Clothing is one of the most common and popular items being shipped today. A lot of apparel – whether it’s t-shirts, shorts, jackets, pullovers, skirts and trousers, and more – is dispatched on a daily basis, and many businesses, big and small, make a good profit out of it. If you have a business that is heavily involved in shipping clothing, you want to be sure that your packing and shipping process is as efficient as possible.
It’s also in your best interest to be sure that the clothing you ship is amply protected and will not be damaged once it is in transport. In addition, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your clothing is folded and appropriately packed so that you can give a good impression to your customers. Here, then, is your complete guide to properly packing clothing for shipping.
The packaging materials you need
It’s relatively easy to pack clothes for shipping, and the process usually takes as little as five minutes. But you need the right packaging materials as well, and these include the basics such as scissors and tape and a small box or something called a poly mailer. A poly mailer is a plastic envelope where you can slide clothes in, and you can then just fasten the envelope, so the clothing is secure. But aside from poly mailers, you can also make use of specially-made postal boxes which are actually more secure and attractive and can give your customers a better impression of your company. White postal boxes like those from UK Packaging even have tabs that are self-locking, making it more convenient for you to secure your shipment.
How to pack it right
First of all, you need enough space so that you can fold the clothing more efficiently. Try to avoid rolling the clothing up, as it can make it look crumpled once it reaches its destination and your customer unrolls it. Clothing for shipping should be neatly folded; there are different guides for folding different items of clothing on the Internet, so you can do some extra research on this as well.
When you have folded the clothing, select some extra wrapping such as packaging paper or bubble wrap. It may be better to place the clothing in bubble wrap (or any wrapping made of plastic), so it doesn’t become damaged by water during transport. Whatever additional padding you place in the box or parcel will go a long way in preventing damage to your shipment, and it doesn’t cost too much – it’s worth the extra investment.
Remember this as well: don’t attach any shipping label to the parcel after you have already placed the clothing inside. This can make the parcel bulge, and the label may peel off. Make sure to attach your shipping label prior to sealing your clothing inside the box or envelope.
One more tip: whether you decide to use a postal box or envelope, it’s better to wrap the box or container (at least the edges) with tape, as you never know if the box or envelope itself will become torn on ripped in a depot. This will serve as additional protection for your clothing as well.
