At a time when thousands of new companies—and, therefore, new products—enter the market annually, businesses rely on these experts to see their products enjoy their day in the sun. The food industry alone welcomes 15,000 new products every year.

But with so many freelancers and agencies offering their design services, how would you know who can translate your unique selling proposition (USP) onto your brand’s visual identity?

This article will discuss how you can prepare for your collaboration with a packaging designer, including the factors to consider in selecting the one who can support your goals.

Before we dive in, allow us to show you some stats for insights on the consumer market from a wider angle. The figures below show how important it is to take product packaging seriously and seek the right path toward customer-centric packaging.

Impact of Packaging on Sales

Attractive packaging design remains at the heart of the unboxing experience. According to a Macfarlane poll, branded packaging made up 59% of all boxes shipped by merchants in 2022. Moreover, 41% of respondents said that printed packaging produced memorable moments, which made them want to buy again.

The outcome of this UK-based survey reflected similar sentiments of American shoppers in Dotcom Distribution’s study. 47% of participants who bought luxury shoppers over the past year said that “visually appealing/gift-like” boxes (32%) and personalized packaging parts (15%) made them share photos or videos of a purchase. Meanwhile, 24% valued sustainable packaging that is eco-friendly and paper-based.

Project Brief: Clarifying Your Vision

Packaging designers would ask you to share the details of your project in a project brief (also called a design or packaging brief). It lays the foundation of understanding between you and the designer or design agency by establishing your project’s purpose, scope, timeline, and budget.

The brief can take time to write, but it’s the most effective way to organize your thoughts and make the most of your meeting with your chosen designer. The document will serve as your playbook and prevent your designer from saying, “We didn’t realize or know you needed that” midway through the project.

Here are the sections to include in your project brief:

Project overview

Start the document with a short project description to help your designer envision what they need to deliver. Include the name of your brand and product, its back story, your USP, and how you want to communicate with customers through packaging.

Describe your product’s physical qualities, including its fragility, its appearance, smell, and so on.

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Company profile

This section describes what your company does, its values, and general objectives.

Goals

Discuss your reason for getting the designer’s services. If you’re launching a new product, your goals may include brand awareness, ensuring shelf appeal, and providing a pleasurable unboxing experience. 

However, if you’re hiring a designer to improve your existing packaging, identify your current problems—for instance, high production or transport costs, weak box structure, too simplistic design compared to rivals, or poor print quality. 

Share your competitor’s design or packaging to help your designer or agency grasp how you want to carve a unique presence in your market or niche.

Providing your designer with the above information will deepen their insight into your needs, possibly giving them a list of factors to eliminate when they start brainstorming your design.

Target audience

Define your target buyers—their demographics, preferences, and buying behavior. Be specific: trying to reach senior citizens who want to safely use their home bathtubs is different from trying to reach bathtub owners of any age.

Scope (design, material, and dimensions)

The scope covers your project’s technical details. Specify the style (box type), shape, measurements, preferred material (including any sustainable aspects or methods you wish to apply), and finish or texture. Remember to provide your brand style guide: logo, color palette, and proprietary artwork. Also, include all legal or mandatory copy you want to appear, such as ingredients, manufacturing information, warnings, and barcode.

Are there any elements that you don’t want your packaging to have? Incorporate them in the brief to help reduce revisions in the future.

If you’re changing your existing packaging, tell them about its shortcomings and get their feedback on how to improve it. Also, tell your designer about your shipping, distribution, and display methods so they can recommend suitable materials.

Timeline

Set your target dates, from when you want to see the design studies or samples to your expected delivery date of the printed boxes. Divide the timeline into stages depending on the urgency and output volume.

Budget

State your budget, but be open to discussions with your agency so you can balance quality with cost-effectiveness.

Deliverables

List the items you expect your designer to produce: mockups, digital files of the design, quantity of boxes, and any extras you may need. Discuss and agree on the approval process—ask how you expect them to deliver their output for your approval for each stage.

Contact information

Your project’s success will depend on regular communication between you or your team and the design agency. Include phone numbers and messaging contact details where your designer can reach you.

After your initial discussion, you may need to review the brief with your designer again to explore any changes. Amend as necessary and work together to ensure both sides share the same understanding of the brief. 

