What is the best way to ship DTC for both protection and presentation?
We have many blog posts about the importance of product protection when shipping direct to customers (DTC). Certainly, the number one priority is for the consumer to receive his product safely and undamaged. However, very close behind protection is presentation, because that is what the consumer will most likely remember. The goal is always a great unboxing experience, or the WOW factor.
DTC initial visual impact
Our customers are typically very eager to talk about colors or finishes and most of them have a clear vision of what they have in mind. One of the first questions we ask is, when your box is open, do you want your customer to see your product vertically or horizontally? Or some prefer, portrait versus landscape. Yes, we have done a few where the product(s) are packaged at an angle for a unique and memorable product display, but most products look best either vertically or horizontally.
Which DTC shipping design is best for you?
Much of it depends on the type and size of the product. Round cylinders, glass or plastic, tend to look best horizontally unless they are short and wide in diameter. The same holds true for square tube paperboard cartons and squeeze style tubes. Generally, the shorter the item, the better it looks when presented and packaged vertically.
Another key factor is how the graphics are laid out on the interior, primary package or label. It can be like opening a standard portrait type book and finding all the copy runs in the opposite direction, which doesn’t enhance the WOW factor.
How does order volume affect DTC shipping boxes?
Salazar Packaging has close to 200 commonly used and sized cutting dies. Most available cutting dies are configured landscape or horizontally with the side to side (box length) dimension longer than the front to back (box width) dimension. Why? Because that is the most popular layout most of our customers want and need.
When you consider each custom rotary cutting die costs between $800 and $1,000, being able to use one of our stock dies can be a real money saver, especially if your initial order is between 1,000 and 5,000 and you are just starting out. If, however, you want a vertical display and your order volume is over 5,000, a custom cutting die may make sense, especially if your preference is to display your product vertically. The photos included in this post; show the difference it can make it overall box appearance.
What to do if DTC packaging is too complex?
The solution is simple. Work with someone that has helped to create millions of successful e-commerce shipping containers for a wide variety of applications and products. I dare say that it is very likely that whatever your application, chances are we have already done it, and that experience can help you save time and money.
Contact one of our branded packaging advisors through our web site www.SalazarPackaging.com or call us at 630-551-1700. We are confident we can make the complex simple for your specific application and needs.
Related posts:
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/balancing-protection-presentation-e-commerce-subscription-boxes/
