The process of shipping items to customers is simple and easy. Using the company’s mailer box, you place items in it, fill it with packing materials, attach a label, and mail it off. But shipping glass is more challenging than it seems. Bumps, drops, and tosses during transit can cause glass to break.
Cardboard boxes are not the best transport method for highly fragile glass. The process of shipping glass can be smooth. If you use proper packaging materials and care when packing glass items, you can ensure that they reach their destination safely.
Choosing the Right Materials
Generally, few materials are used to pack items for shipping. In most cases, a box and some filler are all needed. Compared to glass, there is a big difference. As the package often goes through turbulent conditions, using a larger amount of protective packing materials is essential. A glass is more likely to arrive intact if more protection surrounds it.
Ensuring Maximum Protection
Packing your item requires two boxes. More than a single box is required to protect the items, so we overpack them to provide greater protection.
Putting the glass into the first box is the most crucial step. Ensure that this box is just large enough to fit your items, leaving about two inches on all sides for packing materials to be inserted. If you are considering reusing an old box, consider buying one custom-fit for your item. A brand-new box will be more protective than a worn-out one with holes or tears.
Find a second, larger box next. Most carriers recommend around six inches of extra space outside the smaller box for packaging materials, depending on how large the outside box should be. To protect the glass more effectively, aim for the six inches and remember that more is better.
Creating a custom box with your company’s branding on it may be a better option if you are concerned about the aesthetics of this packing style. You can promote brand recognition and impress customers by doing this.
You will need a variety of packing materials to wrap the glass and fill the empty spaces in the boxes. The empty spaces are commonly filled with packing peanuts and bubble wrap.
The glass itself can be wrapped with wrapping paper or bubble wrap. Also, make sure you get a two-inch wide packing tape to seal the boxes securely.
Wrapping Glass items
The next step is wrapping your glass once you’ve gathered all the necessary materials. To properly wrap your glass, follow these steps:
- Make sure all liquid-containing items are sealed in a plastic bag before wrapping them in protective material. As a result, leaks won’t occur if the item breaks during transit.
- Put tape on each item before wrapping it in wrapping paper. To ensure the best protection, use multiple sheets of paper.
- Wrap the items in bubble wrap. Tape them in place and cover them with several layers. Layers provide greater protection.
- Dividers can help separate multiple items in the same box if you are shipping multiple items at the same time. During transit, dividers prevent items from scratching or bumping into each other.
Packing the Boxes
Assemble the boxes once the glass has been properly wrapped. Using packing peanuts, fill the bottom of the outside box with three inches of packing material. Apply the same technique to the smaller box, creating a thinner layer.
After you create the layer:
- Place the wrapped glass inside the smaller box on top.
- Put more packing material around the glass to make sure the items cannot shift.
- Tape the smaller box securely.
The smaller box should be placed in the larger box on top of the layer of packaging material. Add more packing material until the smaller box is full. Tape the inner box securely.
The inner box needs to be labeled before the outer box is sealed. A label inside the box is an excellent backup if the outside box gets damaged.
The way you tape the box shuts matters. Keep the box securely closed by using enough packing tape. However, don’t use too much tape. You may even damage the item in the process of trying to open the box, and your customer may have an unpleasant unboxing experience.
If your glass item is heavy, you may want to tape the seams from inside, too. In this way, items are prevented from breaking through the box’s bottom.
The Shipping of Glass Items
Once your glass is safely packed in a box, it’s time to ship it. A variety of shipping methods are available, so you should research which is the best fit for your needs. Check with your carrier for the most up-to-date information on its policies.
You can ship your glass safely since it has been packaged protectively. There is no need for special services. You can schedule a pickup or drop off like any other fragile package.
For a small fee, some shippers offer special handling services. This service ensures that your package is handled preferentially by the carrier. The carrier will still ship the box at the same speed, but it will be handled more gently. Although this increases shipping costs, it is better than replacing a broken item.
Consider shipping insurance if you are still concerned about your item breaking during transit after packing your items. A shipping insurance policy covers the cost of lost, damaged, or stolen goods during transit.
A third-party company or carrier can offer shipping insurance. Items whose declared value varies determine the cost. If your item breaks, insurance covers the costs of replacing it.
Ensure Safe Shipping
You can rest assured that your fragile glass items will make their way safely and intact to their destination now that they are packed, wrapped, and shipped safely.
With the over-boxing method and proper wrapping, you can ensure your items are protected during transit.
