You’ve sealed the box, you’ve labeled it and your next shipment is ready. However, prior to placing the shipment in the pickup area there is one last step to ensure that any errors made during this process are corrected as quickly as possible.

As part of your duties using proper shipping supplies will help you complete your shipments in a timely manner. Proper use of those supplies will assist in ensuring that your shipments arrive at the correct customer in good condition.

Begin by verifying the contents of the box just prior to closing it. Verify that the contents of the box match what was ordered from the order document. In cases where two similar looking items were shipped (such as both red), verify that the items are identified by the product name and/or item number, instead of solely relying on appearance. Add any additional components or documentation required for completing the shipment.

Verify that adequate packing material is in place to prevent movement of the contents within the box. Ensure that no corners are exposed and that none of the items touch each other (if applicable). Allowing yourself enough time to resolve issues with packaging prior to closing and labeling will ultimately save you a lot of time down the road, if you had to cut open the closed package.

Upon closure of the package, verify that the tape adheres correctly and does not pull off when opened. Make certain that tape lies flat against the cardboard and seals securely. If any edges of the tape appear to have pulled away, you will want to make the necessary repairs to secure the seal prior to stacking completed packages together.

Next, compare the shipping label provided to the customer’s information found on the order document. Verify that the shipping label contains the customers name and full street address, along with any apartment or suite number (where applicable). When shipping multiple orders at one time, retain each shipping label to its respective package, so they don’t become jumbled.

Affix the shipping label to a clean area where it will be easily readable. Be careful not to wrap the barcode around any corners of the package and avoid laying it directly over any seams. Also, smooth out any wrinkles in the label and verify that all printing is legible and black. A shipping label with faded ink or damage should be replaced immediately.

When using a reused outer package, completely remove or completely cover existing shipping labels and bar codes. Excess shipping labels can lead to confusion when processing incoming shipments. Inspect all sides of the container to ensure that previous labels are removed from view.

In addition to your reusable shipping containers, consider having a digital scale and measuring device available near your shipping supplies. Weigh and measure your completed shipment (including all packaging) to verify accuracy. Simply weighing a product does not account for the weight of the packaging, padding and/or other materials used in completing your shipment. Carefully log your final measurements when creating your shipment documentation.

Inspect the exterior of the packaging for signs of damage such as; rips, moisture, or bulges on any side(s). Set any questionable packages aside for further inspection/evaluation before allowing them to be placed in the designated pickup area.

Lastly, after reviewing your shipments, place all verified shipments in a designated “pickup” area. Store any uncompleted shipments in a different area, making it impossible for them to accidentally leave with completed shipments.

Performing a final review ensures that all your shipping supplies function as intended. Additionally, it provides your staff with a definitive checkpoint when determining whether an order is indeed ready for delivery.

A time when a box is so much packaging as you really needed.

Products such as parts, clothing, hardware, food etc., can often be packaged by using a poly bag instead of a box. Poly bags are lightweight; take up less space to store and come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles.

You will find that picking the right poly bags is somewhat the key to success.

Determine the best size

When you purchase a poly bag, you should look at the size of the poly bag compared to the item you will be placing into it.

If the bag is too small, it can be difficult to get the product into the bag or sometimes even close it. Conversely, if you buy a poly bag that is far too big, you end up wasting more plastic than necessary.

Measure the item before buying bags

Before purchasing a poly bag, determine the exact measurements of the item(s) you intend to package.

Consider the thickness of the item

In addition to determining the proper size of the poly bag (length x width), you also need to determine whether or not the product you are packaging requires a specific thickness of poly bag.

For example, thin poly bags are ideal for use with light-weighted products without sharp edges. Thicker poly bags would be recommended for heavier products which are likely to cause damage to the bag during storage, shipment, or unpacking.

Select the proper closure type for the product

Poly bags can also vary in terms of their closure types. Some poly bags have an open-top design. Depending upon the product, these bags can then be sealed using various methods including: tape, ties, staples, and/or heat sealers.

Other types of poly bags include those that contain a zipper-type closure that allows the customer to reseal the bag after opening it. Examples of products that lend themselves well to this type of closure include small parts, hardware, craft supplies, etc. This style of closure provides additional security against unauthorized access to the contents of the bag.

Self-sealing poly bags provide an added benefit over resealable poly bags. Self- sealing poly bags eliminate the need to physically close the top of the bag prior to sealing. In turn, this speeds up the overall process of packaging.

