Though a package might be empty, it does not have to be harmless. Although thin plastic seems very soft, it could stick to a person’s face, blocking the airway. Children and babies (and some adults) will never know this is a dangerous thing. Children and babies might view a loose bag lying on the floor as something fun to play with; something to crawl through, run after, etc.

Safety starts BEFORE you start packing your items. Packaging materials need to be stored in a location that is inaccessible to children. Though a shelf might appear to be safe, a bag that hangs may come down by itself, or someone might pull it off the shelf. It is best to store these supplies in a location far from areas where food is prepared/served, pet beds/areas, and crib/baby sleeping areas.

Do not get more poly bags than are necessary for what you are doing. A worker who lays out 50-60 bags across a table may get confused about how many he has laid out, and lose track of one that has slipped onto the floor. Take only the amount you need from the box. When the job is complete put all unused poly bags back into the container.

At the end of each working session you should search under tables, pallets/cartons, shelving units, etc. for lost or misplaced parts.

When using bags that contain a warning (i.e., “Keep Away from Children”) make sure the warning words can easily be read. Do not put warning words behind any type of sticker/adhesive label, or fold an edge of the bag to hide them. If a bag is large enough to completely enclose a baby’s head, the company must research the local laws/rules and/or store regulations regarding the use of such bags. Each state/store may have different rules/laws.

In addition to labeling and storing, there needs to be a method for consumers to safely deal with products once opened. A simple note asking consumers to please keep the bag away from children/pets would suffice. Make sure to write this note in a prominent location so that consumers will see it prior to removing the contents of the bag. Write simply and clearly. Consumers should not have to dig through pages of text looking for the safety information.

Pets too, can become injured when they smell food coming from an open bag. Dogs/Cats may try to get closer to the bag by sticking their noses into openings and then breathe into it tightly closing around their faces. All empty snack bags, food pouches, and product bags should be cut open along one side (not torn apart) before placing them in an enclosed garbage bin.

Using a reusable bag can help save money and time, however proper storage of these bags remains important. DO NOT hang a used bag over a chair/dresser/doorknob/stroller/changing table. DO NOT allow children to use old bags for playing dress up, hide-and-seek, or as a toy carrier. Remove the bag from children’s play areas regardless of whether they promise to be careful.

Regularly practicing good habits helps to ensure accidents don’t happen. Use control methods on your packaging materials, display warnings prominently (on the outside), clean up your workspace immediately after completing your tasks, and dispose of packaging materials immediately upon completion.

Reusable packaging bags provide us with several benefits for our businesses, but they are NEVER intended to be toys. Once their job is completed, disposing of them properly is part of that job!

The size that is printed on the inside of a hat indicates the wearer’s head size, however it gives very little information as to what type of box the hat will be shipped in. A brim or crown can add bulk to a lightweight hat. It is necessary to measure the overall shape of the hat before selecting a shipping box.

Place the hat down according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer and record measurements of the widest dimensions including any additional length caused by a bow, feather, or other decorative elements extending past the basic shape. Add enough room for any support material needed to maintain the desired configuration during packaging. If the sides of the box are touching both edges of the brim, there is no extra room to protect these areas from damage, regardless of whether the top appears closed.

Consider which components of the hat may flex and which must retain their original shape. For example, a soft cloth hat may provide adequate protection using methods that could cause damage to a stiff felt hat. Never fold the brim or push down the crown unless the manufacturer has indicated this is acceptable.

When selling different types of hats, develop individualized packing documentation for each model so that helpers will not automatically follow procedures developed for previous models.

The interior supports within the cartons should be designed to complement the shape of the hat rather than alter it. Some styles require tissue to aid in filling them softly, whereas other designs require specialized holders to prevent distortion. Consult with both the hat designer/packer or materials supplier regarding placement of weight on the hat. Adding stuffing paper to all gaps will add unwanted force particularly near curved brims and/or delicate trim.

Test your entire assembly prior to ordering packing boxes. Slowly lower the lid and inspect for contact with the hat’s crown. Determine whether the internal support remains stable when lifting the box and if it does not shake excessively when dropped. While this process can identify some obvious issues with fit, an extremely valuable or fragile hat may benefit from consulting with an experienced professional in assessing the design requirements for safe transit.

If you send a hat with a storage container included, evaluate whether the container was intended to be used alone for shipment. A circular-shaped case requires a sturdier exterior carton with sufficient cushioning surrounding it. Place care cards and spares (band) near to where they can easily be found by the customer without disturbing any trim. Avoid having anything free hanging resting directly atop the hat simply due to available space under the lid.

Prior to mailing your order, prepare a brief note explaining how to safely remove the hat from its support material. Also avoid placing tape anywhere near surfaces that customers will have to touch to remove it. Record and save your approved box size and packing technique for each hat model, then refer back to them each time the hat design changes. Your second purchase will begin based upon established fit techniques rather than trial and error processes.

