What does the closure of a shipping package basically have to do?
Closures play an important role when it comes to shipping packaging. This can be seen simply by looking at the number of parcels, courier and express shipments that are sent in the Federal Republic of Germany every year.
According to the Bundesverband Paket und Expresslogistik e. V. (German Parcel and Express Logistics Association), the value in 2021 was 4.51 billion. So it's only logical that care must be taken with such shipments to ensure that the closure adequately protects the contents.
As you may already know from your own experience with shipping packaging as a consumer, there are various ways to close such packaging. The requirements for the closure types are often very similar. They should:
- securely close a package,
- offer simple and consumer-friendly handling
- and, in the best case, be resealable.
Secure closure
The most important task of the closure of a shipping package is to create as much security as possible - i.e. not to open during the transport process. In this way, you can prevent your goods from arriving at the customer's premises damaged or perhaps not at all.
A torn package creates a bad impression, even if your products are intact. To provide security, a packaging closure must be strong. It must also withstand external influences. |
Simple handling
The closure of your shipping packaging should be easy to handle. This significantly improves the customer's consumption experience. If your customers have a hard time opening the package, it can lead to some resentment.
At the same time, a certain problem becomes apparent when looking at the type of closure. The reason: Stable closures are more difficult to open. However, closure types that are easy to handle often have a higher risk of opening due to external circumstances. However, the packaging industry has one or two elegant solutions for this (more on this in a moment).
Reclosability
The third criterion that makes a good packaging is the possibility of resealability. This brings several advantages. For example, the shipping packaging can be reused by your customers themselves.
This means that a certain conservation of resources can be achieved. As a logical consequence, the reclosability of shipping packaging makes a major and important contribution to the issue of sustainability.
Significance for incorrect orders and returns in e-commerce
If a package is resealable, your customer has the possibility to return the product in the packaging you use. This way, your customers do not have to worry about how to repack the goods, which is very convenient.
In addition, the closure also contributes to sustainability in this situation. After all, reusing the shipping packaging saves material, just like reusing it in a private context.
In addition, the use of such a closure has great advantages for yourself. You can be sure that your products will be returned in a stable and secure packaging and will not be damaged in case of a return. You can then unpack the goods with little effort and send them on.
The tear flap as an efficient closure
A particularly efficient type of closure is the tear-open flap. It is often used for shipping cartons. The closure consists of two pieces of cardboard with adhesive strips.
Between them is a flap that is used to open the packaging or is torn open. The advantage is that when the closure is torn open, only the lower adhesive strip is separated from the lid of the packaging.
As a result, the upper adhesive strip continues to adhere to the lid. This makes it very easy for your customer to reseal the package, while the closure does not lose any stability.
So you can see the pull tab as a kind of double closure: One part is intended for initial sealing, and another part is intended exclusively for resealing. In this respect, the design enables a high degree of efficiency and sustainability - at least for a single use after the initial application.
The basis for this type of closure for shipping packaging provides the so-called self-adhesive closure. This design uses only one strip, which glues the lid to the box.
The security for the contents is also high. However, the packaging cannot be securely resealed after it has been opened for the first time, which has some disadvantages for returns and sustainability.
The plug closure with safety tab
A somewhat simpler alternative is the so-called push-on closure. You are probably familiar with this option from many packaging materials that you have already used yourself in your everyday life as a consumer.
The handling of the closure is simple, your customers can even continue to use the boxes in their everyday life a little longer and place various items in them. So with a view to the aspect of sustainability, this variant has even more extensive advantages than the options mentioned so far.
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The plug-in closure works by means of a tab on the lid of the package, which is inserted into a slot on the lower part. This design provides stability when closing. |
Hinged lid
Another type of closure that is common for many packaging materials is the hinged lid. You are certainly familiar with this variant from shoe boxes, among others. But also pizza boxes are often closed with a simple hinged lid.
The lid has several tabs on the side, which are simply slipped over the lower part of the box. This type of closure has the great advantage that it can be opened and closed very easily and without special care. Accordingly, the packaging can be conveniently re used.
However, this type of closure is more prone to unintentional opening than the security tab. Therefore, this type of closure is also often used for sales packaging. The corresponding shipping packages, in turn, should be secured with additional adhesive tape or strapping.
Other sealants
In addition to the types of closures that are part of the packaging itself, there are other ways to secure the contents of your shipping package. These include, among others:
- Strapping,
- Adhesive tape
- as well as paper.
Strapping
You can use a strapping band to secure the shipping package by tying it up additionally. The strap holds the box together and ensures that it cannot open. The strapping is extremely stable.
Corresponding straps are made of different materials. You can find them, among other things, in a variant made of PP material or PET, but the market also offers corresponding straps made of steel. In addition, you can use straps made of textile material.
Depending on the specific purpose for which you want to use the strap, you have a versatile choice. You can take into account which strapping offers the best security for your customers and the highest comfort during unboxing.
Adhesive tape
Alternatively, you have the option of sealing the shipping packaging with adhesive tape, which is also called parcel tape. For certain folding boxes that do not have a closure themselves and only offer several lid flaps that meet in the middle, this type of closure aid is mandatory.
The parcel tape offers you additional protection for the contents of shipping packages with flap lids. You can also use it to provide various important information for the shipping service provider.
This way you can point out a fragile content in the shipping package. Especially with glass and porcelain products, this is a very common approach. Often, the parcel tape in this case also has a particularly eye-catching color, such as red.
Paper
Additionally, you have the option of wrapping your shipping package with a layer of paper, which you also secure with tape or strapping before sending. The paper provides another layer of protection.
In addition, you can use the paper as a marketing tool. You can print your logo or other information on it. However, you should consider whether this additional layer is really necessary. After all, you're using more material for your packaging, which isn't particularly conducive to a sustainable approach.
To find your individual solution for the closures of your shipping packaging, please contact us! |
Conclusion
The various possible closures for shipping packaging must fulfill various functions. Among other things, they should close securely and at the same time offer easy handling for your customers.
The resealability of such a closure is also a great help in achieving the goal of sustainable use of shipping packaging. Ultimately, you should always decide on your closure type in such a way that as many of these criteria as possible can be adequately implemented.
FAQ
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What are the types of closures for shipping packaging?
Among the options are the tear-open flap, the push-fit closure, the hinged lid and other securing materials such as strapping tape or parcel tape.
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Why is choosing the right closure for shipping packages so important?
The right closure guarantees your customers a successful buying experience. On the one hand, this ensures that the contents of the packaging are adequately protected. In addition, good handling enables a certain efficiency during unboxing, which significantly improves the unboxing experience.
