Why Every Package Needs a Packaging Insert

If you're shipping products, you may be overlooking one of the most effective ways to build brand loyalty—a simple packaging insert. There are a few reasons this small detail packs a big punch. These small, low-cost additions can turn a routine delivery into a memorable experience. Whether it’s a discount code, a thank-you message, or product tips, custom packaging inserts offer an easy way to add more value to every order and make a deeper connection with your customer base.

Benefits of Custom Packaging Inserts

A well-placed product insert is more than filler—it’s a versatile tool to boost engagement, increase customer loyalty, and support long-term growth.

Reinforce Brand Presence Beyond the Screen

Your website and emails do heavy lifting online, but custom inserts extend your brand into the real world. A thoughtful card inside a package reinforces your identity, helps build brand awareness, and encourages connection. Include social media accounts to stay visible beyond the purchase.

Drive Repeat Purchases with a Discount Code or Offer

Want to bring customers back? Include a discount code, referral code, or limited-time discount offer to prompt a next purchase. These small incentives are proven to increase repeat purchases and strengthen customer retention.

Create a Memorable Unboxing Experience

Today’s shoppers have higher standards—and exceeding the customer’s expectations often comes down to small details. A short note, a helpful tip, or a small free gift can instantly delight customers and make your unboxing experience share-worthy.

Provide Additional Value at Low Cost

Packaging inserts are a cost-effective way to offer additional value. They’re lightweight, scalable, and easy to tailor to different product lines or customer segments.

💡LettrLabs supports two impactful formats:
Flat or bi-fold handwritten cards that spark genuine emotion, and perforated tear-off inserts designed for trackable actions like referral schemes, RSVPs, or personalized discount cards. Whether you're thanking a customer or aiming to cross sell customers, LettrLabs helps you make packaging part of the customer experience.

Designing Effective Packaging Inserts

The most effective packaging inserts are simple, thoughtful, and aligned with your customer journey. Whether you're including a discount code, writing a personal message, or adding a business card, your insert should guide the customer toward a clear next step—without overwhelming them.

Keep It Focused and On-Brand

Great design starts with clarity. Your custom packaging insert should communicate one core message: a thank you, an offer, or a prompt to act. Avoid clutter, and focus on clean layouts, brand colors, and typography that ties back to your online store or product identity.

Personalize for a Better Customer Experience

Personalized packaging inserts help customers feel seen and appreciated. Whether it’s a friendly handwritten note, a printed founder message, or a QR code that links to a video or product guide, these details create stronger customer relationships and boost customer satisfaction.

Choose the Right Size and Material

Your insert should fit neatly inside your product packaging. While many brands use a standard 3” x 2” insert card, LettrLabs supports flexible formats—flat or folded—to suit various box sizes. Materials like matte card stock or rustic kraft paper also enhance the tactile feel of the unboxing experience.

Include a Clear Call-to-Action

Every insert should include one clear CTA:

• Use a discount code for a next purchase
• Tag your social media accounts to earn a reward
• Scan a QR code for more info or a free gift

💡 LettrLabs Tip:
When creating inserts with LettrLabs:

• Keep handwritten card messages under 650 characters—short, sincere, and human works best
• For perforated tear-off inserts, design around the 2.125” perforation line so the CTA is clearly separated
• Use double-sided printing if you want to include both a personal message and a discount offer
  We can also help you create inserts or provide templates tailored to your packaging and campaign goals.

Types of Packaging Inserts

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to packaging insert ideas. The best inserts are aligned with your customer journey—whether you're welcoming new customers, driving repeat business, or encouraging customers to explore more of your product lines. Below are some of the most effective insert types used by ecommerce businesses today.

1. Thank You Cards

Simple and heartfelt, a thank you card is one of the easiest ways to delight customers and make a lasting impression. Whether printed or handwritten, these cards help your brand feel personal, not transactional.

2. Handwritten Notes

A handwritten note adds emotional value to any package. It tells the customer their order mattered and makes them feel part of something more personal—something many customers won’t forget. LettrLabs’ custom inserts make it easy to scale this experience without writing each message by hand yourself.

3. Discount Offers & Discount Cards

Offering a discount code for a next purchase is one of the most effective ways to encourage repeat purchases. You can also include discount cards targeted to cross sell customers—for example, “Get 15% off accessories when you buy again.” These small prompts can lead to more sales from repeat customers.

