How much effort do you put into your mailing boxes and accessories? If you think mailing boxes are for just one reason—packing up products for delivery—then it’s about time you changed your attitude towards them.
Far from being a humble box, the mailer can reap many benefits for your business if you simply put some time and effort into customizing the box’s shape, size, and design. And if you’re not putting in the extra effort, chances are your competitors are. With over 22 billion packages shipped each year, as a small business, you need to use all the tools and tricks available to you, and mailer boxes are one strategy you need to get on board to help you elevate your business in multiple ways.
While there isn’t a wealth of data on the current usage of custom mailer boxes among small businesses, the industry is poised for significant growth. With a projected CAGR of 3% over the next decade, the demand for this product is on the rise. This promising trend indicates that more and more businesses are recognizing the benefits of shipping products in custom mailer boxes, offering a bright future for this packaging solution.
What Are Custom Mailer Boxes?
Mailer boxes are corrugated cardboard boxes that don’t require additional packaging. The boxes themselves provide substantial protection to their contents, and each box can be perfectly customized for the business by adding different colors, logos, branding, etc.
The boxes can be designed to a range of dimensions, meaning that there’s an option for most size packages, allowing you to choose one or more sizes that work for your business.
How To Design Custom Mailer Boxes
There are many tips for creating the perfect custom-designed mailer boxes. While there are no hard and fast rules, the following tips can help you create the perfect design.
- Work with the shape of the box—Pay attention to the shape of the box to help you create a balanced layout. Square or rectangle boxes can help you optimize space, while curved or rounded boxes might be a better way to use the entire surface so the design doesn’t become distorted. Always pay attention to the shape of the box, especially if you require multiple different shapes, as it might not translate well on different shapes.
- What do you want? – Think about what you want the box to say about your company. Do you have anything specific you want to promote? A theme that is woven through your branding? Do you want to use your box to send a message or share important details? Know exactly what you want to include in your box so you can allocate each element to different parts of the box to help you create a cohesive design.
- Target audience—What exactly does your audience want to see on the box, and what would appeal to them? This isn’t as easy to figure out if you have customers spanning different demographics or sections of society. Instead, focus on the majority of your base and your intended target to help you ensure the design appeals to them and is something they will appreciate receiving.
- Test the design—it can be a good idea to replicate the design digitally on the same dimensions as the box before deciding on the final choice. Most online mailer box companies that allow custom design will have tools you can use to mock up your box on the website, but playing around with some ideas before you do this can help you visualize what won’t work and make the design process on the website easier and faster.
- Don’t overcomplicate it—it can be tempting to add a lot to the box, but the last thing you want to do is make it too cluttered and confusing.
So now we know more about custom mailer boxes, what are the benefits for your deliveries and business? Let’s break it down.
Cost Effective
Initially, custom mailer boxes cost more to design and create than palin boxes or mailing bags. However, mailer boxes can be sent as is, meaning they need no other external packaging, thus reducing the need to buy additional mailing supplies aside from packing inserts if required/wanted. The fewer materials needed to construct the box—all you need is the cardboard—the less they cost to both purchase and ship.
Plus in recent years, the market has become more competitive meaning that suppliers are able to offer more competitive pricing for small businesses looking to purchase Online Custom Mailer Boxes.
Durable
Custom mailer boxes are not only cost-effective but also extremely durable. Made from corrugated cardboard, they can withstand the rigors of packing, shipping, and eventual delivery, ensuring your items arrive in perfect condition. This durability provides a sense of security, knowing that your products are well-protected during transit.
Their compact shape and size make them easily stackable, so if you’re storing large quantities on your premises or in a store room, stacking the boxes means you can maximize storage space, have them stored vertically, and not take up too much room depending on your order quantities, which also help to limit the damage.
Easily Customizable
Of course, custom mailer boxes are easily customizable—that’s another main selling point. But you can add pretty much any color or design to your boxes to help you bring your boxes to life and make your packaging easily recognizable as from your company.
Online suppliers will have tools on their websites to allow you to play around with different designs to help you create the perfect custom design boxes. You can use the interior of the box to add text, such as instructions or directions for using the products. You can include a thank you note or personalize it to include more information about your company. This way you don’t have to settle on any design until you see it mocked up as the final product so you can ensure it’s exactly what you need.
Versatile
Custom mailer boxes are incredibly versatile. They can be designed in various shapes and sizes, making them suitable for a wide range of products. This versatility is particularly beneficial for companies with diverse product lines, as it provides a single packaging solution that can accommodate all their shipping needs. Additionally, these boxes are available in both brown kraft paper and white, offering further adaptability to suit your specific requirements. This versatility reassures you that you have a packaging solution for all your products.
Eco Friendly
Custom mailers are made from recyclable products, and even when you have a customized theme, they are still a more eco-friendly option, especially if you’re using a supplier that uses recycled products to do the packing. They can also continue to be recycled from the customer’s end. Whether you’re an eco brand or want to improve your eco credentials as a business, your mailer boxes can help you reduce your carbon footprint, reduce excessive waste, and appeal to the large sections of consumers who prefer to purchase from more eco-conscious brands.
Excellent Marketing Tools
Your custom boxes can be excellent marketing tools, giving you a two-for-one investment. If you need to maximize your budget, having a dual-purpose product can be an absolute game changer. By designing the perfect box for your company, you can not only advertise who you are and what you do as it marks its way through the shipping process, but you’re giving the customer the perfect opportunity to create some UGC (Uder-Generated Content) for you once they receive their order.
The more appealing the packaging, the more likely people will be to share purchases or even create unboxing videos for social media for their close friends and family or for a wider audience. Everyone knows that people are more likely to take reviews from genuine customers more seriously than other types of marketing, so ensuring you ship out packages that scream “unbox me” means you will get more for your money.
Secure
Mailer boxes are designed to be secure. They protect the contents perfectly and stay sealed thanks to the flaps that prevent people’s orders from falling out of the boxes. Once the boxes are put together and sealed, they create secure and sturdy protection around the products inside, offering added protection and security from the moment they’re packed to when the customer opens them. The more secure the contents are, the less damage will occur during shipping, meaning you can also save money on refunds and returns due to in-transit damage.
Conclusion
Custom mailer boxes can be a valuable tool for all businesses, and they are incredibly flexible. Their ability to be uniquely customized to your brand and their sturdiness for a multitude of products can provide many benefits in the shipping process for all businesses. Perfecting your design to enhance your brand’s custom mailer boxes can offer you the perfect packing solution as well as another highly effective marketing tool to promote your business and boost the benefits of this smart business decision.