They are often the unsung hero of the packaging world, as bags are used throughout the packing process but not always remembered.

Whether you’re a business owner seeking the perfect packaging solution or an intrigued consumer curious about the science behind that appealing bag, join us as we explore the multifaceted realm of bags and begin to understand how their unique features can impact your packaging decisions.

In this guide, you’ll find information about the different types of bags used for packaging. You’ll also learn about choosing the right bag for you, see some popular products and find answers to some of the frequently asked questions about bags!

What are the types of bags used for packaging?

Bags are one of the great versatile packaging products used throughout the packing process. To give you an idea of the range of products available, we have listed some of the most popular bags commonly used in retail and industrial sectors:

• Polythene bags/plastic bags
• Carrier bags/paper carrier bags/Plastic carrier bags
• Paper bags
• Mailing bags/dispatch sacks
• Grip seal bags
• Bin liners and refuse sacks
• Gusseted paper bags
• Counter paper bags
• Film fronted bags
• Paper mailing bags

There is a bag for every occasion, from protecting your products to organising in the warehouse. Many bags are available in both plastic and paper materials, so there’s an option for everyone, including those who are sustainably minded.

Choosing the right product for you

The type of packaging bag you need will depend on what you’ll be using it for. There are a few things you should consider when choosing the bag you need:

• Are your products lightweight or heavy?
• What will you use your bag for, e.g. retail, food, waste disposal or posting products?
• If you’re using bags for posting products, do they need to meet Royal Mail parcel sizes?
• Do you need to buy bags in high volumes?

For example, if you’re shipping lightweight or letterbox-size products like clothes, you will probably want a mailing bag. Whereas if you need a bag to store products and seal them away, a grip seal bag will work well.

A guide to bag types, strengths and applications

Since each bag has its own unique qualities, we have curated a small guide as to the recommended application.

Most popular bags for packaging

We offer a wide range of bags to meet your shipping or storing needs. Our products are suitable for many industries to protect all products from mailing bags to refuse sacks and much more!

Below you will see a small range of popular bags we offer, but if you want a specific type, please contact us today!

• Gusseted Paper Sacks – These brown paper sacks are made from high-quality, multi-ply, kraft paper, which is 100% recyclable. The sacks are thick and tough, with the special stitching at the base underpinning the strength and durability – perfect for keeping your products contained safely.
• Grip Seal Polythene Bags – Grip seal polythene bags form a firm closure to keep contents sealed and secure, to re-seal when required. Grip seal polythene bags are also fully recyclable at bag collection points. Available with or without white write-on panels for easy identification. Plus, they are available in a selection of sizes.
• Polythene Bags – Our polythene packing solutions offer a comprehensive choice of bags designed for light, medium and heavy-duty use in a wide variety of sizes. We supply across the spectrum of trade and retailer demand.
• Paper Carrier Bags – Kraft paper carrier bags, available in a choice of white or brown paper, come with strong handles and a gusseted base, facilitating packing and creating an effective presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we have listed some popular questions about bags, but if you have any more queries that are not listed, our team of experts will be happy to help you.

What are refuse sacks?

Refuse sacks are also commonly known as plastic bin bags. Not only are they lightweight, but they’re also durable and great at keeping waste bins clean. Sold in bulk, they offer a large capacity to suit all requirements!

Can you get custom printed bags?

Yes, at Macfarlane Packaging, we can help you with all types of custom packaging. This includes custom printed bags that have your logo and branding applied to them.

If you can’t find the packaging bags you’re looking for in our range, contact us, and we can source custom designed bags for you and let you know the minimum order quantity and bulk pricing. Custom printing can be applied to bags of all kinds, and we can even help with branded gift bags, retail bags, and custom printed carrier bags, as well as printed transit bags like mailing bags and dispatch sacks.

Which bag is best for your packaging process?

The kind of packaging bags you need will depend on their needed role within your packaging process.

