When you need to send something, whether a gift to a family member or a product to a customer, there are a surprising number of considerations that are made about packing and shipping—many we don’t even realize we are making but that could affect the security of the items being shipped. Factors such as the weight and size of the item and the packaging materials required to ship it securely are primary considerations that should be well thought out prior to dropping your package off at The Postal Mail.
Consult With A Packing Expert
Before sealing your shipment, consult with a packing expert to ensure your items are securely packaged and to see if better accommodations can be made by someone with training. Sometimes too much bubble wrap or the wrong type of packing material is used. This can not only affect the security of the item but also the size and weight of the final shipment, which can also affect the price of shipping.
Using Original Packaging
Many products are purchased in bulk and distributed to local vendors via pallets. Being shipped this way may be secure for the item, but on its own, it may not be able to withstand the shipping process or demands of transport. Don’t assume that because an item you purchased is in a rectangular box that it is secure enough to be shipped in its original packaging.
Adequate—and Accurate Cushioning
There are more ways to cushion the inside of a package beyond bubble wrap or paper stuffing. Foam compartments, cardboard separators, and box-in-a-box packing materials paired with bracing and suspension packing methods can be used to better support fragile items.
Avoid Empty Box Space
This is called “shipping air” and a good example to visualize this is the shipping of a gift basket, the kind with a handle. This would require a long rectangular box to fit the handle and likely a lot of filler material while the opposite end of the box would fit securely around the base of the basket. This creates an uneven weight distribution (and possibly oversized package fees) but also wasted space. Maximize empty space by shipping more than one thing in the box or choose items better suited for shipping, like a basket without a handle.
Proceed With Caution When Reusing Packaging
Reusing boxes you received for prior deliveries can help reduce waste, but be sure to inspect the package before using it again. Avoid reusing boxes that are damaged from prior shipments and be sure to securely re-tape them.
Label Your Shipment Clearly and Accurately
Shipping postage labels with the delivery address should go on one of the largest surfaces of the package. If your package should remain in a particular direction, placing the shipping label at the “top” is recommended as is additional labeling of “this side up” on other surfaces of the package to ensure it remains in the proper position in transit. Also clearly label any packages that contain fragile items, packages that shouldn’t be bent, or are excessively heavy. Be aware that your package may be handled by mechanical transport at any point in transit and when this happens, the package is placed on its largest surface for processing regardless of label instructions—so, be sure to consider this when packing up your shipment.
Packing Is An Art Form
When you think about all the fine points that are considered (or should be) when packages are shipped, packing items for shipment is quite the art form. The goal of proper packing is to minimize risk to your shipment, and when you are unsure if your packing skills can meet this goal, the pros at The Postal Mail are more than happy to step in and provide their assistance.
How to prepare your packages for all shipping conditions.
There is more to securely packing items than putting them in a box or being cautious and wrapping things in bubble wrap before shipping them out. Our packing experts are trained in special packing techniques like suspension packing and utilizing block and bracing to prevent dangerous movement inside your package that can cause cracking, chipping, crushing, or breaking.
To ensure the safe delivery of your package and to keep the items secure in their packaging, there are a few variables to consider when packing your items that your package may encounter. You can also follow this tips, too.
Vibration
Your package may encounter vibration in transit (e.g., vehicle or airplane) or on a conveyer belt to be sorted for delivery. Vibrations can cause items in a package to move, or parts of the item you are shipping to move—like a screw loosening, lid unscrewing, or edges rubbing against the packaging. To help protect your items from damage from vibrations, be sure to wrap all items prior to shipping. Material to absorb vibrations may help prevent the movement of your items.
Compression
Packages are stacked and set next to each other during transit, causing your package to experience pressure from the sides or top. While the vehicle is moving or taking a turn, this pressure may intensify. The packaging used for your shipment should be strong enough to withstand this standard amount of compression of the package. Adding protective material can be used to provide an additional layer of buffering between the exterior pressure and the item being shipped.
Temperature
There are many ways temperature can play a part in affecting your package. The seasonal weather along the package’s route and the mode of transport used to deliver the package can vary. Extreme temperatures can affect packing material and even the content of the package.
- Be aware of not only the temperature of the destination but also the areas the package is likely to pass through to make it there and pack accordingly.
