5 Packaging Mistakes That You Should Definitely Avoid

When you are sending shipments or even parcels to someone, you cannot afford to make any mistakes. You just cannot afford it. Even a single mistake can cause dire outcomes which not only result in financial losses, but also loss of goodwill. Who would ever want to trade with you if you fail to deliver the first time? 

It is not difficult to manage such issues. All you need to do is to identify the packaging mistake that you are about to commit (or have committed) and take the necessary steps to rectify it. Here are 5 packaging mistakes that you should definitely avoid.

Mistake #1: Getting the Wrong Box Size

The problem with getting the wrong box size is not the inability to make the necessary estimation, rather it highlights the inability to understand which sides need to be measured for getting the dimensions of the box. For example, people consider the longer part of the corrugated wine box to be its depth, when in fact, it is the length. So make sure you understand which side relates to which dimension before taking the measurement for it. Refer to the standard descriptions to know about the referenced dimensions.

Mistake #2: Overlooking the Durability of the Box

You must always choose the box in relation to the weight of the contents and the size of the box. The larger the box, the lower it would be stored in the stack. If your package happens to be the biggest, then other boxes would be stacked on it. This is why you need to use a highly durable packaging material in order to support the weight of the contents and also to support the weight of the packages that would be kept on top of it.

Mistake #3: Using Boxes That Are Compromised

It is good to reuse and recycle as it helps in maintaining a sustainable environment. However, excessive re-using or recycling could compromise the effectiveness of the packaging materials. This increases the risk of damage on the contents due to the use of compromised materials. Moreover, shippers might find it hard to maintain uniformity in the durability of their boxes when they used recycled ones, so additional time is wasted in searching for new ones. Use new boxes if you do not have ones that are strong enough. Never use boxes that have surpassed their usable life. These may be cheap but they will definitely compromise the safety of the contents.

Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Packaging Materials

You need to know exactly what you are shipping and the cushioning materials that would help in providing good protection to the content. Merely putting newsprint or crumpled paper would not do the trick as these tend to get compressed under heavy weight. Instead, you should consider using bubble wraps or packing peanuts. If you are using bio-degradable peanuts, then make sure that no moisture is allowed to seep into the package as it could shrink the peanuts. Whenever you are unsure about the type of packaging material to be used, seek professional advice and help for understanding the type of materials that would fulfil your requirements perfectly.

Mistake #5: Loosely Taping the Materials

Taping the boxes is not an easy job. You need to be careful about the type of tape selected and the way in which the entire package is taped. A 3 inch tape is best for holding things together. If you are using tapes with less width, then you would have to put multiple layers to ensure a firm grip. You also need to check the quality of adhesives used in the tape. It might cost you a little more, but at the end of the day, you won’t have to worry about the package breaking down or opening up during transit.