Kitting and co-packing in fulfillment: how to create sets, bundles and promotional packages
Good fulfillment doesn't just pick from the shelf and ship — it can assemble sets, group bundles, prepare subscription kits and campaign packages. Here's what kitting and co-packing mean, what they're used for and how much they cost.
Kitting and co-packing turn individual products into ready-to-sell sets, bundles and packages. From gift sets and subscription kits to preparation for advertising campaigns — Fast Fulfill handles the whole operation in the warehouse, quoted transparently at 14 €/hour or per project.
Many entrepreneurs think a fulfillment center does one thing: take the product off the shelf, put it in a box and ship it. The reality is that a good partner can do much more — it can create new products from components, prepare themed packages for campaigns, add inserts and samples, and assemble complex sets at scale. These operations are called kitting and co-packing, and they're among the most underrated ways to increase average order value. Let's explain them one by one.
The definitions
What kitting is and what co-packing is
Kitting means assembling several individual products (different SKUs) into a single set, packaged and registered as a new product with its own code. Example: from a shampoo, a conditioner and a hair mask you create a "Care Set" that is sold and shipped as a single unit.
Co-packing (co-packaging) is a broader term that includes grouping, repackaging or preparing products according to specific requirements — grouping into cases, applying promotional labels, shrink-wrapping bundles, or preparing mixed pallets for a retailer. In essence, both refer to value-added operations done in the warehouse, beyond simple pick & pack.
Kitting creates a new product with its own SKU (tracked separately in stock). Co-packing prepares existing products for delivery in a certain format. In practice, both are handled in the same warehouse, by the same team — and for you, as an entrepreneur, all that matters is that you can sell your products in any combination you want.
Applications
What you use kitting and co-packing for
Gift sets and holiday packages
You combine complementary products into a beautifully packaged gift set, with insert and branded box. Increases average order value and the unboxing experience.
Promotional bundles
"Buy 2, get 3" or discounted packages. You physically group the products, label them promo and sell them as a single offer.
Subscription kits (subscription box)
Monthly boxes with assorted products, prepared in advance and shipped on a fixed date. Ideal for beauty, food, hobby or recurring gifts.
Advertising-campaign packages
Inserts, flyers, free samples or discount codes added to the parcel. Themed repackaging for Black Friday, Christmas or launches.
Complementary product sets
A complete skincare routine, a kitchen set, a starter pack — products used together, sold as a whole.
Retail and marketplace prep
Mixed pallets for a retailer, labeled batches for feeding marketplaces, grouping into cases per the recipient's requirements.
Essentially, anywhere you want to sell multiple products as a single unit or add perceived value through a better experience, kitting and co-packing are the right tools. They're also one of the most effective ways to increase average basket value without acquiring new customers.
Capabilities
What Fast Fulfill can do
Available kitting and co-packing operations
- Set assembly from multiple SKUs
- Bundles grouped and labeled
- Inserts (flyers, cards, samples)
- Custom labeling and barcodes
- Repackaging themed or seasonal
- Branded packaging (boxes, own labels)
- Subscription kits prepared in advance
- Pallet preparation mixed for retail
- Quality control (QC) at assembly
- New SKU registration in the WMS
Each assembled kit gets its own code (SKU) in the WMS, with a dedicated location. When an order comes in for the kit, it's picked as a single unit, ready packaged — without gathering the components each time. The stock of components and that of assembled kits are tracked separately in the portal, with real-time visibility. If you want to understand the whole warehouse flow, see how a fulfillment center works.
The costs
How much kitting costs — concrete examples
Kitting and co-packing are quoted at an hourly rate (14 €/hour) or per project, depending on complexity. The cost per set depends on how complicated the operation is and how many pieces are processed per hour. Here are four realistic examples:
Productivity (pieces/hour) depends on the real complexity of the operation: the number of components, the packaging type, whether inspection or delicate handling is needed. For an exact quote, send the set description, the components and the estimated volume — we calculate the time required and give you a clear per-project cost. The examples above are indicative.
Planning
Kitting for campaigns — prepare in advance
For advertising and seasonal campaigns (Black Friday, Christmas, product launches), kitting is planned in advance — ideally a few weeks before launch. That way, when the campaign starts, the sets and packages are already assembled, registered in the system and ready to ship, with no delays. This means you can fulfill the campaign's order peak without getting stuck in manual assembly exactly when you have the most work.
Need sets, bundles or packages for a campaign?
Send us the set description, the components and the estimated volume, and we'll build a concrete per-project quote — plus a discussion about how we prepare everything in time for launch.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ — kitting and co-packing
What does kitting mean in fulfillment?
Kitting is the process where several individual products (different SKUs) are assembled into a single set, packaged and registered as a new product with its own code. For example, from a shampoo, a conditioner and a mask you create a care set sold as a single unit. The kit has its own SKU. At Fast Fulfill it's quoted at 14 €/hour or per project.
What is the difference between kitting and co-packing?
Kitting = assembling several different products into a set with a new SKU (e.g. a 3-product gift set). Co-packing = a broader term including grouping, repackaging or preparing products per requirements (case grouping, promo labels, shrink-wrap, mixed pallets). Both are value-added operations done in the warehouse, beyond pick & pack. Fast Fulfill offers both.
How much do kitting and co-packing cost?
At 14 €/hour or per project, depending on complexity. Indicatively: a simple bundle (2 products) under 0.20 €/pc, a 3-product gift set with insert ~0.23 €/set, a complex 5+ component kit with QC ~0.47 €/kit. For an exact quote, send the set description, components and estimated volume.
What is kitting used for in e-commerce?
For: gift sets and holiday packages; promotional bundles; subscription kits (monthly boxes); preparation for advertising campaigns (inserts, samples); complementary product sets; and bulk preparation for retail/marketplace. Anywhere you want to sell multiple products as a unit or add value through unboxing.
Can I prepare packages for advertising and seasonal campaigns?
Yes. Adding promotional inserts, flyers, samples or discount codes to parcels; themed sets for Black Friday, Christmas, launches; repackaging with seasonal packaging. Planned in advance (ideally a few weeks before) so everything is ready at launch. Quoted hourly or per project.
Does the kit have its own code in the system?
Yes. After assembly, the kit is registered as a new product in the WMS, with its own SKU and location. When an order comes in for the kit, it's picked as a single unit, ready packaged. The stock of individual components and that of assembled kits are tracked separately in the portal, with full real-time visibility.
