Entries by admin

Why Doing Nothing Might Just Be The Silver Lining You Need

April 9, 2020 in /by

Having your packaging, or other product, produced overseas comes with its fair share of risks. Here's how to prevent some common quality issues.

  1. Have Someone You Trust Available Overseas

We realize this is not possible in all scenarios, but having someone on site at the manufacturer to monitor production is the ultimate way to prevent any quality issues that might arise. Having someone on your team that will be able to effectively communicate updates and issues before production units are shipped, is absolutely ideal.

2. Quality Assurance via Sampling

Make it clear that you will not approve production without first article physical samples. You need to have the product in hand to evaluate any unforeseen issues with quality that cannot be seen via photo or video.  When changes are necessary, make sure to use very detailed photos and drawings to communicate with the factory.

3. Give Your Project and Accurate Lead Time

Your timeline is important when launching a new product. Supplier lead times may initially sound appealing, but they are often not accurate due to a variety of variables that might delay the process. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to deal with any quality issues that might arise, so that you are not sacrificing anything in order to have your product arrive on time.

Another reason not to rush production, is that overseas manufacturer quality will always suffer if lead times are rushed.

 

4. Use a Project Management Company

Sourcing and manufacturing overseas can carry significant risks if you don’t know what you’re doing. Without someone to rely on to review production for quality assurance, you could risk receiving low quality or defective units and a whole host of issues that ensue.

Avoid the risks of sourcing overseas by working with a trusted supplier. With offices in the US and a team of expert quality assurance employees in China, GLS has you covered.

 

Need Help Getting Started?

Get in touch today and we can help you with anything from designing your packaging to sourcing a new product.

Contact Us

Brighten Your Day – Stories of Kindness and Light in this Difficult Time

March 26, 2020 in /by

Having your packaging, or other product, produced overseas comes with its fair share of risks. Here's how to prevent some common quality issues.

  1. Have Someone You Trust Available Overseas

We realize this is not possible in all scenarios, but having someone on site at the manufacturer to monitor production is the ultimate way to prevent any quality issues that might arise. Having someone on your team that will be able to effectively communicate updates and issues before production units are shipped, is absolutely ideal.

2. Quality Assurance via Sampling

Make it clear that you will not approve production without first article physical samples. You need to have the product in hand to evaluate any unforeseen issues with quality that cannot be seen via photo or video.  When changes are necessary, make sure to use very detailed photos and drawings to communicate with the factory.

3. Give Your Project and Accurate Lead Time

Your timeline is important when launching a new product. Supplier lead times may initially sound appealing, but they are often not accurate due to a variety of variables that might delay the process. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to deal with any quality issues that might arise, so that you are not sacrificing anything in order to have your product arrive on time.

Another reason not to rush production, is that overseas manufacturer quality will always suffer if lead times are rushed.

 

4. Use a Project Management Company

Sourcing and manufacturing overseas can carry significant risks if you don’t know what you’re doing. Without someone to rely on to review production for quality assurance, you could risk receiving low quality or defective units and a whole host of issues that ensue.

Avoid the risks of sourcing overseas by working with a trusted supplier. With offices in the US and a team of expert quality assurance employees in China, GLS has you covered.

 

Need Help Getting Started?

Get in touch today and we can help you with anything from designing your packaging to sourcing a new product.

Contact Us

Navigate the Trade War – How Will Tariffs Affect Your Business?

August 27, 2019 in /by

Having your packaging, or other product, produced overseas comes with its fair share of risks. Here's how to prevent some common quality issues.

  1. Have Someone You Trust Available Overseas

We realize this is not possible in all scenarios, but having someone on site at the manufacturer to monitor production is the ultimate way to prevent any quality issues that might arise. Having someone on your team that will be able to effectively communicate updates and issues before production units are shipped, is absolutely ideal.

2. Quality Assurance via Sampling

Make it clear that you will not approve production without first article physical samples. You need to have the product in hand to evaluate any unforeseen issues with quality that cannot be seen via photo or video.  When changes are necessary, make sure to use very detailed photos and drawings to communicate with the factory.

3. Give Your Project and Accurate Lead Time

Your timeline is important when launching a new product. Supplier lead times may initially sound appealing, but they are often not accurate due to a variety of variables that might delay the process. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to deal with any quality issues that might arise, so that you are not sacrificing anything in order to have your product arrive on time.

Another reason not to rush production, is that overseas manufacturer quality will always suffer if lead times are rushed.

 

4. Use a Project Management Company

Sourcing and manufacturing overseas can carry significant risks if you don’t know what you’re doing. Without someone to rely on to review production for quality assurance, you could risk receiving low quality or defective units and a whole host of issues that ensue.

Avoid the risks of sourcing overseas by working with a trusted supplier. With offices in the US and a team of expert quality assurance employees in China, GLS has you covered.

 

Need Help Getting Started?

Get in touch today and we can help you with anything from designing your packaging to sourcing a new product.

Contact Us

Holiday Packaging Design Inspiration

July 16, 2019 in /by

The holidays can be a great time for sales, but your packaging has to stand out to reap the full benefits.