- To protect from extreme heat or cold, you may need to use special packing materials. If you are unsure, speak with one of our packing experts.
Humidity
Temperature is always a concern but don’t forget about humidity when your package will be arriving or traveling through an area known for its humid weather. Humidity is the moisture in the air—moisture that can be absorbed by cardboard packaging or that could result in condensation collecting in or around the package during environmental changes during transit.
Air Pressure
Not all packages travel by vehicle or train—planes may also be used to transport packages across the nation or around the globe. Depending on what you are shipping, the changes in air pressure while on a plane may affect your items—or your packing material. For example, air pillow film could potentially pop while at high elevation.
Dropping
While The Postal Mail will handle your packages with utmost care and the shipping companies we partner with also act in kind, there is a possibility your package is dropped by accident—whether by a mail carrier, loading crew or package handler, or even your recipient. To prevent damage from occurring, here are tips to prevent dropping:
- Label packages with warnings such as “HEAVY” to let those who handle your package know they may need to use lift assistance tools or to partner with another person to move your package.
- Adequality wrap and cushion the items in your package to absorb the shock of being dropped from a low height.
Entrust Your Packing To The Pros
Eliminate your worries about properly packaging your shipment and leave the concerns and preparations to the experts at The Postal Mail. Our team will secure your items in the appropriate packaging material, so the package remains safe and secure while in transit to its destination. With our team in charge of the packing—we back our expertise with a Shipping Guarantee. Which means should your package be lost or severely damaged during transit, we’ll reimburse you the value of the item, shipping fees, and the cost of packing materials. Limits and exclusions do apply, please see our Pack & Ship Guarantee page for full details and exclusions.
What Is Direct Marketing?
Direct marketing is a marketing strategy that entails the distribution of information on a service, product, or business directly to the customer without an intermediary. Direct marketing methods use call-to-actions (CTAs), or wording that encourages recipients to take a specific action. Common call-to-actions include:
- Call for more information on the advertised product or service.
- Shop for products or services online or in-store.
- To purchase the advertised product or service online or in-store (a more enticing CTA may offer special pricing).
- To visit the business website for new products or shop seasonal offerings in-store.
- To attend a grand opening at a new store location.
- Attend a special event coming up.
Direct marketing methods include direct mail, newsletters, billboards, catalog distribution, and emails.
Why Is Direct Marketing Important?
Direct marketing is a valuable marketing tool that enables a business to communicate directly and quickly with current and potential customers. Direct marketing enables businesses to filter their target audience to those most likely to do business with them, such as a specific age group who commonly employs the services of similar businesses and can enable the business to cast a wider net to broaden their target audience and attract a new customer base.
The efficiency of direct marketing is also measurable, providing businesses with data about the effectiveness of their promotion.
The Postal Mail Can Help With Direct Marketing!
The Postal Mail offers all-sized businesses the opportunity to select between door-to-door direct mail marketing and targeted direct mail marketing. Both marketing options include:
- Design Consultation of Postcards, Flyers, or Other Print Products
- Address Standardization to Ensure Accurate Mailing
- Graphic Design and Full-Color Printing of Selected Product
- Postage and Mailing to Targeted Coverage Area
Door-To-Door Direct Mail Marketing Vs Subscriber Direct Mail Marketing
Door-to-door direct mail marketing is a broad-reaching marketing effort in which a neighborhood, zip code, or city is the target of your professionally designed postcards, flyers, or other print products without any narrowing filtering of the addresses—you choose where and what to send and we’ll deliver to every address within that area.
This option is a popular choice to let residents in a specific area know about an upcoming event, new location, or grand opening.
Subscriber direct mail marketing is similar; however, the addresses of those receiving the printed material are specific to customers who have previously purchased from you or subscribed to your mailing list. This option is great for marketing efforts meant to encourage previous customers to shop again, offer promotional pricing to existing customers, or let your customer base know about new products or services.
Contact The Postal Mail To Start A Direct Mail Marketing Campaign
Stop by our location and speak with one of our print specialists about initiating a direct mail marketing campaign in an area around your business. Generate new leads or strengthen existing bonds through full-color postcards, flyers, or other printed material. Our specialists are available during business hours—including weekends!