Let’s say that you’re about to outsource the packaging with a co-packer, and you want to plan these logistics nice and early. In fact, this is something you need to do right away. Why should you hasten this process and make it faster? Will it benefit you? The answer is clearly you should. There are a ton of reasons for utilizing contract packaging, ironing out all of the logistics to help with the chosen vendor contract quite early. Are there specific reasons for this to ensure that you get the proper logistics at hand? What are the driving reasons for this? Here, we’ll give you a good understanding of the contract packaging logistics, and the consequences of what may happen when you don’t. 

Why plan early 

This question is not only common but essential for the business since there are many moving pieces and elements which go into contract packaging endeavors. There are tons of variables that affect this, whether it’s lead times or logistics and machinery or materials, and there are factors that you should look at when you’re outsourcing the packaging with co-packers as well. 

What other elements are there though? Well, first you have to look at the number of products packaged. This is essential because if you don’t have enough packaging for the products that are ordered, you can’t complete them, and it’ll take longer, and also, it’ll result in dissatisfied customers. Make sure to do this immediately for best results for your business. 

The second thing is turn times. If you want something finished in a normal period of time, you want to make sure that the expectations are there and you work every single detail out on this. Generally, the more complex a project is, the long it’ll take for them to finish, so you need to discuss this these aspects with the contract packaging needs early on for the proper goals as well. 

Product Packaging Amount and availability 

This is also a big part of this. Some people need something available quite soon, and not telling people about this will make it take a whole lot longer and the costs are much more excessive. You also want to make sure that you let them know of the materials being supplied, or if they need to choose this for you. 

If you decide to have them choose this, it results in higher costs, so you should get the information out immediately to your co-packer to save some money. If you decide to let the co-packer choose the right materials for what your needs are, have them do this at first, and let them know before you decide to use them as your provider. . 

Choose the right Samples 

You want to make sure that the right packaging has the correct samples. Usually, this is done with a co-packer that have timed studies to see how complex something is. If the product is assembled in fewer than 25 seconds this is called simple, and it can get finished quicker for lower costs. If you notice that the product takes longer to assemble, it will take a lot more money and time for completion. 

With complicated projects, you should try to work as quickly as possible with quality considered, and a co-packer offers this freedom. But you want to make sure you choose one that fits the needs, because the more expensive and longer this is, the more complex your application is. Getting the right contract packaging items and different parts will help keep this going. It’s good to choose a contract packaging company sooner than later for your own packaging needs. 

When choosing the packaging materials that customers want, it’s imperative to look at the products that you’re ordering, and the product protection needed. You may wonder corrugated or cardboard, and here, we’ll go over what they can do for you, and how they help you control your business as well. 

Corrugated Box 

Corrugated box is a box with cardboard sheets that are present on both sides. This also involves specific kinds of kraft materials that do make up different sheets. Corrugated boxes that are ruffled, fluted, and corrugated are also in between two line boards which are flat. The material is a bit more durable and it can withstand some of the tougher conditions. The layers also enhance this for the reasons listed below. 

• It’s durable 
• It’s lightweight with the best strength to weight options 
• It’s cost effective 
• It protects the products, it’s friendly towards the environment 

Once you have the box formed, you can ship practically anything. Packaging doe design these corrugated shipping items in order to fit the needs of the products that are shipped, and the hazards of such too that come about, including sock, moisture, vibration, or compression to that comes with this. 

Cardboard Box 

A cardboard box has but one layer of cardboard, which is what cereal boxes, pasta boxes, and cards you send to others usually include. This involves all sorts of items that are made with heavy paper, and this is something that usually is made with heavier paper pulp and is not layered. This can work in some situations, but they’re not strong enough to withstand normal transit if you do have to take it long distance. This is great for smaller products, but if the package can’t handle being shipped thousands of miles away, you might want to consider a different product. 

The differences 

The differences don’t seem like much but it’s the difference between a [package riving safely in a way that’s good of the reputation of the businesses and arriving messed up and damaged. When you look at cardboard, you need to understand that they’re also made from materials which are different, and also it can be a difference for those looking for something that want to change their shipping means and purposes. 

It also is something that businesses looking for an alternative to cardboard want to get. This isn’t just something that your products deserve to have, but this is something that the customers deserve, and expect too. 

Corrugated is a lot more durable, and it does withstand the shipping that’s out there, simply because they’re light enough to be broken into smaller pieces after it’s shipped. Corrugated boxes also come in a variety of different sizes, and also, you can choose the best product and size for this, and cardboard doesn’t have as many options, and is much more limited, since you usually have a one-size-fits all sort of approach for this. 

That may work for some products, but if you ship a variety, this is something that can be a little bit worrisome, and it can put your package at risk for damages too. With that said, if you don’t’ have corrugated shipping boxes, you might want to look into tis for the sole reason of it’ll be good for you as a business, and it’ll also showcase to others that you care about the business at hand, and everything that comes with it too. For a lot of people, having this on hand is vital, so definitely look at corrugated cardboard boxes for your packaging needs, whenever you may need it. 

