Save Box Sizing

Saving custom box sizes in SimpliSent speeds up your shipping process and ensures consistent, accurate package dimensions. Create templates for your most common packages to streamline label creation.

Understanding Box Management

Why Save Box Sizes?

Saving box sizes provides several benefits:
  • Faster Label Creation: Quick selection of common packages
  • Consistent Dimensions: Avoid measurement errors
  • Accurate Rates: Precise dimensions for rate calculation
  • Team Efficiency: Standardized packaging across your team
  • Inventory Management: Track packaging materials

Box Size Components

Each saved box includes:
  • Name/Description: Easy identification
  • Dimensions: Length, width, height
  • Weight: Empty box weight (tare weight)
  • Package Type: Box, envelope, tube, etc.
  • Notes: Special handling or usage notes

Creating Custom Box Sizes

From Settings

Step 1: Access Box Management

  1. Navigate to Settings in your SimpliSent dashboard
  2. Select Shipping Preferences
  3. Click on Box Sizes or Package Templates
  4. Choose Add New Box Size

Step 2: Enter Box Details

Basic Information
  • Box Name: Descriptive name (e.g., “Small Product Box”)
  • Description: Optional detailed description
  • Internal SKU: Your internal part/SKU number (optional)
Dimensions
  • Length: Longest side in inches
  • Width: Second longest side in inches
  • Height: Shortest side in inches
  • Units: Imperial (inches) or Metric (centimeters)
Always measure the outside dimensions of your boxes. Carriers calculate rates based on external measurements.
Weight Information
  • Box Weight: Weight of empty box (tare weight)
  • Maximum Capacity: Maximum weight this box can safely hold
  • Weight Units: Pounds (lbs) or Kilograms (kg)

Step 3: Package Type Selection

Choose the appropriate package type:
  • Package/Box: Standard cardboard boxes
  • Envelope: Flat mailers, padded envelopes
  • Soft Pack: Poly mailers, flexible packaging
  • Tube: Cylindrical containers
  • Pak: Rigid flat containers

Step 4: Additional Settings

Usage Notes
  • Best For: What products this box works best for
  • Special Instructions: Handling or packing notes
  • Restrictions: Weight or content limitations
Availability
  • Active/Inactive: Enable or disable box for selection
  • Team Access: Who can use this box size
  • Default Selection: Set as default for certain scenarios

Quick Add from Label Creation

During Label Process

While creating a shipping label:
  1. Enter Dimensions: Input package measurements manually
  2. Save as Template: Click “Save these dimensions”
  3. Name Template: Give it a memorable name
  4. Confirm Save: Template added to your box sizes
This method is perfect for one-off packages you want to reuse later.

Managing Existing Box Sizes

Edit Box Dimensions

To modify existing box sizes:
  1. Access Box List: Go to Settings → Box Sizes
  2. Select Box: Click on the box you want to edit
  3. Update Information: Change dimensions, weight, or description
  4. Save Changes: Confirm updates
Changing box dimensions affects future shipping calculations. Existing labels are not retroactively updated.

Organize Box Sizes

Categorization

Group boxes by:
  • Product Lines: Separate boxes for different products
  • Size Categories: Small, Medium, Large groupings
  • Usage Type: Standard shipping, fragile items, international
  • Department: Different teams or warehouses

Sorting and Filtering

  • Alphabetical: Sort by name A-Z
  • Size Order: Arrange by dimensions (smallest to largest)
  • Usage Frequency: Most used boxes first
  • Date Created: Newest or oldest first

Bulk Management

Import Box Sizes

Upload multiple box sizes via CSV:
  1. Download Template: Get CSV template from settings
  2. Fill Template: Add all box dimensions and details
  3. Upload File: Import CSV file
  4. Review Import: Verify all boxes imported correctly
CSV Template Columns:
  • Name, Description, Length, Width, Height, Weight, Package Type

Export Box Data

Export your box sizes for:
  • Backup: Save box configurations
  • Team Sharing: Share with other locations
  • Analysis: Review packaging efficiency
  • Migration: Move to other systems

Using Saved Box Sizes

During Label Creation

Quick Selection

When creating labels:
  1. Package Information Section: Navigate to package details
  2. Box Size Dropdown: See all saved box sizes
  3. Select Box: Choose appropriate size
  4. Auto-Fill: Dimensions and weight automatically populate
  5. Adjust if Needed: Modify dimensions for this shipment only

Search and Filter

For large box libraries:
  • Search by Name: Type box name or description
  • Filter by Size: Show only small, medium, or large boxes
  • Filter by Type: Show only envelopes, boxes, etc.
  • Recent Boxes: Quick access to recently used sizes

Integration with Orders

Auto-Assignment

Set up automatic box selection:
  • Product Rules: Assign boxes based on product types
  • Weight Rules: Auto-select based on order weight
  • Volume Rules: Choose box based on item volume
  • Custom Logic: Complex rules for specific scenarios