For a recommendation tailored to your packing processes and product, contact us to speak with one of our packaging experts, who will help you determine the best bag for your requirements. If you would like any other packaging advice as well, why not contact us today!

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From picking new swimwear for your holiday or treating yourself to new workout clothes, the UK loves clothes – especially buying them online! A recent survey found that 41% of Brits who purchased clothing in the last 12 months did so online.

In the fast-paced world of eCommerce, efficient and secure shipping is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and loyalty. When it comes to packing clothes for shipping, careful planning and execution can make a significant difference in reducing transit damage, optimising shipping costs, and creating a positive unboxing experience for your customers.

This week’s blog is about learning how to package clothes for shipping. We’ll cover whether mailing bags or cardboard boxes are best for packing clothes and other popular packaging products. Plus, we’ll also be sharing our top tips for packing clothes and easy customisation options to enhance your customer experience!

What packaging is best for shipping clothes?

The best packaging for shipping clothes for your brand can differ dependent on your business.

Typically, you’ll find that most online clothing companies use mailing bags. Why? They are lightweight, easy to pack and opaque (so you can’t see inside). They also allow for different customisation options, and some are even recyclable. You’ll find both paper and plastic mailing bags, an advantage of plastic is that it’s also waterproof.

Is it better to pack clothes in boxes or mailing bags?

Whilst it isn’t uncommon for clothes to be shipped in boxes, large eCommerce retailers often use mailing bags.

However, that may not be the best fit for your brand. Whilst mailing bags are popular with companies that operate in the low to mid-range brackets, if you’re selling luxury clothing, you want to consider a premium unboxing experience for your customers.

So, as an alternative to a mailing bag, you could consider using cardboard boxes instead.

Think about customer expectations. If you’re a high-end brand, you want your packaging to embody how you want your customers to feel about your brand. This can be achieved by using printing, luxury finishes (like metallic or UV spot printing) and embellishments like tissue paper, ribbons and even note cards.

Plus, if you’re shipping pieces made from heavyweight denim or wool, cardboard boxes can provide increased product protection.

Popular packaging products for online clothing retailers

As mentioned, mailing bags are often a popular packaging product for shipping clothes, but there are lots of options available. Here are some of the top packaging materials we find customers gravitate toward for clothing:

• Plastic mailing bags – Enhanced privacy and increased protection in a water-resistant, writable plastic pouch. The opaque design conceals the nature of the content, while the waterproof polythene also protects products from wet and dirt.
• Mail Tuff® – These mailers are tough, lightweight, and protect your products from water and damage with their shock-resistant polyethene outer.
• Enviroflute – An all-paper padded bag, considered an alternative to the traditional bulky padded mailers! This is constructed from FSC® paper and provides equivalent protection through a patented interior structure.
• Paper mailing bags – These eco-friendly paper bags can be recycled and have a strip that seals them; they also have a tear strip for easy opening. Some paper mailing bags also offer a gusseted side, which expands to accommodate more products – perfect for multi-product orders.
• Postal boxes – These boxes come in many different styles and shapes, so you’ll easily find the ideal postal box for your business. It is important to make sure your postal box is shippable, so always check they comply with delivery requirements (such as the Royal Mail Small Parcel guidelines) to make them simple to ship!
• eCommerce boxes – These boxes come with a crash lock base which is quick to erect and fast to pack. They are strong and provide increased security with the folded flaps.

How to pack clothes for shipping

To safeguard clothing items during transit and enhance the unboxing experience, consider the following tips:

• Choose the right packaging material for your business: Try to make sure the materials you choose protect garments from moisture, dirt, and potential wear during transit, alongside security.
• Inner Packaging: Place clothing items inside poly bags or sealable plastic pouches to provide an additional layer of protection against moisture and dirt.
• Padding and Cushioning: If you have large orders that include non-clothing items (like shoes or accessories), you may want to consider void fill to limit movement. This is often only applicable when using cardboard boxes, which reduces the risk of damage during transit. If you are using a mailing bag, either paper or plastic, you should be okay without cushioning.
• Don’t forget to include any additional inserts: You may want to add a thank you note, care instruction and even return/exchange information.

