Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Thank you so much for your very helpful responses! I think I`m going to end up going with overseas manufacturer after all. Last night, my husband and his business partner said that they would like to back me for the first production run. So...I guess I will not be using a US printer - at least not right now.

JoAnn - thank you for this insight on the master shipper box. I am having the manufacturer ship my boxes flat, and I will be assembling them here. This will save on freight costs, as well as protect the box while it is in transit. Do you still think I need a master shipper box, if I will be assembling and shipping directly to my retailers?

sheamama - Thank you very much for the info on your printer! It`s nice to hear that they come so highly recommended. I will hang on to their information, should I need to use a US printer in the future.

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Melissa Yamello
Owner/Designer
Storybook Studio
www.storybookstudio.net

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I have another question! Does the UPC have to be on the packaging itself (in my case, the box), a label or can you choose? I`m just wondering if I need to get my UPC now, so that I can incorporate it into the design for the packaging. I know this probably sounds like a silly question, but this IS packaging 101  .

Also, should I contact an insurance company (still need to get a liability insurance policy) for information on what needs to be on the packaging, with regard to warnings, ect.?

 

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Melissa Yamello
Owner/Designer
Storybook Studio
www.storybookstudio.net

Kids` Craft Blast
Sign-up for our newsletter featuring free project ideas in each issue!

Melissa:

Yes, you will still need a master shipper to protect the outside of your box and possibly the contents inside.

You will want it to look pristine upon arrive at the store. Depending upon how structurally sound your inner packaging is you may be able to get away with just using a sleeve protector and not a full box.

There are a lot of important issues relating to shipping your product that need to be considered when developing the complete package.  What to ask and how to decide whether you need external protective packaging for your product.

It`s one of the issues I cover  in my Do It Yourself  Packaging workbook in part #2 Packaging Pesky Problems.

Thanks JoAnne! Can you send me a link to info about your workbook?

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Melissa Yamello
Owner/Designer
Storybook Studio
www.storybookstudio.net

Kids` Craft Blast
Sign-up for our newsletter featuring free project ideas in each issue!

Melissa:

The workbook can be ordered at  http://DoItYourSelfPackaging.com

Its over two hundred pages of step by step instructions, questions to ask, how understand the role of  product packaging and the how packaging relates to the consumer. Plus lots of cheat sheets, how to find a packaging vendor and how to hire a packaging designer, etc.

It took me months to condense 30 years of packaging help and expertise into one easy to use workbook. When I give you a resource the links are live on the CD`s and will take you to the recommended websites.

Click on the Table Of Contents and it will tell you everything that is in the workbook.

Let me know if you need more information.

Melissa:

You can also subscribe to my complimentary weekly newsletter "Packaging News You Can Use" filled with packaging insights tips and technologies. Emailme at PackagingDiva@aol.com

Thank you JoAnn! This part of the process is so overwhelming to me. I want to make sure that I do everything correctly, and I meet all standards and regulations with regard to the product itself, and the packaging.

If you offer a consulting service, or know someone who does - please send me a PM!

Thanks!

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Melissa Yamello
Owner/Designer
Storybook Studio
www.storybookstudio.net

Kids` Craft Blast
Sign-up for our newsletter featuring free project ideas in each issue!

The new system is more complicated, yet more precise.

It just takes few more minutes.

 

Stepan W. Baghdassarian

Rio Joe’s Brands, Inc.

Wines & Cachaça of Brazil

 

 

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Rio Joe’s is an importer, wholesaler and online retailer (www.RioJoes.com) of Brazilian wines and cachaça (Brazilian rum). Brazilian wines are the next up and coming wines from South America. Brazil is producing world class delicious wines, including merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, syrah, sparkling wines, among others.

JoAnn,

Does your workbook cover the details of calculating the carton, master shipper, palletizing, and cargo shipping container (nesting all of these into most efficient total container usage) so all these items add up to maximize volume for shipping in from overseas on a container ship? 

We have been having some difficulty determining the USABLE interior mesaurements for  20` and 40` conatiners, as there are apparently a number of differnt sizes that fall into these catagories - each a few inches different onw way or another.

In addition, there are a variety of pallet sizes out in the world.  Because we`re shipping out of China via Hong Kong, we want to select the most available `standard` sizes for that geographic area so we`re not asking for something that adds cost - either in shippment preparation, handling, or shipping costs.

Thanks,
Stephen

 

  

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Specialty Lighting for Special Results - http://www.LEDSFX.com

Hi Stephen:

I don`t get into palletization details which is a little more advanced than this workbook and will be discussed in Part #2 which is more ofa n intermediate version. This DIY version covers the packaging basics almost 300 pages worth. Mainly the questions you need to answer and problems you need to solve before you even get to worry about packaging palletization. Plus how to "connect" your product packaging with the elusive consumer.

The complete Table of Contents is available here.

http://doityourselfpackaging.com/table_of_contents.html

There are many software programs out there that will help you configure your pallet size.  Companies like Cape Systems out of Texas.

Its an interesting question because for many years there has been an attempt to standardize pallet sizes around the world. Something which hasn`t been accomplished yet. You might also contact some of the major global pallet companies like Chep. They may have created some formulas to addresss that very problem.

For more packaging insights, trends and technologies get a complimentary subscription to Packaging News You Can Use. Just email me at packagingdiva@aol.com with the word subscribe.