What is E commerce Packaging? Types, Styles, Printing Methods

E-commerce has transformed the market from a simple tool into a lasting business model. It combines services and products, all elegantly packaged to attract customers. Various types of box packaging are utilized in the e-commerce industry, with corrugated shipping boxes and mailer boxes being the most preferred. They often feature different styles and finishing techniques. To create the best packaging for e-commerce, it’s essential to understand customer needs and follow industry standards. In this article, we’ll discuss how to achieve this, including the key standards for testing e-commerce packaging and all the necessary steps in the process of developing a new box for e-commerce.

This type of packaging is designed to be protective and secure, using travel-friendly materials and boxes to safeguard products from damage during transit. It also includes bubble wrap, packaging inserts, envelopes, boxes, tapes, and labels.

What is role of Packaging in E-Commerce

The primary purposes of packaging in ecommerce is to protect products, enhance brand impressions, increase brand recognition, control transportation costs, and create a memorable unboxing experience for customers. Success comes when customers receive their products in perfect condition and leave positive reviews; that’s what turns a business into a brand!

How to Make Perfect E-Commerce Packaging for Products

Packaging is just as crucial as the product itself in making a strong first impression. To achieve the perfect e-commerce packaging strategy, there are a few key things to consider. We’ll guide you through the necessary steps to get it right.

• Use Additional Finishing Methods
• Determine the Needs of Products
• Create Die Lines and Box Prototype
• Go For Innovative Designing E-commerce Packaging Ideas
• Compose Your Budget for Cost-Effective Packaging
• Prefer Volume Selling
• Choose Cost-effective Printing Methods

Determine the Needs of Products

The first and most essential step is determining what type of e-commerce packaging will suit your product. You can also enhance your packaging with our design box ideas. To create effective packaging, it’s crucial to understand the product’s unique needs and how it will be shipped. You need to ensure the following factors:

• Quality of Packaging
• Design of the Product
• Box Dimensions
• Product Material

Design of the Product

Every item sold on the market has its unique shape and style. Understanding these factors is an essential factor to underline while making the boxes. Almost 10-60% of products are packaged, so understanding the product styles is significant.

Box Dimensions

Dimension in packaging is defined as the measurements of the box including length, width, and height. Estimating the proper dimensions of the box according to your product is necessary to ensure your items are protected from potential damage.

Product Material 

Again, the factor to count is choosing the boxes according to the product’s material. Add foam or bubble sheets for more safety if the item is delicate. In e-commerce packaging, corrugated and cartons (solid boards) are used.

Quantity of Packaging 

Count the products in numbers, select respective e-commerce boxes and add inserts accordingly. 

In this process, innovations are endless, as is product design. So, the floor is vast and clear enough to create unique packaging boxes. 

Create Die Lines and Box Prototype

It is best to have the box design before proceeding with further processes. Die Line gives you box templates using different software, like Adobe Illustrator, In-Design, etc. It will also give you a prototype picture of the box before you start manufacturing. 

Benefits of Die Lines

• You will get precise sizes and measurements. 
• Errors will be excluded and corrected before initiating any physical processing.
• It will save you much time, as you do not need to design every box. You can reuse the file and save it for the future.
• The design price will be excluded, and you will get economical e-commerce packaging.

Go For Innovative Designing E-commerce Packaging Ideas

Grab the boxing and packaging ideas as much as you can. According to a survey, almost 72% of People are influenced by product packaging. So, design and create multiple layouts for even a single product and pick the best one that will exceptionally fit the item and provide the highest level of protection. Moreover, always use reasonable and eco-friendly materials to keep the environment clean and trash-free. 

Here are some elements that can shift your boring brown boxes to a wonderful WOW Box:

Print Brand Labels and Logos

Try to use labels and brand logos on e-commerce packaging boxes to help customers quickly identify the company. Additionally, the printed designs and logos help enhance the box’s outer look, not leaving an uninteresting sight at first sight by receivers. It is a meager process but much more productive for brand identification.

Use Colorful Tapes

Leave using unwanted and old-fashioned brown tape. Various vivid and colourful custom tapes in the market will work as an add-on to make your e-business packaging attractive and catchy.

Brand’s Color Schemes

Following the company’s colors will get more satisfactory customer results. Imprinting logos, labels, and other shipment information in the brand’s recommended colors will give you a high brand identity. Also, it will grab customers’ attention and loyalty, and such gestures will satisfy them as they buy from an authorized industry.

