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What Are Pick and Pack Services? Everything You Need to Know

Explore how pick and pack services streamline e-commerce fulfillment, improve order accuracy, and help your business scale efficiently.

An organized warehouse aisle illustrates the picking phase of pick and pack services—key to fast and accurate order fulfillment.
  • Written by Jared Wolthuis
  • Published on May 12, 2025
  • Time to read 9 minutes

If you’re spending more time packing boxes than building your brand, you’re not alone. Many growing ecommerce businesses hit a point where fulfillment becomes a bottleneck—slowing growth, increasing errors, and eating away at margins.

That’s where pick and pack services come in. By outsourcing this critical part of the fulfillment process, you can free up time, improve shipping speed, and deliver a better customer experience—all without the overhead of managing it yourself.

Here’s what pick and pack services include, when it makes sense to outsource, and how eHub helps you find the right fulfillment partner to keep your business moving forward.


What Are Pick and Pack Services?

Pick and pack services are the core functions of order fulfillment, typically handled by a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. These services cover everything from the time an order is placed to the moment it’s handed off to the carrier.

The Process Looks Like This:

  1. Inventory Receiving and Storage
    Your products are shipped to and securely stored in the fulfillment center.
  2. Order Picking
    When an order comes in, warehouse staff “pick” the correct SKUs from inventory.
  3. Packing and Inserts
    Orders are packed using appropriate materials, with options for branded packaging or promotional inserts.
  4. Labeling and Shipping
    Shipping labels are applied, and the order is handed off to the carrier.
  5. Returns Handling (Optional)
    Some 3PLs also manage returns and reverse logistics for added convenience.

At its best, a pick-and-pack partner feels like a seamless extension of your brand, delivering fast, accurate orders that keep customers coming back.


When Should You Outsource Pick and Pack Fulfillment?

If fulfillment tasks are starting to dominate your day, or worse, create customer complaints, it might be time to hand it off to a professional.

Consider outsourcing if:

  • You’re running out of time or space to fulfill orders efficiently
  • Shipping errors and returns are cutting into profits
  • You want to offer faster delivery options without increasing costs
  • Your team is stretched thin, and fulfillment isn’t your core strength
  • You’re preparing for seasonal demand spikes or rapid growth

What to Look for in a Pick and Pack Fulfillment Partner

Choosing the right partner isn’t just about warehouse space—it’s about finding a fulfillment team that can scale with you and protect your customer experience.

Here’s what to evaluate:

  • Speed & Accuracy: Look for SLAs on order processing times and pick accuracy.
  • Technology Integrations: Ensure seamless connections with your e-commerce platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce.
  • Branded Packaging & Kitting: Can they support custom packaging or bundled product kits?
  • Transparent Pricing: Understand exactly how you’re billed—per order, per SKU, or by storage space.
  • Strategic Warehouse Locations: Multiple fulfillment centers can help you reduce delivery times and shipping costs.

How eHub Helps You Simplify Pick and Pack Fulfillment

At eHub, we specialize in helping e-commerce brands take the guesswork out of fulfillment. Whether you’re looking to scale up quickly or regain control over fulfillment costs, we make it easier to find a partner that fits your business.

Here’s how we help:

Vetted 3PL Network

We connect you with trusted fulfillment providers who specialize in fast, accurate pick and pack services.

Shipping Automation

Simplify your shipping process with integrated carrier management, rate shopping, and label generation.

One Centralized Platform

Manage orders, shipments, and fulfillment operations from a single, easy-to-use dashboard.

Scalable Growth Support

As your business grows, we help you layer on additional fulfillment locations, optimize carrier selection, and control costs.

You bring the product—we’ll help you store, pack, and ship it smarter.


Final Thoughts: Fast Fulfillment Builds Better Brands

Great products get customers through the door, but great fulfillment keeps them coming back.

If you’re ready to free up your time, improve margins, and deliver faster, more accurate orders, it might be time to explore pick and pack services with the right fulfillment partner.

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