One way to build your business is to send promotional products to your clients and potential customers. But if you are sending large or fragile items, like ceramic mugs or glass drinking cups, using the wrong packing materials could undo all your hard work. And no one is going to be impressed with a box of plaster shards.
If shipping is a regular part of your business, taking the time to make sure your products are packed properly can make the difference between a bad review, and a repeat customer.
Additionally, if your items aren’t packed properly, the post office could refuse to deliver them entirely.
Below are some guidelines for shipping that will ensure that whatever you send arrives safely:
The Container
The container should be large enough for the item(s) and any packing materials. You also need to take into account the weight of the items. A thinner box might be big enough for the items and packing materials, but so weak that it tears when you try to lift it. Your best option is a corrugated cardboard, or fiberboard box, which is both light weight, and sturdy enough to stand up to approximately 10 pounds of weight.
Packing Materials
You need to use enough packing materials that the item(s) do not shift around when you move the box. You can use foam or bio-degradable peanuts, but they tend to be expensive and they also get all over everything. Other options include shredded paper and crumpled newspaper. You can also use hay or straw, but some people are allergic.
Start by placing some of the packing material into the bottom of the box. Fill the box approximately one third of the way. Place the item(s) you need to ship in the center of the packing material. For very small items, like glass figurines, consider wrapping them together in bubble wrap, then putting the entire packet in the center of the packing material.
For larger items, lay them sideways with space between, and put packing material in the spaces to prevent them from banging together. If you are shipping hollow items, like glasses, put the packing material inside as well as around.
Finish by putting packing material on top of the object(s), then close the box and secure it with a single strip of tape to keep the flaps from opening.
Pick the box up and gently shake it. If the items move around, open the box and add more packing material until everything is secure.
Sealing
Only use packing tape, reinforced tape, or paper tape to seal your box. Tape down the seam of the box and also reinforce all the corners with packing tape, to keep them from getting crushed in transit.
Addressing
Write the shipping address on a white piece of paper in clear, block letters. Tape the address to the box with clear packing tape, and cover the entire sheet to protect the address from moisture. Follow the same steps to put your return address in the upper left corner of the box, on the same panel as the shipping address.
Once you have properly packaged your item, take it directly to the post office so it can be weighed and the proper postage applied. If you have your own postage meter and scale, and mail pickup at your location, you can weigh the box, affix the postage yourself, and leave it for the mail carrier to pick up. However, if the item weighs more than 13 ounces, your best option is to take to the post office.
Credit: sean dreilinger
