KITTING GUIDE

How to make awesome kits

7 steps to building a truly custom kit… with tips and inspo along the way.

Kitting Guide
How to make awesome kits

7 steps to building a truly custom kit… with tips and inspo along the way.

What’s in a Kit?
Kits come in all shapes and forms, which is why we love ‘em. If you can imbue your kit with creativity and care, it will stand out and connect with your people all the more. But doing so is no click and order process. Here is how we think through crafting custom kits. Hopefully the steps will guide and inspire you along the journey. Our team will of course be there every step of the way, from product selection and design, to kitting and fulfillment.

PRODUCTS

PACKAGING

7. Add ons

PRODUCTS

PACKAGING

Planning for Success
The more questions we can understand early on, the better we can plan for your kit. Who is getting the kits? How many? What’s the timeline? Budget? All of this helps us pick relevant product and make suggestions on everything from packaging to personalization that fits your campaign.

Costs
Keep in mind that a kit has costs beyond the product. The actual breakdown will vary per kit, but here are the main buckets to consider. See kitting pricing >

PRODUCTS
1. Choose your swag wisely
You clearly want cool gear for your kit, but when choosing your items, make sure to also consider some of the ramifications those items will have when it comes to kitting and shipping. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Size & Weight
Every inch and pound counts towards the shipping costs of an individual kit. Reduce the size of a box by selecting items that compliment each other in size and leave little empty space.

PRO TIP – Kits that are 16 oz (1 lb) or less can ship much cheaper via regular mail (the average t-shirt is about 5-6 oz).

Individual Packaging
Many items come with individual boxes or packaging. Do you need it in your kit?
When to keep – Items that are fragile, hazmat, or have custom printed packaging.
When to remove – Non-fragile items that can be unpacked to reduce overall box size.

ECO TIP – Request bulk shipping from suppliers so there’s less individual packaging.

Breakable Items
Nobody wants to open a package with broken goods. If the item came individually packaged, keep it for your kit. If it came bulk shipped, we can use bubble wrap to protect the item when it goes out in your kit.

ECO TIP – To reduce overall packaging, swap out a fragile item for a non-breakable version.

Lithium Batteries & Hazardous Materials
Special packaging and labeling is required for items with lithium batteries or hazardous materials such as hand sanitizer.

PRO TIP – We’re experts at shipping hazmat items, but if you are able to swap out the item, you should. They can cause delays, complications, extra costs and extra labeling.

2. Cool ways to contain your items
Think outside the box… why not add your items into something that usable after recipients get the initial kit.

Made for Kraft Heinz interns, this kit needed some flare, so we created a ketchup bottle custom pocket tee and an insulated mug to keep things toasty.

The Facebook employee kit contains a shirt, hoody and insulated bottle in a canvas tote (perfect for those CA beach outings). We even added a hang tag for easy size identification.

Amazon used a practical lunch tote for their recruiting kit. Inside it has all the classics: tee, bottle, lip balm. sticker and pen.

2. Cool ways to contain your items
Think outside the box… why not add your items into something that usable after recipients get the initial kit.

Tote Bag
A functional product that can also be used after the kit is received. Win win!

Made for Kraft Heinz interns, this kit needed some flare, so we created a ketchup bottle custom pocket tee and an insulated mug to keep things toasty.

The Facebook employee kit contains a shirt, hoody and insulated bottle in a canvas tote (perfect for those CA beach outings). We even added a hang tag for easy size identification.

Amazon used a practical lunch tote for their recruiting kit. Inside it has all the classics: tee, bottle, lip balm. sticker and pen.

Backpack
A great kit container for recipients that are always on the go.

Twilio used an embroidered Ogio backpack to house several tech goodies for their new hires, including a pop socket, cord connector, earbuds and insulated bottle.

To help with recruiting, BD used a Cocoon backpack with Grid-it storage to contain a journal set, power bank, travel adapter, VR headset and bottle (with a bonus letter inside - don’t forget those add-ons to add a personal touch).

Unity leaned into several retail brands to create a top notch new hire kit: Timbuk2 backpack housing a Swell bottle and a folio with Prodir pen.

