E-commerce packaging refers to the materials used to protect and deliver products purchased online.
The importance of e-commerce packaging is reflected in the continuing growth of the online sector as a whole.
Protective packaging with features that emphasise brand identity and quality is now being required by more and more businesses, keen to engage in e-commerce.
E-commerce packaging materials include shipping boxes, protective inserts, mailers, and branding elements designed to protect products in transit and to create a positive unboxing experience for customers.
E-retailers need to choose packaging that fulfils the following purposes:
The primary function of e-commerce packaging is to protect items in transit.
The design of the packaging must ensure that, however long the journey and however many different couriers are involved, the customer receives the item in the same condition as if they had picked it off a retail display themselves.
E-commerce packaging also provides an opportunity for e-retailers to develop brand awareness and loyalty among customers who may never experience the ambience of a brand’s bricks-and-mortar store.
The packaging is often the first physical interaction between the customer and the brand, so it presents an opportunity to convey brand characteristics such as luxury or sustainability.
Items in transit will need to be handled, stored, and transported during their journey to the customer.
The e-commerce packaging material used must be robust enough to provide protection without being so heavy as to incur higher shipping charges.
The shape and dimensions of the package should allow for ease of handling. Packages will be stored and transported alongside many others; standard shapes and dimensions will make logistics more efficient and keep costs down.
We provide a range of e-commerce boxes and packaging materials, including the following:
These double or single-walled boxes are commonly used for e-commerce shipping. They are strong, light and available in three sizes.
Our mailing sacks are made of recycled plastic, available in ten sizes and are ideal for shipping soft items, including clothing. The sacks are secured with a tear-off strip, making them tamper-proof.
Our bubble envelopes are lightweight, strong, and lined with bubble wrap to protect fragile items such as electronics or jewellery.
The primary packaging may require additional components to stabilise the contents or provide greater protective cushioning.
Examples include;
Whenever possible, we use environmentally friendly void fill solutions to ensure the sustainability of your e-commerce packaging.
A typical e-commerce package would contain the following;
External packaging could be a corrugated shipping box of an appropriate size or a mailing sack, depending on the contents.
The internal packaging provides a protective cocoon and fills in any empty corners to stabilise the contents.
Commonly used materials are
Internal packaging often includes branding elements, including
New entrants to the e-commerce sector quickly realise that retail packaging, with its emphasis on shop-floor presentation, is not up to the challenges of shipping and courier handling, and that they must invest in packaging specifically designed for e-commerce.
It is difficult to avoid using a large quantity of material in e-commerce packaging, as it needs to be robust enough to be protective, but both customers and package providers are looking for more environmentally friendly ways to protect shipped goods.
The following are the most important ways for e-retailers to ensure the sustainability of e-commerce packaging.
We work hard to ensure all our products are as sustainable as possible, but our Pacplan Airwave range is a game-changer, featuring biodegradable and recyclable paper and plastic materials.
For example, the PacPlan Airwave Pillow Film has the same void-filling and cushioning capabilities as bubble wrap but is made of 100% recyclable and biodegradable polyethene.
You can read more about all our environmentally friendly options here.
Polyethylene-based products like bubble wrap have long been the packaging materials of choice, but paper products can offer similar protective capabilities.
Our best-selling shipping package is the corrugated cardboard box, and honeycomb paper rolls and shredded paper are excellent choices for cushioning and void filling.
Many customers complain about receiving small items in huge packages. Oversized packages are a waste of material and incur unnecessary shipping charges because of the space they occupy in transit.
Choosing appropriately sized packaging can save the sender money and help protect the planet.
There are several factors to consider before choosing e-commerce packaging for your products.
If you would like any advice about choosing appropriate packaging, you can contact our friendly team here.
We provide a comprehensive range of protective e-commerce packaging and shipping materials, with next-day delivery.
Browse our website to find the best packaging solutions for your e-commerce business.
E-commerce packaging is specially designed to protect shipped items from damage in transit and to ensure a satisfying unboxing experience for the customer.
A variety of materials is used, including
Environmentally friendly packaging made from recycled and biodegradable materials is increasingly popular.
Retail packaging is designed for display, while e-commerce packaging is designed to withstand the challenges of transit and to prioritise logistical efficiency.
Corrugated cardboard shipping boxes are the most widely used option. They are cost-effective, easy to transport, durable, and biodegradable.
We stock a huge range of 100+ different packaging materials. Explore them today…
