September is the unofficial turn of autumn signalling the start of the spending season. Whether its ordering festive gifts, updating of winter wardrobes or just indulging in new season sale, the British public is more willing than ever to part with their cash at this time of year. With business about to get a boost, it’s vital that your company is armed and ready with all the necessary kit for the army of sales spenders on the approach.

Beat the Retail Rush

When there’s money to be spent, you won’t be the only retailer vying for the attention of customers, so standing out and promoting yourself is vital. Here at ODL Packaging, we believe less is more, so rather than resorting to singing and dancing advertisements, we think some subtle marketing tactics offer the best returns. Available in 8 vibrant colours our carrier bags will please your customers as well as subtly promoting your brand as they walk around the shops. Better yet, you can go one step further and take advantage of our bespoke printing services to emblazon your bags with your logo and information to really boost your brand.

Whatever the Weather

If you’re an online retailer you know that the packaging of your goods, it’s integral to their protection. Being unable to oversee the delivery of your prised products can insight stress, after all, if a product is damaged in transit, it’s the retailer who gets the bad review. But you can do your utmost to ensure their safety, whether it’s a box filled with bubble wrap, a padded envelope or a watertight mailing bag, there’s an ODL solution to suit every size.

To order your supplies for the end of year retail rush, visit our website or call us on 01785 76 00 55 to place your order.

In the current digital age where technology is advancing every day, it’s easy to dismiss more traditional mailing methods. Take the trusty label, invented in the mid-1930s they’ve been tried, tested and used by industries across the world ever since. Despite advancing shipping solutions, there are good reasons why they’ve ‘stuck around’ for the long haul. Read on to discover how the simple white label can really pack a punch for your business.

Brand Boosting

Personalising your labels is a great way to reinforce your brand and although it sounds trivial, when your customer receives their package, the label is the first thing they see, so why not use the label to shape a strong first impression?  Creating an attractive label is easy, when you buy adhesive stickers from us, as they come backed on an A4 sheet, so can easily slide into an office printer. Whether you choose to bolster your brand by emblazoning them with a logo or write a personalised message of thanks, these little touches really make a difference when it comes to clients making repeat purchases. If that all sounds like too much hassle, don’t forget that ODL has a bespoke printing service; just purchase your desired labels,  send your design and we’ll do the work for you.

No Transit Troubles

ODL’s labels are self-adhesive, so the stress of shipping orders on time is minimised. There’s no fumbling around for tape and untidy scrawling on scrap paper. Simply write or print your address, peel off and stick onto your outbound mail. By having a clean crisp and concise address label you can rest easy knowing that your goods will be couriered with minimal disruption, to a happy customer at the end of the line.

More than Just Mailing

Besides boosting your brand and being a good accompaniment to postage, the use of labels is versatile. Maybe you’d just like to categorise your stationary draw, create some pigeonholes or keep your snacks from being stolen from the office fridge! Whatever it is you want to put a name on, our white labels will make it stand out and bring some order back into your workplace.

To order your stocks of white A4 adhesive labels, or browse our other packaging supplies just visit our website or call us on 01785 760055.

In our age of progression, it can sometimes be easy to simply dismiss the more traditional methods in our midst. Nevertheless, that doesn’t necessarily mean those old-timers are no longer valid. When it comes to the trusty envelope, for instance, this mailing solution has most certainly stood the test of time. With the New Year in reaching distance, ODL has been getting nostalgic and looking into why, just sometimes, the old ways really are the best.

Quick and Easy

If there’s one thing that can’t be denied about envelopes, it’s that they’re one heck of a swift solution. Providing you with a one-stop form of packaging, you can use these products to send anything from essential documentation to DVDs and CDs. There’s no need to worry about desperately rummaging around trying to find the duct tape to piece together that all-too-flimsy parcel. What’s more, your package can arrive in style with minimal effort on your part, thanks to our selection of Coloured A6 Board Backed Envelopes. Combining dazzling good looks with practicality, these high-quality envelopes come in a variety of vibrant colours and provide additional protection with their 550 GSM card backing. That’s what we call an efficient piece of packaging.

Tamper-Proof

If you have confidential papers or an item of value to deliver, then it’s vital you find an envelope providing heightened security.  Admittedly, in this area our envelopes have had something of an upgrade from the more traditional ‘lick and stick’ enclosing method. With the peel & seal feature included in our Board Backed Manilla Envelopes, it’s possible to securely enclose your goods with this adhesive strip, making the envelope itself essentially tamper-proof.

To Bubble or Not To Bubble?

