Five ways to cut packaging costs without more breakages
Practical changes that save money on materials, postage and packing time.
Packaging is often one of the easiest costs to reduce, as long as you don’t swap savings on boxes for the cost of damaged goods and returns. These five changes usually make the biggest difference.
1. Right-size your boxes
Oversized boxes cost more, need more void fill and can move a parcel into a higher courier price band. Review your top-selling products and match each to the smallest box that protects it properly.
2. Standardise on fewer sizes
Ten well-chosen sizes bought in larger quantities are usually cheaper — and easier to pack with — than thirty sizes bought in small batches.
3. Choose the right cushioning
Heavy items need support, light fragile items need cushioning, and most goods just need to be stopped from moving. Using the right material for each avoids over-packing.
4. Speed up the packing bench
Crash-lock postal boxes, self-seal mailers and good tape dispensers save seconds on every order — which adds up to hours in a busy week.
5. Order ahead and in the right quantities
Last-minute orders often mean paying for faster delivery or buying whatever is in stock. Regular scheduled deliveries at pallet or multi-pack quantities usually cost less per unit.