Elevate Your Brand with Custom Packaging: A Step-by-Step Guide

Elevate Your Brand with Custom Packaging: A Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Benefits of Custom Packaging
3. How to Set Up Custom Packaging with Printful
   • Part 1: Submitting Packaging
   • Part 2: Getting the Approval
   • Part 3: Submitting a Shipment of Your Packaging
4. Choosing the Fulfillment Centers
5. Shipping Your Packaging
6. Using Your Custom Packaging
7. Pricing and Availability
8. Conclusion

Introduction

When it comes to packaging, first impressions are crucial. While a plain, white poly mailer may get the job done, custom packaging can make your customers adore your brand even more. In this article, we will explore how to set up custom packaging for your online store with Printful. Custom packaging has the power to add value to your brand, creating a sense of luxury and potentially even scoring you extra exposure when customers share their orders on social media.

Benefits of Custom Packaging

Custom packaging offers several advantages for your online store. By investing in unique packaging designs, you can:

• Enhance your brand's image and make it more memorable
• Stand out from competitors and increase brand recognition
• Create a positive unboxing experience for your customers
• Encourage customer loyalty and repeat purchases

How to Set Up Custom Packaging with Printful

Part 1: Submitting Packaging

To start using custom packaging with Printful, follow these steps:

1. Go to your Printful Dashboard and click on Warehouse.
2. Click on "New item" and choose Packaging.
3. Upload an image of your custom packaging.
4. Add the packaging title and specify its type.
5. Provide the width, length, and height of a single package in its storing condition.
6. Measure and fill in the maximum outside dimensions of a single package.
7. Select the product categories for which you want to use custom packaging.
8. Check the status of your custom packaging, which will initially be set as "Inactive."
9. Click "Add packaging" to complete the submission.

Part 2: Getting the Approval

Once you have submitted your packaging, it will go through a review process by the Printful team. The approval typically takes 1-4 business days. Once approved, you will be notified either through a Dashboard notification or an email. This approval signifies that Printful can store and use your custom packaging for future orders.

Part 3: Submitting a Shipment of Your Packaging

To send your custom packaging to the Printful fulfillment centers, follow these steps:

1. Access the Printful Dashboard and click on Warehouse.
2. Open Shipments and select "New shipment."
3. Add the desired number of items you will be sending in the shipment.
4. Choose the appropriate fulfillment center based on your selling region.
5. Specify whether you will be using shipping carriers or delivering the items yourself.
6. Download, print, and attach the packaging labels to each shipment box or pallet.
7. Review the shipment details and submit it to notify Printful of its impending arrival.
8. Pack the shipment as specified and send it to the designated Printful fulfillment center.

Choosing the Fulfillment Centers

When deciding which fulfillment centers to send your custom packaging to, it is advisable to focus on the regions where most of your orders are fulfilled. By keeping a stock of your packaging in the fulfillment centers closest to your customers, you can ensure faster and more efficient order fulfillment.

Shipping Your Packaging

When shipping your custom packaging to the Printful fulfillment centers, follow these guidelines:

• Ensure that international inventory shipments have already cleared customs fees.
• Download, print, and attach the provided packaging labels to facilitate proper identification and stocking of your items.
• Keep track of the estimated arrival date and any tracking information relevant to the shipment.
• Once Printful receives and stocks your shipment, you will be notified via email or the Printful Dashboard.

Using Your Custom Packaging

After Printful has received and stocked your custom packaging, it will be utilized for your single-product orders fulfilled in the same facility. Whenever a customer purchases a product from your online store, Printful will use your custom packaging to pack the ordered item. However, please note that currently, custom packaging is only available for single-product orders, with certain exceptions for accessories and home & living products that require specific boxes for secure shipping.

Pricing and Availability

To use custom packaging with Printful, you will incur a small packaging fulfillment fee per order, as well as a monthly storage fee for keeping the packaging at Printful's warehouse spaces. The specific pricing details can be found on the custom packaging landing page. It is important to ensure that your packaging aligns with Printful's content and warehousing guidelines before submitting it for approval. Printful offers custom packaging storage and fulfillment in most of its in-house facilities, except for partner facilities in Australia and Japan. The available packaging options currently include custom poly bags and bubble mailers, with potential expansion to other packaging options in the future.

Conclusion

Custom packaging is an excellent asset that can be tailored to fit your brand identity and elevate your customers' experience. By investing in unique and attractive packaging designs, you can make a lasting impression that sets you apart from the competition. With Printful, you have the option to store and utilize custom packaging for your print-on-demand and warehouse product orders. Take advantage of this opportunity to make your brand even more memorable and create a delightful unboxing experience for your valued customers.

Highlights

• Custom packaging adds value to your brand and improves customer experience.
• Printful allows you to store and use custom packaging for your orders.
• Follow the submission process to set up and get approval for your custom packaging.
• Choose fulfillment centers strategically based on your selling regions.
• Ship your packaging to Printful fulfillment centers, adhering to the provided guidelines.
• Once stocked, custom packaging will be used for single-product orders in the same facility.
• Be aware of the packaging fees and guidelines set by Printful.
• Stay updated on pricing, packaging options, and availability through the custom packaging landing page.

FAQ

Q: Can I use custom packaging for multiple products? A: Currently, custom packaging is only available for single-product orders. Exceptions are made for certain accessories and home & living products that require specific boxes for secure shipping.

Q: How long does it take to get custom packaging approved? A: The approval process typically takes 1-4 business days.

Q: What fulfillment centers should I send my packaging to? A: Focus on sending your packaging to fulfillment centers in regions where the majority of your orders are fulfilled, ensuring faster and more efficient order processing.

Q: What packaging options are currently available with Printful? A: Currently, Printful accepts custom poly bags and bubble mailers. Additional packaging options may be added in the future.

Q: How can I calculate the storage and fulfillment fees for my custom packaging? A: You can find detailed pricing information on the custom packaging landing page, including the packaging fulfillment fee per order and the monthly storage fee.