Packaging and distribution are crucial elements that might appear to be diminutive yet are imperative to organizations. Many organizations, particularly in the manufacturing, e-commerce, and retail sectors, carry out these activities consistently. Mistakes with the packaging of products can cost organizations very heavily.
Packaging contains your essential and valuable products and gives them vital security and protection against damages for products during transit. Issues with packaging cycles can get in your order fulfillment and make your tasks less efficient and productive. If this somehow manages to occur, you won’t just have many enraged customers at your end but it can result in a substantial loss of capital over lost or depreciated products.
So regardless of whether your firm relies upon delivery and shipping huge orders or not, guaranteeing that there are no misses with the packaging part of the business ought to be one of your needs. We have collated a list of the most common errors due to negligence or oversight. This should help you get a checklist ready next time you are packaging your products.
Most Common Packaging Mistakes Companies Make
It’s so natural to commit mistakes with your packaging design. Tragically, the packaging mistakes companies make can cost you customers and money. So here are some of the most common packaging mistakes to avoid.
1. Excess Packaging
With regards to packaging, you need to utilize the perfect proportion. This implies not using a huge box to house a tiny carton. It would be best to have a wide range of box sizes in your armory that can quickly and sensibly fit your various items.
So for reasons unknown, the issue of “too much packaging” does exist. Be it as additional wrapping or extra taping, or an excessive amount of Styrofoam peanuts, using a lot of material can cost your organization profoundly. You want to select options that cost you less and are not muddled to handle this issue. Air cushions and recycled paper sheets are a couple of choices that you can think about.
DCGpac offers packaging options in various dimensions that can help you pack your products snugly. You can get just the right fit for your product and avoid the loss of capital and raw material in the void filling when you pack with the wrong fit.
2. Difficult Packaging
There’s nothing more awful than dealing with and managing troublesome wrong packaging. You are aware that it is highly frustrating to get things out of plastic packaging with numerous layers, twist ties, etc. You need to now consider that your customers would feel the same way when handed a package with multiple layers of complicated packaging! However, your packaging should be sufficient to safeguard and secure the product without being excessively over the-top.
General market perceptions uncover that hard-to-open packaging is among the top reasons customers refrain from ordering from a specific organization. While choosing packaging materials online, organizations ought to remember stress-free and straightforward user experience in mind and stay away from cumbersome and difficult-to-open packaging choices.
Moreover, there have been instances where the product has ended up getting damaged during the complex process of unpacking. DCGpac offers a whole collection of packaging tools that can simplify the packaging process. You can choose from the best tapes to taping tools that make packing a breeze without compromising on the safety of the product.
3. Costly Packaging
While costly packaging could look pleasant, it likewise might cut your benefits. So rather than burning through a ton of money on packaging low-value products, attempt to limit your packaging costs as much as could reasonably be expected. Then again, if your products are high-value, it could be advantageous to spend somewhat more on packaging to assist with depicting that worth.
The amount of material that you use to pack your product ultimately adds to the cost you incur. Choose the right material. Identify how fragile your product is then decide what material you would need to secure the product during transit.
4. Illegible Packaging
If your customers can’t read your packaging, they probably won’t be going to purchase your products. Thus, you want to ensure that your packaging is entirely readable. In some cases, fonts can be confusing or challenging to read, so make a point to try out your fonts with all of your copy before you proceed with packaging production.
Labeling your packaged products is a great way to help in sorting and storage in warehouses as well. When the products are not labeled right there is a sure possibility that your customer may end up with the wrong product on hand impacting your business.
5. Boring and Exhausting Packaging
Moreover, if customers aren’t excited or allured by your packaging, they won’t be giving a second look at your product over incalculable choices on the shelves. This implies you want to integrate some design elements into your packaging to avoid leaving excessive blank space. Likewise, you want to incorporate an engaging color scheme based on your brand, customer base, and product. Getting an innovative package design can work in giving you the attention and engagement that you want for your product. It gives you the edge over the other generic brands in the market and definitely enhances sales.
Packaging providers like DCGpac offer customizable packing products that make it possible for brands to personalize their packaging. This helps to connect with their customers and create a more reliable brand. You can have your brand logo and design printed on the packaging to ensure your brand stands with every product that is purchased.
