Tell Us About Custom Orders: Boxes, Polywrap And More
Ever struggled to find the perfect packaging for an unusual item? Wondered if you're paying too much in shipping costs because of oversized boxes? In this revealing conversation, ParcelPedia owner James Banks breaks down the world of custom packaging solutions that can transform your shipping strategy.
Custom packaging isn't just about protection—it's about presentation and profitability. James explains how packaging breaks down into two essential components: physical structure and appearance. We explore everything from standard six-sided boxes to specialized clamshell designs and unique configurations for items like baseball bats, golf clubs, and delicate jewelry. For e-commerce businesses, custom-branded packaging creates that crucial first impression when your package arrives at a customer's doorstep.
The episode takes a practical turn when James walks through the precise process of designing the perfect box for your products. His industry insights reveal why allowing two inches of padding space on each side is the golden rule for protecting fragile items. Perhaps most valuable is the discussion about dimensional weight charges—the hidden costs many businesses unknowingly pay when using oversized packaging. As James puts it, "You're basically paying for air."
Ready to optimize your shipping strategy? Whether you're a small business looking to elevate your brand with custom packaging or simply want to stop wasting money on oversized boxes, this episode delivers actionable advice from a shipping expert. Have questions? Contact the ParcelPedia team at 972-335-1450 or visit their store in Frisco, Texas. And don't forget to mention this podcast for 10% off select shipping services!
To learn more about ParcelPedia visit:
https://www.ParcelPedia.com
ParcelPedia
8992 Preston Road, Suite 110
Frisco, Texas
972- 335-1450
Episode Transcript
Welcome to the Parcelpedia podcast, the
ultimate guide to all thingsshipping and business services
in Frisco, texas, from US mailand FedEx to private mailboxes
and packing supplies.
We've got you covered.
Stay tuned for a specialdiscount code to save on your
next order.
And now delivering expert tipsand insider insights with a
(00:26):
smile, here's your host, jamesBanks.
Owner of Parcelpedia.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Ever wonder how Parcelpedia tailors packaging to
fit even the most unusual items.
On this episode, James breaksdown the art and science of
custom orders, from specialtyboxes to polywrap solutions that
protect your shipment like apro.
Welcome back everyone.
I'm Sophia Yvette, co-host andproducer.
(00:54):
Back in the studio today withowner of Parcelpedia, James
Banks.
James, how are you today?
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Hey Sophia, I'm doing well.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
I'm also doing well.
Thanks for asking, hopingyou're able to stay out of that
Texas heat we're experiencing.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Yeah, here and there, but I do experience it.
Like you said, once you stepoutside, it hits you pretty
quick.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Today, let's get into discussing custom packaging,
because no two shipments areever the same at Parcelpedia.
So, james, talk to us aboutcustom orders, boxes, poly wrap
and more.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Sure thing, sure thing.
So when you're looking ortalking about custom boxes or
custom orders for packaging, itkind of comes down to two things
.
So you have the actual physicalstructure so we're talking
about different size boxes,specialty boxes Then you have
the appearance, so the outercarton, whether it has a certain
color, certain logo branded onthere, and so we just want to
(01:53):
let you all know that we canhelp you with all those options.
So, to start out, talking aboutthe sizes and the actual
structure, when we talk aboutboxes, most people are used to
your normal six sided boxes, youknow, top closing boxes that
close at the top and they closeat the bottom.
Another box that some peoplemay be familiar with is called a
clamshell, the ones that kindof close like a piano lid and
then they slide into the slotsalmost like a pizza box.
(02:14):
And then you have some otherones that are a bit more, I
should say, complex as far asbuilding them up from a flat
base, but those, I would say,are more for custom, for
specific items long things likebaseball bats, golf clubs,
sometimes very small items likejewelry.
So we like to offer the fullrange of those things who we use
as far as partnering with ourboxes, they can make a custom
(02:36):
box.
So we give them the dimension,the exact dimension that they
need within a half inch, andthey will create those boxes for
us, as well as branding theboxes.
So, moving on to step two, theactual outer image of the carton
, you can pick your poly bagcolors.
You can pick your logo designprinted directly on the boxes.
You can pick the bubblematerial small bubble or large
(03:00):
bubble so it affords you a lotof different options, a lot of
different variety to wrap yourproduct.
So if you start a smallbusiness where you're in
commerce and you're shipping outthings, you want to have that
brand name.
It's easy.
You can have it on your boxesso that as soon as the customer
gets it, they can see yourbranding right then and there,
right off the bat, they open itup and then they see your
product as well.
So we'd like to let people knowthat we can offer all those
(03:23):
solutions.
