Thread of Packaging Excellence

[Zelgazra]

I've used the tool before, it's kind of messy though. Great for warehouses shipping product to stores within their chain, where box appearance doesn't matter, but not so great for a tight sharp edged box going to an end-consumer.

I custom cut boxes all the time, I just do it manually with a straight edge and a tape measure. Mark 4 dots at the corners, measured from the bottom fold seam at whatever height you're cutting it down to. Get a straight edge (a box flap from a previously downsized box usually works fine)... take the back edge of a sharpie cap (the little clip part, i found this to be the best tool for the job, it dents the cardboard but wont easily cut into it) and use that to etch a fold line into the box using the straight edge. Cut the corners down to the marked height. Fold against your straight edge guide. If you measured correctly the folds should be professional and perfectly level, which the tool fails at most times. 

This sounds labour intensive, and it would be silly for anyone shipping in volume, but if you're a small to mid time seller doing a few sales a day, the savings in shipping costs can often be worth the 5 or 7 minutes this takes. 

[Guest TabbyBoy]

5 hours ago, Zelgazra said:

I've used the tool before, it's kind of messy though. Great for warehouses shipping product to stores within their chain, where box appearance doesn't matter, but not so great for a tight sharp edged box going to an end-consumer.

I custom cut boxes all the time, I just do it manually with a straight edge and a tape measure. Mark 4 dots at the corners, measured from the bottom fold seam at whatever height you're cutting it down to. Get a straight edge (a box flap from a previously downsized box usually works fine)... take the back edge of a sharpie cap (the little clip part, i found this to be the best tool for the job, it dents the cardboard but wont easily cut into it) and use that to etch a fold line into the box using the straight edge. Cut the corners down to the marked height. Fold against your straight edge guide. If you measured correctly the folds should be professional and perfectly level, which the tool fails at most times. 

This sounds labour intensive, and it would be silly for anyone shipping in volume, but if you're a small to mid time seller doing a few sales a day, the savings in shipping costs can often be worth the 5 or 7 minutes this takes. 

I buy boxes in these 4 sizes only:

400 x 300 x 100mm - eg. the 60111 Fire Truck <2KG small parcel

400 x 250 x 100mm - eg. the 60151 Dragster Transporter <2KG small parcel

320 x 220 x 100mm - eg. the 21006 White House <2KG small parcel (perfect fit with 1 layer of big bubble-wrap)

600 x 400 x 100mm - eg. 42068 ARV and medium CITY sets <2KG Collect+

By buying 2000 of the above assorted, the cost of each box is 50p at the most and no time wasted cutting. I also fill any gaps with air-bags or scrunched up newspaper that I get free from local newsagents. 10min to faff around cutting a ton of boxes is a lot of time (and money) wasted. Get the right box for the right set, it's as simple as that. If you don't have the economies of scale, share the shipment of boxes with another trader.

Anything that's bigger than the above or in job lots is collected or locally delivered.

 

[Val-E]

14 hours ago, oneknightr said:

I don't have one but I've heard people use these for making custom boxes. Anyone here try one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/Cardboard-Box-Carton-Reducer-Sizer/dp/B00OI9RO94/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1549569882&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=box+resizer+tool

 

A standard 2$ box cutter and a steady hand are all you really need.

[MoHu]

20 hours ago, Zelgazra said:

I've used the tool before, it's kind of messy though. Great for warehouses shipping product to stores within their chain, where box appearance doesn't matter, but not so great for a tight sharp edged box going to an end-consumer.

I custom cut boxes all the time, I just do it manually with a straight edge and a tape measure. Mark 4 dots at the corners, measured from the bottom fold seam at whatever height you're cutting it down to. Get a straight edge (a box flap from a previously downsized box usually works fine)... take the back edge of a sharpie cap (the little clip part, i found this to be the best tool for the job, it dents the cardboard but wont easily cut into it) and use that to etch a fold line into the box using the straight edge. Cut the corners down to the marked height. Fold against your straight edge guide. If you measured correctly the folds should be professional and perfectly level, which the tool fails at most times. 

This sounds labour intensive, and it would be silly for anyone shipping in volume, but if you're a small to mid time seller doing a few sales a day, the savings in shipping costs can often be worth the 5 or 7 minutes this takes. 

I think I do the same as you. 
Use the stanley (knife) to cut the corners to the desired height and then fold the flaps over with a ruler.

[Guest TabbyBoy]

Before you start cutting too many boxes, stop and think, "are they strong enough?". Personally, I avoid Amazon boxes as they are very thin walled, easily warp when slightly damp and don't offer enough protection - this is also why I no longer use Lil Packaging. My favourite second-hand box is the 84-sachet Whiskas cat food box which is also double-walled. This is a shade under the UK Royal Mail small parcel size and accommodates most small/medium sets under the 2KG limit for £3.95 2nd signed for postage. We share our cat food with neighbours and I get a couple of these boxes per week along with another dozen or so when I pop into local vets and pet shops. Oh... the first wave of 12 Brickheadz fit perfectly and are very well protected ?

Remember, a box needs to survive being thrown on to a van several times, especially if UPS, DPD or My Hermes is used.