Where to Find Designers or Design Agencies

There are several places you can search to find a designer or design agency:

• Google (type “top or best packaging design agencies/firms” or “top or best packaging designers” + your location)
• Freelance networks, such as Fiverr and Upwork
• Portfolio sites feature designers’ past works, such as Behance and Dribbble
• Crowdsourcing sites, such as DesignCrowd and 99designs, operate like a design contest—you can post your project and receive proposals from around the world. Clients only pay for submissions they like. Refine Packaging has partnered with 99designs to provide brands an easy way to match with design experts to create world-class product packaging at an affordable price.

Which Is Better: A Freelancer or Design Agency? 

Freelance designers are experts in their niche and work independently—typically on a contract basis. Being a one-person team and their own boss, freelancers communicate directly with you or your marketing head. Meanwhile, design companies typically have several members, such as graphic designers, brand strategists, and market research specialists. Agencies can offer an array of services given the diverse skill set of their team.

How do you choose between the two? Your funds, project scope, and sense of urgency are top considerations.

Hire a freelancer if you have a small, lower-budget project that you need to complete fast. Meanwhile, choose a design agency for larger projects requiring more strategic planning to go into your packaging design, such as market research and mockup development. 

Agencies charge higher and assign you to an account manager. However, they have access to more resources and follow an established process, enabling them to finish your project within your deadline and scale when necessary.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Your Agency or Designer

To determine the designer or agency most suitable for your needs, evaluate your prospects with these criteria:

1. Track record

Designers can have various specializations—select the one who specializes in packaging. Not all graphic designers work with dielines. Research the person or company online to verify their track record. Read their case studies and what reviews say about them. Ask for references from past clients if possible.

Seasoned designers can recommend the packaging type that will work best with your product. They can also suggest the design and imagery, which will make your package eye-catching, given your preferred box size, shape, and material. Moreover, such designers know government compliance requirements on labeling (origin claim, FDA guidelines, and others).

Whenever possible, pick a designer who has package manufacturing experience. Those who do can go alongside you from design concept to production and box delivery. They are also familiar with the average production time for different box types.

2. Portfolio

Does the designer or agency have experience working in your industry or niche? Check their online portfolios for past work related to your sector and see if their output aligns with your taste. You can also request them to show you samples of their past projects.

3. Connection with printers

Designers or agencies typically have printing partners. Past collaborations hasten the process due to the agency’s familiarity with the latter’s quality and speed. They can also ask the printer about the minimum volume requirement for your preferred packaging.

Choose an agency that can liaise with the printer and follow your timeframe. Alternatively, you can recommend that your designer use a leading packaging manufacturer such as Refine Packaging for your printing needs.

4. Prototyping and testing

Can the agency supply you with a sample or mockup for review before mass production? Find one that offers prototypes as part of their service. Testing services—especially boxes for fragile products—will be a great plus.

5. Other services

Ask the designer if they can render your design onto other items in your product range. Consider specifying this in your project brief, as your other goods might have different dimensions and packaging materials.

Moreover, verify whether your designer or agency can offer copywriting and editing services for the text on your box.

You can also inquire if they’re knowledgeable about trademark and copyright issues. Otherwise, you might have to hire a lawyer to avoid legal issues.

Limitations of a DIY Approach to Packaging Design

New technologies allow entrepreneurs to design and print basic marketing materials by themselves faster and at a lower cost. However, if you want your product to stand up to the competition, you’ll need some professional help.

A DIY approach lets you practice your freedom of expression besides being in full control of the creative process. Immersing yourself in production can also educate you in graphic design, printing, and the box manufacturing sector.

But that said, handling packaging design yourself has some limitations, which a professional designer can help overcome:

1. Your design can be authentic but out of touch with your market

You may choose symbols, colors, and copy for your packaging representing your style and beliefs, which are close to your heart as a business owner. However, the design may not click with your target audience. For 63% of consumers, a product’s packaging is equally important as the brand itself.

Working with a packaging designer widens your perspective to include the factors involved in buying decisions. Designers translate their consumer knowledge, awareness of trends, and artistry into a unique design containing your preferred elements.

2. The hours you spend on package design can take time off your core tasks

You may also act as your company’s accountant, driver, legal liaison, and purchaser when you’re starting your business. Designing your package might get you stuck in an ever-deepening hole as you discover its intricacies.

A packaging designer can handle market research, competitor analysis, ideation, the creation of various design samples, prototyping, and more.

3. Your software may offer editable templates, but your final design can still look generic

The Internet offers a wealth of free and paid tools that design logos and stylize pictures, which you can print as labels or directly on paper packages. However, you risk finding a similar box template design on other products and appearing amateurish. Designers use more specialized software, which can generate an original design for you from scratch.

