4 things small businesses forget to order with their

You’ve found the right box to pack your product, great! The boxes arrive, but you’ve forgotten tape or you’ve got tape but nothing to protect your product inside the box.

At Macfarlane Packaging, we talk to small businesses every day, helping them choose packaging essentials. In this article, we’ll provide a whistlestop overview of 4 packaging products small businesses often forget to add to their boxes order.

So, what are common packaging essentials small businesses need? If you’re products need to go in a box, our experts recommend you also consider adding these to your next packaging order:

1. Packaging tape

This might seem like a no-brainer, but tape is a must if you’re using a standard cardboard box. The most common box styles (like these double wall boxes) have top and bottom flaps that need sealing. First, you seal the bottom of the box, pack it and then seal the top flaps.

There are lots of different kinds of tape to choose from. Popular options include:

• Clear parcel tape and brown parcel tape – cheap and cheerful, polypropylene tape, available in clear and brown is a popular option. It can often include recycled content and is available in a range of adhesives.
• PVC tape – often seen as a “premium” tape – PVC tape is known for its durability and tear resistance.
• Self-adhesive paper tape – if you want an all-paper packaging option, selecting paper tape is a good eco-friendly choice. Self-adhesive paper tape works just like traditional parcel tape, but it has a paper packing instead of a plastic one.
• Gummed paper tape (aka water activated paper tape) – also made with paper, this type of tape has an adhesive that needs to be wet to work. Once stuck to your box, it creates long-lasting, bonds. It can be easily recycled with the box.

When using any sort of tape, a dispenser can make packaging things easier for you, Handheld tape dispensers work with most tapes. For gummed paper tape, you need either a manual or electronic dispenser (like the BP555) that wets the tape before you use it.

2. Void Fill and Cushioning

What’s in your box can often be as important as the box itself!

Void fill is basically material that fills the empty space inside a box. This stops your product moving around and can absorb impacts that can happen during shipping. In turn, this protects your product, so it gets to the end user in one piece.

There are lots of different options to choose from for void fill and cushioning. What you select should consider how fragile your product is, how much it weighs and the journey it’s going to go on. For lightweight products, bubble wrap or lightweight air cushions might be the right choice. For more fragile items, shock absorbing paper padding might be more appropriate (get in touch if you need advice!).

Examples of cushioning and protective packaging include:

• Bubble wrap – the most common void fill material we see small businesses opt for. It’s cost effective and simple to use. If space is a challenge for you, inflate on demand alternatives might be a better choice.
• Foam rolls – shipping something with a shiny, scratch-prone surface? Soft foam rolls offer good surface protection, preventing high-shine finishes. [CM4] 
• Paper void fill – eco-friendly and recyclable, there are loads of paper void fill options on the market. For removal companies, newspaper offcuts are popular for packing, whereas industrial businesses might favour paper rolls or FillPak to prevent product movement.
• Airsac – a popular inflatable option, Airsac comes in pre-made pouches or on rolls. You inflate on demand using a hand pump or compressed air.

3. Labels or Document Wallets

So, your product is protected and wrapped in its box – what next? Labelling your parcel for shipping is key!

You can do this using self-adhesive labels or putting shipping documents into a documents enclosed wallet.

If you’re packing quite a few parcels every day, you might want to invest in a specialist label printer for your packing area.

Plus, if your product is fragile or has extra handling requirement, you might want to apply warning labels that have wording like “Fragile” or “Handle with care” printed on them.

4. Pallet Wrap

If you’re a small business that’s palletising your orders or working with a courier service, you might need to wrap consignments together.

Hand-applied pallet wrap is an easy way to bundle or secure orders. The stretch material provides easy load containment, keeping items together. Choose from clear pallet wrap or black pallet wrap, available in different widths and thicknesses. Heavier goods will need higher performance films.

You can wrap pallets by hand with or without a dispenser tool – check out our handy guide here.

FAQs about small business packaging orders

Our experts have answered some handy small business packaging FAQs to keep you on track.

What packaging supplies does a small business need alongside cardboard boxes?

As a minimum, you’ll need tape to seal your boxes and some kind of in-box protection, like bubble wrap or paper void fill.

Beyond that, many small businesses benefit from items like labels and document wallets. If you’re a small industrial business, pallet wrap is often a packaging essential, for secure load containment.

If you want a tailored recommendation for your business, you can always live chat with our friendly team today.

What type of packing tape is best for small businesses?

The best packing tape for your business depends on a few things, like your parcel size and weight, where you’re packing it and any business goals like sustainability or branding.

If you want a cheap and cheerful option, clear or brown parcel tape made from polypropylene, is usually the best choice. In contrast, if you want something recyclable, paper tape is a great solution.

For businesses that value brand. Custom printed tape is often a low-cost way to brand your packaging and can even be designed online.

Business that need really heavy-duty sealing, might also want to consider different adhesive types – which is the bit that makes the tape stick!

You can check our guide on how to choose the right tape here.

What is void fill and why does a small business need it?

Void fill is packaging material used to fill the empty space inside a cardboard box.

If you don’t use it, products may move during shipping. They can hit other products in the pack or be damaged by drops or shocks from handling. All of this increases the risk of your goods getting damaged.

Common options include bubble wrap, paper void fill, air pillows and foam wrap or inserts.  Fragile or high value items may need more substantial cushioning than everyday goods.

Is it worth ordering packaging supplies in bulk as a small business?

Yes, it often is.   Buying in bulk typically reduces the cost per unit, which helps manage packaging costs as you grow. That said, it’s worth balancing bulk buying with storage space. If you’re working from home or a small unit, overstocking can create its own problems. A good packaging supplier will be able to help you find the right order quantities for your business.

Summary

Boxes are just the starting point when it comes to packaging. Ensuring have you have all items you need to protect your products during shipping is key to keeping your customers happy – whether they’re other businesses or consumers. Plus, businesses that consider their entire packaging requirements and place all-in-one orders are often able to benefit from bulk discounts. If you’re not sure where to start, or if you want to make sure you’re not missing anything, the Macfarlane Packaging team is here to help. We work with businesses of all sizes. Speak to our friendly team today for advice building your packaging basket, and next time, make sure your order has everything you need!