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CS Packaging, Inc.

1270 Douglas Road, Batavia, IL 60510
(630) 690-1300

Product Packaging

15+ Must Have Industrial Packaging Materials

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Your guide to must-have industrial packaging materials.

Simply put, industrial packaging keeps products safe on their way from the producer to the next point on the path to a consumer—say, from a ballpoint pen manufacturer to a retail store.

Retail packaging makes the product attractive to the consumer using compelling design and strong messaging. In other words, the primary reason for industrial packaging is to protect. For retail packaging, it’s to sell.

Damaged goods don’t sell, and they cost manufacturers time, money and goodwill.

So what can be done to protect products once they leave your facility on their journey to the consumer? Continue reading “15+ Must Have Industrial Packaging Materials” »

Tips On Product Packaging & Shipping That Make eCommerce Successful

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Shipping is not what it once was

There is no denying that the rise of online business, or e-commerce, has changed the face of shipping. Gone are the days of mail-order catalogs or TV call-in orders when companies could give a vague “four to six weeks for delivery” and there wasn’t anything customers could do about it, including even track their package. But now, things have changed and we have – along with package-tracking – faster deliveries, better options for returning a package, more streamlined shipping services and even drones delivering packages with optimum efficiency. So what does this mean for your online business? Mostly, it means having to adjust your business model to a customer base that has gotten use to two-day delivery as well as more dynamic and efficient packaging of their products, as well as accounting for and taking the hassle out of returns. Shipping can make or break a sale in the world of e-commerce, depending on if the shipping prices are considered exorbitant or not quick enough for their liking, leading to one of the worst enemies of online retail: shopping cart abandonment, when the customer goes so far as to put a product in their cart but leaves the site before completing the purchase. Shipping can be, and often is, the thing that makes or breaks a sale.

Points to keep in mind

First off, you need packaging for your products, which, since you are not Amazon.com, is where we at CS Packaging come in, with a whole catalog of packaging products – more than eighteen thousand! – that go above and beyond what you would expect at your typical packaging retailer. We can also help with making sure your packaging is dynamic and distinctive with printed cartons and specially-made packages for specific items, like molded pulp trays for long-necked bottles. We also have superior protective packaging for fragile items. CS Packaging is your one-stop shop for your shipping product needs. Once you’ve acquired all the components you need to ship your product, you need to look at all the mitigating factors of your shipping process. One is packaging size, while you do want to be distinctive to your brand, you also want to be efficient about size, use as little of it as possible, as this will offset shipping costs, in short, package for safety and density and avoid unnecessary large packaging. Another major factor is customer expectation for free shipping and delivery times. Online retailers should have a clear and easy to understand shipping policy available on their site that tells customers everything they need to know so there’s no misunderstandings, and establish firm guidelines based on what you can realistically achieve. Make sure that your products are real-time trackable once they have shipped, as this not only lets the customer keep track of it, but also ensures that you are not liable for any issues or errors that might occur once your product has left your business.

Final Word

This is just a quick overview of the things that online businesses need to keep in mind when shipping their products out to customers. The world of e-commerce has changed shipping out products in so many ways, largely very much for the better. But it also means that customer’s expectations have changed with it and that means that online retailers have to work harder and smarter to be able to meet them. Luckily, CS Packaging can at least ensure that your packaging needs are met with items of superior quality and reliable service so you know you’re sending your products out in the most efficient and top of the line packaging.

Your Guide To Understanding Corrugated Flutes (+ FREE Print-Out!)

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As a warehouse manager, VP of operations, buyer, purchaser, or procurement official, you understand the critical importance of using strong packaging materials when shipping product to customers.

If the product arrives in good condition, everyone is happy and nobody thinks about the packaging. Choosing the right box is often the first step in protecting your product. But, if the product arrives damaged, however, every part of the shipping process is closely inspected to find a reason for the failure.

Protection Starts with Corrugated Flutes:

Sometimes a failure to protect the box contents is due to using the wrong packaging supplies. Although boxes can be used to ship everything, using a poorly reinforced box can lead to disastrous shipping results.

It is crucial for the buyer to carefully choose packaging so that the entire process will flow smoothly. Surprisingly enough, there are certain elements of engineering that go into the design of boxes and packaging elements. One of the simplest, but most effective, forms of protection is corrugated flutes.

How They Work:

Instead of just using a cardboard separator that does not provide ample protection or support, packaging designers have found that the best way to increase fiberboard strength is by adding wavelike arches, or flutes, between the two linerboards.

If pressure is applied to the side of the board, space between the flutes serves as a protective cushion for the container’s contents. Once these flutes are properly anchored to the linerboard with a strong adhesive, they resist pressure and bending from all directions, and increase the likelihood of a safe product delivery.

