Returns of dog diapers, while often attributed to inadequate absorbency or a poor fit, can sometimes originate even earlier in the process – in a warehouse, store or at home with owner – when, in error, a different type or wrong size of product is selected from packaging that is not easily distinguishable. A private-label product range needs clear differentiation between female dog diapers and male dog wraps; a suitable size range; and adequate pack control to withstand translation, case-packing and subsequent online merchanding. This guide is approved as a checklist.
Key Takeaways
- Use the product type and size as the main identification, not as small print.
- Physical item, inner pack, retail pack, carton and online listing for one item code.
- Instead of showing only examples of weight or breeds, show where and how to take the measurements.
- Test artwork recognition with people who did not design the artwork for you.
Separate Product Type Before Discussing Size
Female dog diapers differ from male dog pants in how they cover the dog’s body. Packaging for dog diapers and dog pants should clearly and accurately show the key differences between similar products. Although color is an effective way to sort similar products, print variations, inadequate lighting and color vision deficits can all lead to similar-looking products being mishandled. By using a specific product name, a simple line drawing or photograph of the product and product code, consistently placed on the back of packaging that will be read by store staff, you can ensure that your dog diapers and dog pants are accurately sorted.
Check Every Selling Surface
Even if the front panel of the product is clear, the side of the product facing out of the case may not be. Review retail front, back, top, side views as well as shelf-ready tray, master case and shipping label views to ensure that the product type and size is visible at the pick point. Also review online thumbnails as the shopper may never look at the back panel of the product before buying.
Avoid Claims the Pack Cannot Explain
Words like “universal”, “leakproof” and “perfect fit” can create unrealistic expectations with regards to any sizing system. The human form is variable in terms of shape, location, movement and fastening. Statements about a product must be confined to verifiable test data and customers must be given the opportunity to choose the correct size and apply the product in the best possible way. Rather than make broad promises, set clear limits.
Build One Controlled Size Language
This is the concrete product for Female Dog Diapers in the offered pack artwork. The pack artwork should always show the correct measurements and corresponding size names for the approved physical product. If the pack artwork displays sizes such as S, M, L, for all markets you have to define the corresponding measurement and unit for each market and make sure that a translated label does not change centimeters to inches or even merely round off a dimension without your approval.
Show the Measurement Method
The body point to use for sizing should be illustrated and the tape should be snug or loose. If any body weight or breed examples are given, these should only be used as support where approved and two dogs of the same weight can have different proportions. However, the actual measurement method must remain the main method to use for selection.
Set Boundary Rules
Tell the buyer of dogs near the edge of a range what to do with that advice. This advice should come from the fit trials of the exact product, not from some arbitrary rule of thumb that all customers always need to take a bigger size. Record the overlap between sizes, the extent to which the garment can be fastened up, and the body shape exceptions. Use the same chart and boundary guidance on the customer service staff as is printed on the pack.
Keep Item Identity Consistent Through Packing
After artwork approval, many errors occur as similar unpacked articles arrive at packing stations, old film lies around, or carton labels are printed with a code that has been retired. First line-clearance and then first-piece check can be integrated in the packing specification. Check product, packaging, count, code and carton before start of production and after a changeover.
Create an Identity Hierarchy
One Master Item Record for all product variations like product type, size, pack size, market term, artwork revision number, product barcode and carton barcode. What you promote to customers on your web site may vary from market to market but the controlled identity behind the product must not. Changing artwork without changing a product does need to be reflected correctly in the relationships. But changing dimensions or type of fastenings may require a new Product Revision and a new Item Code.
Inspect Mixed Cases and Leftover Material
Close out any unused packaging materials from the completed run and mark for disposal any obsolete materials. Open up and inspect sample cartons pulled from various locations within the packed lot of product. As an outer carton correctly labeled does not necessarily mean that all packed product within contains all the correct identity information, record all errors whether they be of mixed size and/or style. Ensure the defect catalog correctly identifies errors which would prevent a release.
Design for Retail and Customer-Service Use
When holding a package, it should answer the key question for customers as to whether the style and size offered will fit their dog. This means that key information such as product type, size, quantity and principal fitting point need to be clearly visible and read in conjunction with each other. Translation review should check for correct use of terminology and measurement units as well as warnings and ensure that the packaging bears the same principal information as the corresponding online product page.
| Pack Element | Required Decision | Approval Check |
| Product type | Female diaper or male wrap | Recognizable without relying only on color |
| Size | Controlled name and measurement range | Matches item and approved fit chart |
| Pack count | Number of pieces | Matches physical count and carton record |
| Item identity | SKU, barcode, and artwork revision | Scans and maps to the master record |
| Measurement guide | Body point, unit, and tape position | Usable by a first-time customer |
Run a Blind Recognition Check
Test the integrity of your draft packs by distributing them to people in the warehouse, retail or customer service areas of your company who were not involved in the design. Ask them to quickly and easily determine the product type, size, quantity and method of measurement. Note any areas where they are unsure or spend too much time deliberating. This test will reveal the weak hierarchy that you are no longer able to see as a designer.
Align the Range Across Male and Female Products
The Male Dog Pants product gives the range a second, clearly different product variant. While coordinated branding is important, it must not make the two product variants appear identical online. While shared logo and range elements should be in the background for product identification, online product titles, images, filters and variant names should reproduce the above difference.
The recently published guide for sizing female dog diapers to select the correct dog diapers will support the work for creating this chart. When creating the packaging for the dog diapers, we have to restate the approved measurement without changing conditions or ranges. The chart above is considered to be technical content and therefore needs to be treated accordingly.
During the sample and private-label discussions for Tailglee, review physical fit and packaging together. Include a copy of the item matrix, desired markets, language versions, images of channel, method of measurement, barcodes, case labels, etc. and who is responsible for approval for each. A clear pack cannot fix a wrong physical size but it can prevent many selection and fulfillment errors from happening in the first place.
FAQ
Q1: Can female dog diapers and male wraps use the same size chart?
A: Their specifications for measurements and fitting are likely different from those for their mock-ups. You must approve the measurement ranges and the method for fitting each actual product.
Q2: Is body weight enough for dog diaper sizing?
A: Weight may support guidance but is not a precise measure of body dimensions. Use the approved body measurement as the principal means of selection.
Q3: Why inspect retail packs inside a sealed master carton?
The outer carton label may be correct, but some of the inner packs may be wrong styles, sizes, quantities or even incorrect artwork versions. The only way to check the complete packing is to open up a sampled carton.
