Stock packaging made sense when you were just starting out. But at some point, “good enough” starts costing you. With stock solutions, businesses often experience damaged shipments, wasted filler, increased shipping costs, and more. If your team is constantly working around your packaging instead of with it, that’s a sign you need custom packaging solutions. Below, we’ve outlined four things you should look out for when using stock packaging. If you’re dealing with these issues, it might be time to make a change.
Product Damage is Becoming Normal
Are customers complaining about damaged goods? Are your return costs increasing? If so, it could be a packaging issue. Most often, the problem is inadequate material strength, poor cushioning, or incorrect sizing.
A quality packaging solution should fit snugly around your product, reducing the risk of damage during shipment. It also reduces reliance on extra dunnage, padding, and other fillers that increase overall costs. Additionally, your packaging provider should consider different wall formats and flute sizes to determine the best level of strength.
Your manufacturer should do tests on your packaging before sending it out for real-world use. At Jamestown, we run our custom packaging solutions through ISTA testing. This method tests the integrity of packaging throughout the design process. The benefits often include streamlined packaging development timelines, minimized shipping and handling damage and associated costs, increased customer satisfaction from protected products arriving intact, and more.
Shipping and Freight Costs Keep Climbing
Using oversized stock packaging leads to less room on pallets, which affects profit margins. One of our customers, Great Lakes Coffee Roasters, saw this firsthand. The company’s previous packaging partner couldn’t deliver custom packaging on time. This forced Great Lakes Coffee Roasters to use larger boxes at almost double the cost. Fewer boxes could fit on the pallet, exacerbating the problem and creating a ripple effect throughout the entire distribution process. Brent Garner, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the company, noted that this issue resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in additional expenses.
Using a custom solution can help you avoid these issues. You’ll have more room for products on your pallets, which can consolidate shipping and freight costs.
Want to learn more strategies for lowering shipping costs? Read our in-depth blog here.
Sustainability Goals Are Hard to Reach
Today’s consumers are increasingly concerned with sustainability. A recent Forbes article notes, “Companies that prioritize sustainability in their operations, such as using recycled materials, reducing carbon emissions, or supporting social causes, are gaining popularity among consumers.”
With stock packaging supplies, reaching sustainability goals can be difficult. Often, you’re not able to get the most eco-friendly materials. You’ll also likely use more material and void filler per package. A custom packaging solution is tailored to your product, which reduces material waste. Also, some manufacturers like Jamestown Container get the best recycled linerboard for their manufacturing processes. This enhances the sustainability of your packaging.
Your Product or Business Has Changed
Changes in your product or business often signify a need for custom packaging. New product sizes, weights, or configurations can dramatically impact your packaging needs. Additionally, increased order volumes or new distribution channels often require optimized packaging solutions.
Work With Jamestown for Your Custom Packaging Solutions
If you’re ready to move to custom packaging solutions, we’re here to help. Since 1956, Jamestown Container has been helping businesses get the right packaging solutions for their needs. We’d be delighted to help you, too.
Our experienced team provides the insight you need to get high-quality solutions. Whether you need boxes, POP displays, or another packaging necessity, we’ve got you covered. And our support doesn’t stop there. We also offer contract packaging services to help you with everything from assembling displays and packing products to coordinating freight. Additionally, our eVMI program automatically replenishes your packaging so you don’t have to worry about inventory.
At Jamestown, we’re committed to sustainability and excellence in everything we do. We have professional affiliations that allow us to serve customers across the globe. We also maintain industry certifications — like the ISO 9001 accreditation — to ensure quality. Our team adheres to rigid sustainability practices to minimize the environmental impact of our packaging solutions.
Ready to get started? Reach out to our team today.