Custom Kitting Services Explained: Workflow, Pricing, SLAs & the Atlanta Advantage

Custom kitting is one of the fastest ways for DTC brands, marketers, and procurement teams to reduce labor, speed up fulfillment, and improve the customer experience. If you’re evaluating 3PL partners, here’s a clear look at how kitting works, what it costs, the SLAs that matter, and why All Points’ Atlanta location gives your brand a shipping advantage.

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What Are Custom Kitting Services — and When Should You Use Them?

Custom kitting turns multiple SKUs into one ready-to-ship unit. Think subscription boxes, influencer mailers, promotional kits, retail bundles, event packs, gift sets, and more. A kitting partner assembles all components into a consistent, quality-checked kit that’s ready to ship at scale.

Brands typically outsource kitting when:

• Order volumes grow beyond what an internal team can handle
• Kits become more complex (multiple SKUs, inserts, packaging variations)
• Launches, promotions, or subscription cycles require tight deadlines
• Accuracy is essential and errors are costly

Cloud-based inventory systems are now essential to managing this complexity. They keep counts synced in real time, reserve components automatically, and eliminate the manual spreadsheets that cause oversells or shortages.

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All Points’ High-Level Kitting Workflow

Here’s how we handle every kitting project—from inbound receipt to outbound shipping.

1. Receiving & Quality Checks

Inbound SKUs and printed inserts are counted, inspected, and verified against ASNs. Barcodes are applied as needed and components are synced into our cloud inventory system for full traceability.

2. Storage & Dock-to-Stock Speed

SKUs are slotted for optimal picking routes. Our dock-to-stock target is under 12 hours, ensuring components are ready for assembly without delay.

3. Real-Time Inventory Syncing

Our cloud inventory app manages BOM reservations for every wave, triggers low-stock alerts, and keeps counts aligned across all locations. This prevents shortages mid-build.

4. Picking & Assembly

Teams follow scan-guided pick lists to minimize errors. Assemblers follow kit-specific SOPs covering layout, orientation, and insert placement for consistent quality.

5. Verification & Packing

Before sealing, we use scan-to-verify or dual-check processes to confirm every component is correct. This supports our 99.9%+ pick accuracy commitment.

6. Labeling & Prep

Finished kits are labeled with product barcodes, batch numbers, and shipping labels. Weight and dimensions are captured to optimize outbound carrier selection.

7. Outbound Shipping (SLA-Driven)

Kits ship same-day or next-day depending on SLAs. Real-time tracking keeps your team and your customers informed.

Custom Kitting SLAs & KPIs to Expect

These performance metrics appear in your All Points dashboard—updated in real time through our cloud-based system—so you always know where performance stands.

What Drives Kitting Pricing?

Your cost depends on the complexity of the build and the operational demands behind it. Key pricing factors include:

• SKU variety & assembly complexity (more steps = more labor)
• Order volume & batch frequency (larger recurring batches reduce per-unit cost)
• Printed marketing materials (design, production, and handling)
• Storage duration for inbound components or finished kits
• Special handling for fragile, custom, or high-touch items
• Expedited waves that require labor reshuffling
• Integration requirements such as EDI 940/945 or multi-channel API syncing
• Quality controls including scan-to-verify and first-article checks

Every quote is transparent and customized to your build profile.

Risks & Mitigation Strategies in Kitting Partnerships

RiskMitigationInaccurate inventory syncingCloud-based real-time updates and BOM reservationsSlow dock-to-stock timesDock-to-stock SLAs, standardized receiving, ASN verificationPicking or assembly errorsBarcode scanning, SOP discipline, dual-verificationInsert or packaging mismatchesVersion control, SOP visuals, first-article checksChannel oversellsReal-time allocation rules that prevent over-commitmentCommunication gapsDedicated account management, proactive alerts, weekly reviews

At All Points, we solve problems fast and proactively. Our philosophy is simple: protect your brand and deliver on your promise—every time.

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The Atlanta Advantage for Custom Kitting

Where your 3PL is located has real operational impact—especially for kitting workflows tied to promotions, deadlines, and replenishment cycles.

Why Atlanta works for you:

✔ Two-Day Ground Reach
Atlanta can reach 80% of U.S. households within two business days. For subscription boxes, retail resets, and product launches, that speed matters.

✔ Lower Transportation Costs
Shorter transit distances mean lower shipping costs and fewer expensive zones.

✔ Integrated Print + Kitting
We print labels, inserts, sleeves, and custom packaging in-house. That eliminates vendor handoffs and reduces errors—speeding up SLA delivery.

✔ Peak Season Capacity
Atlanta’s carrier density and infrastructure handle holiday surges without the performance drops common in coastal hubs.

Example:
We recently built and shipped a multi-part event kit for a premium automotive brand—handling print, version control, assembly, and multi-site distribution. Each kit passed scan-based accuracy checks, and everything was completed on an accelerated timeline.

What You Get with All Points

Partnering with All Points means connecting to an operation built around accuracy, visibility, and Atlanta-driven speed:

• End-to-end custom kitting and assembly built to your exact SOPs
• Integrated printing that keeps every insert and component version-controlled
• Real-time cloud inventory visibility with automated alerts
• SLA-driven performance: accuracy, dock-to-stock speed, cycle times, on-time shipments
• Atlanta-based fulfillment that delivers faster, more cost-effective ground shipping

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FAQs

Q1: What are standard kitting SLAs?
99.9%+ pick accuracy, <12-hour dock-to-stock, <24-hour order cycle time, and 98%+ on-time shipments.

Q2: How do cloud inventory apps improve accuracy?
They automate BOM reservations, enforce scan-to-verify steps, and sync counts in real time.

Q3: What impacts pricing?
Complexity, SKU count, batch volume, printed materials, handling needs, storage, and integrations.

Q4: Why Atlanta?
Fast ground reach, lower freight costs, stronger carrier capacity, and faster print-to-kitting turn times.

Q5: How are printed materials handled?
We print or receive approved inserts, version-control them in the system, then use barcode checks during assembly.

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