
2) How many boxes/containers do you need?
1.) What Do I Need It For?
This might seem like an obvious question, but it bears repeating because it has such a huge impact on which kind of solution you should go with. Here are just a few examples of situations where you would likely need a specific type of small business packaging:
• When you send out samples of new products to potential customers.
• To store inventory until it sells.
• As part of a promotional campaign.
• To protect fragile items during transit.
• To keep goods safe while waiting for approval before going into production.
• To hold finished products until they reach their final destination.
• To transport large quantities of merchandise.
• To move heavy equipment around, and many more.
How many boxes/containers do you need?
As mentioned earlier, the number of boxes needed varies widely based on the situation. But here are some general guidelines:
• One box per item.
• Two boxes per carton.
• Three boxes per pallet.
• Four boxes per case.
• Five boxes per crate.
So let’s say you want to pack 100 pieces of jewellery. That means you’d need five boxes. Or maybe you want to put together 200 pairs of shoes. In this case, you’ll probably need ten boxes.
What Type Of Small Business Packaging Should I Use?
There is no exact answer to this question. Instead, there are several options available to choose from. Each comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Below we list four popular solutions along with the pros and cons associated with each.
Shipping Boxes
These are the most basic form of small business packaging. They are inexpensive, easy to find and work well enough if you only need to package a handful of items. However, shipping boxes aren’t ideal for anything larger than about 20 pounds. If you need something bigger, consider using custom containers instead.
Pros:
• Cheap
• Easy to Find
Cons:
• Not Ideal for Larger Items
Custom Containers
If you have many smaller items, then shipping boxes will be fine. But as soon as you start gaining weight, you may run into problems. Shipping boxes can easily exceed 40-50lbs, so they won’t always fit through standard doorways even though they’re cheap. This makes them difficult to use when transporting bulky materials. Custom containers solve these issues by being much lighter and allowing you to stack multiple boxes inside without worrying about damaging them.
– Lightweight
– Can Be Stacked Inside Doorway
– Great for Large Quantities
– Expensive
Corrugated Plastic Sheets
While corrugated plastic sheets are often used in conjunction with cardboard boxes, they also come in handy on their own. These lightweights yet durable materials offer an excellent alternative to traditional packing methods. Corrugated plastic sheets are perfect for protecting delicate objects like glassware, china, crystal, etc., but they can also be used to wrap up any product. The best thing about corrugated plastic sheets is that they allow you to customize them according to your needs. For example, you could cut out sections of the sheet to create individual compartments within it. You could also add dividers between different products to keep things organized.
– Durable
– Flexible
– Allows customization
– Affordable
– Good for Glassware & Crystal
– Heavy Weight
– Difficult to Cut Out Sections
Cardboard Boxes
While not as strong as corrugated plastic sheets, cardboard boxes still make great choices for certain situations. Cardboard boxes are typically made from recycled paper or wood pulp. Because of this, they tend to be more environmentally friendly than other types of packaging. Plus, because they’re recyclable, they don’t cost nearly as much as corrugated plastic.
– Recycled Paper/Wood Pulp
– Environmentally Friendly
– Cheaper Than Other Options Cons:
– Less Strong Than Corrugated Plastic Sheets – May Break Easily
Wrapping Paper
This option isn’t really considered “packaging” per se, but wrapping paper does play a role in how people think about what goes inside a box. Wrapping paper is usually thin pieces of paper that are explicitly designed to protect fragile goods during transit. While some companies sell pre-cut rolls of wrapping paper, others prefer customers to buy individual sheets.
– Thin Pieces Of Paper Designed To Protect Goods During Transit
– Pre-Cut Rolls Available
– Individual Slices Are Best
– More Expensive Than Standard Packing Materials Pros:
– Helps Keep Things Organized
– Makes It Much Easier To Wrap Up Products
– Better Protection Against Damage From Bumps And Drops
– Works Well With Smaller Objects
– Economical
– Can Help Reduce Waste
– Green Alternative
Packaging Companies:
There are different options available if you want to find an excellent company to help package your products. Here are just a few examples:
Mauser Packaging Solutions:
Mauser has been providing quality packaging solutions since 2018.
They specialize in custom packaging design and manufacturing services. Their team includes experts who work closely with clients to ensure that every project meets its goals while maintaining high standards of excellence. If you need guidance finding the right solution for your business, contact Mauser today!
Ernest Packaging Solutions:
Ernest specializes in creating unique designs for all kinds of businesses
Whether you have a small startup looking for something simple or a large corporation needing complex solutions, Ernest will provide exactly what you need at affordable prices. Contact them today to learn more about their packages and pricing plans!
Orara Packaging Solutions:
Orara offers a wide variety of customizable packaging solutions,
Including shipping containers, pallets, crates, totes, and more. All of these items are built using only top-quality materials, so you know your order will arrive safely. Learn more by contacting them today!
Custom Packaging Company:
Custom Packaging Company provides customized packaging solutions for both residential and commercial use. They take pride in providing remarkable customer service along with innovative ideas and creative concepts.
Innovative Packaging Solutions:
Innovative Packaging Solutions can create any type of packaging needed for your business.
They offer everything from standard packing supplies like boxes and bags to speciality items such as bubble wrap and shrunken film. Innovative Packaging Solutions also works well with smaller projects where hiring an outside party may seem too expensive. For example, they often do very nice jobs with gift baskets. Visit their website to check out what else they can do for you!
Dependable Packaging Solutions:
Dependable Packaging Solutions creates custom packaging for almost anything imaginable. They even make labels for fast food and beverages. You name it; they probably do it. So whether you need a one-time job or ongoing support, this company can handle it. Visit their site to get started on your next project!
Custom Packaging Solutions:
If you’re searching for a reliable partner to help you build your brand, look no further than Custom Packaging Solutions. This company is dedicated to helping others succeed through outstanding customer service and great product selection. Get started now by visiting their website!
Conclusion:
In conclusion, many companies can assist you in choosing the best packaging option for your needs. It’s important to single out someone who understands your specific requirements and budget. After all, you don’t want to spend money on something that won’t last long enough to be worth it. To start, check out some of our recommendations above.