10 packaging mistakes to avoid

A poorly packaged product is also a poorly protected product.No customer has ever been happy to receive a damaged product.On the contrary, most of them will even consider ordering elsewhere in the future.Our packaging specialists have analysed the 10 most common packaging mistakes for you and explain how you can easily avoid them.

From experience, we know that it’s not just the final packaging that matters.It’s also important to consider how you pack your products inside that packaging.Also, don’t forget to place the right shipping labels on your packaging.This way, your package will arrive at the right destination without having to travel around the world beforehand.”

Top ten most common packaging mistakes

► 1. Reusing old crates

A cardboard box doesn’t have as many lives as a cat. It’s really not a good idea to reuse an old box and cover up its flaws with pieces of tape.

Our advice: for every order, choose a new, sturdy box that offers optimal protection for all your products.

► 2. Tape in abundance

Cutting corners on tape is not a good thing, but using too much tape is definitely not a good strategy either.Not only does it hurt your packaging costs, but it also increases the time it takes for the customer to open their package.Besides, there is nothing more frustrating to an impatient customer than a case that is difficult to open.

Our advice: use tape sparingly and learn how to close your case properly.By the way, did you know that there are also cases with a tear-off strip

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Then you can open it just as easily as you can open a zip.No more hassle with tape!

► 3. Forget about cushioning material

It’s true that a crate without padding may be cheaper, but the risk of damage during transport is considerably higher. And a damaged product is absolutely to be avoided. Your customer becomes dissatisfied and this imposes more after-sales service on you.

Our advice: always use enough cushioning material to securely fasten your products and protect them inside a crate.

► 4. Overly bulky crates

“More” doesn’t always equal “better”. In a crate that is too wide, your products can be damaged more easily because they have more space to bump into each other. Also, a crate that is too large equals more cushioning material, which only increases your packaging costs.

Our advice: avoid such packaging mistakes and choose a crate that is adapted to the size of your product.

Save money with a variable height crate: a single crate can be adjusted to up to 12 heights, and thus perfectly suited to your product. From now on, you only need one type of crate, leaving more space in your warehouse for other products.

► 5. Damaged forms

It’s

never pleasant for a customer to receive their invoice at the bottom of their order, all folded up and badly damaged. Invoices and other shipping forms are important documents that any customer would prefer to receive in pristine condition.

Our advice: put important documents such as invoices in an envelope. Then place it at the bottom of your crate so it doesn’t get damaged.

► 6. Why doesn’t my parcel arrive?

Where’s your parcel? You’ve been waiting for it for days. Without the right labels, there’s a greater risk that your crate will be wandering around with no clear destination.

Our advice: always stick shipping labels correctly on your crate. Then it’s also easy to protect them with a document bag.

► 7. One piece of cushioning material is enough

Bubble wrap, cushioning paper, foam… They all have specific properties and applications. However, it is often the case that only one cushioning material is used for all types of packaging. However, by doing so, you run the risk of some of your products still being damaged.

Our tips: choose the right cushioning material for your product. Filling gaps or protecting against shocks? For every need, you can find the right cushioning material here.

Save money: if your product allows it, you can even choose a completely customised packaging for your product without the need for additional cushioning material. This is the case, for example, for books or electronics.

► 8. Return a product

The lack of an easy return policy is one of the most serious packaging mistakes.According to a 2018 study by ReBOUND, almost 60% of people between the ages of 18 and 35 are more likely to opt for a company with a return policy.But it’s not just the younger generation that is sensitive to this.Almost all internet users carefully consider an online shop’s return options before placing an order.

Our tips: With a returnable checkout, it’s much easier for your customer to return an incorrect purchase.

► 9. Shipping pouches are acceptable, but not always

A shipping pouch is a cheap shipping solution that is increasingly used in the e-commerce sector. They are water and tear resistant and easy to reuse, so they are ideal for textiles and clothing, for example. But for fragile products, this type of packaging is often not a good solution.

Our advice: fragile products are best sent in a sturdy crate in which you can protect them with shock-absorbing cushioning material. This would make it much easier for your glass carafe to arrive safely at its destination.

Your customer will be happy when their order arrives intact in their box.But why not go one step further.Why not choose a customised crate with your logo, slogan or brand colours.

Our tips: With the RajaPrint tool, you can create customised packaging.Whether it’s crates, tape, or bags with handles…anything is possible.Customised packaging will make your brand stand out even more and raise your profile.

Save money by choosing customised tape.It’s not only cheap, but also a material that can be used anywhere: on crates, boxes, bags, promos, etc

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