Protective product packaging, such as Simpad pre-lined boxes, is an important tool companies use to ensure their products travel safely and without damage. Understanding the basics of, and selecting the right, protective product packaging makes it possible for companies to reduce damages and returns, and avoid cutting into their profits.

While there are different kinds of protective packaging, one thing remains the same: the one rule for how the product should be shipped. There should not be any room in the box for the product to move or touch the box walls. If you can manage that, your product can safely make it from point A to point B without damage.

Movement within a box can cause damages, especially if the box is dropped in transit. When that happens, the product itself absorbs the shock, and significant damage can occur. It can also break the box itself, the package can be further damaged and the product “lost” during shipping.

Many companies choose protective product packaging that does not leave any space. An example is a tight fitting box that is pre-lined with its protective product packaging, like a Simpad. The goal is to tightly hold the item in the box to make sure there is no movement, no matter how the box is shaken or dropped.

A general rule of thumb for many companies when deciding which protective packaging to purchase is to use a 2% rule. That is, the generally accepted cost for packaging will be roughly 2% of the product’s value. A $100 product will result in $2 being spent on protective product packaging. So the more an item costs, the more the packaging will cost as well.

Some protective product packaging can even be reused. Companies that invest in reusable protective packaging will save on materials costs by getting more uses out of their original package. This further translates into bigger cost savings, and increased profits.