ParcelPedia Podcast

Wrap It Up: Why Your Shipment Deserves Better Than a Generic Box

• James Banks • Episode 40

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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

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Parcelpedia podcast, the ultimate guide to all things shipping and business services in Frisco, texas, from US mail and FedEx to private mailboxes and packing supplies. We've got you covered. Stay tuned for a special discount code to save on your next order. And now delivering expert tips and insider insights with a smile, here's your host, james Banks. Owner of Parcelpedia.

Speaker 2:

Ever wonder how Parcelpedia tailors packaging to fit even the most unusual items. On this episode, James breaks down the art and science of custom orders, from specialty boxes to polywrap solutions that protect your shipment like a pro. Welcome back everyone. I'm Sophia Yvette, co-host and producer. Back in the studio today with owner of Parcelpedia, James Banks. James, how are you today?

Speaker 3:

Hey Sophia, I'm doing well. How are you?

Speaker 2:

I'm also doing well. Thanks for asking, hoping you're able to stay out of that Texas heat we're experiencing.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, here and there, but I do experience it. Like you said, once you step outside, it hits you pretty quick.

Speaker 2:

Today, let's get into discussing custom packaging, because no two shipments are ever the same at Parcelpedia. So, james, talk to us about custom orders, boxes, poly wrap and more.

Speaker 3:

Sure thing, sure thing. So when you're looking or talking about custom boxes or custom orders for packaging, it kind of comes down to two things. So you have the actual physical structure so we're talking about different size boxes, specialty boxes Then you have the appearance, so the outer carton, whether it has a certain color, certain logo branded on there, and so we just want to let you all know that we can help you with all those options. So, to start out, talking about the sizes and the actual structure, when we talk about boxes, most people are used to your normal six sided boxes, you know, top closing boxes that close at the top and they close at the bottom. Another box that some people may be familiar with is called a clamshell, the ones that kind of close like a piano lid and then they slide into the slots almost like a pizza box. And then you have some other ones that are a bit more, I should say, complex as far as building them up from a flat base, but those, I would say, are more for custom, for specific items long things like baseball bats, golf clubs, sometimes very small items like jewelry. So we like to offer the full range of those things who we use as far as partnering with our boxes, they can make a custom box. So we give them the dimension, the exact dimension that they need within a half inch, and they will create those boxes for us, as well as branding the boxes. So, moving on to step two, the actual outer image of the carton, you can pick your poly bag colors. You can pick your logo design printed directly on the boxes. You can pick the bubble material small bubble or large bubble so it affords you a lot of different options, a lot of different variety to wrap your product. So if you start a small business where you're in commerce and you're shipping out things, you want to have that brand name. It's easy. You can have it on your boxes so that as soon as the customer gets it, they can see your branding right then and there, right off the bat, they open it up and then they see your product as well. So we'd like to let people know that we can offer all those solutions.

Speaker 3:

When we're talking about poly bags, those cover a vast majority of shipments. You probably see more and more used, when you're getting your Amazon deliveries at home, of the poly bags. They're very versatile because they come in a lot of different sizes I'm talking about as small as holding the silver dollar, to big enough to hold a textbook, or even larger sometimes. So they're very versatile. They're great because you can get a lot in at a small space saving box, so to say, compared to 20 boxes or a hundred boxes in your warehouse. Having one box full of bags is much better for space saving. And again, they're very versatile and they're making them very tough now.

Speaker 3:

So I know people get concerned of their sturdiness. They may rip in transit but they're really sturdy now and the materials they make them out of they hold up for sure, even in international shipping, definitely. You know we have all those options for you as a customer. It's something that you can do as a one-off. It's something you can do as a continual basis. We're always here to help. So any kind of issue or question you come up with when it comes to custom ordering, whether it's material or imagery on the material, just let us know. We can give you a quote. Let you know what it will be turnaround time and all those details.

Speaker 2:

Now can you walk us through the process of designing a custom box from scratch?

Speaker 3:

Sure, yeah, I would say when I'm helping a customer with designing a box, I mean normally the box is going to come. It's always about the material, like what it is that we're packing up, and typically for a small retailer they have one to a handful of items, so not a ton of items that have specific sizes and they need many boxes for that. So the main thing is measuring your item that you're going to be boxing and, of course, determining the fragility of the item, so anything that has any really level of fragility either. If it's low to high, I would say the industry standards give it two inches on each side to allow for padding material. So you measure your item, you give yourself a two inch allowance on each side and you have your box dimensions.

Speaker 3:

Sometimes people realize, hey, a lot of times I got to ship two or three of these. People aren't just buying one. You measure those and you get those boxes. So some people will stack their one quantity boxes, two quantity boxes, so forth and so on for the different order sizes. So you have a box always ready to go and you're not trying to cram things or sending multiple boxes to a customer when you could have saved money and time using one. So really it's all about measurements. Knowing what you're shipping is huge. If you don't know what you're going to be shipping, it's going to be real hard to get a perfect box for what you're sending out.

Speaker 2:

I would completely understand that Final question for you today, james are there cost-effective options for small businesses that need custom packaging regularly?

Speaker 3:

That would make you the perfect customer. If it's something that you need regularly, something that you know you're going to be using all the time. Getting a custom box is really going to save you money in the long run, because when you are not using the right size box I know we spoke about this in episodes past if you're using a box that's too large for what you're shipping, a lot of times you're going to be hit with dimensional weight charges, so you're going to be spending more. You're basically paying for air. So once you have an item that you know you're going to be sending very regularly and it's just hard for you to find that box that fits it perfectly, come to us, let us know what you need. We'll send off that quote that you know what the turnaround time is and that way you have a stock of the exact box that you need. You know you're getting the best rate of shipping because you're not wasting space and you have them on hand. I mean that's going to save you money every time.

Speaker 2:

Most definitely. And, james, did you have any final words of wisdom for us today when it comes to custom boxes?

Speaker 3:

Other than knowing what you need to ship. I mean, that's kind of a starter point. But other than that, if you have questions, if you have anything, if you're not sure, if you don't even know if it's possible, just give us a call. It's 972-335-1450. You can always go to the website, leave us a message there or email us at contactatparcelpediacom, or just come by the store right here in Preston and Main.

Speaker 2:

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 of what you're looking at. Wow, james, thank you so much for unpacking all of that for us today, literally and figuratively Always a pleasure, and we'll catch you in the next episode.

Speaker 3:

Thanks, sophia, take care.

Speaker 1:

Thanks for joining us on the Parcelpedia Podcast. Don't forget mention podcast at our store. To snag 10% off select shipping services, Stop by at 8992 Preston Road, Suite 110, Frisco, Texas, or give us a ring at 972-335-1450. We're here to make your shipping a breeze. Until next time, keep shipping and smiling.