Small businesses are always under operating on—or, in other words, they are always working to minimize their operating expenses. The problem of translating operational strategies into goals that are affordable and still deliver value is critical to sustaining the competitiveness of the enterprise. Another place that we provide some guidance to small businesses on how to reduce cost but not compromise on the quality is in packaging materials. The right shipping bag can go a long way in reducing costs, safeguarding contents during transit and establishing the company image. In this guide though, we will discuss some of the best shipping bags that any small business can afford and other advantages that small businesses can get in the use of shipping bags.
Here is why deciding that the shipping bag is right for you and your products matters.
Shipping bags are not simply products that are used to transport other shipments and items. They affect multiple aspects of your business:
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Cost Efficiency: Small bags result in affordable delivery fees.
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Product Protection: As clearly seen appropriate bags ensure minimum damage and also reduce the number of returns.
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Brand Presentation: Starting from the packaging viewpoint, it is important as it makes the customers happy.
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Eco-Friendly Practices: There are two disadvantages of sustainable options: Specific sustainable options can be compatible with customer preferences.
Selecting the proper shipping bags can be cost-effective or even create a better image for your brand.
1. Poly Mailers: Budget-Friendly and Versatile
Poly mailers can be useful to small businesses because they are affordable, sturdy yet lightweight. These mailers are made of polyethylene so they are water proof and tear proof thus securing your products for delivery.
Features:
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Lightweight, which will assist in bringing down the cost of shipping.
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Easy to seal the pack and use the adhesive strips given in punitive in the same packaging.
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Sold in different sizes and may be ordered in different designs.
Best Uses:
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Clothing and apparel.
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Books and documents.
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Clothing and all other non-perishable and non-breakable items, Christmas tree ornaments, for example.
Budget Tips:
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If buying in large quantities decreases the total cost, then per unit prices will prove lower.
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Prefer simpler mails if you don’t really need to have your logo embroidered on.
Recommended Products:
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Betckey’s Poly Mailers: It is also cheap and can be obtained in various sizes.
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iMailer’s Poly Mailers: Clean and business like models available for the small businesses.
2. Bubble Mailers: Cheap Insurance for Delicate Articles
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Bubble mailers themselves are filled with bubble wrap to give more protection to the merchandise making it suitable for shipping of delicate goods. Compared to poly mailers, they may be a bit more costly, but their shield-like features can help save money in the form of ‘ Returns’ and Damages’.
Features:
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Rigidity to hold in fragile products safely and comfortably.
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Compact and, depending on its material, most laptop bags are waterproof or at least water-resistant.
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Some features which include tear resistance and tamper proof are also incorporated to this design.
Best Uses:
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Jewelry and accessories.
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Small electronics.
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Creams for cosmetics and skin treatment.
Budget Tips:
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Bubble mailers should be used sparingly if at all as they are known to add extra protection to certain products.
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Order in bulk to lower costs.
3. Kraft Paper Mailers: Eco-Friendly and Affordable
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Kraft paper mailers are perfect for companies in their bid to embrace eco-friendly solutions. Constructed from easily recyclable materials, these mailers are both lightweight and durable and almost as cheap as conventional plastic bags.
Features:
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Biodegradable and recyclable.
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Durable and lightweight.
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Suitable to be branded to customer own branding using stamps or stickers.
Best Uses:
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Documents and stationery.
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Apparel and small gifts.
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That refers to homemade products or products which are individually made by artisans.
Budget Tips:
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Kraft mailers can be used in packaging products that do not need water evident resistance such as books.
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Use environmentally friendly language in your marketing to appeal to those customers who are conscious of the environment.
4. Plastic Ziplock Bags: Economical Inner Packaging
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Ziplock bags are not ideal on their own when it comes to shipment but they are fairly cheap for inner packaging. They assist to categorize as well as safeguard small products within a big post office bag or carton.
Features:
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Resealable closure design to avoid further interference.
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A clear plastic cover in order to have good visibility on the products contained inside.
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Lightweight and reusable.
Best Uses:
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Small items, bolts or trinkets.
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Jewelry or beads.
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Some of the prohibited items include food samples, or any other item that may spoil easily.
Budget Tips:
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Buy in large quantities from the wholesalers in order to reduce the costs of acquiring them.
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Do not make use of additional fillers often that is why you should use ziplock bags in your design.
5. Reusable Shipping Bags: Long-Term Savings
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Subscription boxes and merchandise sellers are perfect examples of reusable shipping bags as they are cheaper to use when it comes to shipping valuable goods. While the initial cost may be considerably higher, if customers use the bags to contain their merchandise, they can use these reusable cans as marketing instruments.
Features:
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Hardwearing and built to be used for more than one session.
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Launched in beautiful and personalised styles.
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It is Environmentally friendly and reduces wastage.
Best Uses:
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Subscription boxes.
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Premium or luxury products.
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Eco-conscious product lines.
Budget Tips:
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It is to be used for high-margin products in order to recoup the cost.
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Brand the SCs so as to optimise on the advertising space.
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The Best/worst Ways for Saving Money on Shipping Bags
1. Buy in Bulk
Evidently, there is also the consideration that when one buys many shipping bags, one can be able to make the cost per unit lower. In managing expenses, most suppliers are willing to give quantity discounts which can lead to lower costs throughout a given period.
2. Choose Lightweight Options
Carriage companies usually use weight tariffs when it comes to carriage charges. To reduce these costs, customers should avoid conveyancing through large bags such as plastic or paper bags, and instead, use poly mailers or kraft paper mailers.
3. The particulars of custom branding should be used strategically.
Primary custom-branded bags can be more costly than the standard ones, but then, it is a marketing lever. Brand to acquire more benefit for significant products or significant customers to achieve superior ROI.
4. Use Eco-Friendly Options
This has the advantage of helping to attract the environmentally conscious customer, who will be willing to part with extra bucks to get your product-packaging. It is also important, so use this as a selling point in your marketing.
Recommended Products
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For affordable and high-quality shipping bags, check out these options:
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Betckey’s Poly Mailers: Suitable for use by small business since it is relatively cheap.
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iMailer’s Poly Mailers: Ideal for building a corporate image while maintaining a cheap solution.
FAQs
1. What is the most cost-effective shipping bag for small businesses?
Poly mailers are typically the most cost-effective option. They are lightweight, durable, and suitable for a variety of non-fragile items.
2. Can I use branded shipping bags on a budget?
Yes, many suppliers offer affordable custom options. Consider ordering in bulk or starting with minimal branding to keep costs low.
3. Are there eco-friendly shipping bags available for small businesses?
Absolutely. Kraft paper mailers and biodegradable poly mailers are excellent eco-friendly options that are budget-friendly and appeal to environmentally conscious customers.
Selecting the right shipping bag can make a significant difference for small businesses. By considering your product type, budget, and branding needs, you can find affordable solutions that meet both your operational and marketing goals.
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