Remember, a well-packaged shipment isn’t just about getting products from point A to point B; it’s an opportunity to reinforce your brand’s quality and reliability.

Custom packaging for clothing retailers

Last year, our unboxing survey revealed that 41% of consumers say branded packaging enhances their unboxing experience and encourages them to buy again.

This effect is even more exaggerated when you break it down by industry, as people buying fashion (75%) are particularly influenced by branded packaging. But what are the best ways to customise your packaging?

QUICK FACT – Customers who brought fashion were 75% more likely to re-purchase if they got branded packaging.

Custom packing tape

If you want an affordable and adaptable branding option, you could explore printed packing tape! With a minimum order quantity of just 72 rolls, it’s a great option to get you started.

It’s a low-cost opportunity to convey key messaging and show your logo, address, website or contact details – there are endless possibilities. You could even do seasonal designs for holidays such as Christmas.

You have a choice of up to 4 colours per design. You can print on both traditional plastic tape, as well as paper packing tape too.

Custom cardboard boxes

Branding your packaging allows you to interact with your customer as you would in a retail space, allowing them to take the store experience into their home and communicate through it.

Custom printed cardboard boxes are a great way to create a stylish, functional, and on-brand pack. They will consistently deliver an excellent unboxing experience that contributes to brand loyalty.

How we support online clothing retailers

From selling coats to bikinis, your range will determine which packaging product is best for you. So why not come and visit us at one of our Innovation Labs?

Our team of experts can help you find the perfect packaging solution tailored to your business! We have design, sample-making, printing, and testing equipment all under one roof to make your custom packaging come to life!

If you want personalised advice about the best packaging option for your clothing business, contact us today!

The post How to package clothes for shipping appeared first on Macfarlane Packaging.

If you do, you may be aware of the incoming rise to business rates for large distribution warehouses. Announced in the 2022 Autumn statement, the review of business rates could see some online retailers (and their 3PL partners) feel the pain of a 27% increase in their bills from April 2023.  

Understandably, the warehousing sector has criticised the move, with the rates rise being described as “painful” and ”unfair”.

So, what’s the driving force behind the and how can your packaging optimisation help you combat the increase in costs?

The background of rising business rates for large distribution warehouses

Why are the UK Government set to increase business rates for large distribution warehouses? Well, there are a number of factors and it’s largely being driven by the bricks vs. clicks imbalance…

Bricks vs. clicks imbalance

Online retail has been the great digital disrupter across many industries. The prime example that comes to mind is the Netflix effect on Blockbuster.  Once valued at over $4bn and with over 10,000 bricks and mortar retail, Blockbuster was the video entertainment brand leader for decades, but failure to innovate and the bricks and mortar business model meant that Netflix rapidly overtook them.

With online retailers usually having lower overheads versus traditional high street retailers, there has long been a tussle between clicks and bricks. Traditional retail models are often seen by some as unsustainable.

And stats back this up – by the end of 2019 almost ¼ of all retail sales had moved online. In the UK, pandemic lockdowns exacerbated this trend, with online sales reaching a peak of 36% of all retail in January 2021. At the same time, bricks and mortar retail has been in sharp decline. Britain’s high street vacancies are at an all-time high of 13.7% and the British Retail Consortium reported a 77% decline in footfall to stores.  

Shelving the Online Sales Tax

To address the bricks vs. clicks imbalance, the UK Government had floated the idea of the Online Sales Tax  (OTS) at the start of 2022. At the time, it was estimated that a 1% OTS on businesses with a £2m turnover or higher could raise £2bn.

However, the consultation raised issues around complexity, non-resident evasion and how the tax would be applied to non-pureplay models like click and collet and omni-channel retailers. Therefore, for now the Government has decided to shelve the proposed Online Sales Tax.

