Many several different reasons exist for using packing supplies, and there are packing supplies for almost any need imaginable. Businesses use packaging materials for shipping items, storing items, and moving items. Moving companies use packing supplies on a daily basis to move the property of others.

Properly using business packing supplies is very important to the safety of your items. Using the wrong type or size of packing material can cause damage and breakage of items, resulting in lost inventory or customer dissatisfaction. Before using packing supplies, consider the following:

1. Are you using packing supplies for a fragile item?

2. Is the appearance of your packing supplies important?

3. Do you need special packing supplies such as for electronic items?

Action Steps for Smart Packaging Supplies Shopping
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Use packing supplies to ship items to customers

When shipping products to customers, it is very important to use the proper material packaging. You do not want items to arrive damaged or broken. The appearance of the packing supplies is also important. You want to make a good impression on your customers. Foam peanuts can surround items that fit tightly in the box, however, loosely fitting items will need more support. Use custom fit foam. Bubble wrap is also a consideration for this type of packing. Create a nice appearance on the outside of the box with clear tape. Use enough tape to secure the box, but do not over-tape and waste supplies. Apply the tape smoothly against the box without wrinkles. Use a professional-looking computer printed label with your company logo.

I recommend: If you ship many items, it is best to buy bulk shipping supplies. Send Supplies is a packing material company that offers foam peanuts in bulk. Packaging Price sells small business shipping supplies such as bubble wrap, foam, and padding.

Store your surplus supplies and inventory with packing supplies

When storing items in a storage room or warehouse, appearance is not as important. However, the safety of your items is. Will boxes be stacked on top of one another? When stacking boxes, it is essential to use boxes made of sturdy material. Support and protect items inside the boxes with foam packing or bubble wrap. Boxes should be secure but easily accessible for employees. Closing the box with one piece of tape will likely be enough.

I recommend: Purchase boxes from Uline. They offer several box options including sturdy boxes to withstand stacking. Packaging Supplies sells shrink wrap and other packing coverage.

Choose proper packing supplies for moving

Many small businesses begin by renting a small location and later expanding. When packing your inventory and store supplies to be moved, it is important to use proper packing supplies. Damaged items take away from your inventory and add costs. Choose moving boxes that serve your packing needs. Purchase boxes specifically for moving computers, fragile items, clothing and more. Secure items inside the box with packing foam or bubble wrap. Write the item contents on the exterior of the box. This will cut down time for unpacking and settling in at your new location.

I recommend: Packaging material suppliers such as Pack Essentials sell unprinted newspaper for packing. Moving.com offers moving boxes and packaging materia

Tips & Tactics to Use Packing Supplies Like a Pro

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Security of items is important when using packing supplies. Shake boxes gently. If items move inside, they are not secure and use more foam or wrap.

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:

1. How complicated is it to ship your product and are special custom packaging materials necessary?
2. How much volume do you ship and how frequently do you send items to customers?
3. How much packing material is used for each shipment? Do your needs warrant buying packaging supplies in bulk?
4. How important is packaging and shipping to your company's productivity?

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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 pricing and costs of packing supplies are very important to companies with a high volume of product shipping and storage. Buying supplies to mail items to customers can cut into your profit. Therefore, it is essential to look for the best deals and carefully consider your packing supplies needs.

Your company saves money by carefully managing packaging materials. When thinking about the budget that you should create for packing supplies, consider the following:

1. How often do you use packing supplies to ship items?

2. What type of packing supplies do you use most often?

3. Can you go green and save on business packing supplies?

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Consider recycling packing supplies

Most companies receive packages with packing supplies nearly as often as they ship them. When you receive an item, keep the packing material. Create a storage area for good used boxes. Use large trash bags to store foam peanuts and other packing materials. Recycle these items when packing your products to ship to customers. You will be surprised at how quickly your packing inventory grows without purchasing any packing supplies.

I recommend: Learn how you are helping the environment by recycling packing supplies. Container Recycling gives updates, facts, and articles about recycling packing materials. Restaurant and bakery owners find safety information from USA Emergency Supply. The site gives details about recycling food packaging.

Determine if you can benefit from buying bulk shipping supplies

Most items are cheaper if you purchase them in large amounts. Determine what materials you use most and purchase as much material as you have room for storing. Save by purchasing larger rolls of tape and bigger bags of foam packing material.

I recommend: Buy bulk shipping cartons from Paper Mart. Shipping cartons are $3 cheaper each when purchased in bulk. KH Industrial sells a variety of bulk shipping supplies.

Buy packaging materials and do your own packing to save on business relocation costs

If you are relocating your business, you will pack and move inventory. Many businesses use a moving company to transport their store belongings from one location to another another. Many moving companies offer customers the option of hiring them to also do the packing. You can save money by buying your own packing materials from wholesale packing material suppliers and doing the packing yourself. Moving companies must add a cost percentage to their supplies to make a profit. Do as much work as possible yourself and use as many recycled moving packing supplies as possible.

I recommend: Get free shipping on all orders at Moving Day Boxes. They also offer moving kits. Moving kits average around $50 for one room and almost $500 for a 10-room supply. Box Your Stuff also sells moving kits. Buy office tote kits to help with your business relocation. Ask the packing material company about customizing your order.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The pricing and costs of packing supplies does not have to cut deep into your business budget. Check for companies that offer discount packing supplies. Remember much material packaging can be created from common items like newspaper.

Businesses of all types need to have packing supplies on hand. Both small and large companies can benefit from having packing supplies in stock for convenience of shipping. Whether your company ships fragile items to customers or you need to order supplies for your moving company, having the right packing supplies is essential. Knowing some basic packing supplies key terms will help you make smart purchases, as well as make your packing job easier.

Action Steps
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Packaging tape and tape dispensers

When wrapping up a box for shipping purposes, having packaging tape on hand is a must. Packaging tape is required to safely close boxes that will be shipped through the mail.

I recommend: PackEssentials offers packaging tape and tape dispensers to add to your company's packing supplies.

Boxes

Boxes come in many different sizes and styles. Moving companies will require stronger boxes to ensure that their clients' belongings remain safe, but offices and other businesses may only require boxes of medium or light-weight strength. Also, consider the size of the boxes required for your business needs.

I recommend: Moving Day Boxes gives detailed information about boxes, size and strength requirements and shipping requirements.

Strapping machines or strapping kits

Strapping machines or strapping kits are used by companies that ship products often. They utilize plastic or steel straps to keep boxes closed and keep the contents of the package safe.

I recommend: KH Industrial Sales offers strapping kits for light-weight and heavy-weight packages and information about automatic strapping machines.

Shipping labels

Shipping labels are necessary for moving companies and other businesses who package and ship products. They let the shipper know where the package is heading, what type of package is being shipped and if there are special handling instructions.

I recommend: Uline Shipping Supplies has a wide variety of shipping labels, and gives businesses a good idea of what shipping labels are available and necessary for their business shipping needs.

Bubble wrap

Bubble wrap is an essential packing supply for businesses that ship fragile or breakable goods. It cushions the item being packaged and minimizes the chance of damage during shipping.

I recommend: PackagingPrice.com gives a description of bubble wrap and offers a variety of bubble wrap in both industrial-sized and smaller-sized rolls.

Packing peanuts

Packing peanuts are another way to cushion products that businesses pack for shipping purposes. They keep products from moving around in boxes, and adds extra cushion to help avoid shipping damage.

I recommend: PackingPeanuts.com gives information about their packing peanuts and offers several different types of packing peanuts.