Packaging inserts: types and how to create them (2024)

Package inserts provide added value and can be used to spread awareness about campaigns and promotions.

Overall, package inserts are a cost-effective and versatile means of building relationships with customers.

You’ll now learn the most effective types of custom packaging inserts and why they’re beneficial for your brand.

What is a package insert?

Packaging inserts are additional items that e-commerce retailers include with their shipments before sending them out to customers. They’re a great way to improve delivery and shipping quality. Accomplished.

Packaging inserts (also known as packaging inserts or package inserts) are usually unexpected and can build trust with new customers.

7 Types of Package Inserts to Consider

1. Tips and Tricks Guide

Tips and tricks guides are a great way to help customers get the most out of your products. These can include everything from tips on how to use your products effectively to instructions on how to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly way.

Curology They do a great job of including a tips and tricks guide with each shipment, which usually includes instructions on how to apply Curology products and what to do if you have an unwanted reaction.

Here are some things to consider when creating your tips and tricks guide:

• Make sure your hints and instructions are clear and easy to understand.
• Choose a style of guide that fits your brand. For example, if your product is a DIY kit, your guide could be safety precautions that customers should keep in mind.
• What type of paper and finish do you use? Rustic kraft paper, matte cardstock, laminated, or whatever suits your brand.

2. Discount Offers

One of the most popular and obvious types of product package inserts is discount offers. These can be delivered via email, but placing them directly in the box ensures that your customer receives the offer in person, not in the spam folder. Plus, it’s a visible reminder to your customers.

For example, an online beauty brand can leverage several custom box inserts to increase customer loyalty. Customers can receive several packaging inserts that include a discount code for 20% off their next purchase.

One of the most cost-effective ways to incorporate discounts and great offers into your products is to E-commerce Package Print them on business card size paper (which is very cheap since business cards are a necessity these days).

The following services are available: Overnight Print or premium brands Moo Upload an image for printing. Consider including two discount or coupon cards with every purchase: one for the buyer and one for the buyer to gift to a friend. You can also test different types of offers to see which ones resonate best with your audience.

for example:

• Free shipping on your next order
• $10 credit towards your next order
• 25% off your next order
• Free Gift on Your Next Order
• Free upgrade on your next order

3. Product samples

sample, Unboxing Experience There are a few reasons to give away packaging samples. First, depending on the products you sell, you may be able to get samples for free from your vendor. Second, product samples are a great way to cross-sell and introduce customers to new products or product lines that they may not yet know about or have been wanting to try.

If you have a variety of products, include free samples in your packaging. This allows customers to try other products. It also leads to good word-of-mouth referrals for your company, as it has been observed that many customers share samples with friends and family.

4. Small gifts

Like samples, small gifts are a great way to surprise and delight your customers without making them feel like you’re trying to sell them another product. The gift you give doesn’t have to be expensive (it can be something simple like a sticker with your company logo on it), and most customers will be happily surprised by an extra gift because it’s unexpected.

Grilla Grillwhich sells smokers and grills, knows all too well how much of an impact custom inserts can have on the customer experience. To add value and bring a smile to their customers’ faces, the company includes a few free gifts in their packages. They also top off their custom box inserts by including a handwritten thank you note with every purchase.

These small, inexpensive gifts make the recipient feel special and take advantage of the law of reciprocity, a powerful psychological trigger that makes the recipient want to return the favor, helping to encourage repeat purchases while leaving everyone happy with the transaction.

5. Thank you notes and personal notes

The simplest, cheapest, and most personalized insert you can add to your customer packages is a handwritten thank you card. A simple card can be a truly thoughtful act that helps increase customer loyalty.

Custom box inserts like cards are especially effective when you’re first starting out, as they give you a competitive advantage that most larger companies can no longer offer. Use this to your advantage.

A great example of a personalized package insert is: Drinks Listis a boutique e-commerce business that sells wine. Drinks List includes a handwritten note with every purchase. This little touch makes Drinks List shoppers feel valued and appreciated.

Here are some quick tips for writing thank you notes to customers.

• If you can afford it, use good quality stationery.
• Please be sure to enter your name.
• Express your gratitude and explain why you are sending the letter.
• Go into detail about what was great about your experience with this customer (this is your chance to be specific and thoughtful).
• Touch on future interactions with the customer.
• Conclude with a professional yet warm closing and signature (e.g., Best, Kindest Regards, Sincerely, Cheers, etc.).

6. Product review or “social share” requests

For most customers, a shipped package usually marks the end of the transaction, so package inserts can be the perfect place to ask for product reviews or for customers to share their experiences on social media.

Frank Bodya coffee-based body scrub, encourages social interaction at nearly every touchpoint, including adding inserts that further reinforce the brand and asking customers to share their experience on social media.

As a result, Frank Body has built a large fan community (808,000 on Instagram) that promotes their products and provides social proof to others, increasing Frank Body’s brand exposure.

Slide Hand Board It also includes an in-package insert to encourage sharing on social media. Use the insert to let customers know that a discount offer will be emailed to them, drawing users into yet another digital platform.

7. Return form or return shipping label

Although it may seem counterintuitive to include a return form or return shipping label as part of your package, it’s a great way to gain customer loyalty. According to data collected by Statista: 33% of customers Please send me a return label along with my original order.

take Warby ParkerFor example, return shipping labels are integrated into Warby Parker’s packaging design: The company’s business model revolves around making it hassle-free to return unwanted glasses.

Creating a returns form is easy: you can include a paper return slip with each purchase or include a card with a website link or email address where customers can find the returns form. RETURN POLICY Start the process.

If you want to create customized prepaid return shipping labels for your customers, then you can use an app like this one. ShippoThere are also several other Shopify apps that will handle the entire return process for you.

Why are package inserts useful?

Every shipment will either fall short, meet or exceed customer expectations. There are many reasons why it might fall short, some of which are outside of your control. If everything goes well — the post office wasn’t late, the foam inserts you chose did their job to protect fragile items, and so on — you’ll likely meet your customer’s expectations.

However, small touches like using the right package insert ideas can help you stand out from the crowd and exceed expectations. Let’s take a look at some other key reasons why package inserts are important.

• Package inserts can be produced at low cost. Packaging inserts don’t require a huge investment. All of the examples below are low-cost but can generate high profits.
• Inserts can be highly targeted. Your recipient is already a customer and knows what they’ve purchased. You can customize your package inserts to suit the recipient.
• The cost of delivering the message has already been paid for. The package is already ShippingSo it’s best to make the most of it.
• Package inserts are great for cross-selling. You can add targeted content because you know exactly what your customers already like. Cross-selling opportunities.
• Package inserts are a great way to sell your products. You can convert hard-to-sell items into marketing spend and strengthen relationships with existing customers.
• The right inserts will increase loyalty. Customers are more likely to return to brands that value them, and packaging inserts help make them feel special.

Package inserts can seem pretty simple – just slip a flyer or coupon into the box every time you ship an order – but there are plenty of options you can use to provide more value and build trust with your customers.

Preparing package inserts for customer loyalty

After all, package inserts are about exceeding expectations and providing more value by matching the right offer to your specific audience.

As with all direct marketing efforts, test different package insert programs and different offers to build a unique, successful program that increases loyalty, sales, and profits for your business.