Plain cartons provide less information about what is contained within than cartons with printing or pictures of products. In addition, branded tape often provides additional clues regarding the contents of the package. Therefore, plain tape would likely be preferable for packages containing expensive or personal items. The aim is not to have the package appear suspicious; rather, it should appear similar to one of many other deliveries.

Care should be used when creating return labels
The return label must contain enough information to allow carriers to successfully deliver the package. However, there is no requirement that the label identify the product. A clear return label should lie flat and remain easily readable by scanners. Do not obscure your return labels with comments, stickers, etc. Or large print which may indicate what is contained within. Additionally, using a generic sender name may protect against privacy violations if a company delivers sensitive material, while adhering to all applicable carrier requirements.

Preventing opening
Secured shipping containers may also indicate that a thief attempted to open the container. Securely attach strong tape across both the center seam and both edge seams on both sides of the top and bottom. While securing a container may not prevent theft, torn or removed strips of tape may alert the recipient to potential tampering. Also, use strong tape to close any openings in the container instead of loose strips of tape which may become dislodged during typical transit and handling.

Continuing discretion inside the container
While a discreet exterior box does little to deter a determined thief, the discretion continues when selecting materials used inside the container. Include any inserts such as gift wrapping, notes, paper, or cards intended solely for the recipient’s benefit. Including these types of inserts maintain an atmosphere of discretion while allowing the recipient to still receive a personalized greeting from you.

The box is only one part of a complete delivery solution
Using a discreet shipping box alone accomplishes very little unless combined with informed delivery decisions. Provide tracking notices so the recipient is aware when their package is en route. For high value packages, consider requiring a signature upon delivery, offering secure pick-up locations, or utilize alternative delivery services where possible. Consider providing the driver with the ability to leave the package in a less conspicuous area. By giving recipients multiple options related to their delivery preferences, they are able to determine what level of protection they require for their order.

Protecting privacy and preventing theft are two different problems but both can be solved with simple shipping options.
Simple shipping solutions can address issues related to protecting consumer privacy and preventing loss due to theft. Simple shipping solutions conceal information about the contents of a shipment reducing unwanted exposure. Providing simple shipping solutions allows consumers to receive shipments privately and quietly.

Though a single strip of tape across the top of a box may appear to have finished the box; there will still exist two edge seams which could cause problems. Specifically, those seams could get caught on a conveyor belt or allow an open flap to rise and create problems during a tough trip. By using the h-tape method, you close the middle seam and the two edge seams to provide your cardboard boxes with a safe starting point.

You want to use shipping tapes (clear packing tape, reinforced tape, etc.) not masking tape, thin office tape, string or twine. All of these types of tape can get caught in sorting machines by postal guidelines.

Your tape needs to be large enough to support both sides of a seam. Most major carriers require tape to be at least 2-inches wide. If you use a tape that is too small, it has less surface area to “grip” and therefore will most likely peel off soon. Additionally, if you put a lightweight carton with a heavyweight item inside, it creates added pressure on the closure.

first, fold the smaller flaps inward. Then bring the larger flaps together without weaving them together. Now run One strip of tape along the center seam of the flaps. Press the tape down onto the seam and continue running it over the ends until it covers the sides of the box.

Then take another piece of tape and cover the edge seams where the flaps meet the box. This second piece of tape runs perpendicular to the first strip of tape and forms an “h”. When you rub along the tape, it allows the adhesive to come into contact with all parts of the cardboard from end to end. Follow the same three-strip procedure once again after you close the top of the box.

Moisture, dust and cold temperatures can weaken the adhesive properties of the tape. Always keep your cardboard boxes dry and wipe any debris off of them prior to taping. Also avoid putting new tape on top of existing tape that is beginning to peel or is dirty. New tape sticks much better to clean cardboard than it does to older layers of tape that may lift off.

Using a tape gun makes application easier and quicker. However, you must always handle the blade and roller with extreme care. Make sure you set up enough pull on the gun so that the tape lays flat without being stretched excessively. Overpulling tape may eventually lift due to its own elasticity attempting to return back to its original state. Wrinkling can also leave some parts of the seam uncovered.

In many cases heavier items will require reinforced tape or additional strips according to the carrier’s instructions. Simply adding extra layers randomly is not an acceptable fix for crushed, wet or broken-down boxes. While tape can seal flaps, it cannot repair damaged cardboard that has lost its integrity. It would be best to replace weak boxes before relying on even more tape to try and salvage them.

Take a completed example and attach it next to your work station and demonstrate how to see 3 seams on each side of a sealed package. As well, throughout the day check a few packages to ensure no flaps are hanging loose, edge seams were missed or was taped too short. Using a simple h-pattern gives you a sense of purpose for using tape, decreases opened packages and contributes to every shipment arriving in presentable condition.