Subscription Box Business Amazon Must Haves
Jul 05, 2024Discover twelve of my favorite subscription box business must-haves you can get from Amazon.
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It’s time to start planning for Amazon Prime Days! Amazon Prime Days are happy days for subscription box owners! If it’s anything like last year - and I know it will be - there will be so many sales on so many great items! Now is the perfect time to pick up some things to help you run your subscription business more efficiently.
I talk a lot about how you need to be willing to invest in your business. Now, I’m not talking about spending thousands of dollars. Rather, making smart purchases as you’re able will allow you to grow your business.
Today I’m sharing twelve of my all-time favorites Amazon finds. I invested in most of these early on in my subscription box journey and still use them. Consider these to be must-haves for most subscription box business owners.
1. Poly Mailers
What if your subscription doesn’t need to go in a box? Poly Mailers are the perfect solution for t-shirts and other smaller, non-breakable items. I use them for shipping products from my online store as well as my T-Shirt Club subscriptions.
Amazon offers SO MANY cute designs. Even before you’re able to design custom bags, you can change up your bags each season or choose a bag that matches your brand colors and simply re-order them again and again.
These black watercolor stripe bags are perfect for my brand, and they have them in several different colors!
2. Organza and Clear Plastic Bags
We talk a LOT inside Launch Your Box about how important it is to provide your subscribers with an experience. Don’t underestimate the power of little touches to make your box extra special. Packaging is such an important part of an amazing box-opening experience.
I love using these colorful organza bags to repackage my small items. Anything I can take out of the plastic bags they’re shipped in and put into these organza bags is SO worth it. My favorite size to use is the 4x6, but they come in a variety of sizes - and colors - so you can choose the perfect bags for your subscription box.
These clear plastic bags are also great for packaging earrings, bracelets, and other small items to make sure they don’t get lost in the box.
3. Mailer Boxes
I don’t recommend designing and ordering custom boxes when you’re just getting started with your subscription box. I don’t even recommend it until you’ve started to grow and it makes sense to make that investment. Read more about my thoughts on all things packaging in this blog post.
During the early days of your subscription box, you need basic boxes. And no matter what size box you need for your subscription box biz, Amazon probably has it! Make sure you are getting the ones with the side flaps, so you don't have to use a bunch of unnecessary tape on your boxes!
Take your basic box and make it on-brand with some great ideas from my blog post How to Brand Basic Packaging for a Subscription Box.
4. Ring Light
Hello, instant Botox! Seriously, though, a ring light just makes you and all your videos look better. We talk about how it can be hard to put yourself out there and go LIVE. Let this ring light give you an extra boost of confidence knowing you look great! You can even use it as extra light when you are taking pictures of your products!
Grab this 18" adjustable ring light, and you’ll never show up live without it again!!
5. Arkon Mount
I love my Arkon Pro Phone and Camera Mount so much, I bought two. It’s the right choice whether you’re setting up for the perfect selfie, taking a behind-the-scenes shot, or even teaching your audience how to make something. There is simply no other mount that allows you to get so many angles.
6. Rollo Printer
If you ship regularly and don't know about the Rollo printer, you are missing out. I've tried several label printers over the years, and this one is hands down the best!! This printer will work with any direct thermal label and is compatible with all major couriers and software platforms. Did I mention I love my Rollo printer?!
Learn more about the Rollo printer and more of my favorite shipping tools HERE!
7. Labels
Labels are such an important part of our process to handle the many variables of The Monogram Box. We use these labels for our boxes and these labels for our bags. They make packing day a breeze!
Learn more about how to manage variations in your subscription box business HERE.
8. Shipping Scale
When even a half pound off in the wrong direction can be costly, a good shipping scale is a must! Upgrade your scale today. This is similar to the one I use at the warehouse.
9. Bed Risers
An aching back doesn’t have to be something that comes with your subscription box business. If your back hurts from bending over a table that is too low for long periods of time, try our DIY hack. Use bed risers to raise your tables or workstations 3, 5, or 8" with this set!
10. T-shirt Folder
Fold t-shirts neatly and efficiently - every time. We love these t-shirt folders because every shirt comes out the same and fits perfectly in our packages. You’ll want to order more than one for your team. We know you’ll LOVE them as much as we do!
11. Printer
Are you still using a desktop printer to print your packing slips? We used a little desktop printer for way too long, dealing with constantly running out of ink and paper jams. I love this all-in-one printer. We’re now able to print hundreds of invoices and packing slips in minutes.
12. Backdrop
Creating the perfect background for pictures of your subscription box starts with this great backdrop. I love using this - my products pop against this bright white background and it hides any messes that might be lurking behind it! Grab one of these and a few inexpensive props for your flat lays.
Questions about our backdrop led to me taking members of Launch Your Box on a tour of our photo setup inside the warehouse. They LOVED seeing how we take such great product images to use on our website and all over social media!
Our goal as subscription box owners should always be to work smarter, not harder. Investing in some of these must-haves will help you do just that. Streamline processes, gain efficiency, and watch your business grow.
Check out even more of my subscription box business must-haves from Amazon HERE!
Happy shopping!!
Learn from me:
- Subscription Box Blueprint eBook: This $10 ebook covers logistics from product selection to packaging to shipping. Plus a 90-day launch plan and bonus ‘Instant Scripts’ for your social media.
- Launch Your Box: My complete training program that walks you step by step through how to start, launch, and grow your subscription box business.
- Launch Your Box Podcast: I share tons of practical tips and strategies to help you start, launch, and grow your subscription box business. You’ll also hear from industry experts and current Launch Your Box members who are crushing it - get ready to get inspired!
- One Box at a Time: Inside my book One Box at a Time, I show you the steps you need to follow to start and launch your subscription box. To turn your dream into reality. This book is filled with proven teachings, valuable resources, best practices, and action steps for you to take.
Find me on social:
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Facebook: @SubBoxwithSarah
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Instagram: @howtostartasubbox
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