Okay, so maybe there’s more than one improvement we’ve made to the traditional envelope. But when it comes to ensuring your product gets to the customer safely without any preventable breakages along the way, we’re sure you’ll forgive us for this slight redesign. Using a Quality Air Cap sealed bubble layer, our Mail Lite Plus Envelopes can give you additional peace of mind during the mailing process. Combining this strong padding with their durable design, this product is the perfect example of how envelopes have resisted going over the hill, just yet. Browse our full selection of quality products online today or call our sales team directly on 01785 76 00 55 to order yours.

With frost setting in and temperatures plummeting, the wintry weather is well and truly upon us, with a raft of new obstacles for your delivery needs. But we don’t want to drag you down. After all, there’s at least one great thing these chillier months bring with them- Christmas. Combining attractive design with practicality, your company’s chance to spread some festive cheer this season comes in the form of ODL’s Metallic Christmas Bubble Lined Mailing Bags, available in green and red. What’s more, these clever little packaging solutions even have an answer to the less-than-hospitable weather. Whoever said bags had to be basic?

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

That’s right. Aside from bringing a burst of much-needed colour with their vibrant snowflake design, our mailing bags are winter-proof. Thanks to their thermal and water resistant exterior you needn’t worry about the changeable yuletide weather any longer. Whether they’re caught in torrential downpours or even a smattering of snow, these dependable bags will get your package to its destination without so much as a raindrop getting through.

What a Lightweight

These bags are utter lightweights. We mean it- your Grandma with her glass of sherry could rival them. The bag’s proficient polythene material gives you a featherweight parcel, so the delivery won’t break the bank in the process. What’s more, there’s no reason that the lightweight nature of these bags should make you question the safety of the product inside. The protective bubble lining encircles your yuletide goods with an effective barrier to keep cargo from damage throughout the delivery process. In other words, your Christmas joy will be unmarred by any untimely delivery woes.

The Gift That Keeps on Giving

You thought the benefits of these nifty little mailing bags were over? Well, we aren’t done quite yet. These bags boast some serious hipster chic credentials. Aside from their good looks, coming in traditional green and red, they’re also doing their bit for the environment, with it being possible to reuse them when next Christmas comes around. Now if that’s not something to sing and dance over, then we’re not in the festive season. Get your mailing bags today by calling our friendly sales team on 01785 76 00 55 or browse through our full selection of office supplies online today.

We all remember the days of merrily stomping on, rolling over, or otherwise popping the left-over bubble wrap peeking out from our parents’ latest delivery. Here at ODL, however, we’re rather more protective towards our bubble wrap. How can we get quite so excited about these air-filled pockets of plastic, you ask? Well, we’re bursting to show you...

Comfortably Cushioned

Whatever it is you may be delivering, it is of utmost importance that the product itself remains intact and in doing so, as does your business reputation. The transit process is a hairy one- from being passed through the packaging area, bundled into the delivery van, and finally unloaded at its destination, your cargo faces a series of risks. Blanketing fragile items in a covering of cushioned bubble wrap drastically reduces the chance of damage and, subsequently, of your business incurring unexpected costs. The bubbles’ shock absorption means they quite literally take the ‘wrap’ for you.

Lightweight Delivery

We want to ensure that delivering your product is a cost-effective exercise. This is done in one of two ways: firstly, making sure that the item is safe (as we’ve already covered), and secondly, eliminating the worry of excessively heavy packaging. It comes as no surprise that these bubbled sheets, made up of air and polyethylene, are virtually feather-light. This makes bubble wrap a practical choice, coupling it with most external packaging to avoid those unpleasant surcharges.

Environmentally Friendly

If you’re looking to showcase your business’s green credentials, it may surprise you that an unassuming roll of bubble wrap is an ideal way to do so. With our product being 100% recyclable, you will be assured of minimising your carbon footprint. By using bubble wrap, you’ll simultaneously build your company’s credibility, demonstrating an implicit awareness of environmental issues. Nowadays more than ever it is imperative your company acknowledges this. What’s more, bubble wrap is versatile, and can be reused and repurposed according to your customers’ need. As that time-honoured saying goes, ‘bubble wrap is for life, not just for Christmas’...well, something like that.

If your faith in bubble wrap has been restored, hop onto our website to have a closer look at what’s available. Browse the full range of our high-quality products online or give our friendly sales team a call on 01785 76 00 55 to order today.

Good things come to those who (don’t) wait

In 2016, the chances are that, unless your items are totally unique, consumers have loads of different ways to buy them. They can hunt for great 2^nd hand deals on eBay, play it safe with well-known websites or even look at importing wares from afar. On top of all this, the days of just sitting around for a package to be delivered “from 8 AM to 8 PM” are over; with GPS tracking, text alerts and more, consumers simply don’t have to wait around all day for their parcel to be delivered anymore. In order to compete with the big players, then, you need to offer a versatile courier service, perhaps working with a third party like Yodel or Hermes. Before you do that, however, you’re going to need to make sure your parcels fit the bill.