Protect products from environmental elements

Protection does not necessarily equate to preventing a product from breaking. Sometimes, the main reason for utilizing a protective covering like a poly bag is to prevent environmental elements from damaging the product.

Examples of environmental elements that can potentially damage your product include dust, dirt, and moisture. By placing your product within a clear poly bag, you will create a simple barrier between your product and potential contaminants. At the same time, you will still allow customers to view what is contained within the bag. As such, poly bags are used for both storing and shipping products.

Match the correct poly bag to the product and process

Just like there is no perfect poly bag that fits every product and application, similarly, there is no single “best” way to pack most products. Each product and process requires consideration based upon factors such as: product size/weight/shapes/type; how the bag needs to be closed; and how much protection is required for each product.

Many times, small issues in the way we package orders begin at a very early stage. It’s usually because no one is aware of the packaging supplies they’re using (or wasting) and/or forgetting. Taking a quick inventory will allow you to identify some of these small holes before they turn into larger issues. Below are ways to do a quick check and complete it during your normal work day.

First, watch the area where all of your packages are boxed. Take a seat at the table for 10 minutes and observe how the employees pick the boxes, tape, labels, etc. Are they searching for the correct size box? Are they picking up more tape than they need? There are many small habits that can add to the cost of each order.

Secondly, determine the first things to run out. If an employee does not have the necessary item, they cannot continue to package their orders. The worker may then pull a box that is much too large, thus adding more padding and tape to their total. One empty shelf can lead to three additional costs.

Lastly, locate those packaging supplies that are almost never moved. You may discover that there are old boxes that should be thrown away, dusty labels or bags that no longer fit your product. All of these products are taking up valuable storage space and keeping funds tied-up that could be used somewhere else. Mark the products so you don’t replace them until you’ve used up all of your existing products.

Another good idea is to count how many of the packaging supplies are damaged. Boxes can become bent if they are not properly stacked. Labels can get wet or dirty. The adhesive on tape can dry-out when it is stored near heat sources. Although it may seem minor, damage to these supplies is costing money each week.

Ask the individuals responsible for packing the orders what hinders their ability to perform their job better. They might tell you that a specific type of box is difficult to fold or that a particular type of mailer tears easily. Some solutions may come directly from their suggestions and possibly even solve some problems that were missed by just counting supplies.

Once you have completed your inventory, put the most commonly used packaging supplies next to the packing tables. Store less frequently used items farther back on shelves or in areas that require employees to search through other supplies before accessing the supplies needed. Labeling the shelves clearly will allow both you and your employees to quickly spot low stock levels and minimize unnecessary “opening” of additional containers due to confusion.

Establish a basic ordering threshold for all critical supplies. As an example; establish an order point for tape when you only have 3 cases left. Establish similar thresholds for boxes, mailers, labels, and padding. Having established an easy-to-understand ordering threshold removes uncertainty for you and your employees regarding when to order supplies, thereby reducing last-minute rush orders, which often result in higher costs and delayed arrival.

Conduct this inventory process monthly. You do not need to produce lengthy reports nor schedule meetings. A short walk around your warehouse/office, couple of counts, and 2-3 questions may be sufficient. Once you understand where your packaging supplies are going, you can reduce waste, delay shipping of orders and provide a better environment to build each order.

When you pack a lamp, there’s often a large amount of empty space left in the moving box. As a result, people want to use that as additional storage space by filling it with their books, shoes, etc. If they pack the lamp like this, and something heavy (like a book or shoe) falls on the lamp, they’re going to be changing the shade … permanently. Using some common packaging materials, you can pack the lamp without letting it turn into a temporary storage container.

First, clear a surface prior to beginning. Set up some plain packing paper, several sturdy boxes, a roll of tape, and a pen. Try to avoid eating and drinking near the workspace so you don’t get spills on your lamp. Also take a picture of your lamp in all its disassembled glory.

Once you have removed everything from the lamp (bulb, harp, screws), unplug the lamp and allow the bulb to cool completely before you remove anything. The first thing to come off is usually the lamp shade. After removing the shade and bulb, take off the small hardware used to attach the shade. Use the same packaging tips outlined below for [lamp packing] (https://www.upack.com/articles/how-to-pack-a-lamp) at U-Pack. Number each lamp part on a piece of clean paper tag and apply that number to all parts so that you can easily identify what goes where when you assemble it again.

