Running a successful e-commerce business means more than just generating orders—you also need to get those orders out the door accurately, quickly, and at scale. That’s where pick and pack services come in.
Whether you’re a growing DTC brand or a seasoned seller juggling multiple channels, outsourcing fulfillment can help you stay focused on growth while ensuring your customers get the fast, consistent experience they expect.
In this post, we’ll break down what pick and pack services actually include, when it makes sense to outsource them, and how platforms like eHub help you find the right fulfillment partner—without the trial and error.
What Are Pick and Pack Services?
Pick and pack services are a core part of third-party logistics (3PL) operations. They cover the hands-on steps between order placement and shipment, including:
1. Inventory Storage
Your products are received and stored in a fulfillment center, organized for fast picking.
2. Order Picking
When a customer places an order, warehouse staff pick the correct SKUs from inventory.
3. Packing & Inserts
Items are packed into boxes or mailers, with padding, inserts, or branded touches as needed.
4. Labeling & Shipping
Shipping labels are generated, tracking numbers are assigned, and packages are handed off to the selected carrier.
5. Optional Returns Handling
Some 3PLs also manage reverse logistics, making returns and exchanges easier for customers and merchants.
At its best, pick and pack fulfillment feels invisible to your customer—and effortless for your brand.
When Does It Make Sense to Outsource Pick and Pack Services?
If you’re still packing boxes in your living room or managing a small warehouse team in-house, you may be wondering when it’s time to let go.
Here are a few signs it might be time to outsource:
- You’re spending more time packing than growing the business
- Your error rate is starting to rise
- You’ve run out of storage space
- Shipping costs are unpredictable
- You’re preparing for a product launch, promotion, or seasonal surge
- You need faster turnaround or tracking updates to meet customer expectations
What to Look for in a Pick and Pack Provider
Choosing the right fulfillment partner is a big decision. Here’s what to evaluate when comparing pick and pack providers:
Accuracy & Speed
Look for providers with service-level guarantees (SLAs) around order accuracy and ship times.
Integrations
Your 3PL should integrate with your e-commerce platform (Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, etc.) to automate order flow.
Flexible Packaging
Need branded inserts or kitting? Make sure they can support your customer experience needs.
Transparent Pricing
Understand how you’re billed: per pick, per order, per SKU, or per box. Watch for hidden storage or material fees.
Strategic Locations
Multi-warehouse providers can help you cut shipping times and costs by fulfilling closer to your customer base.
How eHub Helps You Find the Right Pick and Pack Partner
At eHub, we simplify the entire fulfillment process by connecting you with vetted 3PLs that specialize in fast, accurate, and scalable pick and pack services.
But we don’t stop there.
Fulfillment Matchmaking
We help you find a 3PL that fits your business model, product type, order volume, and growth goals.
Shipping Automation
Our platform integrates with your order sources and automates carrier selection, label creation, and tracking.
Optimized Shipping Costs
eHub helps you access shipping rates through top carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and more), without forcing you into long-term contracts.
Stress-Free Scalability
As your volume grows, we make it easy to layer on additional warehouses, returns support, or carrier options—so you can grow without fulfillment becoming a bottleneck.
We make sure you’re not just getting orders out—we’re helping you get them out smarter.
Final Thoughts: Pick and Pack Is the Core of E-Commerce Fulfillment
If you’re scaling your ecommerce business, you can’t afford fulfillment delays, packing errors, or overpaying for shipping.
Outsourcing pick and pack services to the right 3PL can give you back time, reduce operational risk, and improve customer satisfaction—and eHub makes it easy to get started.