6. Excessively basic or “intensely propelled’
Following contenders intently and imitating their advertising and marketing contrivances never assists organizations in getting excessively far. Involving designs or packaging materials as your competitors utilize is lazy and confounding to customers. Many organizations neglect to realize that packaging can likewise be effectively used to separate themselves from their competitors. Redesigning and upgrading is something you can bring into utilization if you feel your packaging is fundamental or similar to that of another brand. But it is highly recommended to stay away from packaging in a similar manner to avoid being categorized as a duplicate product.
7. Foggy Packaging
Blurry packaging is likewise going to turn customers off as it doesn’t compliment the worth of your product if you couldn’t get your packaging right. Ensure that your packaging is printed utilizing high-quality materials intended for the sort of product that you offer. Moreover, when the packaging is not very clear there is a good possibility that customers will doubt its credibility.
8. Incorrect Packaging
One of the severe issues that deceptive packaging can cause is customers losing their confidence in your brand. No customer likes being misdirected when they put resources into a product. Keeping up with genuineness with your clients about what they ought to expect will assist you with expanding your client base. So while it is acceptable for you to keep your package enticing, do guarantee that you are not making any false promises.
Customers rely upon packaging to pursue informed purchasing decisions. So assuming there’s erroneous data on your packaging, you’re deceptive to the customer—which is generally a big mistake. At times, various brands have had to pay heavily when confronted with the misleading and dubious packaging information.
9. Continually Changing Packaging
You should not be continually changing your packaging as this can be mistaken by customers. All things being equal, you want to think of a decent design and, for the most part, stay with it beside minor changes to a great extent.
When you release a product with a defined packaging format and customers show interest in your product, they build a connection with the packaging and your brand. When you keep changing your packaging there is a good possibility you are risking that connection you have built with your customers. It is never a great idea to keep changing your packaging unless you are going through a complete overhaul of your brand.
10. Labeling Errors
Incredible professionalism breeds trust. Yet, incorrect spellings and problematic design formats will leave potential customers wondering about your organization’s professionalism.
Purchasers will not want to risk paying their hard-earned cash for a service or product provided by an organization that can’t even get its packaging design act together. They are, as of now, grammar critics. Also, they’re turning out to be more design-savvy consistently. Try not to allow them to be the ones to find a blooper.
How do you get the right packaging for your products?
The most successful businesses will often follow something many refer to as best practices, which are techniques or guidelines that address the most proficient and gainful way forward for their enterprise. E-commerce organizations often accomplish something many refer to as best packaging rehearses, which are guidelines that present the most effective method for dealing with their packaging and shipping needs.
1. Fit the packaging to your product/item
Pick a corrugated box that easily accommodates your product and considers the protective material around it. Your product should be sufficiently cozy to not bounce around during delivery or experience pressure and compression. Limiting your packaging footprint will save money on dimensional weight transporting charges and keep your customers happy—nobody prefers a larger-than-usual delivery.
If the product is fragile then you must leave space in your package for air pillows or void fillers that give the necessary cushioning to keep the product safe in transit. However, make sure that the space you offer is not excessive.
2. Match the packaging materials to your product’s requirements
With the assortment of shipping containers out there, a box isn’t your ideal decision. Assuming that your product’s packaging profile is small or sufficiently enough, you can exploit the advantage of containers like cut-out wraps, mailer envelopes, or e-commerce packaging boxes. You’ll reduce the size of your packaging significantly further, saving you time during packing, bringing down your shipping costs, and amplifying your packaging budget. Moreover, mailer envelopes and others are tamper-proof and do give you the necessary security that you need.
3. Pick the right void fill for your packaging
If your delivery or distribution site is far away from you it needs suitable protective material around it for safe transportation. The more fragile or expensive your product is, the more protective and firm your void fill ought to be. A bubble cushion is generally an outstanding choice, as its air-filled cells give superior padding. If your product merely necessities an additional layer of wrapping or partition, packaging paper or pressing peanuts will suffice. Always remember your customer’s expectations in mind. Nobody likes a damaged product. However, let’s not get carried away and overfill the package with void fills. We need to be mindful of the environmental impact as well.
