Process Guide · 5 min read
Underwear Packaging Options For Retail And Online
Retail programmes are held up by packaging far more often than by garments. It is the cheapest part of the order and the one most likely to miss a delivery window.
Packaging is quoted as an afterthought and then becomes the reason a delivery slips. Retailer specifications cover card size, hook type, barcode placement, carton marking and pack configuration, and every one of them can reject a shipment on arrival.
The Standard Options
| Format | What it is | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Printed paper box | A folding carton, usually with a window. | Gift, premium and occasion product. |
| Paper card with hanger hook | A printed card with a hook for peg display. | Supermarket and chain retail. |
| Polybag | A simple sealed bag. | E-commerce, wholesale and bulk shipment. |
| Header card and belly band | A printed band around a folded garment. | Shelf display and multipacks. |
| Multi pack sleeve | A printed sleeve holding two, three or five pieces. | Volume retail programmes. |
Send The Specification With The Tech Pack
Packaging requirements belong in the tech pack alongside the woven label and care label, not in a later email. A packaging change after sampling means new artwork, a new sample and a new approval round, and it is the most common avoidable delay in retail programmes.
Labels Are Part Of Packaging
- Woven label - brand name, size, position and material.
- Care label - wash instructions, fibre content, country of origin, market specific wording.
- Hangtag - price ticket, barcode, brand story.
- Gusset lining composition - appears on the care label and is expected in most markets.
Packaging Samples Are Approved Like Garments
The supplier sends a label sample and a packaging sample for approval in the same round as the lab dips, fabric swatches and pre production sample. Bulk does not start until all of them are confirmed.
