Packing goods, documents and gifts for dispatch is a task that warehouse staff are mainly responsible for. In the day-to-day work of a warehouseman, a situation often arises in which it is necessary to dispatch a parcel without an envelope intended for packing general goods. How do you handle such a situation and which operating materials can you use? Here are some tips that make it easier to send goods even without dedicated envelopes.
Packing goods – are business envelopes necessary?
When carrying out the shipment of goods by online shops and companies involved in distance selling business envelopes are standard, especially when it comes to sending invoices and sales documentation. Business envelopes come in a variety of sizes, such as DL, and also in a form with a transparent window.
Such operating materials are mainly useful for sending company documentation, contracts, invoices and other documents. However, this does not mean that sending goods in parcels without business envelopes is impossible. All you need to do is use some practical tips on how to pack a parcel without an envelope so that the documentation and general goods being sent are well protected.
Packing parcels and documentation – what are the alternatives to business envelopes?
What should you do if your company runs out of business envelopes? It is not the end of the world, although of course it is always a good idea to have envelopes on hand for essential company documentation. Alternative materials that can be used when packing goods for shipment are:
- Bubble envelopes – available in virtually all common sizes from A11 to K20. They provide excellent protection for general cargo and sensitive goods. The inner layer of air bubbles ensures that the items placed in the envelope are not damaged, even under heavier impact.
- Foil envelopes – are primarily courier foil envelopes, which can be used as additional protection for the parcel against moisture penetration.
- Cardboard tubes – A good alternative to mailing envelopes, especially if the goods have unusual shapes. The tubes can easily accommodate company documentation – simply roll it up and slide it inside the tube.
- Transparent foil envelopes – Transparent foil envelopes are ideal for sending company leaflets, invitations or gift cards. They provide a guarantee that the item will not be damaged in transit and that the recipient will immediately notice the gift voucher being handed over in the package.
These are just the most popular alternatives that are helpful when preparing parcels for shipping without the use of a standard business envelope. Also worth knowing, how to send a parcel without a label. This is a common problem that even experienced shipping warehouse staff face.
Lack of envelopes and parcel shipping – how about cardboard boxes?
Corrugated cardboard boxes are the standard when it comes to sending parcels. Are they an alternative to business envelopes? In part, yes, because they They are suitable for packing general goods as well as multi-page company documents. As a substitute for business envelopes, you can use:
- 3-ply corrugated cardboard boxes – if packing highly sensitive goods is involved, you probably won’t find a better alternative to envelopes – even those with air bubbles. Alternatively, you can also opt for 5-ply and 7-ply corrugated cardboard boxes.
- Cardboard boxes for documents – are a good choice for the dispatch of company documentation, e.g. archived documentation. In dedicated cardboard boxes, up to several kilograms of documents can be sent in one parcel. Because of this feature, cardboard boxes are a really good substitute for company envelopes.
Paper packaging, such as kraft paper bags, is also a good choice. Although they are not suitable for direct shipment of goods by courier, they They are not suitable for direct shipment by courier, butand then put the whole thing into a corrugated cardboard box. A package prepared in this way guarantees that the goods will reach the recipient intact.
Or perhaps you would like to find out whether you can send a parcel without a cardboard box? It is possible, although it requires some gymnastics on the part of the warehouseman. Foil packs, stretch film and cardboard dividers can be used to send goods without cardboard boxes.
Security of goods and sending parcels without an envelope
Choosing to send parcels without a dedicated envelope can expose the goods to possible damage. However, much depends on what items are being sent. If it’s just company documentation – you you can easily replace the paper envelope with a foil pack or flat shipping carton.
In order to maintain a high level of security for the goods being shipped, it is worth opting to use the best possible operating materials. So how to secure your shipmentso that you do not risk damaging its contents? Wrapping the goods being shipped in stretch foil, kraft paper or bubble wrap ensures that the contents of the parcel are 100% protected against damage from, for example, the outside of the box.
Shipping envelopes – necessary or not?
The mailing of company documentation, invoices, as well as general merchandise or even advertising flyers is most often carried out using cardboard and paper envelopes. In the event of a shortage of such materials for packing parcels, there are numerous alternatives: plastic packaging, cardboard tubes or even foil packs.
Supplying the shipping warehouse with business envelopes is obviously a good idea. However, if it is not possible to use such materials for shipping – no harm done. There are many other packaging and boxes available from RAJA that are great alternatives to business envelopes.