4. Referral & Brand Loyalty Program Inserts

Include a referral code that rewards both the sender and the friend. You can also highlight your loyalty program and encourage customers to collect points. These types of insert cards help foster relationships and keep customers engaged beyond the purchase.

5. Product Information Inserts

These product inserts are ideal for sharing how-to tips, care instructions, or product details that help customers use the item effectively. When customers understand your product effectively, you reduce returns and boost customer satisfaction.

6. Free Gifts & Samples

Including free product samples or a small free gift can instantly increase perceived value. This is especially effective for online beauty brands or any brand with multiple product lines—it’s a natural way to introduce customers to other product lines and increase repeat purchases.

7. Social Media Cards

Encourage customers to follow your social media channels or share their unboxing moment with a branded hashtag. Many customers are happy to post their experiences—but only if you make it easy to do so. Include handles, QR codes, or incentives like a discounted price on their next order.

💡 LettrLabs Format Tip
LettrLabs offers two flexible insert formats to fit these use cases:

• Handwritten flat or bi-fold cards (no envelope), perfect for welcome notes, thank-yous, and brand storytelling

• Perforated tear-off inserts, ideal for discount offers, RSVP cards, loyalty programs, or even a return shipping label

Need help? We’ll help you create inserts tailored to your packaging and campaign goals.

Building Customer Loyalty

Custom packaging inserts can go a long way toward building customer loyalty. By offering additional value and creating moments of personal connection, these inserts help brands stand out and turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.

Packaging Inserts Foster Relationships That Last

When customers open a package and find a handwritten note, a small free gift, or a thank you card, it does more than make them smile—it makes them feel appreciated. That emotional impact helps foster relationships and increase customer satisfaction.

Whether you run a small business or a growing ecommerce brand, personalized packing inserts can humanize your brand and make customers more likely to return.

Encourage Repeat Purchases with Purposeful Messaging

A strategic product insert can encourage repeat purchases without feeling pushy. Consider adding a:

• Discount code for their next purchase
• Referral code for sharing with a friend
• QR code linking to a loyalty program or exclusive offer

These small nudges give customers a reason to come back and build a habit around your brand.

Personal Notes Make Customers Feel Seen

Including personal notes is one of the most underused (and most effective) ways to create a memorable customer journey. Whether handwritten or printed to look handwritten, these notes remind people that your business is powered by real people—not just pixels and packages.

At LettrLabs, we help brands deliver that feeling at scale with beautifully written, human-toned inserts that resonate.

💡 LettrLabs in Action:
Brands using LettrLabs often report not just better engagement—but more personal feedback from customers who were touched by the message inside the box. Some even post the notes on social media, tagging the brand and extending the reach organically.
Our custom inserts are designed to support loyalty at every stage—whether you're just saying thanks, promoting a discount offer, or including a loyalty reward via a tear-off insert.

Amazon Business Considerations

Selling through Amazon? Adding a packaging insert to your orders can be tricky. While inserts are great for building customer loyalty and encouraging repeat purchases, Amazon strictly limits what’s allowed—especially when it comes to discount offers, referral codes, and anything that might influence positive reviews.

Know the Rules Before You Create Inserts

Amazon’s Seller Central policy prohibits insert content that:

• Incentivizes reviews (e.g., “Leave 5 stars to get a free gift”)
• Offers a discounted price or reward in exchange for a review
• Redirects customers away from Amazon (e.g., linking to an online store or promoting social media accounts for off-platform sales)

Violating these policies can lead to penalties like listing suppression or account suspension. Always double-check the rules before you create product inserts for your Amazon business.

How to Add Value Without Violating Policy

You can still use inserts on Amazon—as long as they’re neutral and helpful. Compliant insert ideas include:

• A simple thank you card with no sales pitch
• A product insert with usage instructions or care tips
• Contact info for customer support or warranty registration
• A polite reminder to leave honest feedback (no review incentives)

These small touches still provide additional value while staying on the safe side.

💡 LettrLabs Tip for Amazon Sellers:
While LettrLabs supports both handwritten cards and perforated tear-off inserts, we recommend using these formats primarily for DTC orders or those fulfilled via 3PL—where you have more control over packaging.
If you do use inserts for Amazon, we suggest sticking to neutral, informational content that complies with all policies to avoid unwanted reactions from Amazon’s moderation team.

How to Track the Impact of Custom Inserts

Like any other marketing tactic, your packing insert strategy should be tied to real results. Whether you're trying to increase customer loyalty, drive repeat purchases, or promote new product lines, clear metrics will help you learn what’s working—and optimize what isn’t.

