How to pack your IT
Why is packing your IT carefully so important?
Your sensitive IT equipment will be tracked, handled, trunked, routed and delivered via a huge sorting hub dealing with upto 27,000 parcels per hour. We use Interlink Express and have done for several years. We find them very trustworthy and reliable but sometimes things can go wrong so it's best to give your shipment every chance of success and avoid damage or loss in transit and unnecessary delays.
Handling
Health and Safety lifting guidelines say the average person should not really be lifting over 25KG at waist height. The best advise is to test the weight first and make sure you can comfortably lift the package. Consider any lifting aids you may have and don't be afraid to ask for help.
You will need
- A clean and sturdy double walled box (Old dusty boxes do not make a good surface for barcode labels or packing tape)
- The box must have at least 2 inches clearance on all side of the item being shipped
- Check the box's corners for signs of splitting (the stapled corner goes first)
- Remove any old shipping labels, barcodes etc from the box
- Packing material such as bubble wrap
- A good quality packing tape (2 inches wide or more)
- Brown paper or a black bin liner
How to pack your inkjet printer or laser printer
How to pack your PCB system board or mother board
How to pack your Laptop
Your laptop carry case is not enough to protect it during transit. If you do have the original packing then we always advise you use this but cover the box in brown paper or a black bin liner to conceal the contents. This avoids temptation and also preserves the condition of the box itself.
If you have to make up your own packing you need to;
Allow at least 2" between the laptop and the box, on all sides including somewhere to put the AC PSU and accessories.
Make sure accessories like the AC PSU are packed to the side of the laptop, not sat on top of the screen ready to break it if compressed. Bubble wrapping these is also a good idea
Cover the laptop in at least one layer of bubble wrap
Fill the gap between the laptop and the box with additional shock absorbing material like more bubble wrap or loose fill foam chips
Test the packing by closing the box and making sure the laptop is firmly held in the box but that the top is neither bulging or sagging
When you are happy with your packing put a copy of any communication you’ve had with us into the box along with your own details including contact email or phone number
Seal the box with packing tape, don’t forget to seal the bottom of the box
.
Tape the box flaps down where they meet and also half way between this point and the side of the box.
Seal the ends and tape across the middle as above
Put FRAGILE on all sides and our address clearly on the top.
Now call us to arrange the collection on 0118 984 5005
How to pack your PC
Instructions for PCs are very similar to the above laptop instructions but the issue of weight does enter in to it.
When selecting a box it must be able to take the total weight of the PC with plenty of clearance all around
Most carriers have a maximum 30KG limit in one box so you'll need to let us know if your PC weighs more. If you need to use more than 1 box, clearly mark each box as part of the total number (1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3 for example).
We don't need any external cables but please include any Windows or recovery disks you have
A common mistake to make is using all your packing tape sealing the top of the box leaving the bottom hanging open ready to pop open on it's journey.
For heavy items like PCs flow-pac or loose fill polystyrene chips are not advisable.
Test the packing by closing the box and making sure the PC is firmly held in the box but that the top is neither bulging or sagging
When you are happy with your packing put a copy of any communication you’ve had with us into the box along with your own details including contact email or phone number
Seal the box with packing tape, don’t forget to seal the bottom of the box
.
Tape the box flaps down where they meet and also half way between this point and the side of the box.
Seal the ends and the middle
Put FRAGILE on all sides and our address clearly on the top.
Now call us to arrange the collection on 0118 984 5005
How to pack your inkjet printer or laser printer
Instructions for printers are very similar to the above laptop instructions but the issue of weight does enter in to it.
Before packing your printer you should refer to the manufacturer's shipping instructions with particular attention to whether the consumables (inks& toners) should be removed for transit.
Most A4 printers are fine for overnight shipping but anything over this like an A3, A2, A1 or A0 printer or plotter should be shipped directly or a field call arranged. Call us now to talk about your options.
Most carriers have a maximum 30KG limit in one box so you'll need to let us know if your printer weighs more. If you need to use more than 1 box, clearly mark each box as part of the total number (1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3 for example).