4. The quality of your home printer’s output can suffer with bulk printing

If you print your stickers and sleeves using your home printer, the output may eventually fade on some printed material over time. Quality printing is essential since more than 70% of consumers state that packaging design influences their buying decisions.

A professional designer works with commercial-grade printers to provide consistent print quality, which is crucial in branding.

5. Stock boxes may not be as sturdy and cost-efficient as custom boxes

Using stock boxes is more economical if you’re on a tight budget. Moreover, restocking won’t be a problem, unlike custom boxes, which your printer must replenish.

However, made-to-order boxes can be more financially sustainable in the long run if you sell luxury items or uniquely shaped items. Designers can develop the most suitable structure and choose the correct materials to hold up your product and preserve the box’s visual appeal until they reach their destination.

Well-designed boxes can make you spend less on padding (within or outside the box) and shipping. Moreover, it reduces damages, which lower product returns, which will also cost you. 80% of consumers also state that solid and sturdy packaging impacts their satisfaction with a product.

6.   Designing on your own can stretch your budget

Unless you’ve had previous experience with design, packaging, and printing, you might end up buying materials you might have to replace later on due to their low quality, inaccurate dimension, or incompatibility with your product. Meanwhile, you might stock up on expensive supplies only to discover later that more reasonably priced packaging is available.

Packaging designers consider your budget and apply their know-how and experience to ensure these issues don’t become your own during your partnership. 

Ensure Your Packaging Design Translates Beautifully on Your Custom Box

Any packaging design is only as good as its final version—the physical box. While it can look great from your designer’s study sample, your product can only have a fighting chance in the market through high-quality print packaging, which has the look and feel you envisioned from the start.

Refine Packaging has in-house designers who can assist you to this end. You can view our product gallery to learn about our capabilities. At the same time, you can get assurance from our testimonials that our team will be with you every step of the way in your packaging design journey. 

Contact us today to discuss your custom box project, whether you already have a basic concept, want to change your existing packaging, or need help from scratch.

The post How to Find an Incredible Packaging Designer (5 Critical Factors) appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Technical packaging terminology can be difficult to understand, even for those in the field for years. If you need to learn about the jargon and terminologies that are commonly used in the packaging industry, this is the guide you need. 

Why Are Packaging Definitions Important to Know? 

By understanding packaging definitions, you’ll save time, communicate more clearly and effectively with your team, and build a stronger reputation and overall custom packaged product. 

The Individuals Who Should Know Packaging Terms  

Ultimately, custom packaging and package design takes place within a company or with multiple degrees of external packaging engineering, often requiring support from independent contractors, consultants, vendor evaluations, independent laboratories, contract packagers, total outsourcing, graphic designers, among other disciplines. Here is a list of professional that should know packaging and printing terms to work more efficiently: 

• Packaging designers 
• Customer service representatives of such companies 
• Brand managers 
• Packaging technicians 
• Material scientists 
• Printers and press operators 
• Packaging engineers 
• Prepress technicians 
• Production managers 
• Ink technologists 
• Finishing technicians 
• Packaging consultants 
• Quality control and assurance personnel 
• Supply chain managers 
• Sustainability managers 
• Machine operators 
• Technical support specialists 
• Regulatory compliance officers 
• Sales and marketing professionals 
• Procurement and purchasing managers 
• Product development managers 
• Artwork coordinators 
• Brand strategists 
• Graphic designers working on these projects 
• Research and development teams 

Without further ado, let’s dig into our complete glossary of packaging definitions from A to Z!

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Numerical Terms

0100 In The Industry: The type of sheets and rolls you can use for commercial purposes. It refers to the types that work for only one side.  

0200 Slotted Boxes: A type of box that is used for packaging purposes. It comes in the form of top and bottom flaps that are stitched or glued.  

0201: A standard regular box with outer flaps that meet the top and bottom for sealing. 

0300: A type of box with a telescope style and more than one piece alongside a lid.  

0500: A type of box that carries several liners or pieces and slides into each other in multiple directions as well. 

0900: This jargon is used for treatments that you can add inside your boxes in the form of partitions, pads, and liners. They work as a singular item; you can also glue them as one item. 

0700: This type of container has one piece; you would ship them in flat form. At the same time, they are ready-to-use types that need a very easy and simple assembly. 

0600: This term is used for rigid style processes that normally have two pieces that are separate. You can switch them together before they are used, and they are known for being large industrial types. 

0400: This is another type of folder box and toys that have pieces of box and hinges. At the same time, they come with interlocking tabs. 

3PL: Acronym for third-party logistics.  

