href="https://thehabitstacker.com/business-packaging-tips-to-prevent-damaged-goods/">prevent damaged goods during shipping, which is another aspect of your process to consider. A thorough assessment will give you a clear roadmap of what needs to change.

Automate Where You Can

Manual packaging is often the first casualty of growth. What worked for a handful of orders a day won’t work for hundreds. Automation is a powerful tool to increase your packaging speed. You can start with automated tape dispensers or label applicators.

For businesses ready to take a leap, investing in packaging machinery, such as form-fill-seal machines, can dramatically boost output. These machines create, fill, and seal packages in one continuous motion. When considering this step, it is helpful to understand the difference between horizontal and vertical form-fill-seal machines to choose the right fit for your products and facility. Automation reduces manual labor, minimizes errors, and allows your team to focus on other value-adding tasks.

Streamline With Standardized Packaging

Standardizing your packaging can greatly improve efficiency. You could use a limited number of box sizes to simplify inventory management and speed up the packing process. This approach also optimizes shipping costs, as you can plan your pallet configurations more effectively.

When standardizing, you must still follow legal requirements. The Fair Packaging and Labeling Act outlines rules for disclosing product information, and your standardized designs must comply. A streamlined system means a faster, more predictable packaging workflow, which is foundational for scaling.

Optimize Your Workflow and Layout

How you organize your packaging station can impact speed and business scalability. An ergonomic and logical layout minimizes movement and makes the process more intuitive for your staff. Place frequently used materials within easy reach, and arrange the workflow in a linear path from picking to packing to shipping. A disorganized space creates unnecessary motion and can lead to mistakes.

Addressing your packaging speed is about building a foundation for future success. By evaluating your processes, embracing automation, and optimizing your workflow, you create a scalable operation that handles increased demand without sacrificing quality or efficiency. Keep refining your Habits, and your business will be well-equipped to grow.