When you run a small business you get good at sniffing out unnecessary expenses. 

It’s one of the keys to protecting your margins. Each dollar cut from the expense column is a dollar you can invest in growing your company.

But a lot of small business owners find that investing in custom packaging actually improves their bottom line in two ways. Not only do custom boxes eliminate costs across packing, shipping, and returns, but they’re a uniquely powerful marketing tool to lock in repeat customers.

We’ve worked with dozens of small businesses to design and produce their ideal custom packaging. Here are the key strategies to grow profits with custom boxes.

Avoid the “Oversized Box Tax” with 2 Key Strategies

Lots of small business owners are paying a lot more for packaging than they think.

Because boxes that aren’t fitted to your products have a lot of hidden costs. We call it the “oversized box tax,” since most small businesses err on the side of too-big boxes rather than too-small ones.

But if you’re strategic about two key decisions, you can reduce not just your packaging expenses, but also shipping and returns. 

Here’s how to save money with custom boxes:

Right-Size Your Packaging for Savings at Every Step

As soon as you buy generic boxes you lock yourself into a lot of other expenses.

You need enough filler to protect your products. You need space to store all the boxes and packing supplies. And every time you send out an order, you’re paying more to ship all that extra space and filler material.

By right-sizing your boxes you can save money at each one of those steps.

You won’t need as much filler. Your packing supplies will take up less space. And you’ll save money on every shipment you send out.

We can help you figure out the perfect right-sizing strategy for your business, but here are a couple ways it can look:

If you only offer a few products, you might want a box tailored for each one. 

Or if you have a wide selection, you can choose a packaging system with the simplest set of box sizes that meets your needs while avoiding the oversized box tax.

If you’re not sure what strategy is best for you, get in touch and our in-house design team will help.

Get Tailored Protection to Slash Breakage and Returns

Returns are a profit-killer for a small business. Especially if the item being returned is damaged and unsellable.

If your business includes fragile products you probably know this all too well.

So when you cut down on breakage, damage, and returns, you see it in your bottom line right away. Which is why lots of small business owners are choosing boxes with padding and protection that’s tailored for their products.

From corrugated die cut inserts to egg crate foam lining.

Whether you’re trying to protect delicate ceramics or just make sure your brand new products don’t show up scuffed, we’ll help you dial in the best, cost-effective solution.

Earn Repeat Customers with these 2 Custom Box Design Decisions

Repeat customers are the lifeblood of small business.

But if a lot of your business is done via phone, email, and shipping it can be hard to build those relationships. Which is what makes custom packaging so valuable.

Your boxes are one of the few things your customers actually see and hold from you. It’s a real-life chance to show them who you are and what makes you and your products unique and valuable.

Here are the two things to design for to build those profitable, repeat relationships:

Build a Brand Relationship to Increase Perceived Value

Marketing professor Scott Galloway says, “Brand is synonymous with differentiation.” 

In other words, people stick with the brands they recognize.

Your packaging is likely one of the few things your customers will ever hold in their hands from you. Which is why it’s a vital brand building opportunity, but one that lots of small businesses miss. Ask yourself:

• What do you want customers to feel?
• What do you want customers to learn?
• What do you want customers to do?

Then design for those outcomes.

When customers receive your product in a thoughtfully designed box, they actually see the product itself as more valuable. Which keeps them coming back to you instead of your competitors.

Focus on the Customer’s Experience for Easy Delight

People are used to receiving utilitarian boxes. So even small, thoughtful touches like a fun image or a friendly message can inspire delight. 

And a delighted customer is one who will come back.

Our design team can help with ideas. But one great way to field test your customer experience is to invite someone from outside your company to open one of your packages and talk you through what they’re noticing as they do.

Odds are you’ll come up with a few options for delight right away.

Upgrade Your Packaging—and Your Bottom Line

When you send your products in custom boxes, you make a statement about your business.

Not only are you done paying the “oversized box tax.” But you believe in your brand and you’re ready to build the lasting customer relationships that will sustain you for the long run.

Pacific Box Company has cutting edge digital presses that are tailored to small business needs. And our in-house design team means you don't have to hire an expensive packaging design firm to get up and going.

Get in touch today and we’ll show you what a cost-effective custom packaging plan looks like for your business.

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