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For many eCommerce professionals, the backbone of their business is shipping small, lightweight items that can be shipped in flat packaging like paks, bubble mailers, padded envelopes, etc..
Whether you're shipping books, clothing, or artwork, mastering the art of flat product shipping is crucial.
In this guide, we'll explore essential tips and strategies to streamline your shipping process and enhance customer experience.
Preparing Your Flat Products for Shipping
Understanding Flat Products
Flat products come in various shapes and sizes but share a common trait – they are typically thin and lightweight.
Common examples include books, posters, apparel, and artwork. Due to their characteristics, flat products require specialized handling to ensure they reach customers intact and undamaged.
Packaging Matters
The first step in mastering flat product shipping is selecting the right packaging.
If you are shipping items that are more rigid, or may damage easily in transit, opt for sturdy, flat packages that provide adequate protection without adding unnecessary weight, such as flat cardboard boxes, or bubble mailers.
For items such as apparel, or small goods such as stickers or keychains, padded envelopes are typically sufficient, as well as cost-effective.
Protective Layers
Even though flat products may seem less prone to damage, they still require protective layers to safeguard them during transit.
Wrap individual items in bubble wrap or tissue paper to prevent bending, creasing, or tearing. For extra protection, consider placing products between rigid cardboard sheets or using cardboard backers to maintain their shape.
Labeling and Branding
Clear and accurate labeling is essential for efficient shipping and brand recognition.
Use professional-quality shipping labels and ensure that all necessary information, including shipping addresses and tracking numbers, is clearly visible.
Incorporating your branding elements, such as logos or custom labels, can enhance the unboxing experience and leave a lasting impression on customers.
Processing and Shipping Your Flat Products
Offer Shipping Options
Provide customers with flexibility by offering multiple shipping options at checkout.
While standard shipping may be the most economical choice, consider offering expedited or express shipping for customers who require faster delivery, as often customers are willing to pay a premium for these services.
Clearly communicate estimated delivery times and shipping costs to manage customer expectations and reduce inquiries.
Streamline Fulfillment Processes
Efficient fulfillment processes are crucial for meeting customer expectations and reducing shipping times.
Invest in eCommerce software or order management systems like ClickShip that streamline order processing, order management, and shipping label generation.
Implementing automation wherever possible can save time and reduce errors, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
Track and Communicate
Keep customers informed about the status of their orders by providing tracking information and regular updates.
Utilize email notifications, SMS alerts, or dedicated tracking pages to notify customers when their orders are shipped, out for delivery, and delivered.
Transparent communication builds trust and ensures a positive shipping experience for customers.
Offer Better Shipping on Packages of All Sizes with ClickShip
Whether flat products make up most of your shipped goods or are one of many different types of shipments your business makes, you want to ensure you can process them faster, and ship them for less. ClickShip helps with all that and more.
Contact one of our shipping experts and see how ClickShip can help you offer a premium shipping experience without a premium price tag.