Compose Your Budget for Cost-Effective Packaging

E-commerce packaging is a big platform that includes ordinary and luxurious products. The budget established depends on the requirements and demands of the product’s value. You can not pack a premiere product in an ordinary box; you must wrap it in sufficient layers to protect it. When considering packaging costs, there are two types of costs:

Visible Costs: This includes the price of the packaging itself and design costs.

Hidden Costs: These are less apparent and include expenses related to breakage, fillers, additional inserts, return policy labels, and extra travel time.
To manage packaging costs effectively, it’s important to account for all these factors. For secure shipment and successful e-commerce packaging, consider drafting a contract with the buyer to outline and manage these costs. The figured budget must include costs for:

• Return Policy
• Shipping Boxes
• Original price of the product 
• Inserts
• Packaging Supplies
• Packaging Fillers
• Shipment Time
• Profit Margin
• Anticipated Sales

Prefer Volume Selling

Printed products are more budget-friendly and of higher quality than customized ones. If you sell products on a one-to-one policy, they will fetch you much higher than a bulk shipment in the e-commerce market. Therefore, to avoid such unreasonable expenses, we must set a budget, get more money with more production, and use digital printing for more flexible product manufacturing. 

Choose Cost-effective Printing Methods

Avoid expensive and time-consuming printing methods. To save both money and time, choose cost-effective printing solutions. With technological advancements, several innovative printing processes are now available for packaging, including:

• Lithography Printing
• Flexographic Printing
• Digital Printing

Lithography Printing

The most used, low-price, sustainable, and recommended method is lithography printing in e-commerce packaging. 

“Lithography printing is a printmaking process in which a design is imprinted from a prepared metal plate to the sheet surface using ink and chemicals.”

It is the most commonly used, cost-effective, sustainable, and recommended method for e-commerce packaging. You can use a single design for multiple boxes without additional customization. The metal plates are sturdy and durable, so you won’t need to change them frequently. However, if you decide to change the design, you’ll need to create a new plate, which will add to your printing costs.

Flexographic Printing

Flexography is an economical, long-lasting, flexible, and fast turnaround method. 

“Flexography is a printmaking process that uses flexible plastic or silicon plates to impose designs on a sheet, creating take–out image prints.”

The tool prices of flexo machines are affordable and low, so you can customize them in short intervals and get new designs. The printing time is speedy as it mainly uses water- and oil-based inks that cost less. For large-scale design, it can be the best way to get multiple designs for e-commerce packaging boxes. Compared to Litho, the quality could be a lot higher, but it is an inexpensive method, so do not bother with such invisible things. Get your designs with beautiful designs at a very high seed.

Digital Printing

Digital printing is the latest technique for imprinting designs on e-commerce packaging.

“Digital Printing is a printmaking technique using digital-based images – the highest quality image-focused imprints.”

This method is usually used for small businesses. It is the best option for you if you are running a business but at a trim level. You do not need to check the plates, prepare ink, or use chemical solutions; just add an image from your computer or laptop, order the machine, and get your prints in seconds. 

Use Additional Finishing Methods

Adding extra coating layers and finishing touches can make your packages more sturdy, allowing them to bear the weight of products better. These enhancements can also add a premium feel to your packaging, making it more eye-catching at a lower cost. Here are some types of coating and finishing strategies you can adopt:

Coating Methodologies

There are several types of coatings that can be used for custom packaging, particularly in e-commerce. The most preferred coatings include lamination, UV, aqueous, and varnish. Finishing techniques include foil stamping, embossing, and debossing.

Lamination

You should go with a matte or glossy lamination or whatever suits your packaging. 

Matte looks elegant and sophisticated, while glossy creates a shiny and vibrant look with more protection from dust and moisture.

UV Coating

UV coating is the application of a UV protective layer using spot application and flood application. 

Spot coating applies the chemical in thick layers to the selective part to extrude the visuals with more impact. At the same time, flood refers to the entire package application and uses less UV chemical. 

Both techniques give a glossy look, vivid visuals, and rub/scratch-free results.

AQ Coating

It is the process of layering water-based coatings on packaging boxes, leaving faint gloss finishes. 

This technique is fast drying, eco-friendly, and environment-friendly. 