Do not package the shade in the same box as the base. The base is generally much heavier than the shade. Choose a box specifically designed for lamps shades, as opposed to trying to bend it into shape. According to Mayflower’s Moving Guide (https://www.mayflower.com/moving-tips/blog/how-to-pack-lampshades), do not wrap newsprint around the lamp shade as well as wrapping clean paper around it. Crushed paper should be placed under the shade; however, never crumpled paper in the sides of the shade.

You might think of using items such as socks and/or towels to fill any empty space in the center of the shade. However, according to our packaging experts, for this method, you should not include any other items in the box with your lamp shade. Instead, consider including these items in your clothing bags. Although this requires you to carry additional luggage with you, doing so will ensure that nothing is lost in transit due to being packed incorrectly. In fact, this provides one reason why empty space is important – it keeps the contents of the lamp shade box from becoming a makeshift “stuffing” box.

Finally, before closing the lid, verify that it seals without forcing pressure downward onto the top. On the outside of the box write both which room this shade goes in and the number assigned to it above. Include a note stating clearly that you would appreciate any helper leaving the heavy stuff off of this box. Clearly show anyone who helps you where it should be located, since there is always a risk that they will miss this information in the chaos of moving.

Take sufficient time to unpack your lamp boxes upon arriving at your destination. Place all wrapped parts on a tray while working, and inspect each sheet of paper before discarding it. A missing top screw can leave your lamp sitting idle in a corner long after the majority of your new home is settled.

If you have a valuable glass shade or antique lamp shade, please contact us prior to starting to determine how best to protect it during your relocation process. This plan is intended for average sized fabric lamp shades. By separating your lamp shades from heavy items, you reduce one additional potentially fragile item in an already chaotic environment on moving day.

When you pick up a candy box, it can either feel carefully thought out or simply thrown together. Often times this depends upon the mixture of candies in the box. While using the finest or rarest candies or expensive additions may help create a unique experience, creating a feeling of importance does not require these things. What is required is a basic strategy to give each candy its purpose in being part of the box.

To begin, determine your target audience for the candy box. Young children’s candy boxes tend to have bright colors, soft textures, and familiar tastes. Adult candy boxes are generally darker chocolates, nuts, fruits, etc., with a variety of rich-tasting morsels. Shared candy boxes should contain multiple types of candies as this increases the chances that everyone will find something they like.

Next, consider how many different flavors you want to include in the candy box. There needs to be enough variety so that consumers feel there are adequate options; however, if there are too many varieties included in a relatively small box, it could appear chaotic and messy. On the other hand, having too little variety could cause the consumer to perceive the box as boring. One way to achieve a balance is to include one primary flavor type (main), two secondary flavors that complement the main (supporting) and one additional element to create a surprise. Chocolate could be considered the main option; Caramel and Peanut Butter would provide supporting elements; Lemon or Berry flavored candies would complete the arrangement by adding a contrasting flavor.

Consideration should also be given to color prior to putting the candy into the box. By alternating light and dark candies throughout the box, each candy will be easily visible. Instead of grouping similar colored candies at opposite ends of the box, distribute them evenly throughout the box to help create an overall sense of visual equilibrium.

Shape should also be taken into consideration. Alternating round candies with longer shaped candies, as well as square-shaped candies, creates a visually appealing combination. Begin arranging larger pieces of candy first, followed by smaller pieces to “fill-in” gaps. Before placing candies into actual boxes for distribution, try making a mock-up display on a flat surface (i.e., tray). Identifying overcrowding, areas without sufficient candy, etc. ahead-of-time allows for corrections to be made before actually distributing candy.

Some strong-flavored candies such as mint, coffee, and certain fruit-based candies can potentially alter the sensory perception of nearby candies. Strongly flavored candies should either be placed in individual wrappers or isolated from the rest of the milder candies. Additionally, candies containing common allergenic ingredients (e.g. peanuts, tree-nuts) should be clearly labeled so that individuals consuming them are aware of their potential allergy risks.

Lastly, create a brief paper menu outlining the various candies within the box. The menu can either describe each candy in sequence (left-to-right), or feature a simple illustration showing where each candy resides within the box. The inclusion of a menu provides guidance to consumers and enhances the perceived quality of the homemade product. Brief notes describing which candy to eat first, or sharing an interesting fact about the creator, etc. further enhance the presentation.

Ultimately, the ideal assortment is not one with the most candies; but rather one that appears thoughtful and intentional from the moment it is opened until the final piece has been consumed. Develop a strategy for selecting the flavors, colors, shape and order of placement prior to filling the box, and an assortment of common candies can be transformed into a memorable gift.