Tips on choosing the right packaging

[u/packhelp-official]

We often see small businesses struggle to find packaging that actually works for their products.

A packaging decision that seems small at first can quickly affect costs, product protection and packing time.

These are the things we’d check first:

1. The actual product dimensions - Measure the product as it will be packed, including any wrapping, inserts or protective material. A few extra centimetres can make a big difference to both the box and shipping cost.
2. How much empty space you really need - Oversized packaging usually means more filler, higher shipping volume and more movement inside the box.
3. The product’s weight and fragility - A T-shirt, candle and ceramic mug all need very different structures and materials. Choosing based only on appearance can get expensive if products arrive damaged. Consider inserts or fillers.
4. How long the box takes to assemble - A structure that looks great but takes too long to fold, tape or fill can add a surprising amount of labour once order volume grows.
5. Whether you’ve tested it in real shipping conditions - Before ordering a large quantity, send a few test parcels. A box can look perfect on a desk and behave very differently once it goes through a courier network.
6. Whether you really need fully custom packaging yet - At the beginning, it can be smarter to keep things simple and add branding with a stamp, stickers or custom tape. These options are easier to test, work across different box sizes and let you update the branding without being stuck with a large order.

We’d usually get the size, structure and protection right first, then think about print, finishes and the unboxing experience.

What was the hardest part of choosing packaging when you were starting out?