29th October 2024

Packaging to reduce damaged product returns

Product returns can be the the bane of a manufacturers life.

But the good news is that product returns can be reduced or virtually eradicated when the correct packaging is chosen.
Design Manager, Marc Stobbs, explains how the team take designs from concept to completion and why customers benefit from choosing the Cardboard Box Company team.

Understanding the challenge

The first thing we do as a sales and design team is understand the challenges the customer is facing with regard product return.
Is the volume of product return too high? – The answer is almost always yes!
Is the return always for the same thing? – Most often it is and this indicates a weakness in the way the product is packed or the packaging used.
Why is the current packaging failing? –Could it be that it’s too complex to pack goods into and therefore open to human error?
Is it that the design is wrong? – Fundamentally, the design is the most common reason why product damage and return occurs.
Once these facts have been ascertained the team begins to work on a new solution exploring board grades and most importantly, how a new pack can be designed to better support the product.

The design process

Detailed product information is collated. This is not just the size and specification of the product. It is also about understanding how products are packed, how they are dispatched and through which transport or courier method, and how easy it is for the customer to unpack upon receipt.

Once this information is understood a new design is created. Board grades are considered, designs explored to ensure requirements such as easy assembly, easy packaging and easy opening are achieved as required.

Depending upon the product type appropriate testing can be undertaken specific to our industry or specific to the industry requirements and tolerances of our customer. This includes testing for hazardous and dangerous goods; a process which our team can ably offer support and guidance on. It is at this stage that the design will be sampled and sent to the customer for approval. Currently, further amendments can be made until final sign off is given.

Depending upon the requirements of the customer print is also considered as part of the design process. Our graphics team understand the full print capabilities of our machinery portfolio and can work with customers existing artwork, or create new artwork, to manufacture everything from one colour print to six colour print that equally matches digital quality.

Print testing and approval are approved once the construction and robustness of the design has been agreed, to ensure print design is accurate and meets the requirements of the box or pack design.

Protecting the brand

A combination of good design and good print ensures that the packaging we supply supports all elements of your business operation.
Having high product returns due to damage can be harmful to brands, and therefore it is important to get every part of your packaging right to protect your product, your brand and your reputation so that recommendations, repeat business and customer loyalty occurs.
This is particularly important when product damage occurs in a retail environment, such as supermarkets or stores, through shelf ready or display packaging that has not withstood the rigours of the supply chain.

Manufacturing everything corrugated

Cardboard Box Company manufactures the full range of corrugated packaging solutions from high volume FEFCO cases to highly specialised solutions that feature complex design and print.

Why don’t you and your business begin to benefit from our expertise?

Give us a call on 01254 232223 or email us info@thecardboardbox.co.uk