At the beginning, a stock box featuring a logo sticker will work. Ecommerce is a brand touchpoint every day as order volume increases; a cost line and a source of damage claims; and custom mailer packaging can help a brand take care of all three at once. Empress Packaging is a company that produces retail brands custom mailer packaging & shipping boxes for online businesses throughout the United States of America.
Use the inside of the lid.
By a carrier, the outside of a mailer is seen. The inside is the space that the customer will see, so it’s the better place to invest ink. It can house a QR code for a reorder page, a pattern, or a welcome line and care instructions. It doesn’t really cost the retail company to print it on the inside, and it becomes a second advertisement that no one will have to click.
Build a size family
Typically, 3 sizes based on your actual product sizes will suffice for a catalog, and they help to minimize void fill. Resize the art and maintain the scale and position of the palette and logo, a small box and larger luxury packaging boxes should both read as a set of branded boxes. Fewer sizes also equals fewer SKUs to forecast and keep in stock.
Make returns easy
Retail involves returns, and a mailer that can’t be resealed introduces friction. Inquire about a second strip of glue or a recloseable closure. The clear return step on the inside lid helps too, as customers who know the process make fewer calls for support.
Use the box to design the insert.
A die-cut insert secures fragile items, and a fold-over flap can contain a card or flyer to prevent it from getting lost. It is advisable to plan the insert prior to the shipping boxes being on paper, as an added insert will alter the size of the interior and the quote.
Reproduce your retail boxes.
If that brand is also sold in stores, make a mailer to coincide with the retail boxes, and when the customer sees one, they’ll see the same one at home. A black mailer with a foil logo may contain the branded box’s feel, but it will not be as robust as a full rigid box. Test the finish first; dark colours will reveal scuffs from carrier handling.
Leave space for the label.
Allow a 4 x 6 inch space for a shipping label on the outside and avoid having artwork near folds and seams. A sticker on top of a logo is an unprofessional look. Request a dieline to view where the folds are and the label zone, prior to approving artwork.
Solution 1
Most orders initially are one size and print. As the volume goes up, there’s a second and third size, a seasonal sleeve, and a printed insert that justifies setting up. Digital printing is good for low-volume variants; an offset or flexo is good for steady volume. Review the mix each year.
FAQs
Q: How many sizes does a growing brand need to start?
A: Begin by using the one or two sizes that are filling the majority of orders and then fill in a third size, if there is a void in the data.
Q: What about full-color print on a mailer?
A: This varies from brand to brand. One-color print on kraft is less expensive, and full color works with photography. The lowest-cost place for color is inside-lid print.
Q: Is there a way to modify the box without the need to change the inside print?
A: Yes, with the next print run. Make plan revisions in response to reorders.
Q: What should I send for a quote?
A: Provide product dimensions, weight, and monthly volume. A tangible demonstration exists prior to mass production.
Get a free quote on custom mailers.
Craft custom mailer packaging for your catalog by sending your product size, weight, and monthly volume, and Empress Packaging will quote a price. Get a no-cost quote on empresspackaging.com, send an email to query@empresspackaging.com, or call (888) 900-7629.
