Before Black Friday Hits: 5 Packaging Essentials Every Business Should Check

5 Packaging Essentials to Check Before Black Friday

Choose the Right Cardboard Boxes for Your Orders

The right cardboard box can make a significant difference to packing efficiency and product protection. Using boxes that are too large may increase void fill requirements and shipping costs, while boxes that are too small can compromise product protection.

Review the packaging sizes used across your product range and ensure your warehouse has sufficient stock of the most frequently used cartons.

What to check:

• Review your best-selling box sizes.
• Check single wall and double wall box requirements.
• Ensure heavier products have suitable carton strength.
• Keep commonly used corrugated cartons easily accessible.
• Consider right-sizing boxes to reduce excess packaging.

Make Sure Your Packaging Tape Is Ready

Packaging tape is one of the most frequently used supplies in any dispatch operation. Running out during peak order periods can interrupt packing and create unnecessary delays.

Check your carton sealing tape stock, tape widths and dispensers before order volumes increase.

What to check:

• Stock up on packaging tape and carton sealing tape.
• Check tape adhesion against your carton surfaces.
• Ensure packing stations have working tape dispensers.
• Review tape usage across your warehouse.
• Consider suitable tape options for different applications.

Prepare Bubble Wrap, Void Fill & Protective Packaging

Increased order volumes often mean more products travelling through your warehouse and delivery network. Appropriate protective packaging helps minimise movement inside cartons and reduces the risk of damage during transit.

Depending on your products, you may need bubble wrap rolls, void fill, cushioning materials or other protective packaging solutions.

What to check:

• Identify fragile or delicate products.
• Review bubble wrap and cushioning material requirements.
• Check void fill supplies for empty spaces inside cartons.
• Ensure suitable protective packaging is available.
• Review how products are secured inside shipping boxes.

Improve Packing Station Efficiency

Black Friday preparation is not only about purchasing more packaging supplies. It is also an opportunity to review how your team packs and dispatches orders.

Small improvements to packing station layout, packaging selection and supply availability can help reduce wasted movement and unnecessary interruptions.

Consider these improvements:

• Keep frequently used cardboard boxes close to packing stations.
• Make packaging tape and dispensers readily accessible.
• Organise bubble wrap and void fill within easy reach.
• Review carton sizes to reduce excessive packing material.
• Ensure employees know where replacement supplies are stored.
• Check packing equipment before peak dispatch periods.

Check Pallet Wrap & Stretch Film Supplies

For businesses handling bulk orders and palletised shipments, secure pallet wrapping is an important part of the dispatch process.

Reviewing your pallet wrap and stretch film requirements before Black Friday helps ensure your warehouse has the materials needed to prepare loads for transportation.

What to check:

• Review hand stretch film requirements.
• Check machine stretch film stock.
• Consider power pre-stretch film for compatible wrapping equipment.
• Ensure wrapping machines are maintained and operational.
• Review pallet wrapping consistency and load stability.

Your Black Friday Packaging Checklist

Get Your Packaging Ready Before the Rush

Black Friday preparation goes beyond promotions and inventory. Having the right packaging supplies in place can help your business protect products, organise dispatch operations and manage increased order volumes more confidently.

From cardboard boxes and packaging tape to bubble wrap, void fill and pallet wrap, reviewing your packaging requirements early gives your team more time to prepare.

Use this checklist to assess your current supplies and identify any packaging requirements ahead of your busiest trading period.