Most Businesses Waste Money on Packaging

Most businesses don’t realize how much money they lose on packaging supplies.

It doesn’t show up as one big expense. It shows up in small ways that are easy to ignore. A box that’s a little too big. Tape that needs two extra wraps. Padding that gets thrown in “just to be safe.” One order doesn’t hurt. Thousands of orders do.

Over time, those small choices quietly eat into profit.

Good packaging supplies are not about spending more. They’re about using the right materials, in the right way, every time.

A common mistake is thinking all boxes are the same. They are not. Some are built for light items. Others are made to handle weight, stacking, and long travel. Using the wrong box often means adding more tape or extra filler, which costs more than starting with the right box in the first place.

The same thing happens with tape. Cheap tape looks fine on the roll, but it stretches, splits, or peels during shipping. When that happens, workers wrap the box again. That extra time and material adds up fast, especially during busy seasons.

Packaging supplies also affect speed. When boxes fold easily and tape sticks on the first pass, packing stays smooth. When materials fight back, everything slows down. Orders pile up. Mistakes happen. Labor costs rise, even if no one is tracking it closely.

Shipping damage is another quiet drain. Even a small damage rate creates refunds, reships, and customer complaints. The cost is not just the product. It’s the shipping, the labor, and the loss of trust. Strong packaging supplies reduce that risk before the box ever leaves the building.

There’s also the issue of shipping costs. Oversized boxes and heavy materials increase rates. Many businesses ship more air than product without realizing it. Right-sized boxes and lighter fillers help keep packages compact and predictable, which matters more as carriers raise rates year after year.

Customers may never mention packaging when it’s done right, but they notice when it’s done wrong. A crushed box or messy packing sends the message that corners were cut. Even if the product is fine, the experience feels careless. Clean, solid packaging tells a different story. It says the business knows what it’s doing.

Buying packaging supplies consistently, instead of scrambling when stock runs low, also matters. Last-minute purchases cost more and create delays. Businesses that plan ahead avoid those problems and keep operations steady, even during spikes in demand.

Packaging supplies are not just a background expense. They affect cost, speed, damage rates, and customer perception all at once. When they’re chosen well, everything runs smoother. When they’re not, the problems show up everywhere else.

That’s why smart businesses treat packaging supplies as part of the operation, not an afterthought.

Strong, Simple, and Always Useful

There are not many products that stay useful in every season, in every business, and in every home. Cardboard boxes do. They are the quiet workhorses of storage, shipping, moving, and organizing. They do not ask for attention. They do not shine or sparkle. Yet they are trusted everywhere because they simply work.

Walk behind any store. You will see stacks of cardboard boxes. Some are being unpacked. Some are being filled. Some are being flattened for recycling. The flow never stops. Cardboard boxes move in and out like a steady heartbeat. That is how essential they are.

Cardboard has a strength-to-weight balance that still amazes people. It is light enough to lift with one hand, yet strong enough to hold a surprising amount of weight. A flat sheet folds into a sturdy shape. Two layers with fluting in between create a little bridge of strength. The design is simple, but the results are impressive. No complicated material. No special tools. Yet the box stands firm.

Businesses rely on this strength. A company can ship books, electronics, tools, or clothing. A good cardboard box holds them steady, even in long truck rides or airplane cargo. The box may look flexible from the outside, but once it is taped and sealed, it becomes a dependable container.

Homes use them the same way. Moving from one house to another would be chaos without cardboard boxes. They keep dishes from rattling, toys from scattering, and photos from bending. A kitchen pack is easier when each cabinet becomes its own box. Labels are simple: “Plates,” “Glasses,” “Snacks.” Everything stays together.

Storage is another reason cardboard boxes are everywhere. A garage may be messy, but boxes give structure. Seasonal decorations, old books, baby clothes, holiday lights — all find a home inside them. It is comforting to open a closet and see boxes stacked neatly. Life feels more organized.

Then there is the price. Cardboard boxes are affordable. They can be used once, twice, or many times. They can be recycled. They can be replaced without breaking the budget. This makes them perfect for both big companies and small homes.

Design choices matter, too. Small boxes for light objects. Large boxes for pillows and bedding. Heavy-duty boxes for tools or canned food. Some have handles. Some are extra deep. When people match the right box to the right job, everything becomes easier.

Businesses love branding on cardboard boxes. Even something simple like a printed logo on the side turns a plain box into a traveling sign. Every package that leaves the building becomes an advertisement. Delivery trucks, front porches, office mailrooms — the brand travels everywhere the box goes.

