7 Types of Packaging Every eCommerce Should Consider

7 Different Types of Packaging Every Ecommerce Business Owner Should Consider

It’s no secret that the types of product packaging of a product play an integral role in its perceived value. In other words, packaging has the power to influence and sway consumer habits. 

While packaging has an influential purpose, it also serves a functional purpose. It’s there to keep your products safe during the transportation, display, and purchase process, as well as during shipping. 

If you’re an eCommerce business that’s currently weighing its packaging options, here the some of the best types of packaging that fulfill both purposes. 

The Best Types of Packaging For Order Fulfillment 

While the packaging industry hasn’t evolved drastically over the years, portable packaging options have grown in leaps and bounds to cater to the popularity of online order fulfillment

As an eCommerce business, it’s important to know that the best packaging supplier takes functionality, security, and aesthetics into account. So when you’re looking for a supplier, don’t settle for anything less. 

Here are some of the most popular packaging materials to consider: 

1. Paperboard Packaging 

This is a great packaging option because this type of paper-based material is both lightweight and strong. It’s also cut-to-shape to suit custom-sized products. 

Paperboard boxes are popular in personalized packaging because of its versatile, sturdy, and elegant nature. You can find paperboard in a number of different grades, while each grade is suitable for different products and shipping requirements. 

For example, solid bleached sulfate (SBS) is best-used for packaging medicines, cosmetics, frozen foods, and more. With the right combination of design and branding, paperboard packaging can make your products look as sleek and high-end as you want them to be. 

Related: Packaging is as Important as Your Product: Tips for Doing It Right

2. Plastic Boxes

While plastic is not the most eco-friendly packaging option, it’s still widely used within the industry. Over the years, plastic has replaced other materials such as wood, glass, ceramics, and leather. This is because plastic has many advantages for shipping purposes. First of all, plastic boxes are durable. They can withstand great ranges in temperature, they are airtight, and do not bend or shatter easily. 

Another benefit is that plastic packaging showcases your product without having to open the packaging. It’s also lightweight, and flexible. You can enhance the appearance of your product with coating, films, and branding to create additional consumer appeal.

Plastic is also a very cost-effective packaging option, while most plastic packaging products are actually recyclable. This means it takes less energy to produce new plastic when compared to some other materials. 

3. Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are comprised of cardboard. Usually, these types of boxes ship larger items such as appliances, furniture, and so on. Corrugated boxes are not as simple as cardboard boxes, though. They are far more durable and strong because of their corrugated fluting. 

Corrugated boxes consist of three layers of material: an outside liner, an inside liner, and the corrugated medium, also known as fluting. The fluting gives the box additional rigidity and shape. 

Made from recycled paper, corrugated boxes are also a more eco-friendly option. This type of packaging can be used and reused over and over again. Corrugated boxing is also used within the retail, food delivery, and small consumer goods industries. 

4. Chipboard Packaging

This versatile form of packaging is used within the food, beverage, electronic, cosmetic, and medical industries. Chipboard comprises reclaimed paper stock, including paperboard products. It’s a great packaging option because it can be cut, folded, and formed to whatever shape and size you need. 

Chipboard is one of the most cost-effective forms of packaging on the market. Even though you can find chipboard packaging in a variety of different densities, you can treat it to make it even more robust. Chipboard is often coated with bleach sulfate or with clay-coated news back to make it even more durable. This also allows you to print directly onto the packaging. 

Bear in mind that the chipboard is not suited to the packaging of very heavy items as it’s such a lightweight material. It also does not take well to moisture — it will weaken, discolor, and expand. 

5. Rigid Boxes

Rigid boxes are best-suited to shipping more high-end products because of their luxurious appearance. Used by brands such as Apple, Tiffany & Co, and Rolex, rigid boxes are sturdy, durable, and reliable. They are comprised of very densely packed paperboard layers — four times as thick as a regular folding carton. 

Rigid boxes are also branded, imprinted, and printed on for the look and feel of a premium product.

6. Polybags

A polybag is also known as a pouch bag and consists of thin, flexible, plastic. This type of packaging is most commonly used for food items, waste, chemicals, flowers, magazines, etc. 

Polybags are super simple to manufacture. This means you can tailor them to suit any style, size, and design of the packaging. Polybags can also be recycled, depending on their construction. You can also customize your polybag with its own unique features such as tape attachments, carrying handles, or hanging holes. 

7. Foil-sealed Bags

This is a form of packaging designed to keep products safe and airtight. This is why you’ll find foil-sealed bags in most items of food packaging. Essentially, the purpose is to keep the food items fresh, maintain their flavor, and protect against bacteria. 

Aside from food items, foil-sealed bags can also be used to protect clothing and bedding during the shipping process. 

Take Your Ecommerce Business to the Next Level 

With so many different types of packaging on the market today, how do you decide? Ultimately, it comes down to what’s best for your products and your budget. It’s important to find a packaging supplier who understands your needs. 

To learn more about how to boost your eCommerce business, explore the rest of this site! You’ll find a plethora of articles on sales, marketing, business management, technology, and more.