Building Online Store

Packlane Review – Everything You Need To Be aware of

There are a variety of ways that online sellers can keep their brand in the top of their customers’ minds, such as blogging, social media email marketing, SMS marketing and email loyalty programs, and much more.

A common mistake is to overlook the value of custom-branded packaging. It’s an opportunity for your customers to experience your branding’s design, usually for the first time even if you do not have a physical retail outlet.

However, finding a firm to make packaging for your needs is not easy. Why? because there are a lot options to pick from, all with different prices, many are quite difficult to understand.

This raises to ask: how to find a packaging supplier that will never disappoint you and who’s work is of top-quality so that your brand won’t suffer?

The solution: dive into reviews on the internet.

In this case we’ll be looking at one well-known custom packaging company: Packlane, to provide you with the facts about:

  • What exactly is Packlane
  • The designs they have in their boxes and at what cost.
  • Packlane’s features
  • What exactly is Packlane Plus
  • Packlane’s pros and pros and
  • Shipping services of Packlane
  • Payment methods of Packlane and security
  • Support for customers of Packlane.
  • FAQ’s
  • Our Verdict

There’s a lot to digest, and we’ll get started!

What exactly is Packlane.com?

The company is based with its headquarters in San Francisco, Packlane was created in the year the year 2015 in San Francisco. It’s targeted at eCommerce entrepreneurs and businesses who want to customize their packaging, and to improve the experience of unboxing.

Simply put, Packline offers an online service for companies looking to design custom-designed packaging for their products.

Customers can pick the dimensions and sizes, the materials and styles, and you can purchase as little as one item with just a few clicks using the 3D Design Tool.

As of the date at the time of writing at the time of writing, thousands of businesses use Packlane such as L’Oreal, Google, New York Times, Benefit, Shopify and small businesses of all sizes, which includes influential marketing firms.

Packlane’s website states that they provide ‘full customization as well as instant quote as well as fast turnarounds’. that it is the only business which offers a customized designing lab with live demo and instant quotes, we offer you not just the ability to unleash your ideas and design your own designs and concepts, but we also aid you to achieve it in a timely manner.’

Customers can pick from four kinds of custom boxes:

  1. Mailer Box
  2. The box for the product
  3. The packaging box
  4. A shipping container

…And we’ll discuss more detail on these down.

After you’ve decided on the kind of packaging you’re looking for you can create it using their online design tool (no need for experience) and view the 3D preview of the design before printing and make any last-minute changes to the process of proofing.

Packlane’s Pros and Cons

Although the benefits of Packlane Packlane are obvious to us, the platform is worth paying attention at the platform’s pros and pros and

Packlane’s Pros:

  • You can access an user-friendly 3D design tool.
  • There’s a wide selection of packaging styles and materials
  • Packlane Plus is an excellent alternative for businesses that are growing and large brands
  • Being able to buy with low minimums is beneficial for small businesses.
  • Printing can be done onto both sides of your packaging
  • Packlane ships within the US and also internationally.
  • Packaging made of recycling and recycled materials is readily available
  • It’s a budget-friendly option that has acceptable size parameters
  • Its website is available for users to browse
  • There’s a reward and referral program.
  • Support for customers is readily available and is often praised for being extremely helpful.

Packlane’s Cons:

  • The costs can be high particularly if you’re small-sized business with only a only a few orders and a modest budget
  • A few reviews complain about the poor quality printing
  • A few reviews mention low-quality customer service.
  • Certain reviews make complaints about inconsistentness regarding the quality of the products.

After you’ve got an overview of the various kinds of custom packaging you have the option of choosing from:

The Packlane Packaging Types, and Costs

As we’ve previously mentioned there are four box kinds. Prices are based on the size of packaging as well as the quantity and kind. It’s important to know that the prices quoted below are for standard packaged boxes. Prices go up if you include colors, custom artwork and finishes, or even interior printing. Also, the more you can customize your order the more you’ll cost.

However, you’re not billed according to the amount of colors you employ. Instead, the cost depends on the quantity of coverage of the ink, so If you’re going for block-sized colors this will cost you more.

While we don’t dive into the prices in depth, we’ll offer some idea of the fundamental cost. Very helpfully, Packlane offers an online calculator, making it easy to estimate the costs. You can also utilize this same calculator when designing your own designs. So, be assured that you’ll never be in doubt as to how much your packaging will cost when it’s done.

A bit different subject regarding sizes for packaging, they refer to the inside dimensions in inches. If you’re not sure what the right size package to buy you can use a calculator to determine the same (you will find this right here).

Mailer Box

It is a custom-designed and durable mailer box available in sizes beginning at 4″x4″x2″ and growing right all the way to 14″x10″x4.” It is possible to buy just one box up to 2500+ units.

For a rough idea of the price, a 4″x4″x2″ package cost $68.65. It’s obviously a lot of money, but as much packaging purchase and the more packaging you purchase, the less expensive. For 500 units of the same size unit, you’re considering $0.93 per unit that is, for 2 000 items, $0.76 per unit.