Not only do they form rigid columns which can support a great deal of weight, corrugated flutes can also act as an insulating agent to protect the contents from extreme temperature variations.

Corrugated Flute Sizing:

The flutes themselves come in a variety of sizes, which serve a number of useful functions such as increased shipping strength, reduced storage space, and improved printability. Corrugated flute sizes include:

  • A Flutes: This flute profile has about 33 flutes per foot and is 3/16” in thickness. Its larger size generally provides greater strength and cushioning.
  • B Flutes: With about 47 flutes per foot and 1/8” of thickness, this size flute is perfect for protecting canned goods.
  • C Flutes: At about 38 flutes per foot and 5/32” in thickness, this is generally considered the most adaptable, all-purpose flute.
  • E Flutes: This size has about 90 flutes per foot and is 1/16” in thickness, giving it a greater crush resistance and a relatively flat surface which can be used for high-quality printing applications.
  • F Flutes: This flute has about 125 flutes per foot and is 1/32” in thickness. It was developed for small folding carton type boxes, and is perfect for retail packaging.

The printout below is meant for you to keep on hand for easy referencing — making ordering shipping supplies easier than ever before.

 

Corrugated flutes printable

Don’t forget: Flutes can also be customized to ensure optimum safety of your product during transit. For more information about custom flutes, give us a call! A packaging expert is always happy to chat.

HOW TO USE A CUSTOM CORRUGATED SUBSCRIPTION BOX TO STAND OUT

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custom printed corrugated boxes

If you run a subscription service, you know your boxes are a lot more than a means to protect your merchandise from the bumps and jolts of shipping.

They don’t just carry stuff.

They carry your brand, inside and outside, and custom printed corrugated boxes can do it with panache.

Custom Printed Corrugated Boxes Are Your Next Brand Ambassador

The competition is getting tougher in the subscription service industry, but the opportunities are expanding.

Forbes reports that “15% of online shoppers have signed up for one or more subscriptions.” The magazine goes on to say:

  • During the past five years, the subscription market has grown more than 100% per year.
  • The biggest of the services chalked up sales of $2.6 billion in 2016; in 2011, sales were “only” $57 million.

Those numbers are awesome — but prove that in order to remain competitive, you need an advantage that your competitors don’t have. For example, eye-catching and intuitive custom packaging and shipping supplies.

How to Build Customer Numbers and Loyalty With Custom Boxes (+ Other Shipping Supplies)

So how do you grab market share?

One way is to customize all your packaging, not just the outside of the box but also the tape, peanuts, tissue, packing paper, protective inserts, and just about anything else that goes with the box.

The possibilities for effective customization are practically endless. It’s a matter of knowing what your customer wants, and using imagination to deliver it. The most important thing to keep in mind is that every contact with a customer is a chance to develop loyalty and sales — and your packaging is the first contact they have.

Consider these possibilities:

Box Cover:

Invite your customer in. Your custom printed corrugated box is the first thing your customer sees when their package arrives. Make it count! Feature things like:

  • Bright colors
  • Unique images
  • Enticing word choice
  • Exclusive offers
  • Your logo

Foam Inserts:

If you use protective inserts, they’re probably printable.

Depending on the size, you might just print your logo, or your logo and a brief message — perhaps your company tagline or a funny memorable message.

Peanuts:

Do you sell custom coffee mugs? Foam peanuts can hold a fresh coffee scent. They can also be colored to match your corporate colors or to mimic coffee beans.

This is just one of hundreds of unique ways those packing peanuts can be transformed from an annoyance, into something of value for your customer.

Packing Paper:

If your limited edition wood sculpture needs to be padded and stabilized, you might use packing paper. Why not turn the paper into a sales tool by customizing it with your logo and contact information?

Get Help With Customization:

Not everyone is a creative genius. Many people have terrific ideas that they can’t quite translate into slam-bang great images or messages. If you’re one of them, it’s best to get some expert help.

You might not know this, your packaging manufacturer can help you reach your packaging goals with your custom printed corrugated boxes.

To bring all of your custom packaging ideas to life, contact Bob and he’ll help walk you through your custom printed corrugated box options.

Branded Packaging Materials Create a Better Customer Experience

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Branded packaging materials

Business owners around the world continuously try to make the next big selling product. However, what about 95% of owners forget to focus on is the presentation.

Packaging allows business owners to tell customers why their product is different and why their brand is better than their competitors. As a business owner, you should think of how you want your client to see your product.

The color, the quality, the simplicity or even the complexity. You need to think and see what works well with your product and how the packaging will attract your customers.