Special delivery

The golden rule, of course, still stands true; delivering items through the property’s letter box is the easiest way to guarantee their safety and security (and protect your brand from a maelstrom of negative reviews on social media). With that in mind, ODL stock loads of alternatives to the traditional mailing box that are much better suited to your buyers’ letterboxes. If your postal boxes just aren’t hitting the mark - perhaps they’re regularly going missing, or are susceptible to damage in designated safe areas - then look at things like padded envelopes or book wraps. These items offer the same high level of protection whilst attempting to drastically reduce parcel size, meaning your couriers can deliver more parcels directly to the property.

Finding a safe place

But what about when direct delivery isn’t an option? Ecommerce retailers are wising up to the fact that the largest part of their market - people with disposable income who shop online - probably work full time, and as such are increasingly going out of their way to suit the consumer’s lifestyle. Naturally, the responsibility for ensuring packages remain secure in their safe place falls to you, the seller, so it pays to invest a bit more in quality packaging solutions. Manufactured from a hardwearing polymer, mailing bags are an excellent alternative to or supplement for postal boxes, giving your items a reliable barrier against light, dust and water damage. They’re also highly tamper-evident, meaning it’s easy for your customers to see if someone has tried to open or otherwise interfere with their package.

Protecting Your Brand

Now we’re not saying these alternative packaging solutions will give you a pristine seller rating; accidents can always happen before, during and after the delivery process. What they will do, however, is reassure your consumers that you’re going to all lengths possible to accommodate their needs. Browse our full range of products online today, or call us directly on 01785 76 00 55 for further information.

Checking Boxes

Here at ODL Packaging, we deliver insightful packaging advice alongside our outstanding, high-quality products to help our clients make their budgets go further. In our latest article, we’re addressing an age-old question in the post and packaging business; “to box, or not to box”?

To Box...

In most cases, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better packaging solution than a good old-fashioned mailing box. Offering increased structural rigidity - and thus protection - mailing boxes are usually the method of choice when it comes to sending fragile items that have a high monetary or sentimental value. Delivered in flat packs, they can easily be stored in your warehouse without taking up loads of space, and can even be built without the use of adhesive tape (though we’d always recommend doing so to give an extra layer of security). ODL’s range of postal boxes also adhere to Royal Mail’s official guidelines (subject to trade tolerances, of course), allowing you to better budget for your P&P expenses.

Or not to Box?

Despite offering a higher level of security for more fragile or delicate items, the good, old-fashioned postal box is ... well, a bit “old fashioned”. In fact, there have been far more innovative packaging solutions designed in recent years to make your P&P budget stretch further. If you’re selling clothes, apparel or soft goods, for example, why not consider mailing bags? Manufactured from a hardwearing polymer, these robust bags offer a high level of water resistance and tamper proofing at a fraction of the weight. Perhaps you’re selling books, DVDs or other electronics? Pioneered by international companies like Amazon, purpose built book wraps are fast becoming the most convenient way to send DVDs, books and videogames, helping to streamline your distribution operations whilst still affording a high level of protection.

ODL have the Whole Package

Whether you’re looking for some tried and testing packaging supplies, or are searching for some more innovative solutions that could help to streamline and improve upon your distribution channels, check out ODL’s online store for our wide range of high quality products today.

Reduce, Reuse... Repurpose?

Now before we get into this, we know what you’re thinking: “Surely they want us to buy more packaging, right?” Well yeah, we do, but we also want to help you get the most value for your money when you invest in our packaging supplies, oh and reducing our environmental impact isn’t the end of the world either. That’s why we’ve put together the following blog on some unique ways you can repurpose some of our packaging items!

Storage Hunters

Here at ODL, we aim to sell high quality, long lasting packaging supplies to protect your items whilst they’re out for delivery, most of which can easily be repurposed as storage items, either in the home or the warehouse. Looking for a safe way to store those old nerdy film posters your partner insists you get rid of? Hold on to our hardwearing postal tubes, and seal the lids with adhesive tape for a durable means of storing them safe from moisture and dust. Alternatively, perhaps the family shed or workshop is getting overrun with stray screws, miscellaneous bolts and rogue nails? Weighing in at 50 micron, our 200g bags are excellent for collecting smaller items, as well as adding an extra layer of protection if you’re sending them in the post (not that we’d really recommend trying to post a bunch of old nails).

