We probably look at a dozen or so new projects every week and over the years we have witnessed many of the same mistakes customers often make on their new DTC packaging boxes. In an effort to help anyone currently contemplating or planning to create a new box, here are five things to keep in mind:
Do Not Oversize Your DTC Box
We have been making e-commerce boxes for almost 15 years and I do not recall a single project when someone made a shipping container that was too small. However, I can think of many cases when the box we were asked to make proved too large. Remember our mantra, an oversized box costs more to buy, more to ship in bound, more to ship outbound and more to store. Let us help you avoid a mistake that you could potential pay for, forever.
Do Not Waste a Lot of Money on the Exterior Printing and Graphics
If you are shipping your box via FedEx, UPS or USPS, the outside of the box is going to be abused in transit. No matter how good they look when you ship them, they will be covered with scuffs, cuts, dents, and smudges, by the time they arrive to your customer. Tape and labels will also cover much of the exterior printing, especially on a small box. Save your printing dollars for the inside. (See next item below)
DO Make Your Box Interior the Unboxing Experience Star
The interior of an e-commerce box always arrives looking pristine and we love the interior lid on a die cut mailer. It reminds people of a laptop screen, and your eyes automatically lock on, something we can all relate to. It also “presents” your product, and a great place to communicate with your recipient. We often print QR codes there, sustainability information, and thank you messages. Visit our gallery to see the many ways a well-designed box interior can be eye catching, memorable, and enhance your product’s appearance.
Do Manage and Prioritize Your Start-up Costs
It always sounds weird, but I often suggest that new box designers NOT feel like they have to have everything on day one. For example, interior printing can be added at a future date. As can inserts, dividers, and partitions. We understand the benefit of making a great first impression, however our job is to help you succeed and minimizing pre-launch costs is a good way to help you.
Do Follow Our Approval Process because it Works 
You will be given an opportunity to review and approve everything including the structural design, the graphic design, final proof, and ink color swatches. We occasionally run into a customer who is “too busy” to give this approval process the time and attention it requires. On a recent order, the final, customer approved proof included an embarrassing basic spelling error. Fortunately, we caught it and corrected it before print plates were made and boxes were printed. We are a firm believer in “many eyes make a perfect box”.
Our packaging solutions are very reasonably and competitively priced, and the advice is always free. Call us at 630-551-1700 or contact us via this web site, so we can discuss your needs and packaging design. I guarantee you will not regret utilizing our experience and resources!
Related Posts
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/packaging-design-is-not-a-diy-project/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/e-commerce-box-designing-the-six-most-common-mistakes/