With inkjet printers it is usually ok to leave the inks in for shipping as long as the printer is "parking" the printhead correctly. That's what it's doing when it moves the carriage to one side and makes a lot of noise when you switch on/off. The carriage is usually locked in place during this process. If you have the original packing still you may even find the tape or clip that helped hold the carriage in place as well.
Laser printers are a different ball game. Usually the toner/EP cartridge must be removed and placed in separate packing. As laser printers differ widely you really do need to consult the manufacturers instructions (usually found online), if you can't find these then please contact us for help.
We don't need your external cables but please include your driver disks if you have them
If your laser has an EP cartridge or a drum unit that needs removing you must put this in a soft dark place and NEVER touch the green surface. This is an organic photoconductor so day light "wears down" the surface and these are known to be carcinogenic.
If you have removed the consumables please pack these carefully in a separate box/boxes
For heavy items like laser printers flow-pac or loose fill polystyrene chips are not advisable.
Test the packing by closing the box and making sure the printer is firmly held in the box but that the top is neither bulging or sagging
A common mistake to make is using all your packing tape sealing the top of the box leaving the bottom hanging ready to pop open on it's journey.
When you are happy with your packing put a copy of any communication you’ve had with us into the box along with your own details including contact email or phone number
Seal the box with packing tape, don’t forget to seal the bottom of the box
.
Tape the box flaps down where they meet and also half way between this point and the side of the box.
Seal the ends and tape across the middle
Put FRAGILE on all sides and our address clearly on the top.
Now call us to arrange the collection on 0118 984 5005
How to pack your display
Old fashion CRT (tube type) displays are notoriously big and heavy so a strong box is essential. Newer LCD/TFT displays are a lot smaller and lighter so the laptop packing instructions apply.
Remove the tilt and swivel stand if you can and be careful where you put the AC adaptor if it has one to the side of the display with no chance of them touching the display face. We do not need your standard IEC power lead or VGA signal cable.
Most carriers have a maximum 30KG limit so you'll need to let us know if your display weighs more. If you need to use more than 1 box, clearly mark each box as part of the total number (1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3 for example).
A common mistake to make is using all your packing tape sealing the top of the box leaving the bottom hanging ready to pop open on it's journey.
For heavy items like CRT displays flow-pac or loose fill polystyrene chips are not advisable.
Test the packing by closing the box and making sure the display is firmly held in the box but that the top is neither bulging or sagging
When you are happy with your packing put a copy of any communication you’ve had with us into the box along with your own details including contact email or phone number
Seal the box with packing tape, don’t forget to seal the bottom of the box
.
Tape the box flaps down where they meet and also half way between this point and the side of the box.
Seal the ends and tape across the middle
Put FRAGILE on all sides and our address clearly on the top.
Now call us to arrange the collection on 0118 984 5005
How to pack your PCB system board or mother board
Firstly you must observe Anti-static precautions and be carefull not to damage the PCB. All PCBs must be packed in either an anti-static bag with standard bubblewrap around or in anti-static bubblewrap. Make sure you have at least 2 inches clearance between all sides of the PCB and the box.
You must make sure the PCB is sufficiently cushioned inside the box using bubble wrap or soft foam
Once you've packed up your PCB, tape up the box as above. With pizza style boxes remember to seal the tuck in flap as well.
Test the packing by closing the box and making sure the PCB is firmly held in the box but that the top is neither bulging or sagging
When you are happy with your packing put a copy of any communication you’ve had with us into the box along with your own details including contact email or phone number
Seal the box with packing tape, don’t forget to seal the bottom of the box
.
Tape the box flaps down where they meet and also half way between this point and the side of the box.
Seal the ends and tape across the middle
Put FRAGILE on all sides and our address clearly on the top.
Now call us to arrange the collection on 0118 984 5005
- Home
- Workshop Repairs
- On-site Service
- Business Support
- Software Development
- Website Design
- Computer Sales
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Useful Links
VAT Reg No: 569 7983 54
Tel: 0118 9845005 Unit 4 The Old Mill, Reading Road, Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 7HY Fax: 0870 751 5125