Introducing increased business rates for large distribution warehouses

The solution to the complexity of the OTS and the clicks vs. bricks imbalance? A rise in business rates for large distribution warehouses and a £13.6bn freeze on bricks and mortar business rates.

Pressure for online retailers to keep costs down

On top of rising business rates, online retailers are seeing operational costs rise. Constraints on supply chains and the availability of raw materials are all pushing costs up and margins down. On top of this, labour shortages and the premium expense of warehouse space are only adding to the pressure online retailers face when trying to operate cost-effectively.

With the cost-of-living crisis also having the potential to negatively influence internet retails sales in coming months too, now more than ever retailers need to look at how to make savings…

So, where does packaging factor into all of this?

How packaging optimisation can help combat increasing business rates

Inefficient packaging and processes can have a big impact on the costs throughout your supply chain. If a business uses packaging that doesn’t provide protection, their product gets damaged and returns rise. Likewise, packaging materials that are too big or clunky it could take up too much space.

And when we’re thinking about the rise in business rates, the volume of warehousing space you’re using is important. This is because business rates are calculated based on a property’s “rateable value”. The larger the square footage of your warehouse, the more likely it is to attract higher business rates. Not ideal with the 27% increase on the horizon!

That’s where packaging optimisation comes in…

Tackling storage space through lighter, more efficient packaging

Using packaging materials that are lighter and more space efficient can help you reduce your costs associated with storage and warehousing.

Shaving just a few millimeters off the size of a cardboard box could enable you re-think how they’re palletised and stored. The same goes for an alternative design that’s more space efficient.

Similarly, are you using any bulky-to-store in fill like polystyrene or packing chips? Swapping to compact, on-demand inflatable air pillows or tightly wound rolls of paper void fill could all help you cut back on the storage space you need.

Taking advantage of stock holding so you can use smaller premises

How many pallet spaces does your packaging take up in your warehouse? If you’re purchasing packaging direct from a manufacturer, you may need to buy high volumes of packaging to achieve a certain price point. The flipside of that may be that you need to take delivery of a high volume of packaging and store it all in your own warehouse.

If you work with a distributor (like us), you could take advantage of stock holding and just-in-time supply. This is when your packaging is stored at your supplier’s warehouse and drip fed into your site in line with demand.

Services like this can help you release space and could even allow you to use smaller premises, rather than allocate valuable pallet spaces to a relatively low value commodity – a win if you want to mitigate the impact of rising business rates.

Assessing storage and packing area layouts to maximise existing space

If you’ve been through a period of growth, you might be considering moving to a larger warehouse. But with the business rates hike on the horizon you might find yourself put off by this. So, how do you make the most of the space you have?

If you’ve already made your packaging lighter and smaller, and use a stock holding service, it might be time to assess your warehouse layout.

Often, warehouse layouts evolve over time. This could mean that the space isn’t being used as efficiently as possible.

Investing in compact or revised packing benches could help you make the most of the space you have and help you organise where packing materials are stored more effectively.

Another option is flexing space for spikes in demand with corrugated or correx pick bins. These modular storage spaces are light enough to be moved around and can be broken down.

Support with packaging optimisation

At Macfarlane Packaging we can help you with all areas of packaging optimisation, including combatting storage and space issues that could help you save on the size of the warehouse you need.

We can even show you how changes to your packaging can impact key areas across your supply chain and the financial and environmental savings you could be making with our Packaging Optimiser tool.

Why not get in touch to see how we can help you protect your business from business rate rises?

The post How online retailers can combat rising business rates through packaging optimisation appeared first on Macfarlane Packaging.

The packaging industry is a fast-paced environment, so we’re turning our heads to the packaging trends to expect in 2023. What will the latest packaging trends be? Are there any sustainable packaging trends to watch out for?

In this article we’ll consider what happened in the packaging industry during 2022, as well as the economic and social trends happening now that will impact the packaging trends we expect next year.