Order Processing

During order fulfillment:
  • Suggested Boxes: System recommends appropriate sizes
  • Multiple Items: Optimize for multiple products
  • Split Shipments: Automatically split oversized orders
  • Upgrade Suggestions: Recommend larger boxes when needed

Box Optimization

Dimensional Weight

Understanding how box size affects costs:

Dimensional Weight Calculation

Carriers use dimensional weight pricing:
  • Formula: (L × W × H) ÷ Divisor
  • USPS Divisor: 166 for retail, 194 for commercial
  • UPS/FedEx Divisor: 139
  • Billing Weight: Higher of actual or dimensional weight

Right-Sizing Strategy

Choose boxes that minimize dimensional weight:
  • Tight Fit: Minimize excess space
  • Standard Sizes: Use carrier-preferred dimensions
  • Multiple Options: Have various sizes available
  • Weight Balance: Consider both size and weight

Cost Analysis

Box Cost Tracking

Track the total cost of each box:
  • Box Purchase Price: Cost per box
  • Storage Costs: Warehouse space for boxes
  • Handling Time: Labor cost for packing
  • Shipping Savings: Reduced rates from proper sizing

ROI Calculation

Measure return on investment:
  • Shipping Savings: Reduced dimensional weight charges
  • Time Savings: Faster packing process
  • Error Reduction: Fewer measurement mistakes
  • Customer Satisfaction: Better protection, fewer damages

Advanced Box Features

Smart Recommendations

AI-Powered Suggestions

SimpliSent can suggest optimal boxes based on:
  • Historical Data: Your past shipping patterns
  • Item Characteristics: Product dimensions and fragility
  • Cost Optimization: Lowest shipping cost options
  • Carrier Preferences: Boxes that work best with specific carriers

Learning System

The system improves recommendations by tracking:
  • Success Rates: How often suggested boxes work well
  • User Overrides: When users choose different boxes
  • Damage Reports: Boxes that don’t protect well
  • Cost Performance: Most cost-effective combinations

Integration Features

Inventory Management

Connect box sizes to inventory systems:
  • Stock Levels: Track how many boxes you have
  • Reorder Points: Automatic reorder notifications
  • Usage Analytics: Which boxes are used most
  • Cost Tracking: Total packaging costs

Warehouse Management

Integrate with warehouse systems:
  • Location Mapping: Where each box type is stored
  • Pick Lists: Include box selection in picking
  • Quality Control: Verify correct box usage
  • Automation: Robotic systems can select boxes

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Incorrect Dimensions

If shipping rates seem wrong:
  • Verify Measurements: Double-check saved dimensions
  • Outside Dimensions: Ensure you measured external size
  • Rounding Rules: Some carriers round up dimensions
  • Package Type: Verify correct type selection

Missing Box Sizes

If saved boxes don’t appear:
  • Active Status: Check if box is marked as active
  • User Permissions: Verify access to box templates
  • Filter Settings: Clear any applied filters
  • Browser Cache: Clear cache and refresh

Dimensional Weight Issues

If costs are higher than expected:
  • Dimensional Weight: Calculate dim weight for your box
  • Alternative Sizes: Try different box dimensions
  • Package Type: Consider different package types
  • Carrier Comparison: Some carriers have better rates for certain sizes

Best Practices

Naming Conventions

Use consistent naming:
  • Size Indicators: Include dimensions in name
  • Product Types: Indicate what products fit
  • Special Features: Note crush-proof, waterproof, etc.
  • Version Numbers: Track changes over time
Examples:
  • “Small Product Box 8x6x4”
  • “Fragile Item Padded 10x8x6”
  • “Book Mailer Envelope 9x12”
  • “Electronics Box Antistatic 12x10x8”

Regular Maintenance

Keep your box library current:
  • Quarterly Reviews: Remove unused boxes
  • Dimension Verification: Verify measurements annually
  • Cost Updates: Update box costs regularly
  • Usage Analysis: Identify optimization opportunities

Analytics and Reporting

Box Usage Reports

Track which boxes are used most:
  • Usage Frequency: How often each box is selected
  • Cost Efficiency: Which boxes save the most money
  • Damage Rates: Which boxes protect contents best
  • Time Efficiency: Boxes that speed up processing

Optimization Insights

Get recommendations for:
  • Consolidation: Reducing total number of box types
  • Gap Analysis: Missing sizes you should add
  • Cost Reduction: Better box choices for common shipments
  • Seasonal Adjustments: Box needs that change over time

Need Help?

For assistance with box size management:
  • Setup Guidance: Help creating your first box templates
  • Optimization Advice: Recommendations for better box selection
  • Integration Support: Connecting boxes to other systems
  • Analytics Review: Understanding your packaging efficiency
Contact Support:
  • Email: support@simplisent.com
  • Live Chat: Available in your dashboard
  • Help Center: Detailed guides and video tutorials
  • Phone: For complex setup assistance
Well-organized box sizes are the foundation of efficient shipping operations. Take time to set up your box library properly, and you’ll save time and money on every shipment.