A subscription box looks simple from the outside: items go in a box, and the box goes to a subscriber. Behind the scenes, every cycle repeats the same work, and the box only feels special if every one is built the same way.
What kitting means
Kitting means assembling several items into one ready-to-ship package. For a subscription box, the kit is the box your subscriber opens. A kit usually includes:
- The products themselves.
- Cards, inserts or printed materials.
- Samples and extras.
- The packaging that holds it all.
The packaging side
Packaging is part of the experience, and part of the cost. There are three common ways to handle it:
- From the warehouse: boxes, mailers or poly bags supplied by your 3PL.
- From you: branded boxes, mailers or inserts that you send in, and we use.
- A mix: standard shipping packaging with your own cards and inserts.
Packaging is usually priced per box or mailer used, so ask for it as its own line in your quote.
How a cycle works
- Send your products and your box list ahead of the ship date.
- The warehouse counts the products in and stores them.
- Each box is built to your instructions, and checked before it is sealed.
- Boxes ship on your schedule, monthly or weekly, with tracking.
- You follow stock, orders and tracking in your dashboard.
What to prepare
- Exactly what goes in each box, and in what order.
- Your inserts, cards and packaging choice.
- How many subscribers you have, and your ship dates.
- What changes from one cycle to the next.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sending products too close to the ship date.
- Changing the box list at the last minute without telling the warehouse.
- Forgetting that packaging and printed inserts take time to arrive.
- Not planning a few spare units for damages and replacements.
How we handle it
Sonic Fulfillment kits, packs and ships subscription boxes, and we can supply the packaging or use yours. We work with monthly or weekly cycles, and building boxes ahead of the ship date can be arranged, depending on quantity. Our engineered quality control process lets us audit for last-minute changes. See subscription box fulfillment, or ask for a quote.