Send it with style: 5 tips for high-impact small business packaging

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

You know that feeling when you’re expecting a delivery and hear your doorbell ring? Or, perhaps you’re more of an in-person shopper and find comfort in seeing your new purchase carefully wrapped in tissue paper with a fun sticker holding it all together.

As a small business owner, branded packaging that showcases your company’s style and professionalism, and quality packaging that keeps customers’ purchases safe, can help you create these kinds of memorable experiences that shoppers will keep coming back for.

Whether making sales in person or online, packaging’s most functional benefit is that it protects your products from the potentially damaging hustle and bustle of transportation. But packaging that prominently displays your logo, brand colours & fonts and other elements of your business’s personality acts as a crucial branding touchpoint that customers will remember.

What’s more, unique packaging options can turn customers into brand ambassadors who’ll spread the word about your business. With unboxing videos on social media, the right packaging choice can get your brand in front of thousands of potential customers.

Sounds promising, right? To reap these benefits, however, you’ll need to become familiar with the various types of small business packaging and how you might build up your own inventory.

Enhance your sales with small business packaging

Packaging for small businesses comes in so many shapes, sizes and materials, and irrespective of your product, your delivery needs or your budget, there are plenty of options for you. Here are the most common categories of packaging you’ll want to consider:

• Shopping bags, plastic pouches and other flexible packaging are ideal for in-store purchases. Sending customers home with a thoughtfully packed purchase is a great continuation of the in-store experience.
• Cardboard boxes and poly mailers are your best bet for small business delivery success. These packaging boxes or containers will keep your products safe and sound and offer plenty of branding opportunities as well.
• Plus, you can explore a range of inserts, labels & stickers, postcards and other add-ons, like packaging tape, that are important for quality presentation.

Each of these categories has a range of customisation and pricing options, so it’s important to weigh any costs against the overall value you’re getting. Skimping on packaging can have costly consequences, so try to avoid poor-quality materials if at all possible. And many of the benefits we mentioned earlier rely on incorporating your brand identity into your packaging — an investment that will build lasting relationships and increase your brand awareness.

In a nutshell, custom packaging for small businesses can be a big game-changer. Here are some tips for using these tools effectively.

1. Know your product.

What you sell is what you’ll package, whether you’re stocking shelves at a retail store or posting from an e-commerce shop. While this may seem like common sense, it may not be straightforward, depending on your business. Companies with just a few product options, all around the same size and shape, will have an easier time finding the right supplies than someone who packs unique items that don’t follow a consistent packaging pattern.

For example, if you sell framed art with a maximum size of 8 x 11 inches (20.32 x 27.94 cm), you can find a few boxes that’ll work best for orders of 1-3 items. Someone selling barn salvage or reselling from estate sales, however, will have a different item in every order and planning for size and weight variances will be more difficult — but not impossible though.

2. Protection is key.

Do you sell cushions? If so, you’ll have little chance of your product breaking inside its packaging and you can get away with a branded paper bag or box. If you sell fragile items, like glassware or beauty products, however, you’ll have to consider putting bubble wrap or foam inside your boxes.

In addition to an external box, think through what internal product packaging and materials you’ll need to keep contents from shifting during travel, without putting too much pressure on your precious wares. Make it fun too, with crinkle paper or tissue paper in your brand colours. Sturdy shipping supplies for your small business will boost your delivery success and the shopping experience for your customers.

3. Pay attention to adhesives.

When you get a package, what’s the first part that you notice? In many cases, it’s the packaging tape that covers the seams of the box and keeps everything sealed tightly against the elements. Not only does tape serve this function, but it’s a great place for business owners to add their logo or a fun slogan.

You have several options for tape, including sustainable, paper-based and water-activated tapes that can include your branding. Consider how much strain your tape can take, especially with heavy shipments (as the seams of these boxes usually shift).

You’ll also want to look at tapes that help your package arrive safely (and legally). ‘Fragile’ or ‘hazardous materials’ tape can do double duty of communicating how the package should be handled to keeping your item in one piece.

4. Spruce things up with a sticker.

Who doesn’t love stickers? Whether you include them on an external packing box, on the product itself or as an added touch to invoices, stickers can bring out your brand personality in an affordable way. Go simple with stickers featuring your logo or slogan, or use larger labels to include extra instructions or say “thank you” for a purchase. These can be quite the cute addition to your business packaging toolkit.

For a modern touch, QR code stickers make it easy to say a lot in a little bit of space. Use them to direct shoppers to your website or social media pages where they can find more information about the product they purchased, read your company story or even leave a review.

5. Add the right inserts.

Use promotional inserts in every package to engage with customers who may not be on your mailing list or have another way to connect with you after their purchase (such as when the item is received as a gift). Provide a QR code or short URL on inserts that will help them sign up and stay digitally connected. Or include a thank-you postcard that has your website and social media handles on the back. Inserts are a quintessential part of every small business packaging supplies kit.

To encourage repeat sales and build trust, include a discount code or free delivery promo, or ask customers to leave you a product review. And for eco-conscious consumers, you can include printed instructions for reusing or recycling your packaging on the box or pouch itself (or use eco-friendly packaging altogether).

Plan ahead for packaging success

There’s certainly some planning involved in determining your packaging needs, and it’s likely that your plans will change over time. Start out with a few options that best fit your budget and your products, then listen to your customers and track what seems to be making an impact over time. Whether it’s a simple bag with your company logo or a complete suite of branded delivery supplies and promo materials, small business packaging can help you stand out, boost brand recognition and increase customer satisfaction.