No matter what type of business you’re in, packaging peanuts are a great way to protect cargo. But a lot of businesses try to make efforts to reduce the impact of the environment, and packing peanuts are something that a lot of them try to upgrade. That’s why a lot of them are switching over the packaging peanuts. What does this mean though, and how do you know if the packaging peanuts are biodegradable. 

Non-biodegradable Vs. Biodegradable. 

Traditional packaging peanuts are composed of polystyrene, which is called Styrofoam, and while it is not biodegradable, there are alternatives that are made of corn starch and wheat. The polystyrene ones don’t break down when they’re discarded, and instead spend years in our oceans, other water sources, and the landfills too. In fact, it can talk half a millennium in order to actually decompose all of that. Recycling for this is also very limited too since Styrofoam can only be repurposed into what it’s already being used for, or something similar. Organic material, of course, can be broken down once it’s properly discarded, and discarding this is a lot better for the environment in the long haul. 

Ways to tell if it’s biodegradable

The first and most obvious option is the color. The plant-based biodegradable ones come in a lot of shades, such as green and tan, with the traditional ones being a pink or whitish color. A simple sight test is all that you need, but if that’s not enough, you can always run this under water. They do break down with water if they are biodegradable, whereas with normal packaging peanuts, absolutely nothing will happen. 

Finally, they’re edible. Packaging peanuts that aren’t biodegradable won’t be, and you probably shouldn’t eat it, but the biodegradable ones are edible, although they probably taste bad, so you probably shouldn’t. You definitely will want to keep this in mind. 

Why use biodegradable 

Biodegradable is in, and it’s something that’s ultimately the superior option for the world, compared to normal packaging peanuts. Styrofoam and other uses offers more greenhouse gases and other energy, and it’s something that can actually subject the users to bad carcinogens that aren’t healthy for anyone when being manufactured. Since the materials used to make this are natural, not toxic to humans and the environment, it’s much more environmentally friendly compared to others. 

In fact, they’re safe too if you accidentally ingest them, and a lot of people like that in the event a kid or whatnot gets ahold of it. It also does not hold a static in the same way that Styrofoam does, so the pellets won’t be sticking to your body or the area around you, and also won’t be a problem with the items that you choose to protect. 

Overall, biodegradable packaging peanuts are the way to go, and they’re something that a lot of people can benefit from when they’re trying to get the most out of this, and also to help them really benefit from this as well. So if you want to definitely ensure that you’re getting the results that youwnat, and you also are able to really take care of your packaging in a way that benefits everyone, consider using biodegradable packaging peanuts as an alternative, for they’re better for the environment, better for you, and can really be a great way to get the benefits that youwnat out of this, and something that’ll truly benefit the people that utilize this in the long haul, and to create safer packaging options for those who wish to use this type of packaging. 

Most people use a warehouse management type of system to help with the processes that take items from point A to point B. with a third of them expecting fast shipping from brands, you need something that actually helps with the needs that you have. For example, software that’s automated, a shipping courier that works, and also other kinds of management software for your warehouse will help you get to your goal. But how else can you optimize your shipping to make it better? 

Using automated Software 

One thing that does help a lot of shippers is automated software. Why? It lets you look at the procedures for shipping, collecting data, getting rid of inventory misplacement, shipping problem, or loss as well. Automated warehouse software does reduce chances of the product getting mixed up or lost, and also reduces your costs for labor, and even expenses for operation. So, in order to keep up with others, consider using the automated warehouse platforms for the business. 

Use the right platforms  

The right shipper matters, and with more and more expecting fast shipping, you need something that does suit the needs of the business. However, shipping rates do add up in most cases for you and your business. Instead, try to find a platform that works with high volume packages, and discounts that’ll help reduce the costs for you, while also giving you the right shipping tools and benefits. 

Some places can offer super steep discounts, and if you go through a shipping company, you can definitely save some money. You also can look at shipping rates, taxes and duties, and other tools that are designed to help improve the shipping operations too. 

Consider a Warehouse Management Software 

This is something that helps with making sure that you get the efficiency and visibility for this. Youkan enhance the productivity of your warehouse by offering differ incentives, including automatic updates on the inventory, barcode scanning, another other ways to help make sure that you get the least amount of human error possible, and also maintaining the right amount of packaging, picking, and even shipping concerns as well. 

Place the Inventory strategically 

This is something that is really good for those who work with customers worldwide. You want to make sure that you have a strategic inventory, or else you’ll be sending orders to different locations, instead of one place, and it does impact the efficiency of everything. 

The closer to customers, the cheaper the shipping costs can be, and sometimes, by looking at fulfillment places, you can have the items there, so that they reach customers in the right locations within a certain period of time. For example, if you’re going to be giving items to areas on the other side of the country, consider using a fulfillment center nearby to help make things a whole lot faster.

That, combined with lower shipping rates do benefit the business, and also works to help with scaling this. A fulfillment center can also handle the nitty gritty of shipping, making it faster and more efficient for you as well. With that said, it’s important to properly optimize everything. Warehouses and other facilities need this, in order to ensure the proper way that you’re able to handle all of this. With all of that in place though, it does make everything better for you as a business, and in turn, will be able to help you get the most that you can out of this, so that you can scale and benefit from everything that you need to do, and implement too.