As a store owner, finding the right packaging is essential. However, with so many options and choices, you might be wondering, where do I even start? The key is knowing that starting is more important than getting it perfect. In fact, so much of business is learning and getting better as you grow. Remember that it’s ok to start out simple and you can always improve your packaging over time.
First, let’s talk about what you should look for when you’re choosing packaging.
What to Look For When Choosing Packaging
Cost-Effective and Affordable
There are a couple of reasons why affordability is so important. So many business owners use the excuse of “I can’t afford it” to keep them from taking action. If you are doing this, don’t let fear prevent you from moving forward with your business.
Second, using cost-effective materials allows you to make mistakes and easily pivot. When you’re first getting started, you want to run a lean business, and if you overspend on one area (packaging) you might discover that you don’t have the funds for other vital parts of the company like paying yourself or buying inventory.
Durable
Next, it’s all about durability. If you’ve ever received a box or package that was beaten up and did not hold up well, then you know firsthand how important durability is. Of course, as we talked about before, as your business and sales continue to grow, you can always improve your packaging as you scale and grow your business.
Good Customer Service
Working with people that are kind and easy to work with is the dream, right? This can include not only your customers but also manufacturers and vendors where you source your packaging. If you’re running low on packaging, you want to know that your supplier will respond to your call or email promptly.
Secure
Similar to durability, we also want to make sure that our packaging is secure. Whether it’s securing the product in a plastic sleeve or wrapping it. Ensuring that there aren’t any rips, leaks, or tears is essential. Why? Because you want to leave a good first impression when your customer receives your package and opens it for the first time.
Where to Buy Packaging
So, now that you know what you’re looking for, the next logical question is, where do I find packaging materials? Great question, a good place to start is with basic cardboard boxes or Poly Sleeves from Amazon. This will allow you to get up and running with minimal cost and effort.
Also, just like the picture above, in order to give your packaging a personalized touch, you can add stickers from Stickermule to add your logo, brand name, or other details to spice it up and make it more specialized to you and your business aesthetic.
Someone who does the cardboard wrapping and sticker method really well is Etsy shop, Lissova Craft:
Personalized Packaging Options
Another option is to go for packaging that is completely personalized. All 3 of the options that we’ll talk about provide fast shipping with durable materials and with quantities as small as one.
Fantastapack
One of the great features of Fantastapack is that for $5 you can order a Sample Kit to see firsthand some examples of what packaging could work best for you. They also offer great customer service and have a live preview option which allows you to get a really good idea of what your final packaging will look like.
Packlane
If you’re looking to go big, and want some social proof, Packlane is trusted and used by over 25,000 brands from companies like Red Bull, to Loreal, and Google. You can customize every inch of the box. Simply pick a box, design it, and receive a quote instantly so you’ll know the exact cost.
Boxup
Boxup has a wide variety of styles in terms of box sizes and shapes. If you’re looking for a unique shape or size of the box, Boxup could be worth checking out. They also have a blog with helpful tips for designing your first box, and ideas for the packaging novice.
Finding Inspiration
When you’re first getting started, it’s always helpful to find sources of inspiration. Here are a few examples of swoon-worthy packaging.
Conclusion
Now that you’re excited and ready to go, let’s take a second to recap. Remember that done is better than perfect, don’t overthink it, just start. Also, start cheap, knowing that you can always upgrade in the future. Finally, have fun and let your creativity shine through.
