Good product plus good packaging equals a winning combo. Right?
Well, yes. However, great ideas don’t always translate to excellent execution. That’s especially the case with packaging. For example, have you ever heard of individually wrapped jellybeans?
How about foamy charging cubes? While these sound fictional, it may surprise you to learn that they’re true-to-life examples of utterly absurd packaging.
Now, if you’re still looking for the perfect packaging for your new product, don’t worry. Here, we’ll talk about the most common types of product packaging used today, plus some tips on modifying these if you want to go for custom packaging.
Rigid Boxes
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Think of premium watches, jewelry, phones, and other expensive items. Often, these are housed in rigid boxes, which makes sense since this type of packaging also doubles as a gift box.
Compared to standard folding cardboard, a rigid box is about four times thicker, with or without multiple partitions. It can have a glossy or matte exterior, plus options for embossing or stamping with gold or silver foil.
As a small business owner, you should choose rigid box packaging if you require your product to exude a premium look and feel. Even without the fancy exterior, you may still want to pick this type of packaging if durability is your number one priority. Keep in mind, though, that it can be expensive and may need additional transit/export packaging for further protection.
Foil Sealed Bags
Foil sealed bags are the ideal packaging for food products, including pet treats. That’s because these bags help maintain flavors. Foil bags also protect contents from contaminants and increase shelf life.
Besides food items, aluminum heat-sealed bags are also great for clothing and bedding. As you know, heat-sealing can help prevent the growth of fungi and other microorganisms. Other items that can use this type of packaging are HDDs, silicon chips, and other delicate products.
Cotton And Jute
During product development, you and your team should already consider if you need your packaging to be eco-friendly. It also helps to shoot for at least somewhat sustainable packaging.
That being said, cotton and jute are excellent options if greening your brand is something you’re considering. Of course, you have to be sure you’re choosing organic and responsibly-sourced cotton. Otherwise, you’ll be using packaging that requires copious amounts of water, pesticide, and fertilizer (i.e., not very green).
Some items that work well with cotton or jute packaging are glassware, jewelry, clothing,
handmade cosmetics, etc.
Cardboard Or Corrugated Boxes
In the manufacturing industry, corrugated boxes top the list of the most used packaging. If you’re a sneakerhead, this won’t come as a shock to you, considering most of your kicks probably came packaged in this type of packaging.
Before you dismiss cardboard as not unique enough, though, don’t forget that these can be made super durable and flexible. You only need to choose packages with larger flutes if you want more cushioning and compression resistance.
Also, since corrugated material lends itself to die-cutting easily, you can form it into any shape you need. Besides, recycling and reusing cardboard isn’t a problem. If you use corrugated boxes for your products, you’re automatically going for a sustainable packaging option.
Envelopes And Bubble Mailers
If you don’t like how bulky boxes look, try envelopes and bubble mailers. Not only are these inexpensive, but they’re also easily configurable for what your products require.
For example, bubble mailers can provide enough security if you’re sending fragile items. Of course, these won’t work for more oversized objects. However, this type of packaging works quite well for computer components, books, jewelry, small automotive parts, etc.
Like other types of product packaging mentioned, envelopes and bubble mailers are customizable. They’re also available in different sizes, from C3 to A3.
Polybags
Another common type of packaging is a plastic bag or polybag. This type of packaging can carry a wide range of products, from food items to magazines, flowers, and so on. Aside from being lightweight, polybags are also reusable and customizable.
They’re also inexpensive, perfect for small business owners like yourself. That means plastic pouches are a good enough option for anyone still experimenting with packaging and doesn’t have a big budget. The only con some retailers have with it has to do with recycling.
Polybags aren’t easily recyclable, but some specialists can do it. Using plastic bags for your items will be okay if you find a reputable plastic recycler. Note, though, that consumers might not see your choice as very green.
Other Types Of Product Packaging
Paperboard boxes, paper bags, and chipboard are packaging types you may want to look into. If you’re unsure about which type will best fit your new product, it may help to consult a packaging designer.
Some companies also offer purchase intent testing. If you work with one, you can see how they’ll design the packaging to enhance the buying experience for your target customers.
DIY is also an option for customized packaging. You can experiment with the material or play around with different colors and finishes. Altering the shape and size of the packaging can also help reduce costs and make your products stand out.
Now, if customized packaging is somewhat out of your budget for the moment, try customization with rubber stamps. Stickers and customized adhesive tapes are also worth considering as these aren’t too expensive.
Do You Need Unique Packaging Solutions?
Exploring different types of product packaging can help you narrow down your options. Working with a packaging designer can also make the process easier, but be sure to hire someone with lots of experience.
Now, if you still have questions about packaging, branding, and so on, you don’t have to stop here. Tons of tips and guides are available online.
You can also continue your research by browsing our other articles. We cover many business-related topics that might interest you, so don’t hesitate to stick around or check back often to see our latest updates.