Blog Contents

Reviewing what happened in packaging during 2022

The start of 2022 was all about the impending introduction of the UK Plastic Packaging Tax. As businesses prepared for the tax to come into force in April 2022, we saw a flurry of recycled content and plastic-free packaging products enter the market, with more and more business opting for them. (See trend 2 from our 2022 packaging trend predictions!)

At the start of summer we launched our 7^th annual unboxing survey, which saw over 1,000 consumers give us their opinions on the packaging used by online retailers. The research highlighted how much ecommerce packaging has changed over the last seven years and emphasised how sustainable packaging materials and custom packaging should be key considerations for businesses using packaging.

In fact, 27% of consumers said they won’t buy again from retailers who don’t use sustainable packaging and 41% said that branded packaging can influence their repeat purchase decisions.

The latter half of the year saw the Environmental Packaging Summit take place at the Coventry Building Society arena. Experts from around the industry gathered to provide updates on Extended Producer Responsibilities, which are set to impact businesses that manufacture, import and distribute packaging, as well as brands that use packaging in the not too distant future. The summit also stressed how critical carbon reduction is as a baseline for lessening packaging’s impact on the planet.

Economic and social trends that will impact packaging in 2023

Life after lockdown – we’re spending slightly less money online

In 2022, we’ve all been adjusting to life after lockdown. This has had an impact on how people are spending, which has been reflected in a slight downturn in online retail sales, with more shoppers returning to bricks and mortar stores compared to pandemic years.

Although it is worth noting that while demand for online shopping is more subdued compared to during lockdown, ecommerce remains a huge piece of the total retail pie. A decade ago, online sales represented 10% of total retail sales, but now accounts for a quarter of all retail sales – well above pre-pandemic years.  

UK labour shortages – businesses struggling to fill vacancies

Job vacancies in the UK were at a record high as we entered 2022. The changes to freedom of movement as a result of Brexit meant the labour market was negatively impacted. Lack of viable labour has also been compounded by spikes in early retirement and industry specific impacts caused by the pandemic. This means businesses everywhere have faced recruitment difficulties.

In the high-pressure online retail and logistics sectors, the knock-on effect of this is that it’s harder to be as productive when you do not have a readily available workforce.

The political backdrop – supply chain challenges and rising costs

War in Ukraine and upheaval in Government leadership can’t be ignored either. Businesses are struggling to get raw materials, impacting supply chain continuity and the availability of key products across the nation, and driving up fuel prices – for both vehicles and energy. Inflation is also rising faster than ever, driving up the cost of essentials for everyone.

The result of these social and economic trends is the cost-of-living crisis being faced in the UK. Millions of people are looking to cut spending – both personally and at work.

Packaging trends to expect in 2023

So, thinking about what’s happened in the packaging industry this year, as well as the social and economic backdrop – what packaging trends should you expect in 2023?

1. Packaging cost reduction will be a priority

It should come as no surprise that our first packaging trend is that businesses will be looking to reduce their packaging costs in 2023.

This is particularly important to the retail market, where some 41% of retail employees predict the cost of living crisis will negatively impact non-essential, non-food items for the next couple of years. So, as businesses tighten their belts and try to weather the storm, protecting profits will of course be a priority.

And while many will look at how they can shave pennies off the unit price of their packaging supplies, this may not always be the best tactic. 90% of a business’ packaging costs can be hidden behind the unit price paid.

Taking a holistic approach that considers how packaging can influence many areas in a supply chain, like storage, transport, damages, productivity, administration, and customer experience can yield much higher savings. That’s why we have created tools like the Packaging Optimiser, which will allow businesses of all kinds, including online retailers and third party logistics companies to assess what packaging is really costing them. The Optimiser tool also enables us highlight where and how to cut operational costs associated with packaging.

2. Sustainable packaging and carbon reduction at the heart of packaging strategies

While cutting how much packaging is costing businesses will be critical for many, it shouldn’t come at the expense of improving sustainability.

