Products often go on quite a journey before they end up on the shop floor. Companies often concern themselves with how to promote and package them correctly. The items will need to be kept safe from harm and to feature labels, pictures, instructions, and more.
It may be that you are a business owner yourself, and are currently researching the various product packaging solutions on the market. If so, you should read this article because it discusses 6 major options you may wish to consider.
What Is Packaging?
Packaging is the science, art, and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use/re-use. Packaged goods contain anything from food and beverages to consumer goods of all shapes and sizes. There are many different types of packaging solutions that can be useful in today’s world.
Tamper-resistant packaging includes security features like seals to help prevent unauthorized access to the contents by anyone other than the potential buyer. Childproof packaging helps protect young children from accessing dangerous items while helping manufacturers comply with the regulations set forth by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
Case Erectors
A case erector is a machine that can take a box, fill it with products and seal it. There are many different types, including those that use shrink film or tape to keep the boxes closed, and that have clamps to hold everything together during the process. Case erectors help to manage the packaging and shipping of products, and they can be used for a variety of containers. They include things like boxes or drums that hold products ranging from food items to chemicals.
As with the other 5 packaging solutions mentioned in this article, more information can be found on the internet. If you’re interested in an automatic case erector you can discover its key features, specifications, safety, and ergonomics. Whether it’s automated LxWxD path generation, opposing-cup case opening, or robotic pick and pass, more details can be found on specialist websites.
Box Packaging
This refers to a box that acts as a container for another internal item. It’s commonly used when mailing products, being highly versatile in its uses. Boxes offer a more durable and convenient solution than many other types of product packaging. They provide an ideal way to protect your products from damage during shipping.
It’s also possible to box several items together for easy storage or stacking capabilities – either in the warehouse (think floorplans), shop, or home. Boxes can be used in many different ways:
- flat-packed so you can assemble them at work/home
- corrugated plastic boxes that provide extra strength (whilst being recyclable)
- they can be a lightweight form of packaging where this is a prime consideration (shipping costs are usually connected to weight and size)
Practical Packaging
Carry Handles
We’ve just mentioned stackable packages, which are a great example of practical packaging. Some packaging features carry handles, which makes life easier for anyone who has to carry the items/s over any distance. If the product is fragile or particularly large and heavy it may not be practical to carry without some kind of support mechanism. Handles also mean that you can carry something safely with two hands rather than one.
Disposable Packages
Many products require cardboard boxes in order to protect them during transportation but once they’re at their destination there’s no need for the product itself to still be enclosed in its original container. Often these kinds of packages quickly come apart so that everything inside can be taken out easily, and the external material can then be thrown away. This packaging may feature snaps along the side or a simple tape seal at the top for ease of access.
Instruction And Warning Information
Another practical side to packaging relates to the instruction pages or manuals. If your product requires any kind of assembly, you can be sure that it’s going to need this to be included. The same thing applies when there are warnings to communicate. They could relate to not swallowing, touching, or inhaling certain chemicals.
Environmentally Friendly Packaging
As more and more companies are becoming aware of the damage their products cause to our planet, many have begun putting a greater emphasis on environmentally friendly packaging. Reusable boxes can help your company save money on shipping since you won’t constantly have to buy new cardboard boxes. Another alternative is plastic trays which are quite popular
Recyclable packaging is eco-friendly and another option that can help your company save money. Biodegradable options are great for companies that ship food items or other things that need to be consumed right away. They are designed to naturally decompose once their job has been completed, rather than taking up space in a landfill.
The Personalized Touch
This is a great way to enhance your packaging and delight your customers. Whether you choose to handwrite their name or use a beautiful font, it’s the perfect way to make them feel important and valued.
Besides including a thank you note, why not include a freebie (e.g. a sample of another one of your products) to inspire further sales? Failing that, think about including a discount voucher that can be used in-store or online.
Fragile Packaging Solutions
It’s inevitable that some companies will have a number of fragile items that require special care during shipping. For these products, you need to make sure that they won’t get damaged in transit or storage. Whilst there are some standard packing solutions for fragile goods (e.g.bubble wrap and tissue paper) there is also room to create custom options as well.
Custom foam can be cut and formed into different shapes so it fits around your product perfectly, protecting it from all angles. This material does an exceptional job at absorbing shock without giving way under pressure. Foam stops small parts like screws and bolts from bouncing around freely and potentially causing damage in transit.
This article has discussed 6 of the major packaging solutions that businesses consider for their storage and shipping. In turn, it can be used to make products look more appealing, and encourage further custom as a result.