Terms Starting with A

ABS: A logistic that you can create with injection molding and has the ability to give you rigidity and toughness. Although it is a great material that you can use for your packaging, it may be expensive. 

Accelerated Test: A test that allows you to find out about the strength of a coating or a box. The main purpose is to test products in shorter intervals that may occur than in real life. 

Acid Rain: This refers to a mixture of wet and dry deposition that you can have in that atmosphere. This table is important in the packaging and printing industry as well. Acid rain can cause issues to the sources that help the industry create raw materials for their processes.  

Acrylic: A type of thermoplastic material you can get from the polymerization process. So, it is a packaging method that can help you get perfect results for your needs.  

Acrylonitrile: That can provide you with transparency, resistance, and rigidity. There are multiple features it can provide in comparison to its alternatives. 

Additive: The additive is a type of packaging or printing material that you can use to get a certain result for it. 

Adhesive Bleed: It can help you get results against a label material being too pressure sensitive. Multiple scenarios can cause it, like excessive roll winding tension or cold flow. 

Aerosol: This term is used for a range of containers that have specific criteria to meet to get this name.  One of the features they must contain to have this name is a pressure-resistant container that is also gas-tight. Such a box should also have a desired product. 

Aerosol Components: This system is used for liquefied or compressed gasses that you can pack with pressure propulsion containers. This method aims to bring enough pressure to get discharge from a valve. 

Aerosol Services: These are filling arousal products that you use as original formulations and can also be customer supplied.

AlphaSeal: This term is used for units that come with the help of getting a folding box board or virgin pulp wood. There are stringent requirements to meet the standards of these products for the food industry. There is a complete range of materials you can use, like aluminum foil. 

Alternative Fuels: Fuels used in the packaging industry during shipping and transportation. 

Amber Glass: It is a type of brown-colored grass that is used for multiple types of packaging processes. One of the main features of this material is the reduction of light effect on the products packed inside. 

Anneal Bubble Pack: A type of temperature process you can use for creating glass products with the use of stresses and strains. You can use natural and uneven cooling for it.    

Antioxidant: A type of chemical substance you can use for the purpose of preventing the effects of oxygen on plastic material. Such an oxygen attack can cause brittleness in plastic products and reduces their likability and features.  

Anti-Skid Corrugated: A type of corrugated board that comes with chemical treatment and an embossing effect. The benefit of such boxes would be a stable palette and unit load.  

Additive: A substance that you can apply to the surface of a plastic product that you can add to it. The main benefit you get from this one is getting rid of electrostatic charges in your products. 

Applicator Cap: A type of clay closure that you can add to a packaging box to apply content to them, such as grease spouts or daubers. 

Applicator Rod:  A type of short glass rod, which comes in the measurement of 2 MM to 4 MM in diameter. You can use it alongside an applicator cap that can help cut a cap.  

Assembly: A process in which you combine different box elements into one product. The use of such procedures would be to avoid any contamination inside your box. 

AQL: Acronym for the acceptable quality level of a box. This is the maximum percentage move or proportion of a variant In the units that you get with a certain production. The quality assurance department ensures that this variable is under certain guidelines. 

Aromatherapy Packaging: These are the items you can use for packaging aromatherapy products which can also be aluminum bottles, candle holders, and others. 

Aseptic Packaging: A technique you can use to place a product into a box with sterilization kept in mind. The purpose of this process is completed when you get sterilization for your product and the box. Another benefit you get from this packaging product is that there’s no refrigeration requirement for such products. This also applies when the package seal is broken.  

Ampul: A type of smaller container that you can make from glass or plastic tubes. You can draw it into a stem and close it by fusion once you have filled it. You can use a bottom that may be flat and can also draw out as you require it to.  

Ampules/Accessories: These are ampules and also accessories that you can find in the form of breakers, sleeves, and others.  

AN: A material that comes with rigidity, excellent barrier properties, and transparency. This material is used for thermoforming as well. 

Autoclave: A type of pressure vessel that allows you to standardize packages with the help of high-temperature steam or vapor.  

Average Wall Thickness: A type of measurement that you find by measuring the thickest section of a box wall and the thinnest one. Then you divide them into two to find out this measurement.  

Avoirdupois Weight: A system of weights you can use for the purpose of measuring goods. But you are not supposed to measure precious metals and drugs with this unit.  

Animal Healthcare Products in Packaging and Printing: Products that are used for healthcare purposes and come in the packaging category. Injection-molded items are a common example of such packaging products used in the animal health sector.  

