Your business only has one chance to make a good first impression—a truth that applies to eCommerce packaging, which can create a good or bad impression before a customer looks at the product that’s inside. The world of packaging has expanded rapidly, making choosing the right eCommerce packaging for your products an often-daunting task.
Before you make a decision about how to package your products and ship them out to your customers, you should have an understanding of the uses, benefits and drawbacks of each of your options.
We’re here to help, so we’ve compiled a guide of corrugated boxes and polybags that includes what you should keep in mind about each when deciding how to ship your products.
Corrugated Boxes
Although you’re probably familiar with this common eCommerce packaging solution, you may still be wondering “What is corrugated cardboard?” This brown-paper product consists of two exterior layers of liner boards that sandwich a fluted piece of cardboard.
Order Your Corrugated Hazmat Boxes Today!The construction of a corrugated box results in a relatively sturdy box; the corrugated material keeps this type of box lightweight and provides some cushion.
Regular Slotted Containers (RSC)
RSC refers to the common design of corrugated boxes with four flaps on the top and bottom of the box. The flaps on the long side of the box meet in the middle when closed; the top and bottom of this type of box are closed with packing tape to provide a secure shipping container that is easy for the recipient to open.
RSCs come in a variety of colors and sizes and are relatively inexpensive. They are mostly used for warehousing, storage purposes and shipping light products.
Strength of Cardboard and Corrugated Boxes
Corrugated boxes are sturdier and more durable than cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes are reasonable options for eCommerce companies that sell lightweight consumer products. This lightweight shipping option provides enough support to keep your products safe while reducing shipping costs.
Order Custom Cardboard Boxes to Fulfill Your NeedsCompanies that require a bit more protection for their products can choose between single- and double-wall corrugated boxes. Single-wall boxes are lightweight options that provide enough stability and impact absorption to keep the majority of products safe en-route. Double-wall boxes have an extra layer of fluting to make these boxes suitable for stacking during transport or in a warehouse.
You can check the strength of corrugated boxes, before choosing to purchase them, by referring to their burst strength. This test involves applying pressure to the walls until the box bursts, to determine the pressure the box can withstand.
Custom Cardboard Boxes
Shipping your products in custom cardboard boxes is an innovative way to impress your customers and ensure your goods are delivered safely. You can have your company’s logo printed on the sides of the box, which is one of the best strategies for eCommerce marketing.
You can also choose a box design that will work best for your intended uses. Here are some of the box designs you can choose between:
This type of box features flaps that cover the entire opening of the box to provide extra strength to your shipping container.
This flat and narrow box is folded from a single piece of corrugated board and wraps your product snugly for safe travels.
This refers to how your cardboard box will be cut from the material. You can have your box cut in many different shapes to suit your company’s needs.
Poly Bags
Cardboard boxes are not moisture-resistant and can weaken if they are exposed to water. You can cover your boxes with plastic wrap to provide a layer of moisture-resistance to your shipping boxes.
If the item you’re shipping must be kept dry, you can use a poly bag as a layer around the product inside the cardboard box. Poly bags are an inexpensive addition to your packaging materials that will protect your goods from humidity until they reach their final destination. They are an integral part of how the food industry ships across countries.
Most poly bags are made from polyethylene, a common type of plastic, making them lightweight, affordable and recyclable.
In a Nutshell
Your eCommerce business has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to packaging. The type of box that is right for your products will vary based on the weight and shape of your goods and the distance they’ll need to travel.
Air Sea Containers is a trusted corrugated box provider that can help your business get products to your customers safely and affordably. We offer hazmat and non-hazmat solutions, as well as fully customizable packages to support your shipping needs. Contact us or explore our website and educational blog series to learn more about how to find the perfect boxes for your business.
