As an online seller, you can use certain tools and supplies to make your packing and shipping process simpler. Some of them are as follows:

1. Shipping Boxes

Since anything you will be directly shipping to the customers has to be in a box, you ought to have a constant supply of good quality boxes. Companies like Lowe’s, The Home Depot, U-Haul, Uline, and others sell boxes of different dimensions to suit your packing needs.

2. Packing Tape & Tape Gun/Dispenser

While these items can be bought at any local store, they can be bought in bulk and at lower prices from Amazon or Walmart. Make sure to use thicker tapes to stick better, thus ensuring that your package does not come apart while in transit. If you have a generous budget, tape dispensers like Better Pack 333 tape dispenser can make your packing process much easier.

3. Printer

For online selling, either direct thermal or laser printers are highly preferred because the labels printed on them are less prone to getting smeared and blurred than labels printed on inkjet printers. The Dymo Label Printer is highly recommended as it can print labels very fast. Since it does not require any ink for printing, it makes for an economical printing choice in the long run. Another highly recommended thermal printer is the Zebra LP2844 label printer. This printer allows you to print on self-adhesive labels; having a UPS account can get you self-adhesive labels for free. Both of these printers are small and high-quality printers.

4. Shipping Scales 

For less than 50 USD, you can purchase a fairly large scale. Though bathroom scales can also weigh your packages, bigger and heavier packages will make it difficult for you to view the reading, or may weigh more than the scale can measure. You can also opt for scales with a detachable display, which allows for checking the packages' weight without having to remove the package. For large shipments, you can use heavy-duty scales like the Mettler Toledo scale. This scale can be used to measure the weight of heavier packages with a high degree of accuracy.

5. Self-Sealing Poly Bags

Since self-sealing poly bags come in different sizes, you can choose them according to your products' size. If you have just started and are yet to identify your best selling items, buying a combo pack of self-sealing poly bags is recommended. Afterward, you can adjust according to your previous sales. Self-sealing poly bags are much more convenient for packing products as you would not have to seal them with tape.

6. Scotty Peelers 

Scotty Peelers are a must-have for every reseller, as they help remove any unwanted labels from the product. Despite their modest appearance, Scotty Peelers have proved to be effective in removing price labels off the products that you may buy from clearance purchases, liquidations, or big lot purchases for reselling purposes. Though these tools are made in both plastic and metal, the latter works better.

7. Heat Gun

A heat gun is used for the same purpose as the Scotty peelers, but with a better outcome. Labels can easily be removed from the products using heat. Though hair dryers can be used for this purpose, a heat gun will make more sense to use if you have many labels to remove. The heat gun helps remove stubborn labels or its residue from the product you intend to sell online.

8. Box Resizer

The box resizer comes in handy when you don’t have a box that fits your requirements. As its name suggests, this tool can be used to reduce the size of a box, thereby doing away with the need for using void fill. This prevents the weight of the box from increasing, thus saving you additional shipping charges. The box resizer helps to cut down the box in a uniform manner.

9. USB Barcode scanner

Though UPCs can be typed manually, this can get tedious if you have several items to enter your shipment. This scanner makes the process of entering the codes effortless and fast. All you need to do is plug-in this tool to your computer and list your items without having to type it into the relevant field. There are also wireless versions of this scanner.

10. Air Pillow Machine

This machine allows you to make air pillows whenever required. Air pillows are used to fill up the empty places in the box and provide an air cushion that could keep the product safe. While this tool is expensive, for sellers of fragile items such as electronics, this device is a must-have as electronic items often need to be prepped to withstand rough handling during shipping.This machine allows you to make air pillows whenever required. Air pillows are used to fill up the empty places in the box and provide an air cushion that could keep the product safe. While this tool is expensive, for sellers of fragile items such as electronics, this device is a must-have as electronic items often need to be prepped to withstand rough handling during shipping.

11. Adhesive Remover

If you are looking for alternatives to the hot gun, you can opt for adhesive removers. These are easily available in the market and can help remove adhesive residues, stickers, labels, etc. Some even come with a built-in scraper and sponge applicator.

12. Handheld Scanners 

Handheld scanners can be of immense help. Handheld scanners are faster than phones and can start scanning product barcodes almost immediately. Some scanners can be paired with both Apple and Android smartphones and check crucial details of the products, like its price, approximate profits, etc., in real-time.