Kitting is the promo tactic you need to know. Not only can offering this fulfillment service help you win more orders, it also creates a more impactful experience for the end-user. New to kitting? No problem. Find out how to get started by following these five simple steps.
Kitting is a process in which separate but related items are branded, bundled and mailed out together as one unit. For example, consider a skincare company that might combine a cleanser, toner exfoliator and moisturizer into one customized package to be sent directly to the consumer for a branded unboxing experience.
In the promotional products space, kitting means distributors can sell multiple different products to clients and have their supplier partner (such as Unicorn Line, a one-stop-shop for printing and kitting) take care of all the branding and bundling on the back end for them. The only thing distributors like you have to do is place the order and Unicorn Line will handle the rest. End-users will then be mailed a custom branded package filled with all the promos you picked and sold to your client for a truly unique and impactful unboxing experience.
The savings potential of kitting services and assembly are enormous. Kitting drastically reduces the shipping costs, waste, packaging, time and labor required to fulfill each order. Kitting also eliminates the need for weighing and labeling each individual item, which makes it easier to preprint labels in batches when shipments are ready to go out. Overall, Unicorn Line has found that cost savings can range from hundreds to thousands or more.
It's never been easier to get started than with Unicorn Line by your side. With the ability to do commercial printing in-house as well as their years of expertise in packaging and box production, you can bet each branded bundle will turn out beyond your client's wildest dreams.
The Counselor 2021 State of the Industry report asked distributors for the first time if they offered kitting, and the results were surprising. While about a third of distributors offer kitting, it varies drastically by company size. A mere 9% of small distributors ($100,000 in revenue or less annually) offer kitting, while a whopping 72% of large distributor firms ($1 million - $5 million in revenue annually) offer it.
That's a BIG discrepancy – but it also means kitting is an opportunity to provide your clients with premium services only the big guys currently offer, no matter how big your business is.
The benefits only continue for your clients. Branded mailer boxes are simply more impactful and memorable than basic packaging. Just search "Unboxing" on YouTube and browse videos with millions of views each, all showing end-users opening up branded custom mailers. That's a lot of eyeballs on your client's brand, all because you set them up with unique branded boxes.
First things first, let's talk products. Before you start branding and packaging, you need to determine which promos to kit together. For the best results, consider which items make sense to be in the same package. For instance, you could select a range of items from the same product category that can be used together. Or, consider the end-user – even if items are different from one another, as long as they're all useful to your target audience, they're excellent choices to be kitted together. Unicorn Line has seen great popularity and success for kitted items selected around themes like relaxation, personal care, food and beverage and celebrations.
Once your clients have settled on their favorite promos, it's time to place their order. Forget about snail mail or struggling to explain project details over the phone, which can often lead to miscommunications and mistakes. When you work with Unicorn Line, placing kitting orders is as simple as sending an email. Send your PO to [email protected] and your client's project is on its way to being created, branded, bundled and mailed.
You can feel confident putting your order in Unicorn Line's hands. That's because their team of experts are not only trained on the ins and outs of kitting, but they're also available to walk you through any questions and concerns you may have by providing services such as:
Your order is in – now it's time for your supplier to get all the promos. Whether you ordered products from Unicorn Line or selected items from another supplier, Unicorn Line is happy to provide all your warehousing and storage needs. They have warehousing capabilities to store products for up to one month, although additional time is also available for a fee if you need it. With a facility size of 100,000 square feet and specialized loading docks for shipping and receiving, you can count on this supplier to take care of it all so you can focus on what you do best: helping your clients.
Now it's time for the fun part: packaging and decoration! This is the step in the process where kitting really shines. Instead of imprinting just the products themselves, Unicorn Line will creatively design and construct packaging that's exciting to receive, expertly branded for your clients and creates a memorable unboxing experience for the recipient. Show your clients the packaging possibilities so they can see all the exciting options for themselves, such as:
Finally, the kitted bundles are ready to be shipped. All of this happens behind the scenes, so you don't need to worry. Unicorn Line has an average turnaround on box printing of just one week and about three to five days for kitting. Have last-minute or rush requests? Not a problem – let Unicorn Line know and they'll be happy to provide rush options upon request.