How to choose the right packaging machine for your Online store?

The right packaging machine for e-commerce can be a decisive factor in reducing costs, speeding up order processing, and improving customer experience. However, choosing between different models — such as the D10, D80, or T70S machines — is not the same for every business.

Each online store has a different shipping volume, product format, and storage space, which is why choosing the right packaging machine in Latvia should be based on specific criteria, not just price.

This article takes you step by step through the key considerations when choosing a packaging machine — and why leasing one is often the smarter solution.

Main factors to consider before purchasing or leasing a machine

Before selecting the most suitable packaging machine, it’s important to clearly define your needs. The following four factors will help you make an informed decision:

1. Daily shipping volume

This is one of the most important indicators when deciding how powerful a machine you need.

If your business ships up to 20–30 orders per day, a compact and simple machine such as the D10 is ideal. It requires little space, minimal investment, and covers all the basic needs — producing air cushions in small volumes with consistent quality. This makes it a great choice for small online stores, seasonal projects, or as a backup machine in the warehouse.

If your daily volume is around 30–100 shipments, a more powerful and faster machine like the D80 is recommended. This model can produce various air packaging formats (pillows, bubble film), operate continuously without frequent film changes, and efficiently serve multiple packing stations. This is the most common segment in Latvian e-commerce — medium-sized businesses that need reliable and flexible packaging every day.

For companies that regularly exceed 100 shipments per day, it’s worth considering an industrial solution such as the T70S. This machine is designed for intensive use, with higher production speeds, a wider range of supported film types (including rolls up to 100 cm wide), and the ability to integrate into multiple workstations or lines. It’s a solution for companies working with larger and more diverse products and looking to bring their packaging process to the next level.

2. Shipping distance and duration

Another key factor is how far and for how long your parcels travel. This determines which film type to choose:

◼️ HDPE film is perfect for domestic and shorter shipments. It’s cost-effective, lightweight, and fully recyclable, making it a popular choice for everyday shipping within Latvia and the Baltics.

◼️ PA (nylon) multilayer film is designed for longer shipping distances, export, or fragile items. It provides superior air retention and durability — essential if parcels travel for several days or through multiple handling stages.

When choosing a machine, consider not just your volume but also the film type that best matches your shipping profile.

3. Product sizes and packaging types

The right machine also depends on what exactly you are shipping. For smaller products, standard air cushion formats (e.g., 200×100 mm, 200×120 mm, 200×150 mm, 200×200 mm) are usually sufficient to fill empty space in the box and protect items during transport.

For larger or more fragile items, standard 400 mm protective film or wider films (up to 1000 mm) are often used to provide a broader protective layer. In practice, companies often combine formats — for example, lining the box with protective film and filling voids with air pillows.

Therefore, it’s important to know the size range of your products and choose a machine that supports the required film widths and formats.

4. Budget and return on investment

Finally — the financial and time aspect.

The decision to buy or lease a machine should consider not only today’s needs but also your projected growth over the next 6–12 months. Evaluate:

◼️ The purchase price or monthly lease fee
◼️ Film costs depending on the material
◼️ Labor time savings (faster packing = lower costs)
◼️ Return on investment in both money and time

Many Latvian businesses start with a leasing model, as it allows them to test the machine in real-life conditions without large upfront investments. As volumes grow and results become clear, they can easily switch to purchasing or upgrade to another model.

Machine model comparison

Quick summary:

◼️ D10 – a great starter model for small stores.
◼️ D80 – a highly versatile and most popular choice for medium-sized businesses.
◼️ T70S – ideal for those who want speed, flexibility, and are preparing for rapid growth.

When is leasing better than buying?

Leasing is particularly advantageous when:

◼️ Your business is growing quickly, but exact future volumes are unclear.
◼️ You don’t want to invest several hundred euros upfront — prefer paying a fixed monthly fee.
◼️ You want to test different film types and machines in practice before committing.
◼️ You prefer having service and technical support included in the price.

The Pakful RENT program allows you to:

◼️ Receive a packaging machine without upfront investment
◼️ Test it in real-life operating conditions
◼️ Switch to purchasing or upgrade to another model at any time

Conclusions

Choosing the right packaging machine starts with a clear assessment of your actual needs — how many shipments you handle, what products you ship, and the resources you have. Whether you choose the compact D10, the versatile D80, or the industrial T70S, the key is to evaluate your current situation and future growth.

By selecting the right model, you can:
◼️ Reduce packaging costs
◼️ Speed up order preparation
◼️ Improve the end customer experience with high-quality air cushion packaging

Moreover, by using packaging machine rental in Latvia, you can take this step without large initial investments. Leasing allows you to test machines in real conditions, tailor solutions to your shipping volumes, and switch or buy later if needed. It’s a safe and flexible way to modernize your packaging process and reduce costs — without risk.

Book a free trial for your company

Discover the Pakful RENT solution and find out which packaging machine best fits your e-commerce business. Apply for leasing with a free trial period to test the machine in your real operating environment — with no commitments or risk.

Book a free trial

Email: veikals@pakful.lv
Phone: +371 26660018