Criteria For Choosing A Gift Packaging Supplier

Packaging How To
June 17th, 2009
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By Jesse Kanclerz

1) Does the packaging match your business image?

Packaging tells a story, how your customers relate to that tale, will depend on your choice of design and materials. At the least, a gift packaging vendor should offer a variety of choices, with changing seasonal themes, in addition to a staple selection of gift bags, boxes, tissue, ribbons & bows.

2) Are they easy to contact?

Nothing is more frustrating than wading through a maze of automated voice prompts, or speaking to a tech support rep located half way around the world. Choose a company with an onsite call center, with friendly reps who answer the phone on the first few rings.

Is it easy to contact them via other methods? Check to see if they are available via email, or chat with customers online via Twitter or through blog comments.

3) Are deliveries timely?

A packaging company should follow your deadlines, not the other way around. Be sure to choose a partner that warehouses most of their product, instead of a vendor who relies primarily on drop ship programs, which may take weeks to arrive.

4) Do they understand, and solve your problems?

You may understand that packaging plays an important part in your success, but maybe you don’t feel crafty when it comes to tying a bow or making tissue flares. Find a company that teaches you how with illustrations or video tutorials.

Besides packaging, maybe you’d also like a vendor who’s in touch with the broader challenges faced by independent retailers. If that’s true, choose a partner who provides advice and tips, for operating and marketing your retail business successfully.

5) Do their values mirror your own?

Perhaps you wouldn’t feel right about supporting a Chinese factory that pays their workers $1 a day to manufacture paper bags. Or maybe you’re concerned about the environment, especially the waste created by over-packaging. If that’s the case, choose a gift packaging distributor who sources products made in the USA, or a vendor with a full line of recyclable and recycled content packaging.