Is your business receiving a rising list of complaints regarding damaged products? This could have something to do with your current packaging. Damaged products can lead to returns, negative reviews and loss of custom. Of course, we do understand that some damages may be unavoidable due to particular circumstances, but this does not mean you shouldn’t take certain measures to reduce package damage. Here, we have a list of packaging tips to avoid shipping damage.

Choosing the right box

Unless you are using a soft packaging solution such as a polybag or padded envelope, it is likely that you will be using a box as the primary packaging component for your product. This means that you need to consider the size and strength of the box you plan to use. Reusing boxes is not advised as they may have weakened over time. Depending on the size and weight of the product, you may want to consider using double, or even triple-walled boxes. It is also important to consider compression when packaging items in bulk.

Void filling

If your product is rattling around inside the box, you can’t be surprised when damage occurs. Void filling is essential for giving your product protection when in transit. Void fill is used for filling vacant spaces in a box with protective materials that will prevent the item from moving about in the box. You can choose from a variety of void full types, including paper and polystyrene. Void fill can be bought cheap and in large quantities, meaning you won’t face any large financial setbacks from investing in this form of protection.

Sealing and stabilisation

Sealing and storing your packages correctly is essential for keeping them protected. Always use high-quality, pressure sensitive parcel tape and seal it to ensure it is moisture and odour resistant. How you then load and store the package is also essential. Make sure that the package isn’t overly compressed as well as allowed to move too much.

You must also make sure the boxes are stacked in the correct manner for even weight distribution. Failing to do this can lead to excessive compression and extensive damage occurring. When shipping large quantities of items, balancing can become quite tiring. However, miscalculating at this point can lead to serious damaged products, crates and pallets.

Pallets

Avoiding pallet damage can also help prevent future damage to products and pallet repair and replacement costs. Avoid dragging pallets and make sure that anyone who deals with them is fully trained in moving them in the appropriate manner.

Inspection

Before you give the items the green light to be shipped you should always assess a sample of your packages for potential defects. Spotting flaws this early on can prevent further difficulties down the line.

External courier services

Finally, if you use an external courier service for the last part of your shipments, you must make sure they are reliable and will take care of your products.

Talk to Monarch Shelving Ltd for your product storage needs

The importance of packaging your items correctly is not something to be overlooked. It’s always good to keep looking at ways to improve the handling and storage of your packages to provide the best service possible. At Monarch Shelving Ltd, we offer a range of storage solutions that will work with any warehouse. If you’d like to learn more, get in touch.