The face of retail is changing faster than ever – both for in-store and on-line retailers. For traditional brick and mortar retailers, their physical stores and shopping malls continue to evolve to meet their customers’ needs and leverage technology. And, they are developing their e-commerce strategies and capabilities as fast as anyone. We work closely with our retailers to design and implement custom retail packaging that supports these strategies. We have been the go-to partner when retailers need expertise in e-commerce packaging as we have the widest range of retail packaging products available in the most locations of anyone in the business. We can guarantee that our customers will have the most efficient and cost-effective supply of the right retail packaging for their in-store and e-commerce needs today, tomorrow, and beyond.
Businesses spend countless hours and dollars researching, designing, building and selling their products to establish a valuable brand image. Packaging materials for product delivery is, too often, an afterthought. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring important considerations for how your product should be packaged. It can cost you money and customers.
Creating a custom packaging experience
Many elements must work in tandem when creating a well-designed branded box design and unboxing experience, but you don’t have to include every available option.
Rather, decide which potential improvements to your packaging deliver the best experience and most value for your customers. Strategically investing in a handful of these items can go a long way in creating an unboxing experience your customers won’t soon forget.
- Packaging
The most significant element to consider is the main shipping container. Depending on your product, this might be a box, bag, or poly mailer. White and brown corrugated packaging options once ruled as the sole option because they’re cheap, sturdy, and admittedly get the job done, but they may not create the first impression you’re looking for.
While the actual package represents the most significant opportunity to create a “wow” experience, it can come at a comparatively high price.
- Tissue paper
Wrapping your products in tissue paper adds an extra level of excitement by building another layer of anticipation into the unboxing experience. Custom-printed tissue or colored tissue paper are both solid options to consider.
- Filler
Traditional filler types included styrofoam packing peanuts, foam inserts, air pillows, or bubble wrap. Although popping bubble wrap is a long-cherished pastime for some of us, it isn’t visually appealing and won’t provide a premium feel. Other forms of packing filler worth considering include crinkle paper (colored or brown) and excelsior.
- Stickers
Stickers are a useful option as they’re versatile and fairly inexpensive. If you use tissue paper, a branded sticker can also seal the paper together. Or, instead of custom printing on your box, try using stickers as a way to brand your packages on a budget.
You may also want to include a few extra stickers, paired with a short note, as a way to thank your customers for their purchase.
- Promotional material or a business card
Business cards offer a cost-effective way of adding small promo pieces to your package. Remember, they don’t have to mimic the aesthetics of corporate business cards.
For example, Dollar Shave Club sends inserts in their packages, including a printed newsletter. Because of the nature of their product, this printed content serves as great bathroom reading material that deepens the brand’s relationship with customers.
You can also include a personal note or special instructions to help customers get more value out of your product—the possibilities are endless and relatively inexpensive.
- Packing slip
It’s standard to include a receipt or packing slip in your package, but many businesses don’t use this as a branding or marketing opportunity.
At a high-end restaurant, for instance, the receipt is delivered at the right time, usually presented to the diner in an elegant way or inside a closed folder. Place the receipt and packing slip in the package at a point that makes sense, as it’s not the first thing a customer necessarily wants to sees when they open the package.
When you print a packing slip on Shopify, you can customize its contents and design by adding or removing elements, like your logo or product images, using Liquid, a template language created by Shopify. You might also consider including a coupon code on your packing slip to encourage repeat purchases.
- Custom note
Though handwritten notes may be tricky to scale, new businesses are fighting to earn every customer. Connecting with shoppers through a personal, genuine note or card can make all the difference—handwritten messages show customers you care, and that there are real people powering your brand.
- Tape
Pick the clear packaging tape and keep moving, right? Not necessarily! These days, you have a variety of colorful tape options to complement your custom packing. You can also create branded tape a la Amazon for instant brand recognition.
- Sample or gift
Based on the customer’s current purchase or purchase history, you may also consider including a free sample of another product. Ideally, you’ll choose something your shopper is likely to be interested in. For example, if they purchased shampoo, throw in a small sample of complementary conditioner. This tactic can help you cross-sell by introducing a customer to new products.