5 Trends to Look Out For In e-Commerce Packaging in 2015

Packaging forms an important part of the e-commerce business environment. At the most basic level, packaging serves the primary purpose of offering protection to the contents of the package. However, the focus in 2015 is more about enhancing the consumer’s experience with appropriate modifications to the packaging that surpass the primal purpose of providing only protection. It is all about creating the perfect balance between visual appeal, protection and functionality.

We are just coming out of the first quarter of 2015 and already the trends have started showing characteristic features for the e-commerce packaging industry. Check out the top 5 trends below.

The “Green” Approach

The past two years have seen a growth in the adoption of green practices and trends that indicate a gradual progress towards achieving adequate sustainability. This means using recyclable packaging material and using materials that are made from recycled components. 

There has been a rise in the use of recycled corrugated plastic boxes which offer greater benefits than cardboard boxes, despite being made from plastic. Moreover, the emphasis on re-use and recycle has also encouraged people to minimize wastage. If not for the cost savings, the green attitude can definitely help to save the environment from further damage.

Personal Note of Thanks

Who doesn’t like a personalized note? There is a rise in demand for personalized notes of thanks which retailers have begun sending their customers along with their packages. Not only is this a nice way to attract customers, but it also gives them happiness on receiving their packages. It just goes on to show the concern that retailers express for showing that they care about the happiness of the customers. 

It doesn’t cost much to add this small note of gratitude, but the outcomes of adding this note are high in value, especially in terms of establishing a strong brand preference for the customer and strengthening the “people quotient” of the brand.

Customized Boxes with Branding

e-Commerce retailers, especially the high-end retailers, are now focusing on adding that extra touch to their packaging design for making their customers feel special. Consumers today demand a certain level of visual appeal for sensing the extent of “premium values” in the product. This is why e-commerce companies are coming up with customized boxes / pouches with branding so that customers are able to relate to their brand. Wouldn’t you like to receive a premium package which has the perfect balance of visual appeal, protection and functionality?

Cost and Space Considerations for Premium Packaging

Creating a premium packaging design is not difficult. The challenging part is to establish a balance between the options while considering cost and space limitations. It is important for e-commerce retailers to strike the perfect balance between all the concerned elements so that they don’t end up paying extra or having boxes that have space left even after the product has been placed in it. 

Having unnecessary space inside the boxes would not only require additional packing material (such as packing peanuts) which would incur more costs, but it would also add weight and bulk to the shipping consignment, thereby resulting in high shipping charges. You can avoid all such hassles with innovative and carefully evaluated packaging designs.

Frustration Free Packaging

This is becoming more of a challenge to e-Commerce retailers where they are striving to achieve a balance between presentation, security and frustration-free packaging for their products. The so-called frustration-free packaging refers to packaging that can be opened up easily without having to spend a lot of time unravelling the various layers of materials to reach the product stored inside.

While this particular feature is demanded by customers, it becomes slightly difficult to implement it in real world scenarios because without the right layers of protection, the product could get damaged. However, packaging experts are working on developing a hassle free packaging design that incorporates the best elements to satisfy the needs of the business as well as the customers. 

How to Pack Small Kitchen Appliances

Very often people ask about the best way to pack kitchen appliances. Not only are these appliances small, but they have fragile components (made from glass) which makes it a bit difficult to pack them in a manner such that no damage would be incurred. The problem with such small appliances is that hardly anyone retains the original packaging and when it’s time to move them to a new destination, then people tend to scavenge for packing boxes.

While original packaging always serves the purpose when it comes to moving kitchen appliances, there is absolutely no need to worry if you need to pack them without the original box. All you need is an appropriately sized packing box, some packing paper, tapes and markers. But before you start packing, you need to prepare the appliance to ensure proper storage conditions. 

Preparing the Kitchen Appliance for Packing

• Check the small appliance for removable parts and fragile components. Make sure that you remove these components and store them separately with individual packaging. 