Pouches/Dopp Kit
The perfect container for those on the go or for smaller kit items.

A travel kit complete with mints, lip balm, tissues, a notebook and the all important hand sanitizer.

To help keep students safe and ready, this pouch has 2 types of sanitizers, a thermometer check and a clean key.

Expedia created a custom hangover kit that included Emergen-C, Tylenol, Alka-Seltzer and Life Savers.

Something Else?
If you can place items in it, you can kit with it! Turn your drinkware into a cup of swag or a (merch) message in a bottle.

The famous faceversary gift is a custom designed sticker and enamal pin housed in a cool little paint can (with blue crinkle)!

Nurx Employee Kit includes a fully custom plastic case to hold birth control, stickers and postcard inside a custom poly mailer.

As a college client gift, Kotis rolled a fun Fri-yay shirt into a water bottle, reminding them to hydrate (and feel great : )

3. Give it a retail touch

Hang Tags
Add an extra message or brand touch with a custom hang tag.

Bands/Stickers
Roll up your garments and use either custom sticker or bands to keep them intact.
Check out our sticker guide →

Tissue Paper
Choose from 20 + colors or go with a fully custom imprint.

Ribbon
Wrap a bow around your kit with a custom full-color printed ribbon (or twine for a eco friendly vibe.)

4. Fitting it all together
Ever gotten an Amazon box with way too much void for what was actually shipped? Seems like a waste right… it is, from both a material and budgetary standpoint. The tighter things fit together, the more $ it saves, and usually the better it looks (plus it’s more eco, yay).

Since every project is unique, every kit is it’s own puzzle. Our design team will mockup your items to scale and try different ways to piece them together for the best fit. With our dimensional proof, you can then visualize how the kit will look and adjust from there. It’s a fun collaboration that results in truly custom kits.

PACKAGING AND SHIPPING
Get the recipients excited before they even see what’s inside. That’s the magic of a well designed package, it creates an unboxing moment that’s part of the overall kit experience. Think about packages you’ve received… what made them stand out? We can help you design one that does just that. The options are a plenty.

5. What are the items going in?
To pick the best box/mailer for your campaign, consider the branding opportunities, the user experience and the cost. Using your kit box as the actual shipping box is an easy way to save on materials and $. Simply design the UPS label into the box graphic. The box will get a bit scuffed during shipping, but with the right design, it still looks great.

One Color
A simple one color screen print on a kraft mailer in this Digital Ocean partner Kit

Full Color
Full color printing is used to emphasize the fun welcome message on the top of the box in this NextRoll new hire kit

Personalized Printing
With digital printing, we can print variable data like an employee or client name directly on the box.

Basic Box
It comes in any size, it’s sturdy, it’s recyclable – it’s a cardboard box!

Plain Box - A simple box for sending out items

Flat Folding Mailer - A quick folding mailer with variable depth that can hug your items.

Front Flap Box - A sturdy shipping box with flaps that act more like a gift box. Also perfect for decorating with extra touches like stickers and stamps.

Printed Box
Add some brand flare to your shipping box with custom printing.

Digital Ocean Partner Kit A simple one color screen print on a kraft mailer

Full Color Print – Corvus When you want a little more pop, upgrade to full color printing that can wrap around all the panels of the box.

NextRoll New Hire Kit Full color printing is used to emphasize the fun welcome message on the top of the box.

Gift Box + Shipping Box
Protect your presentation box with an outer shipping box.

Audible created a new hire kit that included a custom two piece gift box and custom insert to hold an Echo Dot

Vita Coco created a double layered box in the form of a crate to promote the new product.

Mailer
Great for soft goods or non-breakable items. Generally uses less space (and packaging!)

Eco-Friendly Using 100% recycled poly and soy-based inks, you can create a mailer that’s friendly on the eyes and the environment.

Full Color Ordering thousands of mailers? Deck them out from top to bottom with full color artwork.

Basic Decorate your poly bag with your brand.