Cardboard is also surprising when it comes to customer experience. When someone opens a box and sees everything packed neatly, they feel confident in the sender. Careful packing makes a product feel valuable. A messy package sends the opposite message. The box itself becomes part of the reputation.

It is easy to overlook cardboard boxes because they are so common. Yet they are a quiet staple of modern life. They hold our possessions, protect our purchases, and help us stay organized. Businesses trust them. Families rely on them. And if a day came when cardboard boxes disappeared, the world would feel strangely chaotic.

They are strong. They are useful. And they always seem to be right where we need them.

The Box That Carries Your Business Forward

Shipping boxes may look simple, but they play one of the most important roles in modern commerce. Every online order, every warehouse shipment, every store restock depends on boxes that are strong, consistent, and easy to work with. A good shipping box is more than a container—it’s protection, organization, and presentation all in one. Without reliable boxes, the entire shipping system becomes unpredictable.

The strength of a shipping box starts with its design. Corrugated cardboard isn’t just paper. It’s a structure built for durability. The wavy inner layer creates a cushion that absorbs pressure, while the flat outer layers keep everything rigid. This combination lets a box handle stacking, impacts, and long journeys without collapsing. Strong boxes keep fragile and heavy items safe, no matter how far they travel.

Shipping boxes also create order in busy environments. A warehouse with well-sized, consistent boxes works more efficiently. Workers know exactly which box to pick for each product. Pallets stack neatly. Truck space is used wisely instead of wasted on mismatched containers. Even small businesses feel this difference—predictable box sizes make packing smoother and faster.

Another important function of shipping boxes is presentation. Customers notice when a box arrives clean, solid, and tightly taped. The moment they pick it up, they form an impression about the company. A strong box tells them the business cares. A flimsy or crushed box sends the opposite message. People may not think about boxes consciously, but they react to the feeling of quality—or the lack of it.

Inside the box, shipping boxes work with cushioning materials to protect the product. Bubble wrap, kraft paper, foam inserts, and poly bags all rely on a sturdy outer shell to do their job. A weak box compromises everything inside, no matter how carefully it was packed. But a strong box completes the protective system, keeping the product stable and secure.

Shipping boxes also help reduce costs when used wisely. Choosing the right size prevents businesses from wasting space and paying extra postage for air. Boxes that are too large require more filler material, which adds unnecessary cost. Boxes that are too small risk crushing the product. When a business matches its products to the right box sizes, shipping becomes more efficient and cost-effective.

Branding is another area where shipping boxes make an impact. Even without custom printing, businesses can use branded tape, stickers, or inserts to elevate the experience. But many companies choose custom-printed boxes to reinforce their identity. A logo on the outside of the box turns every shipment into a moving advertisement. It catches attention on porches, in offices, and in delivery trucks.

Shipping boxes are also critical outside business settings. Families use them for moving, organizing, storing belongings, and mailing gifts. A sturdy box can hold books, dishes, collectibles, or seasonal clothes. They stack well in garages, closets, and storage units. Tasks that would otherwise feel chaotic become manageable with the right box.

What makes shipping boxes so dependable is how consistently they perform. They don’t ask for attention, but they quietly bear the load—sometimes literally. They take hits, hold shape, support heavy stacks, and keep products safe. They are the bridge between seller and buyer, between warehouse and doorstep.

Every successful delivery begins with a reliable shipping box. It carries the product, supports the workflow, shapes the customer’s experience, and ultimately moves the business forward one safe shipment at a time.

How Multi-Sensory Packaging changing the Unboxing experience 

When cultivating an unboxing experience, we usually think on a visual level. Obviously this makes sense because most people are going to see the item first.

But, what other sense will people use right next to visuals? Touch of course! touching a package and feeling the items can also tap into those memory chambers, and also create an experience that’s memorable. 

With that said, crafting multi-sensory packaging can be a bit of a process.   Some people like to use smells, or a free little gift such as a mint for taste association. Here, we’ll go over the sense of touch, and how to make it an impact in your packaging. 

The Designs for Touch 

Touch designs focus on different senses and various traits you can feel well, with your hands. 

Obviously with smells you integrate that into the packaging, and for hearing, there might be a sound. With touch, you want to create a sensation through touch that fits the packaging.

Textured materials is one common area.   It can be a variety of pattern that feel good on the hands. Think of how fur feels under your hand. It’s nice, right? It is a design that’s textured and remembered.

Holographic printing is another one.   You can add a cool holo design with an embossed edge that customers will love for their packaging. It also feels good against the hands.

Then there are temperature-sensitive graphics. This is a newer one, and involves touching an area, and then making a hot or cool sensation, or even just a soft sensation. 