The prices are based on the mailer box that is made of classic white matte cardboard and coated with a satin-finish. If you’re looking for a white cardboard box, this is more costly priced at $0.91 to each unit of 2 000 units. A natural brown matte cardboard box costs $0.75 to each.

The box is able to be delivered without having to purchase or create additional packaging. It is ideal for a gift or subscription box which is shipped as it is

Product Box

Made of SBS paperboard, this product box can be used to pack items that are sold on retail shelves or on the internet. It’s great for cosmetics such as health supplements, cosmetics, and chocolate.

However, it’s not strong enough to allow it to be transported without the expense of additional packaging.

The minimum order quantity is 25, and sizes starting at 2.25″x 2.25″ x six” increasing into 4″x4″x4.” For you an idea of costs 25, units in the 2.25″x 2.25″ x 6″ boxes will run $6.57 in total.

The only kind of material that is available is SBS white uncoated paperboard.

Shipping Box

They are corrugated and strong cardboard boxes for shipping that are designed for companies that want to move items in bulk, or the heaviest and fragile items.

The minimum quantity to order for the box is one and the sizes range between 6″x6″x6″ until 12″x12″x12″ and a 6″x6″x6″ box costing $69.22 which is reduced in price to $1.25 each unit when you purchase the 2,000 units.

You can pick from the classic white matte shipping container or a more natural matte kraft box. Both are coated with a satin look.

Econoflex Shipping Box

They are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. packaging..

Made of 100% recyclable and recycled materials, these boxes are available in sizes that range in size from 6″x6″x6″ and up to 12″x12″x12″ and a 6″x6″x6″ package costing $0.43.

The boxes can be used for the transportation of items with different dimensions. They are also a budget-friendly alternative to more costly options listed above.

Example Kits

If you’re looking to test-buy before you buy option, you could purchase the sample kit. The kits come with Swatch cards made of corrugated cardboard employed for printing by Packlane with both Standard as well as HD Gloss print finishes. The samples also include the colors you can print on your own design. There’s also one shipping container, one mailer and one Product box.

Packlane’s features

The main benefit of Packlane is the online tool for design. From this, Packlane customers can customize the packaging they want to use its simple interface.

Here’s how:

  • Click on the kind of packaging you’d like to purchase from the four options described.
  • You’ll be taken to a webpage that will provide more details about the kinds of product your chosen packaging is ideal for. There are also more information regarding the various sizes, as well as a drop-down menu for quantity, as well as respective unit prices.
  • Select your preferred packaging size, type and quantity.
  • Click the button “Design and you’ll be taken directly to the design page.
  • It’s time to have some excitement right today. From the design page, decide on the size of the package as well as the material you’d like it to be made of. Then, you are able to begin designing.

Five design functions are available in all boxes, except for that of the Econoflex container, which only has four functions.

Its functions include:

  1. Choose colour: The color is printed digitally using CMYK (cyan magenta, cyan black and yellow) You can almost pick any color you like. Custom boxes can be designed with colored or block color prints and designs.
  2. Upload an image: Here you can upload images or graphic like an image of your company’s logo.
  3. Text: Choose from over 41 fonts, then choose where you would like your text to be placed. You can choose black printing or the CMYK palette to select different colors.
  4. Request dieline: If your template that will ensure that your layout is correct for your design you may utilize this as well. You can also ask for a dieline from Packlane and they will design one for you free of charge.
  5. The upload of dieline This is the exact same procedure to the previously. If you’ve already got your dieline, whether Packlane has designed it for you, or you already have one that an outside agency or designer has designed for you, this is where you can upload it.

Lastly, in each instance above, there’s a drop-down menu so that you can select exactly where on the box you want to place your colors/images/text/dieline and so on.

If you’d like to show off your design to colleagues, just hit the Share link on the page for design editors and upload your work by using a URL or an interactive URL. There is also the option to make both URLs shorter. Alternately, you can download a photo from your layout.

The best method to test the ease of use of the design tool is to try it yourself. Anyone can sign up through the Packlane website. Access isn’t a problem. Also, you don’t need to create an account with a Packlane account to use this feature. However, you’ll be able to create your own designs and make purchases once you’ve registered an account.

Or, if you’d prefer to leave the design work to experts, Packlane can match you with 99design’s graphic designers. Prices start at $349.

After you’ve finished the design Packlane sends you an electronic design prototype within 24 hours, to be reviewed and approve.

You can either approve or deny the evidence until you are satisfied Then, you’re done!

What exactly is Packlane Plus

Packlane Plus is designed to provide the same type of packaging that we have mentioned previously however for larger order quantities and an order minimum of 2000 units. Packlane Plus also unlocks different types of packaging with a branded logo including:

  • Rigid paper mailers for lightweight items
  • Custom bags for bags that are goodies or in-store purchases , trade shows and even trade shows.
  • Customized pouches for Ecommerce, display and retail
  • Customizable tissue paper

Some bulk orders can also qualify for additional packaging options like dividers, inserts, void fill and customized tape. Additionally, Packlane will source other kinds of packaging for you If you’re looking for something that isn’t listed through its site. They also collaborate with structural engineers in the design of products that are customized to meet your requirements.

