Product Packaging Design Best Practices for Amazon FBA

There are actually 2 chance to wow your customers. First is within your Amazon listing and the second is when your customers received your product. The packaging is all part of a unique brand experience and this plays a critical role in encouraging your customers to give you a review.

Product packaging is essential when you are selling online. Customers can easily criticize your capability as an online seller to provide the best products from inside out.

If you have experienced ordering products from Amazon, you know that sellers can take your experience to the next level by providing proper and attractive product packaging.

While there are some who stick to normal packaging–using white and plain boxes during shipments, there are sellers who are earning more by investing in good FBA product packaging design.

So, for those who are looking for effective methods and best practices for product packaging, here’s your ultimate guide.

Complying with the Packaging Requirements of FBA

The first best practice for better FBA product packaging design is to comply with the packaging requirements.

Barcode

First and foremost, your packaging needs to have a FNSKU barcode; placed in an area where it is easily scannable. If you are new to this, you can learn more about the type of barcodes here.

This barcode will serve as your identity so that the workers in the Amazon warehouse will be able to identify which Amazon product is inside the box just by a scan.

FNSKU barcode is what you need to put on your packaging. You are encouraged to learn how to do it by reading the tutorials provided by Amazon.

Warning Labels

Warning labels can also be a part of the requirements. Depending on the product you are selling, you should put warning labels especially on small and hazardous items. Perishables should have the expire date stated clearly.

Made in China

You will also need to show the origin of the product. So “Made in China” text have to be on it; if your product is made in China. Never put in false information about this as US authorities can easily ban you from ever importing to the USA ever again. Not worth the risk.

Choosing the Right Type of Packaging

There are 3 basic types of packaging when you are selling on Amazon: carton box, blister card, and poly-bag. (In order of wow factor)

Carton Box

• Save

Carton box is the most common type of packaging you will see; and for good reasons. They are fully customizable and will portray your branding well. Customers are used to this packaging. You can stick to this one if your products can fit in a box.

Blister Cards

Blister cards are usually for more small items. This is usually used for in-store sales but can make good sales when used on Amazon. Blister cards have the benefit of smaller dimension and require lower handling fees.

Poly-Bags

Finally, poly-bags are just plastic bags with labels. This is less attractive but you can definitely use it for your products.

Although much cheaper and will be pushed by your supplier because its easy, I would not go near this type of packaging as it really signifies a cheap product.

Investing in Packaging Design

There are sellers who are now switching to the customized packaging. They use woods and beautiful boxes to convey what they want to say to the customers. This is your time to think outside the box.

Differentiating with Packaging (Case Study)

A student was selling survival knives and every other competitor was packaging theirs in carton boxes. So he took it up a notch and sold his knife in wooden boxes.

Sure, there are more paperwork and regulations with regards to importing wooden product, but the end result was well worth. He differentiated through a much better quality packaging which in turn, gave a reason for customers to buy his knives over the others.

There are many ways to do packaging and you should invest in it if you want to stand out on Amazon. Remember that customers leave feedback on your page. If they will post a picture of your packaging, more customers will purchase from your store.

Estimating the Cost of Product Packaging

Estimating the cost of your product packaging is essential, especially if you are on a budget.

The cost of your packaging will vary depending on what type you use. Expect that you will spend more on customized packaging.

Some other types such as the carton and the plastic will only cost less than $100 if bought in bulk of 1,000 units. The design of the packaging can be outsourced on Fiverr for as low as $30, just ask for a die-cut template from your packaging supplier and get Fiverr to design it to your liking.

You need strategies too when buying the materials for your packaging. To save your costs, look for cheap suppliers of cartons and customized packaging. There’s an entire industry that supports the packaging part of your products. Do not be afraid to speak to your suppliers about any deals for customized packaging.

Unboxing Experience & Gifting

There is a big wave of unboxing enthusiast going around on social media and YouTube. People are also gifting a lot especially near the holiday seasons. This is in fact a big part of the overall customer experience for your brand.

Imagine if they spent a big sum of money on Amazon, only they receive it in a cheap an ugly poly bag. Not only they might not be excited and buy from you ever again, they might even post a negative feedback an negative product review due to the bad customer experience.

For gifters, it will make them look bad and we all know reputation once ruined is very difficult to get back.

So, do not go cheap on packaging if you are in it for the long haul. This simple and yet, game-changing investment will probably be a difference between success and failure.