{"id":232794,"date":"2022-01-28T06:30:05","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T06:30:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packlane.com\/blog\/?p=232794"},"modified":"2022-01-28T14:50:17","modified_gmt":"2022-01-28T14:50:17","slug":"branded-packaging-elements-that-work-with-automated-fulfillment-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packlane.com\/blog\/branded-packaging-elements-that-work-with-automated-fulfillment-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"Branded Packaging Elements That Work with Automated Fulfillment Systems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.25.2″ custom_margin=”-70px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”|||” custom_margin_phone=”-90px|-35px||-35px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_dmb_breadcrumbs show_final_breadcrumb=”off” home_icon=”%%72%%” use_home_text=”on” home_text=”Blog” _builder_version=”3.25.2″ body_font=”||||||||” link_font=”||||||||” linkhover_font=”||||||||” body_font_size_tablet=”51″ body_line_height_tablet=”2″ separator_font_size_tablet=”51″ separator_line_height_tablet=”2″ link_font_size_tablet=”51″ link_line_height_tablet=”2″ linkhover_font_size_tablet=”51″ linkhover_line_height_tablet=”2″ z_index_tablet=”500″ body_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” body_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” separator_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” separator_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” separator_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” linkhover_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” linkhover_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” linkhover_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px”][\/et_pb_dmb_breadcrumbs][et_pb_post_title comments=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.75)” _builder_version=”4.1″ title_text_color=”#2e469d” title_font_size=”52px” title_line_height=”1.2em” meta_font=”basis-grotesque-med||||||||” meta_font_size=”17px” custom_margin=”|||0px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-20px|-20px||-20px” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px||0px” title_font_size_tablet=”” title_font_size_phone=”36px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” z_index_tablet=”500″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” title_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” meta_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” meta_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=”35px” ol_item_indent=”20px” admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.4.0″ text_font=”basis-grotesque-med||||||||” text_font_size=”17px” link_font=”basis-grotesque-med||||||||” link_font_size=”17px” ul_font=”basis-grotesque-med||||||||” ul_text_color=”#666666″ ul_font_size=”17px” ol_font=”basis-grotesque-med||||||||” ol_text_color=”#666666″ ol_font_size=”17px” quote_font=”basis-grotesque-med||||||||” quote_font_size=”17px” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_3_font=”||||||||” header_4_font=”||||||||” header_5_font=”||||||||” header_6_font=”||||||||” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” ul_font_size_tablet=”” ul_font_size_phone=”” ul_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]\n<\/p>

This is a guest post written by DCL Logistics<\/em><\/p>\n

Direct-to-consumer order volume has rapidly increased in the last two years and as a result, more brands need to find ways to distinguish themselves from all the other brown boxes on doorsteps. Simultaneously consumers demand faster delivery times, with two-day, one-day, and even same-day<\/span> expedited shipping<\/span><\/a> expected for everything now (thanks, Amazon!). This means fulfillment providers are required to produce a much higher throughput of order processing. Thus, more automated systems have been put into place to keep up with both order volume increase and demand for faster product delivery.  <\/span><\/p>\n

The catch is that many customized product packaging doesn’t work efficiently with many<\/span> fulfillment automation flows<\/span><\/a>. Box sizes that perfectly match your product sizing may not fit through an automatic tape machine or print and apply station.  <\/span><\/p>\n

How do brands distinguish their products in the market without slowing down their fulfillment? Here are the top three types of branded packaging and how they work with automated fulfillment systems.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Special Inserts Are a Cost-Effective Way to Add Branding <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Some of the most cost-effective customizable packing materials are inside<\/em> the box. When implementing new packaging or changing your fulfillment flow, it’s important to start small. These packing options are great if you’re interested in adding a little branded flair, but can’t afford to change the<\/span> order fulfillment<\/span><\/a> process too much.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Custom Inserts<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Adding a flyer, card, or coupon can go a long way in giving your customers a special surprise. While adding inserts <\/span>will <\/span><\/i>require updating your fulfillment flow, it won’t disrupt any automated systems like conveyance, robotic<\/span> picking<\/span><\/a>, or print and apply labeling.<\/span><\/p>\n

