Cardboard is King

There’s a reason our society sticks to certain things, items, concepts, and technologies when they succeed. Unless something happens to derail a proven concept or material, we tend to hold onto it as successful and find new applications for the product anywhere and everywhere we can. And that’s why there’s such a process in developing and inventing new things: because something else out there is currently the “best” at what it does. Creating something new entirely is a long and tedious process.

With that said, there are some things that stand the test of time extremely well, and they’re things we probably can’t imagine in any other form since they’re so omnipresent in our society. When we think of shipping supplies, for example, there’s nothing better or more prevalent than cardboard for shipping. Everyone knows that and most understand why.

But let’s take a deeper look at what makes cardboard such an amazing material.

They cost next to nothing.

In comparison to other shipping supplies alternatives, cardboard boxes are incredibly cheap to buy as a consumer and to make as a manufacturer. This is great for both parties and makes cardboard ever accessible to anyone who needs it. You’ll often find cardboard boxes being given away at stores if you ask a few employees if they’ve got extra in the back.

Eco-friendly.

This one is starting to weigh more and more on the minds of people around the globe as we see the effects of climate change worsen. While it’s true that cardboard is made of paper, which leads to some amounts of deforestation, it’s not nearly enough in comparison to other causes of deforestation. In addition, cardboard is great at decomposing and poses next to no risks to wildlife if it happens to not be recycled or trashed. At the very least, it’s not harming wildlife like plastic is.

Great for storage and being stored.

First off, you can use cardboard boxes for your own personal storage very easily. And if your cardboard isn’t being used, it’s easy to break it down and slide it in a closet without it taking up any space at all.

It’s sturdy.
Corrugated cardboard is quite strong for being made from paper. In fact, I’ve seen cardboard used to contain a restaurant grill top that was being shipped (don’t ask me why this was happening!). It was quite amazing to see it keep its shape despite a heavy metal object resting within it.

Excellent Tips For Shipping Merchandise Purchased Online

Shipping is involved in all online sales. The same attention you give to selling items, writing titles, and photographing, and cleaning items must be given to shipping. Sales can be killed with bad shipping, and your shipping will be evaluated with the other aspects of the transaction by your buyers. There are some clever hacks, that making shipping items easier.

Do Not Take These Shortcuts

Overstuffing flat rate mailers is a bad idea. If the item fits, use the mailer. Do not cram the item in the mailer, because it may burst open. Good judgement is necessary for flat rate mailers, and they are free. The padded versions work well for non-breakable items, small shoes, and clothing. Shipping fragile items by using padded mailers is not a good idea because they can break. Wrapping packages in brown paper is an old school method, and a bad idea with the automation, and machines involved in the way mail is processed today. The paper is easily ripped, or becomes mangled within the machines. This destroys the return, and shipping addresses. The shipping label must be affixed directly to the package to prevent it from becoming loose during the process of shipping. Beer, and alcohol boxes should not be used, since packages containing markings for alcohol, and alcohol itself are prohibited.

The Expense of Shipping Supplies

Packing peanuts, boxes, and bubble wrap are expensive, and has a negative effect on the environment. There are ways to achieve secure shipping, and save money on shipping supplies.

Pool Noodles as Packing

Pool noodles are long, made of Styrofoam, and kids often play with them in the pool. They provide cushioning, are light, work well around a frame’s edges, and can be wrapped around rounded objects. They need to be sliced lengthwise, the placed around the outer edges of needlework, framed artwork, and additional items with a frame. They can be cut up into pieces, and used for filler just like packing peanuts. They make a great material for packing.

Egg Cartons as Packing

Clean egg cartons provide good cushioning for items that are breakable. Use egg cartons to line the bottom of the box, place the items that are breakable in the center of the box, The use more egg cartons on the top, and the sides. This works as an inexpensive, and excellent cushion, and stops the items in the box from moving around. Ask your co-workers, neighbors, family, and friends to save their egg cartons for you, and they are free. If you become overstocked on egg cartons, you can sell those as well, and make money.

Trash Bags as Wrappings

Poly mailers do not have to be white. When big items such as wall hangings, and rugs are ordered online, black plastic is used for the wrappings a lot. The thicker black leaf bags work well for wrapping bigger items including bedding, rugs, and home décor provided it is not breakable. This method also works very well for soft goods. The bags must be taped securely, and the edges must be smooth. This will prevent them from becoming caught in the machines used for processing. Use the shipping workflow of the company to ship the items. This will allow automatic uploading of the tracking, so the customer can check their packages progress when it is in transit. The seller often receives a discount on shipping to save even more money.