If you sell bundles, kits, or subscription boxes, finding the right kitting companies is essential to keep customers happy. Not every 3PL or California fulfillment center takes kitting seriously; some treat it as a “side job” behind regular order picking.
What Separates a Good Kitting Service from a Bad One?
Good kitting companies:
- Assemble your kits carefully (correct products, correct order)
- Use sustainable or branded packaging if needed
- Handle inventory tracking for each SKU and kit type
- Give you photos or samples before large runs
- Fix mistakes quickly if they happen
Bad kitting partners may:
- Mix up SKUs or send incomplete kits
- Have poor packaging quality (damaged goods arrive to buyers)
- Respond slowly to changes in kit content
- Charge unclear fees or lack itemization
3PL Kitting Services: Inside the Process
3PL kitting services cover both planning and labor. I have seen orders where every kit is different, and others where the same bundle ships for months. Some companies pre-build kits, while others assemble as orders come in.
Here is what to check for:
- Is assembly done as part of standard order picking, or is there a dedicated kitting area?
- How do they catch missing items before boxes go out?
- Are kitting supplies included, or billed extra as part of **packaging and kitting services**?
- Do they allow monthly or seasonal kit changes without huge penalties?
I once bought sample kits from a new LA 3PL. The first shipment was perfect, but the second batch had three missing inserts. I sent pictures, and they fixed it, but I learned to always check before a major sales push.
Should You Use a Fulfillment Company for Kitting, or a Specialized Provider?
Some 3PL companies in California handle basic kitting just fine. Others outsource more complex orders to specialist partners. If you need:
- Special packaging for retail or influencer drops
- Printed instructions or folded inserts
- Bundles of 3+ unique items per order
- Monthly subscription builds
…then a dedicated kitting company may be better than a general 3PL.
The Cost Factor in California Fulfillment Centers
Kitting is usually billed per kit, not per SKU. If your process is complex, labor is most of the 3PL warehouse cost. In LA or the Bay Area, wages are high, and so are costs. Detailed kitting often runs one to four dollars per kit.
It matters to check what is included. Some California fulfillment center staff charge for “re-kitting” or late changes. Always ask for itemized kitting invoices, or you may see charges you did not expect.
Choosing a Collaborative Fulfillment Partner
Your 3PL or kitting service should reply fast to kit changes, errors, or new packaging needs. I know of one business that dropped a big-name 3PL after months of mispackaged kits. They switched to a smaller provider and saw error rates drop, though their storage cost went up a bit.
Order accuracy drives customer retention. If your unboxing experience suffers, people will leave reviews, or worse, just never buy again.
Check for regular accuracy reports, and ask about their error resolution process during rush periods. Try to balance cost and quality, and be honest about your order volume, smaller providers need to be told about volume swings in advance.