Varnish in Printing

Varnish coating adds a glossy, protective layer that increases durability and appearance, providing a smooth, vibrant finish. It comes in several types: Gloss, Matte, Satin, Flood, and Spot. While eco-friendly and cost-effective, it is generally less durable compared to other methods.

This method is eco-friendly, reasonable in price, and stands the least on the list of protection perspectives.

Foil-Stamping Finishing

It is a high-quality process that leaves a standard mark of a specific foil on the boxes, mainly applied to rigid ones. It’s vital to attract customers’ attention and make your e-commerce packaging stand out. 

Embossing and Debossing Finish

If you want to make your boxes look stunning, then go for embossing (creates a raised surface) and debossing (creates a depth area)

What is ISTA Testing for E-commerce Packaging?

“ISTA stands for Internationl Safe Transit Association – a non-profit organization that encounters protective packaging conditions to secure products from any damage-causing factor (compression, shocks, moisture, atmospheric hazards, and vibrations) during air or land shipments.”

These tests are done in e-commerce laboratories, such as Amcor’s, a renowned company that addresses all the facts and figures of packaging boxes associated with ISTA and APASS. Vendors and sellers must pass the tests for secure and reliable shipment with frustration-free packaging.

Benefits of ISTA Test in Packaging

These are the following benefits of ISTA in ecommerce packaging:

• It guarantees the survival of packages in environmental hazards.
• Trial shipments reduce any risk of damage in transportation.
• Lower cargo prices give sellers more profits. 
• It makes sure that the packages will reach their destination on time.
• Advanced verifications and certifications make the parcel cross the checking points more quickly.

What is Apass in E-Commerce Packaging?

APASS is Amazon’s Packaging Support and Supplier Network, which provides Frustration-fee to e-commerce packaging companies to help them check packaging designs, supply, and packaging tests. Also, it guides them with standard instructions and 3 Tiers of Certification:

• Tier 1 (Frustration Free Packaging)
• Tier 2 (Ships-In-Own-Container)
• Tier 3 (Pre-Free Packaging).
  

What is E-commerce Packaging on Amazon?

Amazon was one of the first in the industry to utilize e-commerce packaging, investing in “Frustration-Free Packaging.” This approach is designed to deliver products in the best possible boxes, reducing costs and enhancing the overall packaging experience for customers.

What is E-Commerce Frustration-Free Packaging?

E-commerce frustration-free packaging is designed with recyclable material to make the delivery easy and smoother to keep the seller and customer less worried about product safety. These packages are low in waste and have an economical driving fee. The advantages are sure:

• Low shipping price
• The least environmental impacts
• Improve customer experience
• Fast shipping procedures
• Stress-free delivery

Platforms Using E-commerce Packaging

Several well-known platforms use e-commerce packaging to ship their products. They have designed their policies to gain customer trust and add value to their products. Here are some of the most popular platforms that use e-commerce packaging:

• Shopify
• Amazon
• WooCommerce
• Wix
• BigCommerce
• Adobe Commerce

Difference between Retail Packaging and E-Commerce Packaging

Retail packaging is created for products that end up on store shelves, while e-commerce packaging is designed to ship products directly to consumers. The main difference between the two lies in their purpose and printing techniques. Retail packaging typically uses offset and flexographic printing to advertise the product inside, making it visually appealing for in-store display. On the other hand, e-commerce packaging primarily focuses on protecting the product during transport, often utilizing digital printing methods.

What are Retail Boxes and Shipping Boxes?

The main difference between the two types of boxes is that retail boxes are designed for presentation and branding purposes. These boxes feature attractive branding, designs, and features that catch the eye and draw the attention of customers. On the other hand, shipping boxes are designed to protect the product inside. They are perfect for shipping products worldwide, ensuring that the items inside are well-protected during transit.

Packaging Material Types used in E commerce

Packaging material in the ecommerce industry depends on the type of products and the styles or shape of the package. Corrugated and mailers are the two most common types of packages for e-commerce products. So, let’s get a detailed knowledge about them with us:

What are Corrugated ecommerce Boxes and their Material

Corrugated cardboard boxes are commonly used in e-commerce packaging due to their lightweight nature and ease of shipping. Two materials are typically used for e-commerce corrugated Packaging: Kraft paper and paper pulp. Paper pulp, primarily made from timber, can also be created using recycled woodchips. While making corrugated, paper pulp and Kraft paper are combined. The paper pulp is processed into a fluted layer, which is then sandwiched between two layers of Kraft paper. This combination creates the corrugated structure that provides the box with strength and durability.

