Starting a Subscription Business? Don’t Forget About Your Boxes!

Subscription boxes have been around for a while now, but the past few years have seen a surge in popularity—and you can get them for everything from makeup to meal kits to dog toys. If you’re starting a subscription box service, your box can be just as important as the contents it contains.

Let’s take a moment to talk about subscription boxes because what’s on the outside and inside counts too. And you might be surprised to learn that even small or new subscription businesses can afford custom boxes.

Does the Packaging Really Matter?

In a world that says you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, most people do just that. Presentation is everything and when your subscribers receive their boxes, whether they contain vegan snacks or beauty products, the box is going to be the first impression that will set the tone for the entire package.

So, does an attractive box really make a difference? Absolutely.

People are going to look at your box design, style, and type—so, give them something to talk about! Something exciting and visually stimulating. Your box enhances your subscribers’ experience when they receive it and builds anticipation for what goodies are tucked inside.

Types of Packaging

Custom mailer boxes allow you to choose how you want to present your product to your subscribers. You have choices, lots of choices when it comes to the packaging for your subscription box. At DIYPack you can choose the size and substrate (kraft or white) that fits best, and you can print both the inside and outside of your box.

• Mailer Boxes – These are sturdy boxes that are commonly used for subscription boxes. They are very accommodating whether you are shipping one item or several. The flaps tuck for extra security, and you don’t need glue or tape to assemble.
• Shipping Boxes – These are great for shipping as well as storage. The common box style with flaps on top and bottom makes it as versatile as it is efficient.

When choosing your packaging, think about the largest items in your subscription as well as the most fragile. How many items will you include? You want the contents to fit easily in whatever packaging you choose with little room for shifting while in transit.

Fine Tuning Your Packaging Selection

When you have any kind of business you need to keep an eye on your bottom line. You don’t want the cost of your package to exceed what your customers are paying. You need to see a profit. That is why packaging should not be an afterthought, rather it should be carefully considered.

• Box Size: The size of your shipping box is a delicate balance between fitting the contents inside it and keeping your shipping costs as low as possible.
• Box Style: Mailers, sometimes called roll end front tuck (REFT) boxes, are best for subscriptions. Flaps tuck inside for added security and the top opens to reveal the entire contents, allowing your customers to see all their goodies at once.
• Box Material: Cardboard is best due to its versatility, sturdiness, and weight that allow you to balance design with shipping costs.

Be aware of every fine detail of your box from start to finish. Little things can add up quickly when every penny counts.

Designing Your Box

Once you’ve hammered out the details of style, type, and materials, it’s time to design your box. You’ll probably want to add your logo and some eye-catching graphics because an attractive box makes the contents even more desirable. It should be unique and reflect your brand.

If you are confident in your graphic design skills, go for it. At DIYPack we have a design editor that makes it easy for you to create your box your way—and you don’t have to be a graphic artist to do it. However, if you don’t feel quite confident enough to do it yourself, or if you simply don’t have time, you can start with one of our design templates and customize it to your brand.

As a rule, you want to avoid a busy design with too many colors that confuse the eye or may clash. At the same time, you want to capture your customer’s imagination and get them excited. If this is your first time designing a box, stick to your brand colors, or use an online color palette generator to make sure your colors don’t clash.

A Quick Word on Packing

Packing your subscription box can be tricky, especially if you have several items of various sizes. These best practices on packing will help.

• Avoid “empty” space in your box. If the products do not fill the box completely, use crumpled kraft paper, bubble wrap, or packing peanuts to take up the extra space.
• Only use boxes that are new and not damaged.
• When taping your box, use 2-inch to 3-inch wide shipping tape. Tape the length and width of the box as well as the edges so that it is secure.
• Watch your weight. The weight of your filled box affects your shipping rate and how well your box can hold all the products. If the box is too heavy, it can affect what you have allotted for your shipping cost—and how well they hold up in transport.
• Test your packed box. You’ve spent all this effort on your box and its contents—make sure they’ll hold up to shipping processes! You can get your box tested and ISTA certified to hold up during shipping.

Putting some careful thought into the boxes for your subscription box business will increase the value for your customers. After all, it’s the little things that count—and it’s all about the details.

With DIYPack, you can create and order your business’s subscription boxes within our online design studio—no minimum quantities required. So if you only need one box, you can order just one!