Key Metrics Worth Tracking

Here are reliable ways to measure how your custom inserts are performing:

• Repeat purchase rate – Are insert recipients reordering more often?
• Redemption rates – How often are discount codes, referral codes, or QR codes used?
• Engagement – Are customers tagging your social media accounts or sharing their unboxing experience?
• Customer feedback – What are customers saying about the insert in surveys, reviews, or direct replies?
• Loyalty sign-ups – If you're promoting a loyalty or referral program, are you seeing a spike in sign-ups?

These insights help you connect your product insert strategy to tangible outcomes and customer satisfaction.

Tools That Help You Attribute Results

To accurately assess impact, try these tactics:

• Use unique discount cards or discount offers per campaign to isolate performance
• Add UTMs to any links on the insert to track traffic to your online store
• Use dynamic QR codes to monitor clicks, scans, and conversions
• Segment customers who received a thank you card or free gift vs. those who didn’t, and compare repeat rates or order values

💡 LettrLabs Insight
At LettrLabs, we help brands create inserts that don’t just look great—they convert. Many clients test formats like handwritten notes vs. tear-off coupons to see which yields more sales or stronger customer relationships. We also provide strategic guidance to help interpret results and refine your insert campaigns based on real customer data.

Creating a Successful Packaging Insert Strategy

A thoughtful packaging insert can do more than say thanks—it can drive repeat purchases, expand your customer base, and strengthen brand loyalty. But to make the most of it, your insert strategy needs to align with your goals, audience, and brand tone.

1. Start with a Clear Goal

Before you design anything, ask: What is this insert supposed to achieve?
Common objectives include:

• Encourage repeat business with a discount code
• Cross sell customers by promoting complementary product lines
• Build customer loyalty with a thank you card or handwritten note
• Drive traffic to your social media or online store
• Grow referrals or loyalty sign-ups through a compelling CTA

Each objective calls for a different format and message—so clarify the purpose upfront.

2. Choose the Right Insert Format

The format should match the intent:

• Use a handwritten note to welcome new customers
• Include a tear-off discount card to drive the next purchase
• Add a product insert with tips to reduce returns and improve customer satisfaction

💡 LettrLabs Format Tip
We offer flat or bi-fold handwritten cards (no envelope) for emotional impact, and perforated tear-off inserts for clear CTAs like discount offers, loyalty tracking, or detachable reply slips. Both formats are easy to personalize based on your offer, campaign, or packaging constraints.

3. Design with Clarity and Intent

Whether you print on matte card stock or rustic kraft paper, keep your custom inserts concise and on-brand. Don’t try to do too much—focus on one strong CTA. Examples:

• “Use this discount card for 15% off your next order.”
• “Scan the QR code to leave a review or join our program.”
• “Share your unboxing with @yourbrand to win a free gift.”

And of course, make sure the insert fits neatly inside your product packaging.

4. Test, Learn, and Optimize

Your first product insert won’t be your last—and it shouldn’t be. Experiment with:

• CTA placement, format (flat vs. folded), and tone
• Timing (first-time customers vs. every shipment)
• Different incentives (e.g., free gift vs. discount code)

Track which version performs best at driving repeat customers or loyalty sign-ups, and evolve from there.

💡 LettrLabs Makes It Easy to Create Inserts That Work
At LettrLabs, we help brands create inserts that align with their goals—whether it’s driving more value through a tear-off discount offer or building brand loyalty with a handwritten thank-you. Our team supports you from design to delivery, so you’re never guessing what works—we’ll help you get it right from the start.

Turn Every Package Into a Loyalty Moment

Whether you’re a small business, an online beauty brand, or a growing ecommerce business, a well-crafted packaging insert can create a lasting impression. These low-cost tools deliver additional value, spark real customer relationships, and transform a routine delivery into a branded, memorable unboxing experience.

From a simple thank you card to a targeted discount offer, custom packaging inserts give you a chance to surprise, engage, and build brand loyalty at the most personal point in the customer journey.

💡 At LettrLabs, we specialize in high-impact inserts that drive both emotion and results. Choose from handwritten flat or bi-fold cards for a personal touch, or perforated tear-off inserts for trackable discount cards, referral schemes, or RSVP forms. Whether you're looking to cross sell customers, offer a free gift, or simply say thanks, we’ll help you create inserts that align with your goals and make every package count.

📬 Ready to add more value to every shipment?
Schedule a demo with our team or request a free sample pack today.