No offense intended, and with all due respect, unless you have an experienced packaging design background, you probably need someone more qualified than yourself to guide you through the maze of packaging products and processes. This is something that is not easy for us entrepreneur types to accept for two reasons:
- No one understands my vision the way I do.
- I need to minimize my initial costs.
My lovely wife/partner and I were in the same “start-up” position seventeen years ago when we launched our new company. Some of the decisions we made turned out to be genius, and others, not very smart at all. Admittedly, we had decades of packaging experience but very little about owning and operating our own business. Somehow, we survived and grew in spite of a economic depression and of course the pandemic.
DIY Packaging Web Sites
One of the biggest contributing factors in this usually misguided, “I can do it myself”, mindset, are web sites that help you design your own boxes online, get pricing, and even place orders, without speaking to a single human being. While I love information, and am fascinated by web technology, using a DIY site to design your own e-commerce boxes is the equivalent of using WebMD to diagnose and treat a serious health problem. There are certain situations when you want and need expert advice, because you know in the long run you will benefit from the qualified input of others.
What size box do I need? 
I admit the idea of plug and play packaging design is a great one. Unfortunately, the outcome or result of your input is only as good as the information you plug in. Fill in the blank with your box dimensions. Sounds easy enough but as we have mentioned many times, over half of the DTC boxes we see are larger than they need to be. An oversized box will cost you money in numerous ways as the first post below discusses.
What board grade does my application require?
We’ve probably made boxes in over a dozen board grades and thicknesses. There are at least four different flute sizes we routinely utilize. Maybe the “standard” grade your convenient DIY web site offers will be the correct grade? Maybe it won’t. Who is going to determine that? Maybe someone who makes millions of boxes each and every year? Some experience could not hurt.
Can I print inside and/or outside my box? 
This is where most do it yourself design programs fall flat. Describe your graphic design in terms of number of colors and ink use percentage. Are you kidding? Who measures ink percentage? This is close to “describe the percentage of red Skittles in the next bag you buy”. If all you need is ballpark or budget type price, we can guess with the best of them but if you need a firm, “take it to the bank” cost, a guess may not be good enough. To not mislead, we only provide approximate pricing with the understanding that it may change as your project details change. Remember printing the inside of most boxes is slightly more expensive compared to printing only the outside. Our people are experts at helping you create the most effective, attractive, e-commerce box at the lowest possible cost.
How environmentally friendly will my boxes be?
Which print process and what types of inks will be used to print my boxes? I’ll bet there is no fill in the blank place to ask that question. You need to know, and you should know before ordering your boxes. The vast majority of our boxes are printed using a flexographic print process, using only water-based inks, making them the most sustainable shipping option available. Add their reuse and recycle options, and there is no greener way to ship your customers’ DTC orders.
Communication is the Key!
During a recent conversation I had with a potential customer, she mentioned how pleased she was speaking with a live person, let alone the owner of our company. Even though we have others in our organization who are quite capable of helping a caller, it is not unusual for my wife/partner/president, Lenora or I to personally discuss applications, directly with our potential customers. To be frank, that is the fun part of what we do. Our structural design is what sets us apart from other companies because our number one objective is to guide you in the best direction based on decades of experience. Our favorite expression is “have you considered this”. We provide the options; you make the final decision.
Do not hesitate to call us at 630-551-1700 or contact us through this link. We always offer no cost, no obligation, thirty-minute consultation to discuss your specific needs. No one can automate the type of care, or specific input to help you make what may be one of the most important business decisions you will ever make.
Related posts:
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/packaging-branding-and-communication/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/how-to-find-a-great-domestic-packaging-supplier/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/the-three-keys-for-printing-your-e-commerce-or-sub-box/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/avoid-unexpected-hidden-packaging-costs/