Role of Kraft paper in corrugated shipping packaging

• Kraft paper covers layers 
• Made up of 70-80% virgin fibre pulp.
• Brown papers are natural and directly used for printing.
• White-bleached papers produce vivid and high-quality printing results.
• Natural white accepts coloring and all types of printing, which is effective for digital printing.
• These are more in price than testing papers
• Smoother in texture and water-resistant 

What is the Role of Flute in Corrugated Packaging?

“A flute is a component of corrugate boxes that line up to provide insulation and compression-resistant property for more protection and storage.”

There are flutes between the inner and outer liners with single, double, and triple walls to maintain the required thickness of the boxes per product requirements.

Types of Flutes in Corrugated

Types of Walls in Corrugated packaging

There are multiple walls in corrugated packaging:

Folding Cartons for Ecommerce Packaging

Folding cartons are sturdy, customizable, and recyclable paperboard packaging. These boxes are highly compatible with everything from food to beverages, cosmetics to pharmaceuticals, and clothing. 

Material Used in Cartons

Main raw materials used for making Folding Cartons are SUS, SBS, CRB, TMP, URB:

1- Solid Unbleached Sulfate (SUS)

• The most preferred material for folding boxes is unbleached kraft paperboard.
• With 80% virgin-unbleached wood pulp
• Pulp is coated with a thin layer of kaolin clay and titanium dioxide
• Tear resistant, stiff, and strong enough to hold heavy-weight Packaging: Electronics, hardware, food, beverages, detergents, dry fruits, soap, etc.
• It can be treated with a moisture barrier.

2- Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS)

• Referred to as Bleached Kraft
• The most expensive paperboard substrate
• Bleached virgin wood pulp with clay-coating
• It can be treated with a moisture barrier
• Applicable in high-end packaging 
• Packaging: health products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, frozen foods, beauty items, etc.
• Coating and printing processes are applicable.

3- Coated Recycled Board (CRB)

• Also known as clay-coated news back (CCNB)
• Highly recyclable and dominant material
• Made up of newsprint, recycled old corrugated material, and other papers
• 100% recycled
• Eight or more layers of bleached or semi-bleached fibres
• Low-cost folding cartons
• Multipurpose packaging: Cereals, pet foods, laundry detergent, etc.
• With printing and coating qualities

4- Thermal Mechanical Pulp Board (TMP)

• Also known as Folding Box Board (FBB)
• A type of paperboard with a middle layer of mechanical pulp
• The middle layer is sandwiched between chemical pulp layers
• The upper layer is bleached and color-coated
• The lower layer is cream in color
• It is ideal for newsprint because of its high opacity and long fibres

5- Uncoated Recycled Board (URB)

• With 100% recycled fibers 
• Stiff and rigid with folding qualities
• A multipurpose paperboard with no coatings
• Meagre cost of packaging material

3- Mailer Boxes

A type of paperboard packaging that stores and protects small items. These boxes are available in different styles, sizes, and shapes to manage a range of products. Interlocking flaps and wings lock the box; you do not need adhesive tape. Moreover, the double side walls are potent to hold the item firmly, making the shipment durable and more protective. Commodities like jewelry, art supplies, clothes, books, wallets, mobile accessories, perfumes, and other small items can be packed without extra padding.

Categories of Mailers Packaging in Ecommerce

There are three main categories of E-commerce Mailer packaging which includes Bags, Envelops, Padded mailers, as they are described below in the table:

E-commerce Packaging Inserts/Infills

Safety, protection, and secured delivery are the basic features of using e-commerce packaging boxes. Sometimes, products require extra layers of protection. Therefore, sellers use packaging inserts or infills to fulfil the safety requirements—only depending on the product category. Fragmentary items like glass products, cosmetic items, etc., need shackle-free packages to avoid breakage. These infills are not obvious or necessary to use or put in the box, so you can choose according to the product you want.

