Ensure your breakable items get to the destination in one piece with these tips and tricks on how to ship fragile items.
Getting the packaging together for any kind of shipment can be a challenge, but it can be doubly difficult when the item you’re sending off is fragile. A package is likely to be tossed around quite a bit on its trip from point A to point B, and you’ll want to take extra precautions to make sure it arrives in one piece.
This is why it is important to learn how to ship fragile items ahead of time. With this knowledge under your belt, you can send off anything from a glass vase to a priceless antique and rest easy knowing it will arrive safe and sound.
Ready to learn some essential packing tips and tricks? Read on and we’ll walk you through everything that you need to know.
Pick the Right Box
It all starts with the box. If you can select the right box out for your fragile item, you’ll already be halfway to success. Picking the wrong sized box, however, could make the task in front of you near-impossible.
When shipping a fragile item, you’ll almost always want to use a box. It’s the more durable option as compared to envelopes and mailers. A box can hold up to more weight and potential disruption than you might assume.
However, the size of the box will be deathly important to your mission. You’ll want to choose a box that is just large enough to fit your item as well as some protective wrapping (and we’ll talk more on that in a moment).
You do not, however, want to pick a box that is so big that your item is liable to slide, move, or otherwise be jostled around. You want a snug fit, and it’s better to err on the tighter side than the wider, at the end of the day.
Master Your Wrapping Materials
Once you’ve gotten your perfect box in front of you, it will be time to turn your attention to all of those wrapping materials we spoke briefly about it. The most helpful wrapping material to have in your arsenal is likely to bubble wrap.
With this wrap, you’ll want to cover each surface and section of the fragile item you’re attempting to ship. If you have a strangely shaped item or are attempting to ship more than one item, it might also be helpful to have packing peanuts on hand.
These can help fill strange pockets of air and space in a way that traditional wrapping materials can’t. Packing peanuts, in addition to the rest of the wrapping materials, can help keep your item snug and secure.
It’s also probably a good idea to secure your wrapping materials to the item itself. It’s far too easy for these materials to be shoved around during transit. They can fall away and leave your item vulnerable to damage if you aren’t careful.
You’ll probably want to use packing tape to help secure your wrapping materials in place and ensure they don’t move.
Make sure that you don’t wrap your items too tightly, either. The last thing you want to do is put a great amount of pressure on them. This pressure can actually make it more likely for things like glassware to break while out on the road.
You want to find a middle ground between secure and loose. Avoid creating tension that might put any weight on the item itself. Instead, aim to have it hanging in a secure cloud of comfort.
Protect Against Outside Elements
Your box being thrown around during transit is probably the main obstacle you’ll have to your item arriving in one piece. However, it isn’t the only obstacle you should be worried about. There are also elements to consider.
Rain and puddles are a big threat to packages of all shapes and sizes. Protecting your package against the threat of water and moisture can be key to ensuring your item isn’t damaged before arriving in the hands of its new owner.
Putting the item in a plastic bag before wrapping it can be one way to help protect it from moisture. It also might be worth wrapping your whole set up in shrink-wrap. This way, even if water does get inside your box, your item will be protected.
Sealing your box securely on the outside will also help towards this goal. Don’t skimp on the tape when sealing up your box. The last thing you want is for it to open up during transit, or for it to be loose enough for rain and moisture to get in.
Use high-quality tape to cover all potential openings on your package. Keep things tight and use multiple layers to ensure there is no threat of entry.
Label Everything Clearly
Letting the people handling your package know that fragile goods are inside might not ensure that they treat the box better, but it can’t hurt either.
Taking the time to write FRAGILE boldly and clearly on each side of your box will ensure that no one who is handling the package can miss this key fact. Odds are, the handler will at least attempt to be a little more careful when moving your item from spot to spot.
If you send a lot of fragile packages, you might even consider investing in a big stamp that you can use on your packages.
Learning How to Ship Fragile Items
It’s well worth learning how to ship fragile items of any sort. If you’re sending something valuable and breakable from one place to another, it’s important to ensure that it will arrive in one piece. The above information can help.
Need more advice about running your business? Keep scrolling our blog for more information.