4. Augment the experience for consumers
Continuously design with the consumer in mind. Ensure the packaging is ideal and compact to stock on the shelf and looks perfect. Ensure the consumer can eliminate the essential product package from the retail-ready packaging without any problem.
You need to ensure the consumer’s purchase decision can be made in a short time. Keep in mind the shape and edges of the package. Perpendicularity and squareness are crucial to a sturdy, stackable presentation. However, keep away from sharp corners and edges for customer safety and solace when reaching into the retail-ready packaging.
5. Utilize reusable and recyclable packaging
There’s no excellent explanation not to involve recyclable materials in your packaging plans. You’ve made a powerful commitment to diminishing packaging waste and protecting the environment by adding them to your lineup. With the current innovation, the present recycled packaging can be just as reliable and robust as new material.
Though there is a good possibility it may not look that attractive, your customers will feel far better about purchasing from you, improving the probability of continuing to do business with you. However, it is advisable not to overdo it. You cannot make it a marketing gimmick but you can definitely showcase how responsible you are towards your environment.
Every packing material that is used for making packaging products by DCGpac is either reusable or recyclable. This ensures you can utilize the packages again for storage or for recycling to be used as packaging materials yet again.
6. Use return-friendly packaging
Similarly, as easy-to-use return policies encourage customers to purchase more, return-friendly packaging significantly affects online ordering. When customers realize there’s less risk of being bothered over returns, they feel undeniably happier with buying regularly. For instance, new styles of mailer envelopes have simple open tear strips to avoid damaging the mailer.
In contrast, some likewise have a subsequent adhesive strip permitting it to be handily sealed up again for its return journey. However, these types of packaging do cost more. Customers have expressed they’re willing to pay a little more over time if it implies more straightforward overall return options. Remember that incorporating a returns label with a shipment is a niche indicator that you’ve got a genuine returns policy and are confident in your products.
7. Stick with your packaging decisions
Whenever you’ve chosen your packaging materials, focus and commit to them. You’ll eliminate packaging waste by purchasing just the provisions you’ve picked and try not to overspend on your financial plan. To your customers, this will make your packaging strategies (and your branding) look consistent, and they’ll put resources into the idea that you realize what you’re doing. They’ll know what to search for while anticipating a delivery and more greatly anticipate it!
8. Surprise your customers with your packaging techniques
Invest resources in the unboxing experience. Try utilizing e-commerce boxes/containers to make customers feel like they’re unboxing an expensive present. Envelop their products in tissue paper or crease paper to draw out the anticipation for only a few seconds. Express gratitude to them for purchasing from you by adding a personalized thank you card or note, a purchase-appropriate gift, or coupons implied only for them.
9. Follow up with your customers regularly and refine your packaging strategies
After successfully delivering the product, ask your customers for their genuine feedback. Not just on the particular product but on the delivery and packaging experience. You’ll realize where you want to improve your packaging or branding and learn ways you can appeal to them better. Maybe there’s a specific color they all seem to adore, or the actual packaging itself could utilize an alternate shape or texture. You’ll refine your packaging practices, making things more proficient and effective. The best part is that your purchasers will acknowledge you’re listening.
Strong comprehension of your products, and your customers, is everything you’ll have to foster your best packaging practices. For all your packaging materials and shipping supplies needs, we’re The Packaging Company, your e-commerce partner.
10. Exceed everyone’s expectations for advertising and marketing
Make it simple to see the essential product’s main claim to fame. Ensure the artwork fits the boundaries and parameters expected by the package and the equipment. The artwork must be repeatable with colours that can be promptly and handily coordinated and matched. A best practice is to purchase an adequately adaptable machine to meet the consumers’—and marketers’—constantly evolving needs.
Contemplate how the retail-ready packaging will look as it sells down, with fewer packages on the rack. Make the most of opportunities to add branding, promoting and marketing messages that will mimic the primary package, delight with attractive and bold graphics, or reinforce a brand proposition.
Processes connected to packaging ought to be well-planned too. From choosing suitable packaging material online to working intimately with a product designer to get the best and most impressive designs for product packages, these cycles include many steps. Furthermore, since different potential mistakes can happen in the course, keeping up with accuracy and care is of the most extreme significance.
Hope you find our 10 Practical Guide to Avoid Packaging Mistakes blog content informatively, if you want high-quality corrugated boxes contact us today!
