Cost cuts are an unavoidable adjustment in any business. Packaging is one of the first areas to cut back on because it does not jeopardize other more critical aspects, such as product manufacturing. However, because the package physically represents your company, it is critical to consider its quality. The goal is to save money and maximize the available budget, not cut costs to the point where the product arrives broken, and the printing looks cheap. Investing on print on demand companies can help you cut packaging costs without the expense of your company’s financial resources.
EFFECTIVE WAYS PRINT ON DEMAND FULFILLMENT CAN HELP YOU REDUCE PACKAGING COSTS
1. Analyze Your Current Packaging Prices and Costs
Make a list of your current packaging costs before diving into the balance sheet. When it comes to determining how to reduce packaging costs, you must first ask yourself a few questions.
• What materials do you utilize, and how much do you charge per piece?
• How much does it cost based on your typical bulk deliveries?
• Based on these production costs, how much profit do you expect to make?
• How long does it take you or your employees to seal the product inside?
Before you cut every price for the sake of cost-cutting, consider these factors as well as your long-term goals. After conducting a thorough assessment, you will be able to narrow down how to reduce packaging costs in your business and its processes.
2. Remove any unnecessary components from your packaging.
Take a look at an actual sample of your packaging components and that list of your packaging components. Take into account the cost of each component as well. To thoroughly consider how to reduce packaging material costs, ask yourself the following questions:
• Which components are critical to the product’s protection?
• What features are customers emphasizing in their unboxing posts?
• Which ones serve no functional or aesthetically pleasing purpose?
From there, you can look for low-cost alternatives to your packaging and determine which of the following could reduce costs while increasing profits. According to one survey, 72 percent of American consumers believe that the design of a product’s packaging influences their purchasing decision.
3. Reduce and narrow costs based on the needs of each product.
Shop for low-cost alternatives or options from your print on demand provider based on your assessment from the second tip.
• Will printing a smaller box that can hold multiple items be less expensive than transporting a large shipping box in each delivery?
• Is there a need for special printing sections on your package, such as foil or embossed text?
• Perhaps you could simplify it to a luxurious yet straightforward black and white minimalist design.
Three out of every ten businesses claim to have seen a significant increase in revenue as a result of packaging improvements.
4. Identify packaging innovations such as sustainable alternatives.
Your extra packaging costs are most likely taking up a lot of space in your dumpsite or the trash can of your customer. Check out sustainable alternatives such as corrugated cardboard made of recyclable materials or plant-based mailers that decompose in the environment to save money and the environment. Some eco-friendly options may be slightly more expensive, but remember that investments are preferable to cost cuts. With all of the benefits of eco-friendly packaging, you gain more in the long run. Begin with a smaller box, no void fill, and fewer packaging components, and you’ve already reduced your trash.
5. Reduce weight by using custom-sized packaging.
When there is a growing demand for packaging supplies, standard size packaging is often the most straightforward and quickest solution. It has the advantage of being immediately available and at a low cost. It may help as a starting point, but standard-size packaging is an unnecessary extra cost in the long run. You pay for storage and ship half-empty packaging that is heavier than it needs to be. All of that extra space means you’re paying for packaging materials you’re not using. If your product is not too fragile, your packaging should fit its shape. If it is, then you will need a slightly larger box to accommodate inserts or wood curling, both of which are environmentally friendly options.
REDUCE YOUR PACKAGING COSTS WITH FULFILLPLEX
Reduced packaging costs necessitate an in-depth examination and analysis of your materials and processes. However, it is a worthwhile investment of your time and money. Now that you’ve narrowed down all worthwhile investments and a cost-effective budget, check out Fulfillplex’s affordable print on demand products. Choosing a top eCommerce fulfillment company as your print on demand provider will help you design fully optimized packaging for your products while also benefiting from bulk pricing and personalized support to propel your project to the pinnacle of success. Contact us now.