One of the most important aspects of any company’s supply chain is its packaging. If it’s expensive, you’ll lose a big opportunity for a return on investment and if it’s too shoddy, your products will be damaged mid shipping, slowing your supply chain or disappointing customers.
The following are four characteristics of good industrial packaging to help you find that middle ground.
1. It should minimize damage.
Packages go through a lot of stress. They can fall from a conveyor belt, be dropped from forklifts or fall from broken pallets. Should your products become unusable from a careless mistake, it will cost more than twice as much to get your product to the customer.
The key is to choose sturdy materials that will protect your products from damage. In addition to the mishaps above, you should also consider a package’s exposure to the environment: high winds, leaking roofs, extreme temperatures.
2. It should contain appropriate cushioning.
Cushioning is loose material between your products in their industrialized packaging. Some common examples of cushioning are Styrofoam or biodegradable packing peanuts, bubble-out bags, bubble wrap and foam sheets.
Fragile and collectible items should have 3 inches of cushioning around the inside of the box for optimal protection without overloading your budget. This is for expensive and sometimes fragile items. Being safe can save lots of money. Test the packaging you hope to select before sending your first products. Flip over a sample box. Jostle it a bit. Are your items safe inside?
3. It should be sealed effectively.
A solid seal to your packaging make is just as important as a quality cushioning. If your box should open mid-travel, all the protective cushioning in the world won’t make a difference.
There are many sealants that will effectively keep your package closed. Just don’t scrimp on expense. Using more of a poor sealant doesn’t ensure the safety of your materials.
4. It should be efficient.
Choose a package with minimal excess space, as it will lead to damaged goods or a need for extra cushioning. Excess materials lead to excess cost and potential damage.
Strong, lightweight materials are the best choice for normal packages. The most commonly used materials are corrugated cardboard, hollowed plastics and aluminum. Take advantage of cardboard and plastics made of recycled materials or reusable designs. Green supply chain alternatives can save your company big money when coordinated correctly.
Having a solid foundation regarding the qualities necessary when choosing industrial packaging can save your company through safe shipping without overpaying. Use these qualities as a guideline for your packaging standards for a more efficient experience.
After all the work you’ve done to get your product just right, you have one final step: making sure the packaging is perfect. The package design will serve as the silent spokesperson for your product as it sits on a shelf or hangs in a display, so it has to look great and function just right.
Make sure the appearance of your packaging sends the right message.
Think about who you’re selling to and what they’re going to find appealing and attractive. Packaging is a visual representation of what’s inside, so use graphics that are appropriate. Baby products, for example, would have an entirely different look than high-tech electronics.
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The phrasing on your packaging should tell potential customers what the product is and why they’d want to buy it. That said, keep it simple. Don’t overwhelm the package with too much text or too busy a design. You literally have seconds to catch someone’s attention. Don’t waste them!
You want the package to be eye-catching but not garish or gaudy. The colors should complement and enhance the product, not fight or contrast with it. Choose a typeface that is distinctive but still readable, one that works with the product’s logo. Consider thinking ahead and planning graphics that can work with several different items in a product line.
What’s represented on the outside of the package should match what’s inside, or you’ll lose customers. You want the graphics to be appealing, of course, but you have to be able to deliver the goods and match your buyers’ expectations when they open the package.
While the primary purpose of your packaging may be to stand out on store shelves, it also has to photograph well if you’re selling online. Your package design may be reproduced in a newspaper or magazine ad. You may use elements of the design on signage and promotional apparel, and your packaging needs to look good on computer screens and mobile devices. Design with multiple uses in mind.
The best-looking design in the world won’t help much if the package itself doesn’t do the job.
Make it practical in terms of shape, size, functionality, and materials. Make sure it’s durable, easy to open, and easy to carry. If the product is heavy, consider handles or another way a consumer can pick it up more easily. If it’s a high-end item, consumers will expect the packaging to reflect that.
Make it easy to open. Think about how the item will be used before starting on the package design. If your product pours, give the package a spout. If the item isn’t single-use, then make sure the package is easy to reseal. The upside-down Heinz ketchup bottle is a textbook example of well-designed product packaging.
Many consumers are turned off by the castoffs that result from over-packaging. Bigger is not always better, so skip the extra layers of bags, boxes, and plastic. Design a package that protects the product without excessive waste.
Safety is paramount, especially for food products. The Food and Drug Administration has strict regulations for packaging to enhance safety and prevent tampering. The product needs to be packaged to travel well and stay fresh. Your packaging also needs to keep your product intact during shipping to stores and consumers.
A retailer might need to be able to stack your item on a shelf or in their storeroom or warehouse, so oddly-shaped packages can be tricky. Think about how the product will be displayed, and design accordingly.
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