• Next, you need to clean and dry the components. A dirty appliance would not only be unsuitable for packing, but it would also present a bad picture if you are delivering a product to someone. It would not take more than 10 minutes to get this task done. 

• If there are specific instructions for assembling the components of the appliance, then it would be a good idea to write them down. This will help you to get it assembled properly and it would also convey the required information if you intend to give the appliance to someone else. 

Let’s Get Packing!

• Get corrugated packing boxes of medium to small size. There is no need to get fresh boxes as you can easily find used boxes from your house or other places. This will definitely help you to save up on packaging and shipping costs. Before putting the appliance in the box, make sure you tape the bottom section properly as this will add strength to the base.

• Put crushed or slightly crumbled packing paper inside the box as this acts as a cushion for your appliance. Don’t crumble the paper excessively as this won’t serve the purpose. 

• For the main component of the appliance, wrap it twice or thrice with packing paper. Once done, secure it with tape and ensure a tight fit such that the wrapped paper does not come off during transit. 

• Wrap the individual components such as blades, containers, power cords, etc with packing paper. Seal them with packing tape once done. 

• Put the main component along with the other components and accessories in the corrugated packing box and be careful while placing them. Check the crumpled packing paper that you have already placed at the bottom. Try to get an even layer of the crumpled paper before placing the items in the box. 

• If space remains in the box after placing the wrapped kitchen appliances, then you can  either add more items in it (which should be preferably unbreakable). 

• All that remains now is to seal the box with packing tape and make sure to get some tape along the seams such that you manage to get a tightly sealed package. 

• Use markers to write information on the box so that the handlers are able to understand the handling requirements for the package. You can even write the address on it, if you intend to send to a particular recipient. Without the proper markers, it would be difficult for you to ensure the safety of the contents. 

It should not take a lot of time to get your small kitchen appliances packed. If you are really concerned about the safety of the items, then you can always use bubble wrap to add an extra layer of protection to them. While this is not a necessary step, you can certainly try it if you want. 

Plastic or Cardboard: Which is the Best Material for Packing Boxes?

Cardboard or plastic? Can’t seem to decide? This is not only your confusion, but it happens with most customers who just can seem to make their mind about the choice of packing box for their products. Corrugated cardboard boxes have been the choice of packaging material for ages and generating acceptance for plastic boxes.

There is nothing wrong with using a plastic corrugated box. In fact, it is encouraged that such boxes be used for shipping as well as storage because they can be re-used effectively. These boxes are also more durable and do not incur damages easily. Cost may be a factor that might deter a few people, but nowadays the availability of recycled plastic boxes has made it feasible to purchase these packaging materials without burning a hole in your pocket.

While I would prefer a plastic box any day, it would be best if we let the facts speak. Both packaging materials have their pros and cons. The determining factor depends on the extent of use and benefits delivered by the box. Let’s do a comparative review to make things clearer.

Protective Capability

This is the most obvious determining factor that should be mandatorily present in any packaging material. Plastic boxes have a clear advantage over cardboard in terms of protection of the contents. Corrugated boxes may be effective and popularly used, they just don’t cut it when you need really secure packaging materials that are able to create a safe internal environment for the contents. Plastic boxes also offer better protection against pets and rodents. This is something that is difficult to achieve with cardboard boxes.

Handling

Plastic boxes are the winner in this category as well due to the high convenience in handling provided by these packaging materials. Haven’t your come across plastic boxes with wheels and handles yet? You can easily add these components and make it really easy to handle plastic boxes. This just doesn’t work out in the same manner for cardboard boxes which means that you have to lift up these boxes manually or with machines. In either case, it doesn’t feel as convenient as using a plastic box with handles and / or wheels.

Durability

There should not be any doubt about this one. Plastic is the clear winner in this category and it is definitely more durable than cardboard on any given day. The plastic containers offer greater protection and can withstand rough usage without harming the contents.

