Packaging rules for e-commerce shipments

The e-commerce industry involves sending a very large number of parcels – properly packed and protected. The packaging should provide protection for the items being sent – so that they reach the customer intact. It is also important for the package to be visually appealing. What are the basic rules of e-commerce parcel packaging that every warehouse keeper should follow?

The ideal cardboard box for packing shipments – which one?

The packaging used in online shops should – above all – protect the goods (regardless of the fragility of the item being sent). Corrugated cardboard boxes (3-layer, 5-layer, 7-layer) are a good choice. The choice is large – you can choose between die-cut or die-cut cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes, cardboard boxes with automatic bottoms and other types.

Cartons are not the only packaging available. If you are dealing with smaller but sturdy items, you can send them in a bubble envelope (often personalised). There are also foil packs.

Parcel fillers – essential cushioning material

If the item is in a cardboard box, don’t forget about so-called parcel fillers, which will efficiently fill the empty space between the item and the edge of the parcel. It is generally agreed that this distance should be approximately 5 cm.

There are many cushioning materials available. The most popular is bubble wrap, which is at the same time seen as not very environmentally friendly. If an e-commerce company cares about maintaining the right brand image (care for the environment), they should take care of other fillers. Examples are:

• Eco-friendly air cushions – these offer an alternative to foil counterparts. They are made from recycled paper, which can be recycled. Some consider them to be the best shock absorber among paper-based solutions.
• SizzlePak – comes in the form of distinctive paper shavings. It is a biodegradable, natural material with great cushioning properties and a fairly low price. It is particularly useful for packing fragile, fragile items (e.g. porcelain, ceramics and glassware, vases, perfumes, stone sculptures). SizzlePak filler can be combined with protective foams or bubble wrap to provide maximum protection for your parcel. It is available in a variety of colours, which appeals to companies concerned with personalising their brand.
• Skropak – a ball-shaped parcel filler made from potato or corn starch (with the addition of biodegradable polymers). It is distinguished by its lightness, versatility. It does not significantly increase the overall weight of the parcel, which is appreciated by many traders (cheaper shipping). Regardless of the type of goods inside the carton, it can cope with securing any, even the heaviest. It can be used for any type of transport (land, sea, air).

If you do not have access to the aforementioned cushioning materials, you can rely on – more accessible – wrapping paper, crumpled newspapers or cut sheets of corrugated cardboard.

Packing rules – the important role of adhesive tapes

Every parcel needs to be sealed properly. Adhesive tapes are most commonly used to seal cartons. The strongest tapes (glass fibre reinforced) are highly tear-resistant, which is useful for very heavy loads. There is an alternative, namely eco-friendly packing tapes (made of self-adhesive kraft paper). They are strong enough to cope with the sealing of traditional cardboard boxes.

Stretch film – effective protection against moisture

Stretchfilm is a packaging material with a wide range of applications. It is distinguished by its elasticity and – which is important – very high stretchability (some of its types may stretch even 5-6 times in comparison with their original state, still retaining their properties). Another interesting feature is its excellent resistance to sudden changes in temperature. It will never change its properties. It protects the interior of parcels from mechanical damage, dust, moisture or the sight of unwanted people.

Stretch film is available in various colours – black (opaque), coloured, transparent. The first type guarantees the best protection – no one is able to look inside the parcel, which prevents theft. Black stretch film is a commonly used packaging material in e-commerce companies.

Proper labelling of the package

Every parcel (especially those containing fragile and delicate items) should be properly labelled, expressed through special warning labels (e.g. “Up/Down”, “Caution! Glass”). These will allow the courier to know what type of parcel he is dealing with.

Principles of parcel packaging. Why choose ecological packaging?

Ecological cardboard packaging (and more) is the latest trend that more and more e-commerce companies are following. Companies want to meet the exacting expectations of their customers – trying to care for the environment. A brand that would like to be considered progressive has to take ecology into account in its operations. Not surprisingly, more and more e-commerce companies are opting for eco-friendly packaging or parcel fillers.

What are the advantages of choosing eco-friendly cartons? First of all, they are reusable products. Once they become permanently worn out, they can be recycled. Ecological packaging is made from renewable natural materials – not only paper or cardboard (i.e. wood), but also cellular glass, vegetable starch (corn or potato), grass, hemp.

An e-commerce company that cares about its brand image should replace all less environmentally friendly packaging materials with eco-friendly suitable ones, e.g. from kraft paper.

Personalised packaging, boxes, envelopes

Wondering why you should invest in packages with your company logo? They provide an incentive for customers to take an interest in the services of a particular company. They are the ideal brand promotion – for example at industry or company events. Personalised logo packs make company Christmas parties more pleasant.

Cardboard boxes and other packaging materials – only at RAJA

One of RAJA’s slogans (in addition to praising ecology) is: ‘Ensure a positive customer experience for your online shop‘. It tries – with good results – to win the loyalty of the potential customer not only with its extensive, 100 per cent organic product range. RAJA pays attention to its social media as well as the individual parameters of its online shop, e.g. website design, ease of navigation, costs and forms of shipping (everything that falls under the sub-heading ‘effective webshop management‘). Satisfied customers attest to the fact that it is possible to establish effective communication with pleasant service.

RAJA is also aware that the quality of delivery in e-commerce matters. For example – the quality of delivery in a mail order shop is influenced by, among other things, the way packages are packed and the delivery time.

The flagship products that can be found in the RAJA online shop are various cardboard boxes, including cardboard tubes, cardboard boxes with automatic bottoms. Also popular are: parcel fillers (air cushions, bubble wrap), packing paper, packing tape, warning labels.