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Guide to Finding and Selecting Shipping and Packaging Supplies
How to sort through the myriad of options for packaging products for shipment
By Barbara Whitaker
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When it comes to purchasing shipping and packaging supplies, sorting through the array of choices can have you reaching for the Tylenol. Everyone from the U.S. Postal Service to wholesale shipping supply companies has put together deals to draw small business their way. To narrow the choices, first analyze your needs for packaging supplies, such as boxes, envelopes, tubes, cartons, drums, strapping, shrink wrap, cushioning, edge protectors, bags, bubble wrap, tags, tape and other packaging products. When selecting packaging materials, key areas to consider are: - How complicated is it to ship your product and are special custom packaging materials necessary?
- How much volume do you ship and how frequently do you send items to customers?
- How much packing material is used for each shipment? Do your needs warrant buying packaging supplies in bulk?
- How important is packaging and shipping to your company's productivity?
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
 Find what you need with packing and shipping supply specialists
You can find a few shipping supplies at any office supply outlet. However, shipping and packing supply specialists offer a vastly wider selection, better availability and great prices, too.
I recommend: Uline, a top shipping and packing material specialty company, offers easy online ordering and same-day shipping from six distribution centers. Uline has over 800 box sizes in stock ready for same day shipping. Hard to beat. Other leaders in shipping and packing materials include: eSupplyStore; U.S. Box; and PackagingSupplies.com.
Comparing prices for lower volume needs
If your business only needs basic shipping and packing supplies, occasionally compare prices for the best deal.
I recommend: Shopping.com does price comparisons on shipping and packing supplies from retailers such as OfficeMax and Staples as well as other online stores.
Get free shipping and packing material advice
Packaging products correctly for shipping is something of an art. Packaging products poorly could result in damaged goods. An amateur packing job also looks bad to customers. A great place to start is with major national shippers like FedEx, UPS and DHL. All provide tips on how to pack boxes for shipment and make suggestion on packaging materials to use. Shipping supply distributors that cater to small business also offer advice along with special deals on packaging products.
I recommend: PacNSeal offers a 3 percent discount to online buyers using PayPal for purchases and owner Steve Madden provides advice in a newsletter and through e-mail. And check out these express packaging tips from FedEx.
Lower costs with free company packing and shipping supply
FedEx, UPS and other major shipping companies offer free boxes and envelopes for express shipments. The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers free boxes, envelopes and specialty mailers in a variety of sizes for priority mail and Express Mail. Other USPS services that small businesses find attractive include a “Click-N-Ship” option with eBay that includes free shipping boxes and labels.
I recommend: Order free packing and shipping supply from your account at FedEx or UPS. Pickup free supplies at your Post Office or check out Click-N-Ship on eBay.
Special needs and industrial packaging and shipping supply
Have an awkward, heavy or fragile product that's hard to ship? Some companies offer specialized services that allow more flexibility in specialty and industrial packaging.
I recommend: Wholesalepackaging.com designs custom shipping supplies and OnePak provides low-cost packaging material in shipping supply kits that include inflatable air cushioning and laser address labels. Also try Business.com’s directory of industrial packaging suppliers.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Before paying for shipping and packaging supplies, take a close look at the carrier you'll be using. Check not only their requirements, but also see what sort of packaging supplies, like labels, they might provide for free online.
- When ordering large quantities of packaging materials pick one or two items and then check the price on various sites.
The official source of Finding and Selecting Shipping and Packaging Supplies is
the Packing Supplies page at Business.com
Featured Vendors
Official Pitney Bowes SitePitney Bowes Mailstation 2™ the Smart Solution For Your Small business. Print Exact Postage Every Time and Save Money. Try It Free For 60 days!
www.PitneyWorks.com ULINE: Packaging MaterialsOver 17,000 packaging products in stock including boxes, poly bags, bubble wrap, tape and mailers. Huge catalog! Same day shipping from 6 locations.
www.ULINE.com Packaging MaterialsOffers industrial supplies including bags, bubble wrap, boxes, Kraft paper, laminators, packaging peanuts, shipping envelopes, and shrink wrap.
www.globalindustrial.com Packing Supplies ResourceFind Packing Supplies. Search listings and reviews of retailers, specialists and services in your local area now.
JustClickLocal.com
 Recommended Solution Providers | Back to top |
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Supplier of a wide range of packaging materials for any product.
This site was created specifically to anyone needing shipping supplies at a low cost and fast.
This provider stocks a complete range of packaging supplies and materials, including: envelopes, boxes, plastic air-bubble cushioning, packing peanuts, tape, etc.
Every imaginable package and container sure to help your small business find the right packaging solution.
Visit this site for all your packaging needs.
Small business packaging material solutions.
ULine has just what the small business needs for packaging materials.
Find bubble envelopes, mailers bubble wrap, digital scales, fragile labels and packing peanuts.
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 Best Sites to Learn More | Back to top |
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Choose the right packaging materials for your product based on method of transport and other factors.
Useful information, tips, and guides to help you small business choose the right packaging materials.
Check out all the different options for your small business to get started in packaging your product.
A great resource page including many guides and tips for selecting the right packaging.
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 Best Blogs and Forums | Back to top |
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Where the business community comes together to discuss packaging material issues.
Provides cost saving tips, helpful hints, and inside packaging information.
Offers articles on how to ship better, cheaper, faster and make it look good in the process, for big businesses or small.
An extensive blog dedicated to packaging news, industry updates and the advantages of some packaging materials over others.
Find bubble envelopes, mailers bubble wrap, digital scales, fragile labels and packing peanuts.
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