Businesses interested with Packlane Plus receive customized prices including volume discounts from their account manager who is an skilled packaging expert. Additionally, you’ll have access to other printing options including flexographic and lithographic printing.

Packlane Pay Methods, Security and Secure

The company is able to accept a variety of payment methods like Mastercard, Visa, American Express It also comes with an SSL certificate to assure customers that their transactions are safe.

Packlane Customer Support

There are FAQs on the Packlane site that address every aspect of Packlane and Shiplane’s services and products. There are also guidelines for artwork, which cover topics like CMYK printing guidelines, general guidelines for artwork, Packlane Plus print guidelines and other things.

Contact Packlane’s customer service team by submitting a query via its website. However, there weren’t any specifics when we wrote this regarding responses times or customer support hours. There’s also a blog with stories from customers as well as eCommerce tips and packing tips for custom orders.

You can also connect to Packlane via its social media profiles: Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Finally, there’s the Inspiration Gallery on the Packlane website. It’s fun since you can pick the area which you’d prefer to work in.

  • Promotions and branding
  • E-Commerce
  • Drinks and food
  • Beauty and health
  • Subscription boxes

This then displays examples of packaging designed with a brand from Packlane clients to provide you with a taste of what you could create. When you click on the image of a brand it will take you to a different page which will show you the type of packaging they chose to use and its dimensions, the material is used as well as other details about the design.

Packlane and Shipping

Packlane also provides shipping-related software known as Shiplane. Shiplane offers customers who are small or mid-sized discounts on shipping charges (of between 80 and 80 percent) when you make use of USPS (United US Postal Service) to ship within the US with the carrier’s high volume commercial pricing.

Shiplane is especially useful for companies that self-fill their orders. All you need to do is enter your orders using a downloaded file from another online store and upload it to Shiplane as the CSV file. Then, you can enter directly into the interface on Shiplane. You can then select the method of shipping you prefer, pay for your postage then print your labels and you’re good to go.

As of the time when this article was written, shipping prices were not listed at the time of writing on Packlane’s website. Packlane website. But, there aren’t annual fees or memberships, the cost is paid per transaction. Furthermore, Packlane automatically sets up the USPS account for you which means you don’t have to manage it yourself.

If you are a partner in partnership with Packlane along with Shiplane, Shiplane will also email order tracking information on behalf of your customers which gives you time to concentrate on building and marketing your business rather than managing the day-today operations.

FAQ’s

There are still concerns about Packlane So here are the solutions to a some of the most frequently asked questions:

What time will I get my order?

The website of Packlane states that “eligible orders can be delivered in 10-days or less and with Priority turnaround choices’. An examination of its FAQ section explains what it implies is three different options you can choose after you’ve selected your packaging and planned the design of your choice:

  • Economy: 10-21 business days
  • Standard: 8-11 business days
  • Rush: 6-8 business days

The timing of production and shipping for holidays can vary and are frequently delayed due to the huge volume of orders that are placed during the final quarter.

However, it is contingent on the size of your order, i.e. the greater the quantity you purchase, the more time the printing process takes. Also, the above figures do not include the time for shipping transit and turnaround times that could last longer than a couple of weeks. In the holiday rush and during peak times, turnaround times for orders may be longer.

If you’re on the payment page Packlane provides you with an approximate delivery date.

I have signed off on the design proof, but I need to make some modifications, am I able to do so?

The simple answer is no, it’s impossible. Once the sign-off process has been completed and the sign-off has been completed, no cancellations or changes will be accepted by Packlane. It’s therefore imperative to verify your document and maybe ask a business colleague or friend to keep an eye over the document as well.

Are there rewards as well as referral program?

Yes. It’s known as PackPerks. It is necessary to set up your own PackPerks account to earn Boxcoins in exchange for various actions such as creating an account, placing a VIP purchase, sharing or joining Packlane through social networks and so on. Then, you can redeem Boxcoins in exchange for dollars discount or percentage on the next purchase. Additionally, you can earn $50 by the referral of a friend who purchases and is awarded VIP status through the PackPerks program. The more Boxcoins you earn the more you earn to Bronze to Gold to Silver.

Can I make use of Shiplane and not Packlane?

Yes, you can. It’s possible to send packaging that you purchased elsewhere and continue to utilize Shiplane. All deliveries are made handled by USPS however Packlane states that they are planning to expand to other carriers very soon.’

 

Our Verdict

We’re generally on board with customized packaging. It’s an excellent method to increase brand awareness and interact with your customers. It can, however, cost a lot. On the bright aspect, Packlane is easy to use and you can make your own unique packaging. Additionally, you don’t have to place a large purchase.

If you’re in a small-scale business that has a low number of orders it could be difficult initially. If you’re certain that you’ll grow, Packlane might be an option worth looking into as long as you are able to use the numbers in order to ensure that your budget is able to cover the necessary expenses.

Are you considering using Packlane? Are you thinking about alternative packaging options? Whatever the case we would love to hear about your experiences by leaving a comment below.

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