White Mailer

NextRoll New Hire Kit

Vita Coco Product Launch

FILLER
6. Keep your items nice and snug
Air pockets or bubble wrap are great for keeping items safe. Crinkle paper can also be a fun option with 20+ colors to choose from (or mix and match colors for a custom blend!)

Custom Inserts
For a retail look, use cardboard or foam to cut out individual slots for items, create dividers or use as void fill. It creates a very curated and custom feel.

Soft items from the kit
That cozy hoody or soft tee can be used for more than just swag… it can be a great filler to keep items in place and protected.

Filler
Air pockets or bubble wrap are great for keeping items safe. Crinkle paper can also be a fun option with 20+ colors to choose from.

ADD ONS
7. Add some extra touches to your box

Custom Tape
Choose from kraft, clear, colored, or completely custom tape. For an extra retail touch, consider the tape color and graphic when designing your box.
ECO TIP – Use a recyclable and compostable option like kraft for your tape.

Stickers
If you’re using a basic box, a sticker can add a nice custom look. Or add even more custom touches to a printed box.
Check out our sticker guide →

Stamps
Add some hand crafted DIY flair by stamping the outside of the box (uncoated). Don’t worry, our warehouse team can handle that too : )

ADD ONS
7. Add some extra touches to your box

Custom Tape
Choose from kraft, clear, colored, or completely custom tape. For an extra retail touch, consider the tape color and graphic when designing your box.
ECO TIP – Use a compostable material for your tape.

Stickers
If you’re using a basic box, a sticker can add a nice custom look. Or add even more custom touches to a printed box.

Stamps
Add some hand crafted DIY flair by stamping the outside of the box (uncoated). Don’t worry, our warehouse team can handle that too : )

Kitting Pricing
These prices are for standalone projects and do not apply to items subject to a Program Agreement. Reference your Program Agreement for prices on sending items from your inventory.

Kitting Items

1 - 5 items	$5
6 - 10 items	$7.50

$1 off if ordering a custom box
$1.50 off if checking into inventory
*Includes kitting, tissue, and box (kraft)

Shipping

Mailer	$10
Box: (under 1 lb)	$10
Box: (1-5 lbs)	$15

*Standard ground shipping, domestic only

Kitting Add Ons

Crinkle Paper	$2
Hazmat or breakable	$2
Variable data	$2
Custom sticker (standard shapes)	$2
Print on box (up to 2 colors)	$5
Handwritten note	$5
Add size sticker (for kits w/ apparel)	$0.20
Roll / fold	$0.60
Ranger roll apparel	$0.85

Kitting Add Ons

Crinkle paper - $2
Crinkle paper is a fun option to secure your products with over 20 colors to choose from (or mix n match colors for some extra brand pop!)

Hazmat or breakable - $2
If your kit includes a hazardous good or hazmat item and/or a breakable item like a glass bottle or ceramic mug, we give it some extra TLC to ensure we're following shipping requirements and preventing breakage.

Variable data - $2
If you’d like to match a specific name to each kit (e.g. each postcard is personalized or each address receives a specific person's kit), we can do so using variable data.

Custom sticker - $2
Bring some extra brand flair with a printed sticker added onto your box (circle or square shape).

Print on box - $5
If you don’t have time or the budget for a custom box, we can screen print up to 2 colors on the top of a stock white or kraft box.

Handwritten note - $5
Get the ultimate personalization for your kit with a handwritten note created by an automated machine to ensure consistency. Max 50 words.

Roll / fold - $0.60
If you are adding apparel to your kit, it will require us to roll or fold the garment going inside. Not only does rolling or folding help with presentation but also to ensure everything fits properly...

Add size sticker - $0.20
For kits that have sized items, the sticker ensures we match up the right size to each recipient.

Ranger roll apparel - $0.85
Ranger rolling is a technique used in the military to neatly roll your shirt into a compact “burrito”. We highly recommend it for any t-shirts going into a kit.

You made it
Kitting is not always a simple journey, but the efforts are well worth it. Especially as your kit makes its way into the lives of the people it meets. They won’t see your behind the scenes efforts, but by enjoying and using your kit and it’s contents many times over, I’m sure you’ll take that as thanks enough.

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