You’ve finally designed the perfect product, targeted your ideal audience, and launched your brand. However, there is one crucial aspect often overlooked — product packaging. Whether you’re packaging your goods or outsourcing to an external company, it’s essential to communicate all the specific details of your product on time. Find out what to pay attention to in the following sections.

Proper Goods Packing – The Most Important Steps

Choosing the Right Box

It may seem trivial, but it’s important to note that the box must be sturdy and appropriately sized. It shouldn’t be too small to avoid compressing the contents, nor too large to prevent movement inside.

Corrugated cardboard is the best choice for most products. Single-layer corrugated cardboard is commonly used for lightweight items, such as clothing or books. For heavier products, like household appliances, glassware, or industrial equipment, double- or triple-layer corrugated cardboard boxes are recommended.

FEFCO Standardized Boxes

Ideally, you should choose a custom-sized box for your products. However, if this investment exceeds your budget, consider using internationally standardized FEFCO boxes, which can simplify the selection process.

Most Common FEFCO Standardized Box Models:

• FEFCO 0201 – The most common model, a classic flap box with end closures.
• FEFCO 0203 – Features double flaps for extra strength.
• FEFCO 0409 – A box with an insert, often used for bottles and fragile products.
• FEFCO 0713 – A self-assembling box, ideal for e-commerce.
• FEFCO 0700 – Models with dividers.

For more information on FEFCO standardization and codes, visit their official website.

Choosing Protective Materials

Aside from selecting the right box size, it’s crucial to fill the boxes with protective materials. Keep in mind that products are most often damaged during transport. That’s why it’s essential to pack the box tightly to prevent movement and potential damage. Here are several ways to protect your products inside the box:

• Bubble wrap – Commonly used for fragile and delicate items (glass, ceramics, electronics).
• Foam packaging – Absorbs shocks and prevents scratches. Often used for ceramic products, medical and laboratory equipment, and musical instruments.
• Paper or cardboard inserts – Used for separation and stabilization of products.
• Air pillows – Ideal for filling empty spaces inside the box.
• Bubble wrap with air pockets – Useful for void filling, with anti-static versions available for electronic goods.
• Styrofoam – An inexpensive way to protect equipment.

Proper Product Stacking

Besides packaging methods and protective materials, how you stack products also plays a crucial role. It may sound simple but always remember that heavier items go on the bottom and lighter ones on top. Products should not touch each other, and there should be enough space for protective materials. If you are shipping multiple products, separate them with cardboard dividers or additional protective layers.

Sealing and Securing the Box

Proper sealing is another way to ensure the box stays closed and protected. Boxes are usually sealed with adhesive tape at least 5 cm wide. For added security, you can use additional tape to ensure everything stays closed.

When sealing, the H-method is recommended, meaning the tape should run along the central seam and, additionally, over the edges. This method is most commonly used for heavy and delicate products, making it suitable for almost any item. Basic sealing, known as the L-method, involves placing tape along the central seam on the top and bottom of the box. However, the downside of the L-method is that the box may weaken if the side sections are not additionally sealed, so it is recommended only for lightweight and less fragile goods.

For heavier packages, consider using plastic straps for extra security.

Labeling the Box

The final, yet equally important step before shipping—especially for fragile products—is labelling. If the contents are delicate, apply a “FRAGILE” or “Handle with Care” label. Additionally, if the product must remain upright, indicate the correct orientation. If the box contains liquids or sensitive materials, include appropriate warning labels.

Additional Protective Measures

As an extra precaution, you can implement additional protective steps:

• For fragile items, use a double-boxing method, where one box is placed inside another with added padding for extra security.
• When shipping electronic devices, use anti-static bags.
• When shipping liquids, use waterproof bags to prevent leakage.

Proper Goods Packing for a Better Customer Experience

Whether you’re working with a courier service or delivering products yourself, proper packaging minimizes the risk of damage and ensures the safe arrival of your goods. Due to high shipping volumes and workload, there’s always a chance that your products may not be handled with care. This is especially true for products transported by air.

No matter which packaging option you choose, always bear in mind that this final step is perhaps the most important part of the delivery process. If you need assistance with any aspect of the fulfillment process, feel free to reach out to us.