  1. Start Simple

    If you’re running out of time to come up with a holiday design, consider going for a simple change to grab consumer attention. For example, change your typical white box to a black box with gold foil logo and ribbon, or opt for a new shape but keep your artwork the same. Work with your manufacturer to come up with a new solution that saves time and money (let us know if you need help!). You can also view our stock holiday catalog here.

    Limited Edition

    If your branding is usually distinct and on point, releasing a limited edition holiday version of your packaging can be a great way to increase sales. Think bold and dramatic. The holidays are a great time for shiny foils, whimsical artwork, and innovative shapes.

    Try an Advent Calendar

    From chocolates to beauty, many brands are releasing special advent calendars (yes we make those too!)  for the holidays. This is a unique way to allow consumers to sample many of your products, and marvel at your branding. The custom options are endless.

    Use a Project Management Company

    Creating brand new packaging for the holiday season can be a daunting task  if you don’t know what you’re doing. Without someone to rely on to help find solutions, design, and review production for quality assurance, you could risk receiving low quality or defective units and a whole host of issues that ensue.

    Avoid the risks by working with a trusted supplier. With a team of experts (engineers, designers, QC) and offices in the US and overseas, GLS has you covered.

Need Help Getting Started?

Get in touch today and we can help you with anything from designing your packaging to sourcing a new product.

Contact Us

5 Reasons Sourcing on Alibaba Can Be Risky

August 7, 2018 in /by

Do you know the risks associated with sourcing products through Alibaba? Here are the top 5 reasons you should avoid sourcing on your own.

  1. Communication

When you are dealing with an overseas supplier through Alibaba, you are going to run into a variety of communication barriers. Language misunderstandings, time differences, cultural understanding, etc. can all play a part in potential order issues.

2. Quality Assurance

Many products on Alibaba seem great at first glance, but upon closer inspection turn out to have a series of quality issues. Even if you are able to get a sample directly from the overseas supplier, you can never be assured that your final production quality will be the same. Without someone you trust to oversee the production, you risk receiving an end product that does not meet quality standards.

Suppliers will promise the world in order to get your business, but you really have no control over your end product. And that, is a recipe for disaster.

3. Logistics

Your timeline is important when launching a new product. Supplier lead times may initially sound appealing, but they are often not accurate due to a variety of variables that might delay the process.

You must also make sure you have all the necessary documents to clear customs and ensure your shipment makes it to the correct destination. Then you have to consider where you will store your products. Logistics can be a nightmare when not handled by someone with the correct experience.

 

4. Fraud & Scams

Scary words, yet cases of fraud run rampant on Alibaba. One common technique that scammers on Alibaba use is the bait and switch scheme. Essentially, a supplier will attract buyers with advertisements for one type of product, but when a buyer places an order, he’ll be sent an obviously inferior product instead. Other types of fraud include  things like broken or shoddy merchandise, counterfeit products, and fake goods.  Or when no products are shipped at all!

 

5. Experience

We have talked about how sourcing through Alibaba can carry significant risks. Without someone to rely on to review production for quality assurance, you could risk receiving defective units and a whole host of issues that ensue.

All of these potential issues can mean a lot of headaches for you. You may get a product in the end, but the stress of doing it all on your own might not be worth the trouble.

Need Help Getting Started?

Avoid the risks of sourcing overseas by working with a trusted supplier. With offices in the US and China, GLS has you covered.

Contact Us

Should you source your project overseas or domestically?

July 9, 2018 in /by

Knowing whether to source your product or custom packaging overseas vs. domestically is a loaded question. The short answer, it depends!

If you are just starting to source goods of any type, you know how overwhelming it can be. It isn’t as simple as jumping on Alibaba and adding 500 pieces of an item to your cart. Many would argue that sourcing overseas has too many risks, but then you’re stuck with sourcing from the limited domestic options  that will charge an exorbitant amount for relatively simple projects. So which route do you take?

Consider the Details

Let’s say you are looking for a custom rigid box for your product with a soft touch finish and embossed logo. In this situation, it would be far cheaper to source the box from overseas, where the cost of hand labor and printing extras is much less expensive than in the US.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you are just looking for a simple mass produced carton with limited printing, a domestic printer could provide you with a similarly priced item and at a much faster rate.

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Project Timeline

Do you need your products delivered in 6 months, or in 3 months to meet the holiday season deadlines? Your project timeline will have a significant impact on what your options are for sourcing. Domestic sources will have a faster turn-around, but with proper planning you can often meet your deadlines with a combination of air and sea shipments from overseas.

Experience

If you have never sourced from overseas before, doing so on your own can carry significant risks. Without someone to rely on to review production for quality assurance, you could risk receiving defective units and a whole host of issues that ensue.

Are there great savings to be had by sourcing overseas? Absolutely. But if you factor in the risks, it could turn into a financial and logistical nightmare without the proper help and guidance.

GLS has their own facilities overseas, along with a trusted network of factories that we have been working with for well over a decade. With offices in both California and overseas, we make the entire process seamless and simple. We handle your project from concept to completion, and take care of every detail along the way.

Need Help Getting Started?

Contact us today to begin discussing your project, and we can help you find the right material for your product and budget.Contact Us