5 key considerations for postal packaging success

Whether you are a small business that ships packages weekly or a large eCommerce business shipping several hundreds of parcels daily, postal packaging should be a significant part of your business strategy.

Postal packaging comprises materials and containers that protect items during shipping and postal delivery. It includes boxes, envelopes, mailing bags, tubes and protective elements like bubble wrap and foam. The right postal packaging will ensure your products are kept safe and protected throughout their shipping journey.

Getting your postal packaging right is vital to keeping your business costs low and your customers happy. This guide sets out five key considerations that allow you to maximise the effectiveness of your packaging, helping you protect your products, strengthen your brand, and deliver a better customer experience.

The five key considerations for postal packaging success are:

• Determining packaging required based on product size.
• Ensuring suitable levels of protection and durability.
• Assessing the shipping method and distance.
• Calculating and mitigating any environmental impact.
• Maximising branding opportunities.

The first thing to consider when evaluating your postal packaging is the size of the product you are shipping.

Stories of oversized boxes or parcels arriving damaged are familiar, often amusing, or frustrating in equal measure. While these incidents are memorable, they highlight the crucial role that packaging plays in ensuring products arrive safely.

For example, the last thing you want as a business is an influx of expensive returns and unhappy customers because all of your small products that were shipped were damaged in transit because they rattled around in too large boxes.

On the other hand, you also don’t want to have made a bulk order of packaging for your products only to discover that the boxes are too small for the product you need to ship.

The second thing to consider is what kind of product you want to ship. Is this product incredibly fragile and could break if accidentally dropped or jostled during shipping? Or is your product not so delicate that it requires a lot of protection during transit?

The type of product you are shipping will determine the material you choose for your postal packaging.

For example, if your product is large and easily breakable, the best outer packaging material may be double-wall cardboard with foam inside to keep the product secure and protected.

Or, if your product is fragile but relatively small, you may only require a padded envelope.

Consider how you will ship these products and their travel distances. You must ensure that your chosen packaging materials can withstand the journey.

To obtain an accurate estimate of the costs associated with this, review your chosen courier’s packaging standards and pricing to get an idea.

Generally, the larger and heavier your packaging, the more it will cost to ship, and sometimes, even if parcels are obscurely shaped, they can incur more costs.

Therefore, it is essential not to overpack your products, which can result in unnecessary and costly shipping expenses.

With sustainability at the forefront of the world’s mind, it is essential to consider your business’s sustainability goals when assessing your postal packaging.

Reports have shown that consumers are becoming increasingly eco-conscious, with 82% stating that they would be willing to pay more for eco-friendly packaging over traditional non-recyclable packaging.

This makes it easier for businesses to choose sustainable postal packaging and leverage consumer demand by shifting their focus to more sustainable postal packaging solutions.

Branding opportunities on postal packaging are endless. In today’s competitive market, packaging is more than just protecting your products during shipping; it’s a powerful tool for shaping your brand’s identity and enhancing customer experiences with your brand.

Your chosen packaging will communicate your business’s value, set the tone for customer interactions, and leave a lasting impression. It is a direct extension of your brand’s identity; when your customers receive a package, they aren’t just interacting with the product – they are experiencing your brand.

Ensure you reinforce your brand’s messaging or tell a compelling story with your packaging.

Postal packaging is a vital part of your business strategy, directly impacting your costs, customer satisfaction, and product safety.

Choosing the right size and materials for your products is essential to prevent damage and avoid unnecessary expenses. Additionally, considering shipping methods, environmental impact, and branding opportunities that you can take advantage of will help to create a more efficient, sustainable, and customer-friendly process.

With the growing demand for sustainable alternatives and more reliable postal packaging that protects products and brands, businesses must make informed decisions about their postal packaging.

At GWP, we specialise in providing tailored postal packaging solutions that are cost-effective, sustainable, and aligned with your business goals.

Get in touch today and let us help you optimise your postal packaging for success.