Brand Packaging: A Worthwhile Investment

Investing in brand packaging should also work as a way to enhance marketing.

Remember that before trying the product, the first thing clients see is the packaging. So, having memorable packaging makes your product that much better in their eyes. A well-presented product lures in clients and piques their interest.

For example, Apple’s packaging is simple and neat. Another store known for their packaging, sometimes more than their product, is Tiffany & Co. That little blue box can be recognized a mile away. These are only two of the many companies that have created consumer trends using and taking the time to make and invest in packaging.

How Does It Impact Sales?

Brand packaging is recommended and crucial for growing startups because it has a higher probability of having a direct impact on sales and a company’s general perception.

When planning the presentation of your product you need to keep in the senses. For example, Tiffany & Co.’s soft blue box; it’s calm, elegant, and delicate mirroring a woman. The box is of high-quality and you can tell the creator paid attention to every detail.

Your Packaging Reflects Your Product

Brand packaging should also act as a pricing benchmark. If your product sells for $50 dollars but you packaged it in a dollar box, there is a bigger chance people will say the presentation is not appealing for the price. Investing in a high-quality, attractive packaging will boost your business rapidly.

Your product can be the greatest invention in the world, but if the outside doesn’t appeal people, you have a lower chance of success and profit.

Investing in high quality, custom packaging, is a great way to achieve all of your brand packaging goals, and helps you make the most out of your packaging and shipping process.

WHAT TYPES OF PROTECTIVE PACKAGING DOES MY PRODUCT NEED?

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protective packaging

Packages often live hard lives. They are jostled about by machines and conveyor belts. People toss them on trucks, or stack them to unreasonable heights without worrying about crushing what is inside.

If it is your precious product inside that package, you might have a big problem on your hands.

So, whose fault is it when a product arrives broken or damaged? Some responsibility lies in the transportation process, but most fault can be traced directly to poor product packaging — meaning, it’s actually your fault.

Protective Packaging Saves You Money

Fortunately there are a number of protective packaging products that can keep your fragile merchandise safe — saving you from having to send the product again, wasting countless dollars (and hours) in the meantime.

Products that arrive in good condition make a great first impression, keep the customer happy, and avoid return problems. Best of all, packaging can even be customized to meet your exact product shape and shipping requirements.

How do you know the best way to keep your product safe? We’ve outlined the best custom shipping packaging supplies to keep even the most uniquely shaped products from breaking.

Retention Inserts & Suspension Packaging

You’ve heard of the benefits of suspension bridges – they absorb a lot of weight and movement with minimum materials. Imagine if the same concept could be applied to protecting delicate electronic items like laptops and smartphones, or easily breakable items.

Instead of surrounding your product in an avalanche of eco-unfriendly “peanuts,” it is gently suspended and secured between two pieces of high-quality protective film — almost as though it is resting on air.  

Customers don’t have to dig through packaging that wastes your money and makes a mess for them. When they open the box, their purchase is instantly displayed and easily accessible so they can experience immediate enjoyment.

If you customize your retention inserts and suspension packaging, you can ensure they fit your product perfectly — eliminating any risk of damage.

Custom Foam Cushioning

Let’s say your product has a unique shape or a number of delicate parts that need to be separated and held securely. This shipping challenge calls for custom foam cushioning, where an exact mold is made of your products and then transformed into a gentle foam cushion that safely envelops and displays each individual part.

The foam can be created from a variety of materials and endlessly crafted to meet your exact product needs. Your end user simply removes your product from its protective nest and gets right to work.

Air Cushion Packaging

We’ve come a long way from using linens or paper to protect items during shipping. Now we can simply create a series of cost-effective air “pillows” that are joined together to create a shock barrier between your product and the outer packaging.  

Air cushioning is perfect for light-weight or delicate items, products like toner cartridges, or for products with a number of smaller parts or compartments such as tool kits or make-up collections.

Custom Molded Pulp Trays

Fragile items such as wine bottles or glass wares need an extra level of protection that can only be provided by a custom molded pulp tray. Although they are light-weight and cost-effective, they provide a high degree of protection for the most delicate of shipments.

Custom molded pulp trays are made from recyclable materials, stack easily in your warehouse, and are ready and waiting when you need them for larger shipments.  

Custom Box Partitions

Nothing is worse than opening a box only to find that the contents have collided with each other and broken. This common shipping challenge can easily be avoided with the use of custom box partitions — which keep shipments from coming into contact with each other.

They can be corrugated or chipboard, and customized for size and thickness.

How to Know For Sure What’s Best For Your Product

Are you shipping a product that is so unique, you still don’t know the best way to protect it? Give us a call! We’re always happy to walk you through your protective packaging options, and guarantee to keep your product safe.

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