Buying Packaging in Bulk: How to Work Out Your Real Cost per Order

Packaging can feel like a small cost, but it's on every single order. A few pence saved per parcel adds up quickly once you're sending hundreds or thousands a month. The first step is knowing what each order actually costs you to pack.

Step 1: List everything that goes into a parcel

Think about every item used, not just the bag or box. A typical order might include:

• The mailing bag, envelope or box
• A shipping label
• Packing tape
• Void fill, tissue paper or bubble wrap
• A packing slip, invoice or thank-you card

Step 2: Work out the unit cost of each item

Divide the price you paid by the number of units in the pack. For tape and void fill, estimate roughly how many orders one roll or bag covers, then divide.

Step 3: Add it up

Add the unit costs together to get your packaging cost per order. Here's an example using illustrative figures:

• Mailing bag: 8p
• Shipping label: 3p
• Packing tape: 1p
• Packing slip: 1p
• Total: 13p per order

Your own numbers will differ, but once you have them, you can see exactly where savings are possible.

Why bulk buying brings the cost down

Suppliers can usually offer a lower price per unit on larger quantities, because bigger orders are more efficient to pick, pack and ship. Buying in bulk also means:

• Fewer orders to place, saving you time
• Fewer delivery charges on your own supplies
• Less risk of running out during busy periods

But don't overbuy

Bulk buying only saves money if you use what you buy. Before placing a big order, consider:

• How many orders you send each month. Aim to stock enough for a few months, not a few years.
• Storage space. Boxes in particular take up a lot of room.
• Changes to your range. If your products or sizes might change, buy less of the sizes that could become obsolete.
• Cash flow. Money tied up in stock isn't available for other parts of your business.

Quick ways to cut cost per order

• Standardise on a few packaging sizes and buy each in bulk.
• Use packaging that fits closely, so you need less void fill and avoid higher postage bands.
• Switch to mailing bags for soft, unbreakable items instead of boxes.
• Review your cost per order every few months as prices and volumes change.

Ready to stock up?

We supply mailing bags, labels, envelopes and other packing essentials in quantities that suit growing businesses. Browse the range or get in touch for bulk and trade pricing.