If you have to ship goods for your business, the number of goods you have to send matters, but how you pack them matters as well. Properly packing your goods will ensure their protection while they are in transit from one place to another, and if you are shipping products to customers, this is vital indeed. But how do you pack your goods and items so that they will not get damaged? The materials you use count for a lot (your choice in boxes, fillers, and other packing materials), but your packing technique makes a difference, too. Here, then, is a list of top methods for packing your goods for shipping.
Avoid space
The first rule in proper packing is to avoid space. It is essential that you fill any space so that the contents of the box will not move during transport. If there is space within the box, there is a higher chance that the box itself – and the contents inside – will be damaged. To avoid this, make use of void fillers such as foam, bubble wrap, packing paper, packing chips, and the like. Fill the bottom of the box with the fillers, and the space around the contents as well. Make sure the material doesn’t move, and there aren’t any gaps.
The right distance
There should also be a distance of about 6 centimetres from the contents of the box to the box’s interior walls. Place the item you are shipping in the middle of the box for better protection. Since you have to think about having a distance of 6 centimetres on all sides, the box you choose should have the right size.
Using dividers, wrapping items, and more
Particularly important for fragile or delicate items – wrap each piece individually, whether you are sending a single item or multiple items, as confirmed by specialists in packaging supplies in London. If you are sending more than one thing, separate one piece from the other using a corrugated divider or other materials that can divide the items. Dividers are essential if you want to avoid damage which can be caused by various items touching or making contact with each other while in transit, especially if the contents are stacked. If you are sending loose or small pieces, place them in a separate plastic bag or container, so they don’t separate during transport.
Other essential packing considerations
For items such as metal parts or components, machinery components, and so on, use a double-walled box for extra strength. A sturdy bag made of plastic or a plastic container will prevent moisture from affecting your item. You can also make use of the ‘box within a box’ method for some parcels, and this is where you place a box containing the item within an outer box. This is useful for things which are too delicate or when you want to use the inner box for retail. Make sure that the outer box is larger than the inner box by at least 14 centimetres on all sides for sufficient protection.
Image attributed to Pixabay.com