 

[Val-E]

1 hour ago, TabbyBoy said:

Before you start cutting too many boxes, stop and think, "are they strong enough?". Personally, I avoid Amazon boxes as they are very thin walled, easily warp when slightly damp and don't offer enough protection - this is also why I no longer use Lil Packaging. My favourite second-hand box is the 84-sachet Whiskas cat food box which is also double-walled. This is a shade under the UK Royal Mail small parcel size and accommodates most small/medium sets under the 2KG limit for £3.95 2nd signed for postage. We share our cat food with neighbours and I get a couple of these boxes per week along with another dozen or so when I pop into local vets and pet shops. Oh... the first wave of 12 Brickheadz fit perfectly and are very well protected ?

Remember, a box needs to survive being thrown on to a van several times, especially if UPS, DPD or My Hermes is used.

 

There´s a trick to reinforcing the cut sides that makes the box sturdier than the original, but I´ll leave that to the origami specialists to explain.

[Foreman Porgy]

Box Delivery Day 

[Thumper]

On ‎2‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 3:05 PM, oneknightr said:

I don't have one but I've heard people use these for making custom boxes. Anyone here try one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/Cardboard-Box-Carton-Reducer-Sizer/dp/B00OI9RO94/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1549569882&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=box+resizer+tool

 

Have that same tool from Uline.ca 

 = Useless...

it's basically just a pinking wheel on a stick.  Soo much faster & easier to use a boxblade to cut the 4 corners up from your chosen depth and simply fold the sides over the edge of the table.

[exracer327]

Just received my Speed Champions sets and green base plates for $10 gift card from Target.com.... in a garment bag.  Least to say both SC sets had been crushed.  This is unacceptable.  Local Target was thankfully able to replace them, but they admitted the bag is for clothes, not LEGO.  So Target.com buyers beware...

[donbee]

Need some guidance.
I have a few thick 22x22x40 boxes I received recently that I’d like to reuse.
For fba, is there a size limit, I recall there being a 50lb limit.

For usps International, the website says there is a 108” max for Priority. And that is calculated by length plus girth, but it doesn’t clearly define girth. Would the length plus girth equal 84 for these boxes?

Thank you!

[brickvoyeur]

5 minutes ago, donbee said:

but it doesn’t clearly define girth

My wife defines it as how I make her make this face

And I'll see myself out. That's enough deals for one day. But before I leave, 22x22x40 is fine for USPS shipping according to their shipping calculator. If it was too big it would make the face above, and say "According to the dimensions entered, your package is too large to be mailed"

[MrSam]

Recent purchase from John Lewis. Quality packaging...

[crayxlp]

3 hours ago, MrSam said:

Recent purchase from John Lewis. Quality packaging...

how far did it travel? from UK or only within AUS?

[crayxlp]

On 2/9/2019 at 2:06 PM, Val-E said:

There´s a trick to reinforcing the cut sides that makes the box sturdier than the original, but I´ll leave that to the origami specialists to explain.

yep.. I found that cute trick too .. ordering some ordinary strong boxes and making them double that strong for a split of a cost.  works like a charm.. every second buyer complements on an unbelievable packaging.. 

[joneyyy1981]

14 hours ago, crayxlp said:

how far did it travel? from UK or only within AUS?

that's why i always click and collect from JL. well anywhere really.

 

[joneyyy1981]

On 1/18/2019 at 7:11 PM, thebrickdad said:

Tesco Gallows Corner...

Yup, it's that kind of place.

lol i live at harold wood

[crayxlp]

incredibly expensive as well.. I guess at least 8 of 10 UK population is used to buy at Amazon where it has been for most of the time for half a price - they should pay you to get this garbage thus clearing the valuable rack space

[firstofminifigs]

This box had 5 CMF's and a handheld dog brush. Amazon. President Business for scale.

[Bold-Arrow]

1 minute ago, firstofminifigs said:

This box had 5 CMF's and a handheld dog brush. Amazon. President Business for scale.

send me the air bags . thanks 

[nami]

Toys R Us,  Ninjago City Docks.  Set was trashed but was faded and creased before it was shipped. Second picture

shows how innovative they were using torn cardboard instead of air pillows.

[crayxlp]

17 minutes ago, firstofminifigs said:

This box had 5 CMF's and a handheld dog brush. Amazon. President Business for scale.

Certainly even you do not take this as a new a "new level of a packaging excellence".. it just happened that some new guy was so stressed out how he should pack the packages and therefore used more than enough stuff.PS. did you give back some impressive feedback as to the packaging?

[Captain_Obvious]

Went to Target to pickup my $50 Capital. I returned it. Would you have done the same?

 

[Bold-Arrow]

8 minutes ago, s2k said:

Went to Target to pickup my $50 Capital. I returned it. Would you have done the same?

 

nope., i like $$ too much

 

[SLL]

36 minutes ago, s2k said:

Went to Target to pickup my $50 Capital. I returned it. Would you have done the same?

 

I pretty sure you will regret what you did today down the road

[BillyBricks]

44 minutes ago, s2k said:

Went to Target to pickup my $50 Capital. I returned it. Would you have done the same?

 

It's hard to tell from the photo. I'd like to examine it in person. Which store is this?