Types of E-commerce Packaging Infills

Following are the famous types of these packaging boxes:

Kraft Paper

• The most versatile and economical inserts
• Available in different sizes and thickness
• Light-weight with low cost – add no weight to shipment cost
• Recyclable and environment-friendly material

Bubble Wraps

• The best material for highly delicate products
• Light-weight and low-cost inserts
• For glassware, art supplies, and fragile items
• Non-recyclable and challenging to store

Crumbled Paper

• The most basic infill type
• For custom packing
• A highly recyclable material 
• Costly material for long-term use

Shredded Cardboard

• Inexpensive and eco-friendly material
• Pieces of cardboard sheets
• May add weight depending on quantity and thickness

Green Wrap

• Beautiful and recyclable material
• A blend of die-cut kraft paper and tissue paper
• It comes in a honeycomb pattern

Styrofoams

• Hard and sturdy material
• Similar to cardboard family
• Usually used for televisions and oversized items
• Holds weight firmly
• Non-biodegradable material a

Pulp

• Made up of newspaper or secondary paper mash
• For wine storage, appliances, kitchen stuff
• Expensive to purchase
• Adds weight to packaging
• Biodegradable material 

Air Pillows

• Small plastic air-filled bubbles
• Superlight and gives very high protection
• Easy to store and not environment-friendly
• Cost-effective and with low return cost

Package Peanut Inserts

• The Least appealing material
• Difficult to recycle and Non-biodegradable
• Offer high product protection
• Cost-effective but challenging to manage 

What are Popular E-commerce Packaging Styles?

Consumers prefer several box styles for various e-commerce shipping needs. These boxes come in different sizes and types to fit your products perfectly. Whether for fragile items or heavy-weight goods, they offer reliable protection. Popular e-commerce packaging styles include the Regular Slotted Container, Full Overlap Container, One Panel Folder, and Complete Telescopic Design.

Regular Slotted Container (RSC)

• The most common packaging box
• Standard shipment box
• Flaps with the same length, width, and height
• Two flaps meet in the middle when the box
• Need tapping to bind it

Full Overlap Container (FOL)

• The outside flaps completely overlap each other
• Make a double-layered (two bottom layers, two top layers) box
• With high holding strength
• Need taping to bind
• For heavy and unstable items

One Panel Folder (OPF)

• Folds up in a box form when placed
• Sleek boxes 
• One-piece box – made of one-panel
• No need to assemble – Self-locking
• The product is laced in the middle of the box
• Flaps are folded over the top
• For books, albums, and other flat objects

Complete Telescopic Design (FTD)

• A tube box with two tray covers
• Encapsulate the products in-between top and bottom
• For bulky machinery and large items 
• A fully-formed box
  

Important Tips for Sustainable E-commerce Packaging

Sustainable e-commerce packaging aims to reduce environmental impact by using innovative materials. It focuses on minimizing excess packaging and opting for biodegradable or compostable materials. The key strategies focus on improving primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging, especially enhancing primary packaging for direct shipping. These practices not only boost brand reputation and customer loyalty but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

What is E commerce Packaging (Summarized):

It is crystal clear that E-Commerce Packaging has become an essential and integral part of online shopping. People have become more indulgent in online products in the last decade, so brands have become more conscious of their packaging styles and sustainability. We, Ibex Packaging, offer a versatile range of e-commerce packaging boxes at economical prices and with more protection for our customers. Also, our designing and shipment processes are FREE.

FAQs

How can I order customized e-commerce packaging boxes?

We, Ibex Packaging, offer a great range of Commerce packaging boxes, including Corrugated , Mailer boxes, Folding Cartons, Sustainable Boxes, Eco-friendly packaging boxes, etc. From more minor to larger scales, we provide free shipping and accessible design.

What Printing Styles do we offer?

We offer our customers all three types of printing: lithography, Flexography, and Digital Printing. From 100 units to unlimited, we offer every printing variation with multiple design options.  

What packaging is best for my product?

Packaging provides protection and enhances the product’s look. The boxing directly depends on the items’ styles, shape, size, fragility, and weight. In our Style Catalog, we offer a direct hand in choosing your desirable packaging style so that we can customize it according to the dimensional aspect of your product.

Visit our Style Catalog.

What is the best packaging for e-commerce?

Corrugated Packaging is the best packaging for e-commerce, as it provides high-level protection, sustainable strength to hold weight, and is made with recyclable material. Also, corrugated or shipping boxes come in different sizes, shapes, thicknesses, and printing processes that can easily be applied to such boxes.