When we're talking about polybags, those cover a vast
majority of shipments.
You probably see more and moreused, when you're getting your
Amazon deliveries at home, ofthe poly bags.
They're very versatile becausethey come in a lot of different
sizes I'm talking about as smallas holding the silver dollar,
to big enough to hold a textbook, or even larger sometimes.
So they're very versatile.
(03:44):
They're great because you canget a lot in at a small space
saving box, so to say, comparedto 20 boxes or a hundred boxes
in your warehouse.
Having one box full of bags ismuch better for space saving.
And again, they're veryversatile and they're making
them very tough now.
So I know people get concernedof their sturdiness.
They may rip in transit butthey're really sturdy now and
(04:05):
the materials they make them outof they hold up for sure, even
in international shipping,definitely.
You know we have all thoseoptions for you as a customer.
It's something that you can doas a one-off.
It's something you can do as acontinual basis.
We're always here to help.
So any kind of issue orquestion you come up with when
it comes to custom ordering,whether it's material or imagery
on the material, just let usknow.
(04:25):
We can give you a quote.
Let you know what it will beturnaround time and all those
details.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Now can you walk us through the process of designing
a custom box from scratch?
Speaker 3 (04:37):
Sure, yeah, I would say when I'm helping a customer
with designing a box, I meannormally the box is going to
come.
It's always about the material,like what it is that we're
packing up, and typically for asmall retailer they have one to
a handful of items, so not a tonof items that have specific
sizes and they need many boxesfor that.
So the main thing is measuringyour item that you're going to
be boxing and, of course,determining the fragility of the
(05:00):
item, so anything that has anyreally level of fragility either
.
If it's low to high, I wouldsay the industry standards give
it two inches on each side toallow for padding material.
So you measure your item, yougive yourself a two inch
allowance on each side and youhave your box dimensions.
Sometimes people realize, hey, alot of times I got to ship two
or three of these.
(05:20):
People aren't just buying one.
You measure those and you getthose boxes.
So some people will stack theirone quantity boxes, two
quantity boxes, so forth and soon for the different order sizes
.
So you have a box always readyto go and you're not trying to
cram things or sending multipleboxes to a customer when you
could have saved money and timeusing one.
So really it's all aboutmeasurements.
Knowing what you're shipping ishuge.
(05:42):
If you don't know what you'regoing to be shipping, it's going
to be real hard to get aperfect box for what you're
sending out.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
I would completely understand that Final question
for you today, james are therecost-effective options for small
businesses that need custompackaging regularly?
Speaker 3 (05:58):
That would make you the perfect customer.
If it's something that you needregularly, something that you
know you're going to be usingall the time.
Getting a custom box is reallygoing to save you money in the
long run, because when you arenot using the right size box I
know we spoke about this inepisodes past if you're using a
box that's too large for whatyou're shipping, a lot of times
you're going to be hit withdimensional weight charges, so
you're going to be spending more.
You're basically paying for air.
(06:18):
So once you have an item thatyou know you're going to be
sending very regularly and it'sjust hard for you to find that
box that fits it perfectly, cometo us, let us know what you
need.
We'll send off that quote thatyou know what the turnaround
time is and that way you have astock of the exact box that you
need.
You know you're getting thebest rate of shipping because
you're not wasting space and youhave them on hand.
(06:39):
I mean that's going to save youmoney every time.
Speaker 2 (06:43):
Most definitely.
And, james, did you have anyfinal words of wisdom for us
today when it comes to customboxes?
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Other than knowing what you need to ship.
I mean, that's kind of astarter point.
But other than that, if youhave questions, if you have
anything, if you're not sure, ifyou don't even know if it's
possible, just give us a call.
It's 972-335-1450.
You can always go to thewebsite, leave us a message
there or email us atcontactatparcelpediacom, or just
come by the store right here inPreston and Main.
Speaker 2 (07:22):
Come walk by, say hello and we're happy to help
you with any of your needs and,at the very least, give you a
quote and give you an idea ofwhat you're looking at.
Wow, james, thank you so muchfor unpacking all of that for us
today, literally andfiguratively Always a pleasure,
and we'll catch you in the nextepisode.
Speaker 3 (07:30):
Thanks, sophia, take care.
Speaker 1 (07:35):
Thanks for joining us on the Parcelpedia Podcast.
Don't forget mention podcast atour store.
To snag 10% off select shippingservices, Stop by at 8992
Preston Road, Suite 110, Frisco,Texas, or give us a ring at
972-335-1450.
(07:55):
We're here to make yourshipping a breeze.
Until next time, keep shippingand smiling.
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