Plastic packaging guide
Packaging tips for common items
| Batteries | Send batteries in their retail packaging surround with polystyrene loosefill. Place the batteries in a suitable cardboard box. |
| Small books | Use bubble padded envelope. |
| Large books | Use a cardboard box with a 2.5cm clearance at each end. |
| CDs and DVDs | Use suitable sized bubble padded envelope. |
| Leaflets and brochures | Up to 1cm thick use bubble padded envelopes. Up to 5cm thick use heavy duty cardboard boxes. |
| Liquids and creams | Seal in grip seal bags. Surround with an absorbent material like newsprint offcuts. |
| Magazines and newspapers | Up to 1cm thick use bubble padded envelopes. Up to 5cm thick use cardboard box. |
| Framed prints | Wrap paper cushioning material at least 5cm thick around each item. Place between a thick board giving 2.5cm clearance at each end. Pack in acardboard box. |
| Scissors and knives | Wrap heavy cardboard around all sharp points and edges. Wrap with cello tape. |
Amazon FBA packing
This guide aims to help with Amazon Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) product packaging. The main objective for packaging is to get an undamaged product to the customer.
Loose products
When sold together, loose products must be contained within one package.
Boxed units
Any shipments in boxes must be six sided and completely sealed and difficult to reopen. All boxes must be able to withstand a medium amount of pressure on any given side.
Poly bag units
Poly bags with openings larger than five inches must contain suffocation warnings that must be printed on the bag or attached as a label in an easy to find location. The bag must be transparent and contain a barcode that may be scanned easily. The poly bag must be completely sealed. Poly bags that are used to protect product units must have a clear suffocation warning. If you do not comply with this regulation, your products may need to be rebagged. Clear suffocation warning must specify: “To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and young children. This bag is not a toy.” Poly bag must be transparent so that a barcode such as a UPC or EAN that is easily scannable through the bag. The bags need to be completely sealed and must not protrude more than 3 inches past the dimensions of the product.
Checklist for Amazon FBA packaging
- Make sure your boxes are rigid and have flaps intact.
- Wrap each item individually.
- Use strong shipping tape.
- Do not use string or paper over wrap.
- Use a single address label with clear delivery and return information.
- Use at least two inches of cushioning between each of your items and inside of the box.
Bundle items together
The ability to ship two separate products as one saves on shipping costs. An exterior box to accommodate both products should be used. If the two products shipped together vary in size then consider the options listed below.
| Corrugated boxes | The most popular and preferred way to bundle multiple products together. Corrugated boxes can be printed on to increase company branding and advertising. Boxes too large do not offer the best presentation and can cause damage in shipping without proper void fill. |  |
| Strapping | Strapping is one of the most common ways to bundle one or more products. |  |
| Shrink wrapping | Shrink wrap is an exterior packaging. Therefore the drawback to shrink wrapping is the risk of the packaging tearing. |  |
| Tape | Tape is an affordable bundling option for lighter uniform products. Taping two or more boxes together does not offer the best presentation. Use tape if there are no other options available. |
Presentation and branding
The primary objective for packaging is the protection of products. The main objective of packaging should be delivering an undamaged product to the customer. Though branding and presentation is not the main purpose of packaging, it is very important. Understanding the difference between primary and secondary packaging is important.
Primary packaging
Primary packaging is best defined by the packaging that comes into direct contact with the product. The primary packaging of a product should be considered as a top priority for marketing. Online sellers are fortunate to not deal with shelving issues but primary packaging is still important. Sometimes the best primary packaging is the option that offers the best clarity to properly display the product.
Secondary packaging
Secondary packaging is the first line of protection for a product. Secondary packaging can be a variety of materials. For online sales, corrugated cardboard is the most commonly used form of secondary packaging because they provide protection during transport.
| Void fill | Void fill is used to fill the empty spaces within the secondary packaging. It works as a shock absorber and cushion to protect products during transport. Probably the two most well known forms of void fill are packaging peanuts and bubble wrap. |
| Foam packaging peanuts | Popular low cost option. Not environmentally friendly. |
| Bubble wrap | Air filled plastic bubbles often available on rolls. Affordable and effective. Not eco-friendly. |
| Kraft paper | Available in recycled paper. Completely biodegradable. An affordable and effective packaging option. |
| Shredded paper | The repurposing of a product for environmental concerns. An affordable and biodegradable option. Can be messy for customers opening products. |
Packaging options are available
| Corrugated packaging | Essentially all of the major carriers prefer parcel shipments to be packaged in a corrugated carton. |
| Mailers and envelopes | Envelopes and mailers are an inexpensive way to ship smaller products. Determining the best type of mailer or envelope to properly protect products during shipping can be trial and error. Try some of our samples to be sure. We recommend if you are unsure use a bubble mailer for added protection. |
| Poly bags and layflat tubing | Flexible packaging includes a large variety of poly bags / polyprop bags that can change shape after sealed or closed. The bags can be sealed, taped, stapled or come in resealable form. A very popular and common flexible packaging option for sellers. Flexible packaging is used for both primary and secondary packaging. |
| Heat shrink film | Heat shrink film can be used to bundle similar sized items together. Heat shrink film is used for primary packaging and secondary packaging. Heat shrink film is available in a variety of thicknesses and colors. |
| Vacuum packaging | Vacuum packaging is an excellent way to preserve and extend the shelf life of perishable items. Vacuum packaging protects products from moisture, dust and exterior elements. Vacuum packaging is most often used as primary packaging. |
Packing for university
Going to university can be stressful when it comes to packing all your belongings. Our key advice is to pack light. Use the right packaging for your move.
| Important documents | Passport/driving license, bank details and bank card, passport photos etc. Use A4 poly bags designed for documents. 200 gauge poly bags and above work well for keeping documents safe. |
| Electrical items | Laptop, hair dryer, extension leads etc. Use our carton boxes designed for house moving. |
| Clothes | Formal wear, swimwear, loungewear etc. Use poly bags designed for clothes. |
| Academic items | Diary, calculator, stapler etc. Use A4 poly bags designed for documents. |
| Kitchen items | Bowls and plates, cutlery, mugs and glasses etc. Place kitchen items in our carton boxes. However for extra protection line the boxes with either bubble wrap or kraft paper. |
| Bedroom items | Bedsheets, duvet cover, pillow cases etc. Place bedroom items in our carton boxes. |
| Bathroom items | Towels, toothbrush and toothbrush holder etc. Place bathroom items in our carton boxes. Use protective foam to separate the items. |
Plastic packaging guide last updated: Mar-2023