The climate crisis continues to escalate and that means packaging trend number two is that businesses will need to put sustainable packaging at the heart of their packaging strategies. So, when we look closely at this, what are the sustainable packaging trends?

Well, on the surface lots of online retailers and businesses across the country focus on swapping plastic packaging for paper packing materials. In some ways, this makes a lot of sense – paper is a renewable material and it’s easy to recycle for the end user. But businesses need to look beyond the physical material they’re using and consider the carbon impact of their packaging…

Carbon emission created by human impact on the world are simultaneously driving biodiversity loss and climate change. Biodiversity loss means the planet can absorb less carbon, fueling global warming, which then results in more biodiversity loss. It’s a cycle we need to break and it’s why considering the CO2e of your business’ packaging should be front and centre in 2023.

With this in mind – do you know how much CO2e your packaging creates?

First let’s consider the materials – their weight and how they’re manufactured can all contribute to carbon emissions.

Next, how your packaging is transported – effective palletisation can cut the amount of transport needed to move it, impacting fuel use and emissions. Likewise, if your parcels are optimised for delivery to the end-user as well (i.e. lighter weight, improved dimensional weight etc), this is another carbon saving.

How well your packaging protects your product is crucial too. Damages and returns will instantly push up the carbon cost of transactions, so making sure your packaging protects your products adequately instantly gives you a carbon saving.

All of this is why our previously mentioned Packaging Optimiser can also assess packaging’s carbon impact on your supply chain!

3. Leveraging packaging materials to connect with consumers and gather data for innovation

Marketing Week recently published an e-book about retail trends for 2023 that highlighted personalisation can be a key differentiator for retailers in the coming year. They stated 80% of shoppers are more likely to make purchases where brands offer personalised experiences.

Enter packaging trend number three – connected packaging. Connected packaging is when packaging materials use QR codes or NFC technology to create an interactive (connected) experience for consumers. Most people think about this as an option for primary packaging, but it can work just as well for the protective packaging used for shipping their goods.

The unboxing experience is a critical moment for customers of online retailers, as it’s the first physical interaction with a brand. Connected packaging offers the opportunity to align physical and digital touchpoints and redirect users back to a business’ website.

Connected packaging also offers the opportunity to gather behavioural data when consumers interact with the packaging and the experience that launches. For example, gamification could be used to explain a brand’s sustainability proposition AND help customers earn rewards such as discounts (this is a big driver for UK consumers  – 85% report that they desire discounts on future purchases the most!).

4. Digitalisation of packing processes

The fourth packaging trend we expect in 2023 is the continued digitalisation of packing processes.

In short, this refers to the use of robotics and packaging automation to enhance the packing processes businesses are using. For ecommerce and online retailers, as well as the logistics sector, this will be key to overcoming the labor shortages we mentioned earlier.

Packaging automation can also tie into cutting costs for businesses and link back to the first trend mentioned in this article.  While the initial investment in automation can seem expensive it can have a direct impact on the overall amount companies spend on packaging materials and labour. The precision offered by automation also allows businesses to optimise parcel sizes or pallet loads more effectively, impacting transport costs too.

Additionally, automated packing processes can help improve productivity and help businesses to future proof their operations for changes in demand further down the line.

Support handling the 2023 packaging trends coming your way

If you need help with your ecommerce packaging (or any type of packaging) in the New Year, Macfarlane Packaging is here to help.

We have packaging design experts on hand to guide you through the journey of optimising your packaging, as well as the tools to prove how we can help you handle the packaging trends we expect in 2023. Get in touch today to see how we can help your business.  

About the author – Rachel Fellows

Rachel Fellows is Macfarlane Packaging expert in all things retail and 3PL. As director of National Accounts for the retail industry, Rachel has over 20 years of expertise delivering ecommerce packaging solutions that fulfil the complex needs of online retailers and omni-channel retailers, as well as their 3PL partners.

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