Waterproofing

It is possible to waterproof the cardboard packing boxes with the use of appropriate materials. However, this won’t be as effective as plastic boxes which have greater water repellence and the boxes do not lose their strength when wet. This is a huge advantage for shipping beverages and liquid products. Moreover, the plastic cases can protect sensitive contents from being damaged by moisture or water.

Environmental Impact

Both cardboard and plastic are capable of being recycled and have proven themselves as an effective packaging material (in terms of sustainability). However, plastic is turning out to have a greener footprint than cardboard in various aspects. For example, paper production is much more energy intensive than producing plastic. Cardboard forms almost 30% of the dump in landfills worldwide and the decomposition of paper yields methane which further aggravates the greenhouse effect.

Versatility

Plastic is used in the production of boxes and sheets, while cardboard can be made into rolls also. Cardboard is the clear winner in this segment as the number of applications and the ease of working with cardboard makes it a really versatile packaging material. The same is not feasible with plastic, at least not with the ones that are used in the preparation of packing boxes.

Cost

In terms of resource cost, cardboard is definitely cheaper than plastic. But if you analyse the overall value per investment, then plastic is a better option as the high durability allows increased reuse of the packaging material without the need for replacing the existing resources frequently. Plastic packing boxes can even be taken up on rent which adds to the total savings that you can achieve. However, this is a relative advantage and the final decision remains with the buyer.

The Verdict!

Plastic is turning out to be a better packing material than cardboard mainly due to the developments which have made plastic a better and greener option. Moreover, the increased use of recycled materials means that plastic corrugated boxes are not only getting more affordable but they are also helping customers save up on cost of shipping supplies.

Top 5 Eco-Friendly Gift Packaging Ideas

Of course everybody wants their gift to look the best! This is why people go through extreme lengths to come up with ideas that push their creative limits. But is it a good idea to use materials that can harm the environment? Is our happiness more important than the safety of the world that we live in? If you have not started using the “green approach”, then it is high time that you adapted to this approach now.

Eco-friendly gift packing materials are not inferior to regular packing materials in any manner. In fact, they actually reduce the harm caused to the environment by the disposal of materials that do not degrade naturally. Moreover, using new materials requires more resources to be used up. At the current rate of new production, our future generations would be left with only reminiscences of things that we take for granted today.

Check out the following eco-friendly gift packing ideas that would not only bring a smile on the face of the recipient, but also give numerous reasons for nature to rejoice as well.

Use Clothes as Gift Packing Materials

Yes, this can be done. You might not even know about the amount of used clothes that are lying around your house. With a little creativity and some basic skills, you can create the most amazing packages by using old clothes that no longer serve the purpose. For example, you can cut the long sleeve of a t-shirt and sew the ends to make a really nice pouch. The extent of your creativity defines the quality of the outcomes.

Reuse Old Gift Packages

You might have seen the elders in your home stashing away gift boxes and packages when they received gifts in them. They were not being stingy. In fact, they were actually doing their part in utilizing materials as much as possible and contributing to environmental safety. If you are careful while removing the tapes from the packages, you can keep everything intact without causing a lot of damage to it. So the next time you get a gift, make sure to keep the package for future use.

Consider Using Jars, Tins and Boxes

Jars, tin cans and even boxes are excellent gift packages. You need to know how to creatively decorate them and adorn them with the right accessories to come up with an effective presentation. These containers are the best when it comes to maintaining a minimalistic design. Even if you have a simple ribbon or a colourful bow, you can add that to the jar / tin, and still manage to impress the recipient with your gift packing idea.

Ask Mother Nature for Help

When we speak about green initiatives, we look for ways to reuse and recycle materials. But have we ever given a thought about seeking Mother Nature’s help? You could always scavenge around for leaves, twigs or just about anything that you could find in nature. These are great for use as accessories and would definitely be a much welcome change from conventional gift packing ideas.

