Approaching Peak: Is Your Packaging Operation Ready?

Review last year's usage

Look at last year's order volumes and identify which packaging items were used most.

Consider any new products, promotions or customers that could affect this year's demand. Forecasts will never be exact, but previous usage provides a much stronger starting point than guesswork. If your growth is coming from online orders, our e-commerce and returns packaging guide covers the pack formats that hold up through courier networks.

Test new packaging early

If you are changing box sizes, board grades or protective materials, request samples and test them before volumes increase.

Make sure the packaging protects the product and is straightforward for the packing team to assemble. A small inefficiency becomes much more noticeable when hundreds of orders are being packed. Changing to a made to measure size is worth starting now rather than in October: see bespoke packaging for how a brief moves through sample to supply.

Allow time for printed packaging

Printed packaging requires artwork to be supplied, checked and formally approved before production.

Check logos, contact details, colours, barcodes and handling symbols carefully. Artwork approval should never be rushed, as a small error could affect the complete production run. We print flexographically in house and manage digital and litho work through print partners, as set out on our printed boxes and design service page.

Consider stockholding and call-offs

Ordering all your peak packaging at once can take up valuable warehouse space.

A stockholding and call-off arrangement allows packaging to be manufactured in advance and delivered in agreed quantities as it is needed. This can protect availability while keeping your own storage requirements manageable.

Check the complete packing process

The box is only one part of the operation.

Make sure you have enough tape, labels, document wallets, void fill, protective packaging and stretch film. It is often a relatively inexpensive item that causes the biggest disruption when it runs out. Our packaging catalogue lists the consumables alongside the boxes so a peak order can be built in one go.

• Tape: enough rolls for peak volume, plus spare dispensers.
• Labels and document wallets: check stock against forecast despatch numbers.
• Void fill and protective packaging: agree a call-off if storage is tight.
• Stretch film: confirm gauge and core size before reordering.

Start planning now

The earlier your packaging supplier understands your requirements and forecast, the easier it is to plan materials, production and deliveries.

Barton Jones Packaging supplies stock packaging, bespoke corrugated boxes, printed packaging and protective products. We can also provide suitable customers with stockholding and scheduled call-off arrangements. If you would like a second opinion on the pack itself, our free packaging review looks at fit, board grade and cost per despatch.

Preparing for peak season? Speak to our team now and make sure your packaging is ready.