Box Dimensions: How to Determine Your Package Size

There’s nothing worse than trying to sort through a bunch of different box sizes to find the right one. When it seems like there are unlimited options, it’s easy to get frustrated and overwhelmed. Thankfully, there are steps that you can take to make the entire packing and shipping process easy and seamless. 

We here at BoxGenie are experts in all things corrugated, and we are here to guide you through determining your package size so that you can quickly and easily get your products boxed and shipped out to your customers. 

Consider The Product

The first thing you need to do to determine the size of your package and what type of packaging you will need is to consider the product, or products, on their own. Different types of products require different types of packaging. For example, heavy objects will likely need more durable packaging material like corrugated cardboard. 

Another thing you need to consider is fragility. If any of your products are fragile, you will need to make special considerations in terms of packaging to ensure that everything arrives to the customer in one piece. We recommend thicker corrugated material for these circumstances in addition to packaging fillers to keep everything safe throughout its journey. 

Finally, you will want to make sure that the packaging generally goes well with the products themselves. For example, if you’re selling high-end products, your customers will expect high-end packaging for the price they’re paying. If you’re selling eco-friendly products, your customers will expect eco-friendly packaging as a part of your brand’s commitment to the environment. These are all things to take into consideration before you even start measuring. 

Take Your Measurements

After your product considerations, it’s time to do the obvious part—take the measurements. If you’re only packaging a single product, then this part is going to be easy. If you’re packaging multiple products at one time, then it may take some trial-and-error to get the arrangement right before you can measure. 

This step is actually quite important as you’re trying to determine how the customer is going to see the products for the first time. So try to think about what they would want to see and what’s aesthetically appealing. When it comes to measurements in this industry, the box dimensions are always going to be the inside dimensions, so keep that in mind. 

From there, it’s time to get the measuring tape out and get to work! In total, you should be taking three different measurements:

• The length from side to side
• The width from front to back
• The depth from top to bottom

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to add on an extra 0.25 inches to your measurements just to ensure that there’s a bit of wiggle room there and avoid your items being crammed into the box with no room to spare. Make a note of these measurements so that you don’t forget them while you’re searching for the perfect box size. 

Weigh It

To get a good idea of what kind of package you need and how much shipping will run you, it’s also a good idea to weigh your order before you determine a box size and type. It’s probably a good idea to invest in a quality shipping scale to get an accurate idea of what your orders weigh. 

As mentioned above, not all boxes are created equal, and some are made to withstand heavier products than others. For example, mailer boxes are thicker than basic shipping boxes and are ideal for heavier products that need more insulation throughout the shipping process. At the same time, you will want to avoid using unnecessarily heavy packaging that will only add to your shipping costs. 

Determine the Package Size

Once you have your measurements, you need to find the right size box for your order. If you’re new to the game, this can be a bit of a challenge since there are many different types of boxes out there with varying sizes. It’s important to remember that you may not find a box that has exactly the right measurements for what you’re trying to ship. Just round up to the closest size and keep in mind that you may have to fill the extra room in the box with fillers or dividers to keep everything nice and compact for safe shipping.

Common Package Sizes

If you’re starting fresh with no knowledge of package sizes, we are here to help! It can be confusing trying to navigate this space as a new business owner. However, with a bit of practice and research on your end, you will be able to learn packaging basics and begin to grow your business.

Here are some of the most common package sizes that you may want to choose from when shipping an order:

• Mailing box measuring 4 x 4 x 2”
• Mailing box measuring 6 x 6 x 2”
• Mailing box measuring 8 x 5 x 3”
• Mailing box measuring 8 x 6 x 4”
• Mailing box measuring 9 x 8 x 3”
• Mailing box measuring 10 x 9 x 4”
• Mailing box measuring 14 x 10 x 4”
• Shipping box measuring 6 x 6 x 6”
• Shipping box measuring 8 x 8 x 8”
• Shipping box measuring 10 x 10 x 8”
• Shipping box measuring 12 x 12 x 6”
• Shipping box measuring 12 x 12 x 10”
• Shipping box measuring 14 x 14 x 12”
• Shipping box measuring 16 x 14 x 14”
• Shipping box measuring 20 x 18 x 12”

Clearly, these are not the only options. In fact, there are thousands of options out there with varying dimensions for you to choose from. This can get quite overwhelming since you probably don’t need to be buying 20 different box sizes for your orders or products. There has to be a better option out there! 

Custom Packaging

The better option is custom packaging. Custom packaging doesn’t just allow you to customize the type of box and the size of box, but it also allows you to customize the box’s design and features! This is a must for brands who are really looking to cement their brand image within their respective industries while making a positive impression on their customers before they even see the products themselves! 

With custom packaging, you can choose the color, text, and images that appear on the box. That way, when your customer receives it, there will be no question what it is and who it’s from. Help your brand stand out within a sea of boring brown cardboard boxes by investing in custom packaging. Believe us; it really is an investment that customers will take note of and actually help you earn more money as a result. 

Design Considerations

That being said, there’s no use in investing extra money into custom packaging if you’re not going to do it right. In fact, your custom packaging design should be 100% strategic rather than just on a whim. When you’re designing your packaging, here are some things that you need to keep in mind along the way so that you can get the most bang for your buck:

• The first thing you need to incorporate into your custom packaging is your brand. This involves using existing fonts, colors, patterns, and logos.
• The second thing you need to incorporate into your custom packaging is your target customer. What aspects of packaging will they care about or will appeal to them specifically? 
• The third thing you need to incorporate into your custom packaging is your sales channel. Where are customers seeing your packaging? Will it stand out against competitors? 
• The fourth thing you need to consider is budget. Custom packaging is definitely a solid investment for any company looking to set themselves apart from the competition.
• The last thing you need to consider is the source of your custom packaging. Working with true experts, like those at BoxGenie, really is priceless as they are there to help guide you towards personalized shipping solutions that are guaranteed to work for you and your business. 

Packaging Extras

Boxes aren’t the only thing you need to consider when you’re shipping out your products. Of course, they are the main player, but they can also be complemented by some handy extras. You may also want to consider utilizing branded tissue paper to really make your customers feel like they’re opening a present. If that’s not in your budget, another option is void fill.

If you really want to step up your packaging game, then you should check out extras like box dividers or custom inserts to protect your items while in transit. Both of these features will make a big difference in how your customer perceives your brand when they open your box. 

Wrap-Up

As you can see, figuring out your package size doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little bit of planning, you’re able to quickly choose the right box, arrange your products, and get them sent out for the customer to enjoy. 

One of the best ways to do this is by using custom packaging from the pros like BoxGenie, who can help you develop the best possible packaging options for your business that will wow your customers every time. 

Sources:

1. https://www.ups.com/us/en/help-center/packaging-and-supplies/weight-size.page
2. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-benefits-using-custom-packaging-your-products-shalu-jain/
3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2016/10/31/why-brand-image-matters-more-than-you-think/?sh=3f386a3d10b8