Packaging and logistics: Packly optimizes the supply chain

In an increasingly fast and competitive market, packaging and logistics are emerging as two of the most critical strategic assets for companies that design, produce, or market physical products. Optimizing the supply chain, reducing time to market, and cutting supply chain costs are central objectives for purchasing managers, e-commerce brands, and paper processing operators. In this context, packaging materials do not only respond to an aesthetic or functional need, but are a real hub for logistics, capable of influencing every phase of distribution.

The packaging made by Packly is 100% recyclable. The cases are produced using exclusively certified raw materials from sustainable sources. The cardstock, inks, varnishes, and foils are manufactured in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practices (GMP) for materials and objects intended to come into contact with food.

Thanks to a model consisting of on-demand, just-in-time, and sustainable production, Packly enables companies to obtain custom boxes quickly, with optimized inventory management and minimal waste. The result? A leaner, more flexible, and effective supply chain.

Supply chain: What is logistics?

To fully understand the impact of Packly, it is essential to define what is meant by logistics. In general terms, logistics refers to the structured set of activities designed to ensure the smooth and coordinated flow of goods, information, and resources throughout the entire supply chain. This process begins well before a product is finished, starting with the management of raw materials, through storage and production, up to the widespread distribution of the final product. The primary goal of logistics is to ensure that every element, whether a component, information, or the product itself, arrives at the right place, at the right time, and at a fair cost. This delicate balance is what makes logistics both complex and vital.

In recent decades, logistics has undergone a radical transformation. From a simple operational function, often relegated to a secondary role, it has become a strategic lever fundamental to corporate competitiveness. Modern logistics is deeply integrated with business planning, production processes, and, increasingly, with the customer experience. This is especially true in the e-commerce sector and the D2C (Direct-to-Consumer) space, where the speed, reliability, and accuracy of deliveries can significantly impact a brand’s success or failure. An impeccable delivery experience can foster customer loyalty, while delays or errors can easily prompt customers to switch to the competition. Logistics is no longer just a matter of internal efficiency; it is a key factor in achieving customer satisfaction and maintaining a strong brand reputation. The focus has shifted from optimizing individual steps to a holistic view of the entire value chain, where each phase is interconnected and interdependent.

What are the logistics activities?

Logistics comprises several interconnected activities that collectively contribute to the overall flow of goods and information. Among the main logistics activities we find:

• Procurement: This phase involves managing suppliers, strategic purchasing of materials, and coordinating the entire upstream supply chain. Efficient procurement management ensures the availability of the necessary resources, reducing downtime and costs.
• Storage and inventory management: Fundamental to any company with physical products, this activity encompasses rigorous inventory control, rational warehouse organization, and the implementation of sophisticated systems.WMS (Warehouse Management System): The goal is to minimize storage costs and prevent inventory obsolescence while ensuring product availability.
• Movement: Refers to the internal transportation of goods, packaging, and preparation of orders for shipment. Efficient handling reduces preparation time and minimizes damage to products.
• Distribution: This phase involves selecting the most suitable distribution channels, managing last-mile logistics (the final stage of delivery, often the most complex and expensive), and, increasingly, outsourcing some logistics operations to specialized operators.
• Reverse logistics: An increasingly important aspect, which deals with the management of returns, product reconditioning, and material recycling. Efficient reverse logistics not only reduces costs but also contributes to corporate sustainability and customer satisfaction.
• Flow analysis and optimization: Using data and analytics to improve the overall efficiency of logistics processes and predict future demand. This data-driven approach helps identify bottlenecks, optimize routes, and make more informed decisions.

It is crucial to note how the packaging is inserted transversely in many of these activities. Well-designed and adequate packaging has a direct impact on handling, storage, distribution, and even reverse logistics. For example, packaging that does not adequately protect the product can result in increased returns and higher reverse logistics costs. On the contrary, optimized packaging can dramatically reduce storage volumes and transportation costs.

Packaging and logistics: an increasingly strategic link

The link between packaging and logistics is stronger and more strategic than ever. A packaging efficiency is not simply a container, but a real logistics ally. When designed with the specific needs of the supply chain in mind, packaging can generate tangible benefits:

• Reduction of clutter: Smart packaging design allows you to optimize space in transport loads and warehouses, reducing storage and shipping costs. Modular or collapsible boxes are examples of packaging that maximizes space.
• Product Protection: Sturdy, custom-made packaging significantly reduces damage during transit, reducing costs associated with returns, replacements, and claims. This not only protects profits but also improves brand reputation.
• Ease of handling and tracking: Packaging can be designed to facilitate loading, unloading, and storage. Barcodes, QR codes, or other tracking technologies integrated into the packaging make inventory management and product location much more efficient.
• Improving customer experience and strengthening the brand: In B2C, aesthetically pleasing and functional packaging contributes to a memorable unboxing experience, reinforcing brand identity and the perception of quality. Well-made packaging communicates care and attention to detail.

However, many companies face structural limitations in producing custom packaging, including high minimum volumes, long delivery times, and high costs for prototypes or testing. This is where Packly makes the difference.

We are pleased to cite the example of one of our customers, Hermanos Colombian Coffee, which started as a home roasting operation and then expanded rapidly. We report the solution adopted on Packly and the reasons for the choice: “We chose the matchbox model to ensure flexibility in size, usability, user experience, and adjustability. We want to contribute to reducing packaging waste, so we chose a box that slowly reveals its contents as you open it, and the box was designed to be gifted without the need to wrap it in an extra layer of paper.”