A big benefit of adding a special coupon or flyer is that it’s more cost-effective. The costs incurred will be one-time costs like hiring a designer to create a branded card, not an additional dollar per package in shipping fees because of increased package weight.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Insider tip:<\/span> Increase average-order-value<\/span><\/a> by adding custom messages. It may take some time to set up with your fulfillment provider, but the added benefits will pay off. By charging a small fee for adding a message, you’ll increase your profit margin. Plus, your customers will have fun personalizing their products and gifts, which is a win-win for everyone.   <\/span><\/p>\n

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Branded Product Box<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

If you ship multiple products in a box or need a little extra protection around your product, that means you’re already investing in an outer carton along with product packaging. Paying for<\/span> branded product boxes<\/span><\/a> will be worth it. This is where you can show off your brand personality.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Insider tip: There are many more options than boxes when it comes to product packaging. Consider an envelope, bag, or custom container with your brand design. Catch your customer’s eye with something your competitors aren’t doing.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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Give Customers a Boost with Colorful Dunnage and Branded Packing Materials   <\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Also called void fill,<\/span> dunnage<\/span><\/a> is any packing material that fills spaces between the product and the outer shipping box. It is used primarily to protect products when being loaded and unloaded during transport. The right kind of dunnage will help keep your products aligned within the carton so that they look exactly as you want when your customer open their package. Plus, they help regulate air circulation and insulation for products that may need it.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Spiropack<\/p>\n

While most filler material can’t be branded, there are choices to make that can enhance the brand vibes. Sizzle paper, kraft paper, and SpiroPack come in all sorts of colors.  <\/span><\/p>\n

In most small and mid-sized, even some large-scale<\/span> ecommerce fulfillment<\/span><\/a> operations, the packing process is largely still done manually. This makes packing materials a better option for customization than other branded packaging. In larger scale fulfillment operations dunnage and void fill are often added on an automation line, so adding a specialized kind might not be possible. Check with your<\/span> 3PL<\/span><\/a> (third-party logistics) or fulfillment provider to see if adding colorful filler will slow down any of your order processing.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Insider tip: If adding colorful packing material isn’t an option, look into adding tissue around your product. It’s a low-cost boost to the unboxing experience, and you can add designs, your logo, or brand colors.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Keep in mind the security of your product<\/a> when you redesign your inner packing materials. Product damages will mean lost revenue and disgruntled customers.  <\/span><\/p>\n

The Ultimate Way to Stand Out is Branded Boxes  <\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

With more and more items being ordered online, brands are relying on the unboxing experience to delight their customers and distinguish their products from the other brown boxes.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Custom boxes are a great way to display your branding. Whether by adding company colors, a logo, or a catchy tagline. You’ll reinforce your brand personality while giving your customers a fun surprise when they receive your products.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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Mailer versus Product box<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

There are a few different types of boxes you can customize. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons as each will affect your overall shipping costs and product overhead differently. Some branded boxes work well with automated fulfillment processes—whether assembly, packing, taping, or labeling—and some that don’t. It’s important to work with your 3PL or fulfillment provider to ensure the boxes you choose will also flow easily through their automated systems. <\/span><\/p>\n

Insider tip: The biggest factor in determining your box design should be the<\/span> DIM weight<\/span><\/a> of your overall package. Adding custom packing materials can increase the size, weight, and volume of your package which are all factors in calculating the shipping cost.  <\/span><\/p>\n

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A mailer<\/a> is the outer shipping box used to house multiple or single products and packing material. Using customized mailer boxes is good if you often ship multiple products in a single order (<\/span>increase your average order value by bundling products<\/span><\/a>!) or your product requires protection with specific void fill materials (don’t let damaged products ruin your reputation!).  <\/span><\/p>\n