Look Around for “Valuable Junk”

Newspaper, magazines, old maps, calendars, old books, or even office paper are usually thrown away in the dustbin when their primary purpose is served. You can find people gathering such items and simply letting it go. How about going around and collecting these “valuable junk”? If not used as a gift packing material, they can surely come handy while packaging other things for shipment. Every material is capable of being used again. You only need to sort them out and use them according to their current condition and durability. 

How to Manage Relocations During Monsoons

The monsoons may be a good time to hangout and enjoy with your friends, but it definitely does not signal a happy moment for relocations. I am sure that you would not even want to imagine the kind of mess and hassles that would have to be borne while keeping away the rain waters and also protecting the packaging boxes.

It is not difficult to manage a relocation during the rainy season, if only you know how to manage things in a smart way. Preparation is the key to a successful move on any given day. Check out the following suggestions which can prove to be pretty useful during a relocation that is initiated amidst rains. 

Track Weather Reports

There is nothing better than getting an idea about the severity of the oncoming weather conditions before you actually set out to move your stuff. Rains during the monsoon are an unavoidable occurrence so it cannot be ruled out of the equation. Keep track of the local weather conditions with reports generated through mobile apps or get the information from the news channel. It is best to be prepared with the right information so that you may select the best packaging materials accordingly. 

Ensure Adequate Protection for Your Belongings

Plastic is the best material for ensuring hassle free moving during rains. It is the best solution for getting adequate water resistance that would protect the contents from damage. Be it plastic covers or shrink wrap, you need to cover everything completely. If you have packing boxes, then keep all of your stuff in it and once you have completely sealed the box, cover it with shrink wrap for added protection. 

Once you have finished covering everything with plastic covers, use a heavy duty masking tape to seal the plastic. You cannot afford to let any moisture damage the contents of your packages. Do this yourself as getting it done by professional movers could burn a hole in your pocket.

Get the Right Packaging Boxes

Don’t even think about using old boxes or already used materials as they would lack the required durability. Use only clean and strong boxes, preferably the ones that have virgin fibres. Do not use any oversized box because it would make handling all the more difficult. Even though you would cover the boxes in shrink wrap, try to get the best possible boxes for packing your stuff. The quality of the packaging materials count a lot during rough weather conditions. 

Check The Streets for Clogging or Potholes

Before moving out with your packages, take a small tour of the path that would be traversed to get an idea about the extent of water logging and potholes that might exist. This could turn out to be a major problem if adequate precautions are not taken. Suppose the transport vehicle were to get stick along the way and there is a long period of heavy shower, then your packages could get wet from the continuous rain and it would render your efforts as ineffective. So make sure you check the path for possible obstacles that could result in a messy situation. 

The Smart Way to Reuse Styrofoam

Did you know that 30% of landfills around the globe have Styrofoam products thrown in them? Unless some very specific solvents are used for dissolving it, the material will practically last until the end of time. It is toxic in nature and even if it is recycled, there is a risk that prevails regarding its disposal. What should you do in this case? Re-use it as much as possible.

Re-suing Styrofoam doesn’t require any specific equipment for processing it. All you need is a little creativity, basic crafting skills and you would be able to use it in various ways. But before you start reusing Styrofoam, you need to take heed to some precautions. 

These include

• Avoid purchasing new Styrofoam materials because this would only add to the mess that has been created by previous products.

• For Styrofoam pellets that come in packaging boxes, make sure you keep them safe and use it for further packages that you send. This will not only help you to save on costs but it would also reduce the harm on the environment that is generally caused by uncontrolled disposal of such toxic material. 

• Try to find the chemist in you. Do some research and find the right solvents that will dissolve and break down the Styrofoam. This liquid serves as an excellent glue meant for household use. 

Ways to Re-Use Styrofoam

There are countless ways to re-use Styrofoam and you don’t need anything special to go about it. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started. I am sure that these suggestions will give you adequate directions so that you are able to come up with your own ideas. 

• Whenever you come across used Styrofoam products that you do not know how to reuse, just keep them together in a sack or cardboard box. When it gets filled completely, you can take it to the nearest recycling center or share it with some creative friends of yours who can put it to good use.