Packaging and impact on the supply chain

Packly is an online platform that allows you to design, view, and order custom packaging quickly, intuitively, and entirely digitally. With Packly, you can create custom boxes starting from a single piece to test and perfect the final result. Once you have found the optimal solution, Packly scales production with you, managing to print and deliver even large quantities of boxes at low costs and in an efficient time. This approach radically changes the rules of the game:

• On-demand production: Companies can order precisely what they need, when they need it. This eliminates the need to accumulate unnecessary packaging inventory, reducing inventory costs and the risk of obsolescence.
• Just-in-time: With speedy production times (even 48 working hours), Packly allows for perfect synchronization with the customer’s production chain. This means that the packaging arrives exactly when needed, supporting a continuous and uninterrupted workflow.
• Intrinsic sustainability: Packly is committed to using recyclable materials and drastically reducing waste, thanks to low environmental impact printing processes. This alignment with sustainability principles not only protects the environment but also strengthens the client’s brand image.
• Total control and transparency: The platform provides instant quotes, interactive 3D mockups, the ability to preview the final result before production, and the option to download custom dies. This gives the customer complete control over the design and specifications of the packaging.

The result of these advantages is a more flexible and responsive logistics. Companies can quickly adapt to market changes, manage demand spikes, or launch new products with agility, maintaining a significant competitive advantage, especially in highly variable sectors such as fashion, food, beauty, or home decor, where trends and consumer needs change rapidly.

Packly transforms packaging from a fixed and rigid cost to a factor of flexibility and innovation.

Reduce time to market with innovative packaging.

One of the most significant advantages offered by the Packly platform is the drastic reduction of time to market. This ability is essential in an economy that rewards agility and rapid response. The ability to design customized packaging completely independently, view the 3D rendering in real time, and receive prototypes or complete orders in a few days offers a series of strategic benefits:

• Rapid product and format testing: Companies can test new product lines, innovative formats, or seasonal variations without having to face production blocks or significant initial investments. This reduces the risk associated with introducing novelties to the market.
• Accelerate go-to-market: For seasonal launches, limited editions, or special campaigns, speed is everything. Packly enables you to prepare packaging in record time, allowing you to capitalize on market opportunities.
• Responsiveness to feedback and logistical needs: The ability to quickly adapt packaging based on customer feedback or new logistical needs (e.g., changes in dimensions to optimize loads) is a significant competitive advantage.

In a market where the timing is everything, this flexibility translates directly into a competitive advantage. Companies that can launch products faster, test new ideas, and adapt to change are the ones that grow fastest.

Case study: Packly and the D2C cosmetics sector

An Italian brand in the cosmetics sector, Ebrand, needed to test a new line of green products with packaging consistent with the brand’s values. A traditional supplier would have imposed high minimum runs and long delivery times.

With Packly, however, eBrand was able to:

• Create custom packaging with FSC materials.
  
• Order small quantities for market testing.
  
• Receive your first order in less than 5 days.
  
• Rapidly scale production based on customer response.

Let’s hear the testimony of Federica Rossi, Sales and Marketing Manager of Ebrand Italia:

“With Packly, we created beautiful boxes for new products called Benda collant. We created a box for our capsule masks, we created little boxes for two face and body oils, and all the beauty boxes for our face and body kits for resale!”

Result: reduced initial costs, faster launch, immediate market feedback, and no excess packaging in the warehouse.

Optimize the supply chain and reduce costs.

According to a study by McKinsey, Companies that adopt flexible and data-driven models in the supply chain achieve a reduction in operating costs of up to 20%. Packly’s on-demand production and customized packaging fit perfectly into this logic:

• No packaging storage = less space occupied, less capital tied up.
  
• Time-split orders = lower risk of obsolescence.
  
• Greater traceability and control =  fewer errors, fewer returns, and increased efficiency.
  

Logistics thus becomes not only a service function, but a strategic lever for economic optimization.

Sustainable packaging: a competitive advantage

Green packaging is no longer a niche, but a necessity. According to research by ASviS, 70% of Italians consider sustainability in packaging a key factor in their purchasing decisions. In particular:

• 51% appreciate the use of recyclable materials.
  
• 43% prefer packaging without overpackaging.
  
• 40% positively evaluate the use of renewable raw materials.
  

Packly responds to this demand with a sustainable, transparent, and certified supply chain. The packaging materials available on the platform are carefully selected to minimize environmental impact, and the digital production process significantly reduces waste of resources.

One client who has taken this approach is L’ORGANIQ, in the words of its founder: “As a certified Carbon Neutral company, sustainability in all aspects of our business is crucial to us. All the suppliers we work with must have the same ethics, and Packly’s commitment to preserving the environment makes it the perfect partner for all our packaging.”

Conclusions

In an era where companies seek agility, efficiency, and sustainability, customized packaging logistics is a vital asset. Packly proposes itself as a strategic partner in this scenario, revolutionizing the way companies design, order, and manage their packaging.

With an advanced digital platform, scalable on-demand production, sustainable materials, and a supply chain-oriented approach, Packly simplifies and enhances every logistical step of custom packaging.

The future of logistics is bright, tailored, and sustainable. With Packly, it is already a reality. Try it now on our design platform.