Internal cube used
The lab estimates product cube against package cube after allowing room for padding, folding, and order variability. Very low utilization flags avoidable void and DIM exposure.
Methodology
How The Fit Lab Scores A Package
The calculator compares package candidates on cube utilization, billable weight, material cost, pack labor, void fill, and expected damage reserve. It is designed for screening packaging changes before a live carrier or warehouse pilot.
Carrier billing proxy
Dimensional weight is estimated as length x width x height divided by the selected DIM divisor, then compared with actual packed weight.
Landed packaging cost
Material cost should include the package, seals, inserts, labels if separately stocked, and normal waste. It should not include one-off prototype pricing.
Pack-time estimate
Labor converts seconds per order into a per-order cost using the selected hourly rate. The biggest gains usually come from removing folding, taping, and void-fill steps.
Expected replacement cost
Damage reserve is directional: damage rate multiplied by expected order replacement/support cost. It keeps fragile-pack decisions from being judged on material cost alone.
Cheapest safe candidate
The recommendation favors the lowest estimated total cost that still satisfies fit and damage constraints. It should be validated with a controlled pick-pack-ship pilot.