• By dissolving the Styrofoam in compatible solvents (Pure orange rind oil, d-Limonene, etc.), you can breakdown the materials and create a glue that can be used for household purposes. Just take care to use a paintbrush for applying the glue to the surface, lest you should get it all over your hands. 

As a safety measure, use the solvents with care and wear gloves so that not even a drop of the liquid comes in contacts with your skin. It is important any such procedure involves the participation of an elder person. The risk associated with the breaking down of Styrofoam is capable of causing harm to the person. 

• An entire block of Styrofoam can be used as a base for cakes or candies. It is easy to make and you can make it colourful by applying colours of your choice to the base.

• You can create miniature art (such as Lego figures and jigsaw pieces) with used Styrofoam. This will also turn out to be an interesting hobby and will serve as a good use of free time. 

These are just basic directions with which you can come up with your own ideas. If you read carefully, you will realize that all of these suggestions are based on the way Styrofoam is handled. By understanding the ways in which you can work with this material, you can easily apply it for creating unique and out-of-the-box solutions with it. 

Don’t let landfills get blocked with harmful materials such as Styrofoam. Re-using such materials is fun and also a great way to contribute towards environmental conservation. So if you have a cool idea about reusing Styrofoam, then do share it in the comments section below. After all, your idea could inspire others. 

Get Free Packaging Materials for Your Shipping Requirements!!

Haven’t you always wanted to find a way in which you could get packaging material for packing your stuff without having to pay for the materials? Well here is your chance to get all the materials that you want and not pay anything at all. Sounds too good to be true? Well, it is true if you can relate to the fact that getting “free packaging materials” means finding ways in which you can get it included as part of a shipping service, or you could re-use materials.

I know that the minute you read the “free packaging materials” phrase, you were super excited because you thought this could be a super give-away sale. It may not be a sale in the literal sense, but I could provide you some suggestions which would help you to save up considerably on costs. 

Here is what you need to do:

Ask for “Free Packaging” At the Post Office / Shipping Centre

“Does the shipper / postal service centre offer free packaging?” You should definitely find the answer to this question as it could help you to save up on costs considerably. Sometimes, the carrier could provide a free box or a large enough package for you to put the item and send it to the recipient. Since the box comes as an inclusive part of the offer, you don’t have to pay extra for the packaging materials. 

Find Used Packing Boxes and Leftover Supplies

The problem with most people is that they tend to dispose the used packing boxes and supplies. They never consider re-using it for further applications. While this may be an indirect loss for them, this gives you ample opportunities for getting your hands on some freebies.

The best place to start searching would be local supermarkets and grocery /retail outlets. These facilities have a continuous supply / removal of packing boxes so if you approach them, then you can get the required number of boxes on a regular basis for an almost insignificant cost. You could also convince them to give it to you for free. 

The next best place to check is your home / office. It might seem like the first option when it comes to finding used boxes, but trust me, the chances of getting one are higher in retail outlets than your home. Ask around for any recent items or gifts that you may have received. There is a good chance that the box (in which it came) is lying around the place somewhere. All you need to do is find it.

Learn to Save Resources

Never throw away packaging material that is good enough to be used again. Save every box and all the packaging supplies that you can manage feasibly. Make sure you use only as per requirement and save the resources. This could prove to be an important supply of packaging materials when you need to pack your stuff. You could also ask around for used boxes and other supplies. Neighbours are usually ready to help (if you are nice to them).

Getting free packaging material isn’t difficult if you know how and where to find them. The most important aspect of this is to inculcate careful use of resources and to re-use materials as much as possible. Monetary benefits might be the primary agenda on your mind, but in a way, you would also be contributing to environment safety and sustainability. Now this is something that you could be proud of! 

So go on and find your free packaging material. It might be lying there waiting for you to claim it! In the rare situation that you have not been able to get your hands on free materials, then check out DCG Pac’s collection of packaging materials and supplies at www.dcgpac.com.