Layer Up

Looking to send fragile items through the post but you’re fresh out of bubble wrap? Start repurposing! Tearing up things like old padded envelopes, metallic bubble bags or even tissue paper is a cost-effective (but more importantly, lightweight) means of cushioning those delicate wares. Alternatively, wrap products in used mailing bags inside the existing packaging to give an extra waterproof layer - just be sure to seal it thoroughly with adhesive tape.

Packaging with Purpose

Whether you’re looking for durable postal tubes and boxes that can easily be transformed into convenient storage items, or just hardwearing mailing bags that can easily make a return journey, shop ODL’s wide range of high quality products online today.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

Here at ODL, we stock a whole range of affordable packaging supplies to ensure your parcels arrive safely and securely, without breaking the bank. The thing is, company correspondence, official documentation and other letters are often just as important as those consumer goods you’re sending - so where do you go if you need to protect them? As luck would have it, we have a whole area for that; we call it the “Envelopes” section.

Image Problems

When you’re sending out important documentation like invoices, accounting sheets, official correspondence and more, the state and appearance of your letters has a profound impact on how potential clients and affiliates perceive your business. If in doubt, it’s always best to opt for a clean, professional image, the likes of which is offered by our range of manila and plain white envelopes. Alternatively, our popular window envelopes can also save you time and money when it comes to attaching addresses and branded elements.

Long-lasting Letters

ODL also stock a range of highly protective envelopes from reputable brands for your peace of mind. Our Mail Lite padded envelopes, for example, utilise genuine Sealed Air bubble wrap, offering unbeatable protection and a moderate level of moisture resistance whilst out on the road. This makes them perfect for sending small goods as well as company correspondence. Our specific hard-backed envelopes also protect valuable items like certificates or legal documents from bending and creasing on the road, ensuring they arrive in a suitably professional condition.

No More “Black Mail”                                                      

Many of our protective envelopes come in a wide range of vibrant colours to help your brand stand out. Now we’re not suggesting sending your invoices out in neon pink envelopes, only that you can make a bit more of an impact with customer correspondence using our coloured metallic bubble bags or hard backed envelopes.

If you’re having a parcel dilemma, whether it relates to small or large items, letters or pretty much anything else, the chances are that ODL sell a solution to it at our website. Browse through our vast ranges of postal supplies and order online today!

The Proof is in the Packaging

The weather might be getting a little warmer, and daylight streaming through your windows at 6AM might make climbing out of bed a little easier, but in Britain, the spring season is no guarantee of a dry day - in fact, every season is pretty much rainy season on our small island. Apart from being a little depressing whilst you’re sat staring out of the office window, rain and water damage can pose a serious risk to your parcels when they’re in transit. The question is, however, how can you make sure your parcels are waterproof without putting on excess weight? Well, you can start by reading this blog...

Stellar Seller Reputation

Water leaking into your parcels can cause all sorts of (often quite expensive) damage, causing electrical items to malfunction, dyeing soft goods and apparel, and even harming collector friendly packaging. Incidents such as these don’t just incur financial cost, but can prove particularly damaging to your brand and customer relations, something you’ll probably want to avoid if your business is staked on your seller reputation.

Our mailing bags come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours (we even do ‘Economy Grey’ ones if you’re sending some serious - or boring - parcels) and are the perfect way to stop water getting into your packages without piling on the pounds. Manufactured from a hardwearing co-extruded plastic, they’re designed to offer 100% waterproof protection throughout the transit process - meaning that goods won’t get damp, and carrying virtually no risk of dyeing or colour bleeding. Coming in at 55 micron, and being fitted as standard with a strong self seal strip, they actively prevent wear and tear during transit, and thus clearly indicate when parcels have been tampered with during the postage process. They’re also highly versatile, making them the perfect solution for sending clothes, shoes or other soft goods; mailing bags can be delivered in small letter boxes where conventional postal boxes wouldn’t fit. Their naturally water-resistant quality also means that then can be left in designated safe areas with increased consumer confidence.

When Boxed Is Better

Sometimes, however, if you’re sending fragile goods (such as collectors’ items or electrical appliances), boxed is most certainly better. If you are considering using a postal box, why not try wrapping the goods in a mailing bag internally for extra protection? Alternatively, tightly wound bubble wrap offers a similar level of water proofing whilst protecting valuable goods from bumps and knocks in transit. (Then again, we would say all this, seeing as we’re the ones selling all these packaging products). Regardless of how you choose to package your items internally, remember to thoroughly seal all edges and seams of the box carefully with tape, covering all potential cracks or openings for water to seep in. Dedicated ‘Documents Enclosed’ wallets are also a great way to ensure sensitive documents like receipts or invoices stay dry when you need them to.

Dry Something New Today

ODL stock all sorts of fun and functional packaging supplies on our website, affording you and your parcels peace of mind and protection. Browse through our full lines of waterproof and protective items online today.