All of these work with the box, and in turn create a packaging experience many will remember. 

Who Uses This? 

Anything that want to tape into this disregarded sense is usually going to benefit from this. high-end retail is one of them. When you’re selling high-end designs, giving these items that personalized feel does improve the experience.

Subscription boxes are another. If you have a specific item or feeling that the customers love, adding it to the box really improves this aspect.

Then there are creative marketing campaigns. Anything that’s looking to tap into a new or unique market will benefit from this, and should be considered when choosing a design.

The Benefits 

There’s a lot of benefits to be had when you start to focus on touch. Touch is a connection. It’s also one of the five love languages people have. When you incorporate touch into your packaging, it creates a memorable experience and in turn, fosters emotional connections. 

It will also improve brand recall. People remember  brands because of associations. They do just this through their multi-sensory packaging, cultivating experiences that are memorable not just for those who are involved, but also those who are looking to add a better, more immersive experience for everyone. 

The Future of This Packaging 

These days, you have a lot of great benefits and trends to be had. 

Packaging that integrates various multiple senses, such as sound and scents is usually used. This creates an immersive experience for all that’s involved.   You’d be surprised at just how much of a difference all of this packaging will have, and the fun that it will bring to your packaging.

Overall, when you build a multi-sensory packaging box, you’re not just creating a packaging experience that benefits one person, but many people. Consider this if you’re looking to expand your brand and not just make it visually appealing for customers, but also tap into an overlooked sense, to craft a really fun experience that will make a world of a difference for all of the people that buy. 

Are Your Shipping Boxes Too Big, Too Small, or Just Right?

Most businesses don’t realize how much trouble starts with something as simple as the size of a shipping box. It seems like a small choice—grab whatever is closest, tape it up, and move on. But the wrong box size quietly creates a long trail of problems: higher shipping costs, wasted filler, broken items, disappointed customers, and even extra labor inside your own building. All of that happens because the box wasn’t the right fit from the start.

When a box is too big, the space inside becomes a playground for trouble. Products slide, bounce, shift, and knock into each other. Even if you add a lot of padding, things still settle as the truck moves, and items often end up in unexpected corners by the time they reach the customer. The outside may look fine, but the inside tells a different story. The customer opens the box and sees a mess that doesn’t feel cared for. Even if nothing is broken, it gives them the sense that something went wrong.

On the other hand, when a box is too small, it puts pressure on the items inside. Corners rub, lids bend, labels wrinkle, and fragile parts take hits they were never meant to take. The box becomes tight and stressed before it even leaves your building. By the time it reaches the customer, it looks worn out, squeezed, or stretched. No one feels confident when they see a package that looks like it survived a wrestling match.

Most people think these issues are just part of shipping, but they don’t have to be. When you choose shipping boxes that fit what you actually send out, everything becomes easier. Items stay where they belong. Padding works the way it’s supposed to. Tape seals clean instead of fighting against stretched edges. The whole package feels stable the moment you pick it up, and that stability stays with it through every truck, belt, and delivery route.

Imagine your team packing orders using boxes that fit well. They don’t have to force anything, cut down oversized cartons, or fill empty space with handfuls of scrap material. They simply place the product inside, add the right amount of cushioning, seal it once, and send it off. The entire process moves faster because nothing is being forced or fixed. Packing becomes smooth, steady, and predictable. And your team can focus on the work instead of wrestling with the tools.

Now picture the moment your customer receives that package. The box looks clean and proportional from the outside. It hasn’t bulged or collapsed. When they open it, the product is sitting right where it should be, not shoved in or lost in a pile of filler. Everything looks intentional, neat, and secure. Even without saying a word, the customer feels cared for. They feel like they ordered from a business that pays attention.

There is also a practical advantage to using the right-sized shipping boxes: you save money. You’re not paying carriers to transport empty air. You’re not wasting filler or tape. You’re not replacing damaged items or issuing refunds. Every correctly sized box becomes a small moment of stewardship, saving both materials and money with no extra effort.

Many high-quality shipping boxes today are made with recycled or responsibly sourced materials, which adds another layer of value. You can ship with confidence while also knowing you’re making thoughtful choices about the resources you use. This doesn’t just help your products—it reflects well on your business as a whole, showing customers that you’re careful, steady, and intentional in the way you operate.

A box might look simple, but the right one makes everything feel more professional. It protects your products, supports your shipping team, reduces your costs, and gives customers a better experience. When your shipping boxes are “just right,” everything else in your process starts falling into place. A well-chosen box doesn’t just carry your product. It carries the reputation of your business all the way to your customer’s door.