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Last Updated on June 27, 2023 by Packoi Team
That can be done by choosing the right packing materials. You have to follow specific guidelines to ensure that your fragile items will get to their destination in one piece.
In this article, you’ll learn more about shipping fragile items – from choosing the correct packaging materials to how to package breakable products to minimize or eliminate damage.
What Identifies as a Fragile Item?
Before you concern yourself with the packaging, try to understand what classifies as a fragile item first. What items require special protection because they can easily be damaged?
The breakable products considered fragile include the following:
- Ceramic products
- Glassware, including decorations
- Lights and fixtures
- Laboratory equipment
- Computer and electronic devices
- Food
- Musical instruments
- Jewelry
- Plants
- Frames
- Appliances
Check if your product is classified under fragile items by checking with the shipping company that you plan to use for delivery. If your products are deemed fragile, the company will give you guidelines on how to pack them.
8 Steps to Create the Right Packaging for Shipping Fragile Items
If you’re shipping fragile items, you must be extra careful with the packing materials you’ll use. The main goal is to protect the product so they arrive at the destination in pristine condition.
How can you create the right packaging for your fragile items?
Here are 8 steps that you should follow.
Step 1: Plan What Goes Inside the Box
Start with what you’ll put inside the box. Scrutinize the fragile products that you want to ship out. This will define everything that you need to find for the packaging.
From the materials to the packaging’s size and shape, your product will influence what these will be.
In this step, you should also plan what goes inside the box. Sometimes when you ship fragile items, you can add inserts like free product catalogs and brochures samples. Think about what you will e put inside the box with your fragile items.
Step 2: Get the Right Box Size and Shape
Once you know what will be going inside the box, it’s time to choose your product’s size and shape.
The best-sized box shouldn’t leave too much space so your product doesn’t move and shift too much during transit.
At the same time, it shouldn’t fit your product snugly. You need to ensure that there’s ¼ inch of space between the product and the side of the box. This is where you’ll put the padding that’ll protect the product from damage – this will be discussed in detail later on.
As for the shape, don’t get too creative with this. Just choose a simple shape that’ll fit your product. Among your options for the type of box includes mailers and shipping boxes with 4 overlapping flaps at the top and bottom.
Step 3: Pick the Best Packaging Materials
Choose packing materials that are strong enough to protect fragile items but not too heavy so they won’t be expensive when shipped out.
The most common option is corrugated cardboard. This can be made into durable boxes that can carry fragile products without damaging them.
You can even have these packaging materials sourced from eco-friendly packaging suppliers. That way, you can sustain your efforts to package and ship your items. Learn Environmentally Friendly Packaging Materials to Help Your Business Go Green!
Step 4: Cushion Using Bubble Wrap
After the box, choose a cushion that you can wrap around your product. The most commonly used is bubble wrap. It’s a plastic material with “bubbles” filled with air – making it an effective cushioning material to keep your product from breaking even if it gets hit by something from the outside.
If you’re worried that bubble wrap isn’t eco-friendly, biodegradable options are available. You also have the option to use airbags or crumpled paper.
Step 5: Fill Empty Spaces with Packing Peanuts
If the bubble wrap isn’t enough to fill the empty spaces, you must add packing peanuts before shipping fragile items.
If you leave the empty space, it might cause the product to move around during shipment. This can cause damage. So it’s best to put something to fill the excess space. Apart from packing peanuts, you also have the option to use air pillows.
If you want to be more sustainable, you can use biodegradable packing peanuts. These are made of starch that won’t harm the environment.
Step 6: Use a Strong Packing Tape
Once everything inside the box is settled and you’re confident that your fragile items won’t break, you can now close your packaging.
Use strong packing tape and let it go over the box multiple times to ensure it won’t open in transit.
Take note that there is eco-friendly packing tape that uses non-toxic adhesive. This can be a great alternative if you want to keep your packaging sustainable.
Step 7: Label the Outer Packaging Clearly
No matter how much you protect your breakable items, they won’t matter if you don’t label your box properly. The shipping handlers could toss them around.
So before you ship fragile items, make sure you put a fragile sticker on them. Add words like “handle with care” or “caution: fragile items” on a visible area.
This will prompt the handlers to move the boxes carefully.
Step 8: Choose the Right Shipping Company
Shipping fragile items requires special handling. Make sure you choose a shipping carrier that handles fragile items.
These companies usually have their guidelines when it comes to packing delicate products. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines so you can adhere to them as you create the packaging for your products.
This will also help you keep the shipping costs as low as possible.
Reasons Why You Should Get the Right Packaging for Fragile Items
Imagine getting excited over a product that you bought online. You wait patiently for it to arrive, and when it does, you hurriedly open it and savor the happiness of finally getting the product.
But when you open it, the product is broken.
Think about the disappointment that you’ll feel. You’ve built the anticipation – only to have it crash because the product was destroyed along the way.
You don’t want your customers to feel that way. That can be very bad for your business.
This is why packaging and shipping fragile items properly is very important.
Here are 3 scenarios that can happen when you’re not careful with packaging fragile items.
You’ll Get Bad Reviews
The digital age has made it easier for people to review products and services they’ve encountered.
What do your customers think they’ll do if they receive broken items from you? They’ll blame you for you. It doesn’t matter if it was the shipping company’s fault. If you don’t package the product properly, it’d reflect on your brand.
Customers won’t waste their time buying from you because they won’t trust that the product will reach them in good condition.
While not everyone will make an effort, some will leave a bad review about it. This will make you lose more than one customer.
You’ll Turn off Customer Loyalty
Every successful product delivery is a chance to win the loyalty of your customers. That won’t happen if they receive broken products from you.
So if you want to impress your customers, give them the complete package in terms of service. Make sure they’ll get your product. Once they use it, that’s another step closer to getting their loyalty.
If they’re impressed with your product, they’ll buy more from your brand.
You’ll Lose on the Return Shipping
The last disadvantage will affect your shipping budget. Resolving and returning a damaged product will cost you money. You have to shoulder the cost of that. Not only that, you have to bear the loss of the broken product.
Instead of earning from the transaction, you’ll end up losing money.
Sure, you can always get insurance to cover your products – but you still have to bear the loss of time and effort on your side. That priceless loss can be more damaging.
Discover the Perfect Solution for Your Business with Packoi
Never underestimate the power of great packaging in protecting your fragile products. Ensure you’re using the right box and packing materials to ensure your product will reach your customers in good condition.
If you want to know more about your options, contact Packoi Printing. We specialize in providing shipping boxes that can protect your fragile item.
Give us a call so we can provide you with a fair quotation as soon as possible.