Aerosol Components: A type of material that is used for the purpose of creating bottles and boxes. For instance, extruded aluminum containers over caps and closures.  

Autoclavable: Products you can produce from resins and give you the ability to bear up to 250 degrees of temperature for up to 45 minutes. 

Abrasion Resistance: The endurance of a packaging material against scratching and wrapping. This term refers to how strong our packaging material is when it comes to such issues from the use of products that come from them. 

Across Flute: This term is used to measure edited materials as it is a unit for their measurement. 

A-Flute: A type of corrugated flute that is thickest in their category. 

Air Freight: A term used for the products you transport by air. It’s important to have special considerations when packaging such products, such as the sensitivity of the goods, their dimensions, center of gravity, and mass.  

Aluminum: A common material for packaging purposes, known for being lightweight and non-toxic. 

Allocated Inventory In Packaging: The material quantity that a department has been assigned for their production. 

Adhesive: A material that helps bond multiple surfaces into one. 

Anaerobic Digestion: Part of biodegradable waste treatment that helps reduce landfill gas emissions into the atmosphere.  

Anti-Scuff Bicell: A type of basal sheet that you can use without any woven fabrics. These normally work for the outer surfaces of the item and can help against damage to that product. 

Antistat: An anti-static type of packaging that helps avoid any static current in your packaging. This method can help reduce the chances of product damage due to this issue. The full form of this word is anti-static. 

Artwork: This term means the logo or unique design that you can create for your packaging, which are typically associated with specific artwork guidelines.  

Automotive: This term is used for cars and similar vehicles that may be considered in the packaging industry.  

Astraboard: A type of polypropylene that is used inside cases and is famous for its strength and lightweight. 

Attenuate: Reduction of force on products that are sensitive to vibration.  

ATA: Abbreviation of an association that promotes the safety of your case and packaging specifications. The basic functionality of this association is to promote the safety of these products during air transit jobs. 

Terms Starting with B

Backing Liner: A type of paper material you can use to eliminate surface irregularities in packaging products. At the same time, it has the ability to be resistant to water and carry extra strength. 

Banding: This type of machine can help improve the level of security you can have with different items.   

Back Off: Loosening a cap that may occur due to improper cap application torque.  

Backing Liner: A type of compressible paper material to which you can attach the liner. This paper allows you to get rid of any regulation regularities that may exist on the sealing surface. At the same time, you get better strength, appearance, and resistance against spoiling factors. 

Baffle Mark: A type of bottom defect that may occur due to a seam coming between the baffle and the blank mold. 

Bag-In-Box: A type of sealed plastic bag that you can find inside a rigid outer box. The most common use of this one is for packing liquid products that can be of different viscosities. 

Bags: When we talk about bags, there is a long list of products that you can find in the packaging industry. These can be poly bags, mailing currency, anti-static, and many other types of bags.  

Bail: A type of wire handle that allows you to carry a product inside a box. You can weld these two to the opposite sides of boxes to get better results for carrying purposes.   

Barrier Material: A term used to classify packaging materials that offer protection for the environment. You can find these materials with the properties of having pores. At the same time, this helps remove passage of microorganisms, which helps prevent contamination in the boxes.  

Barex: A type of polymer that you can make out of Acrylonitrile. You can also have methyl acrylate and butadiene in these. You can get impressive gas barrier properties and chemical resistance with these. At the same time, it provides you with a good impact. 

Barrels: Barrels are a common type of garden, food, storage, or wine type of containers, which can also be made out of plastic. 

Barrier Material: Any type of material that can help reduce the chances of passage of moisture, gas, and other problem-causing factors into the packaging. 

Baseline Performance: Standards that industry manufacturers adhere to for comparing the performance of their products. 

Bead: A type of narrow and round projection that you can find above or below the surface of a packaging box. 

Bent Finish: A type of finished defect that normally has a bent or crooked appearance on it. You can also call it a crooked finish, in short.  

Barcode: A type of code that can help packaging and printing professionals to understand different aspects about products. For instance, it can help with the SKUs of the product. 

Blown Glass: A term for containers that are created from molten glass. The use of air pressure in this process is a prominent factor that helps create the required shape.  

Blushing: Widening or discoloration that may occur in a plastic bottle. The reasons behind this event can be physical or chemically induced phase separation.  

Board: A heavy-weight thick sheet of paper that can also be created from other fiber substances.  

Boston Round: A style of portal which has the features of a cylindrical shape and roundness. The most common use of this container is in the Pharmaceutical industry. 

Beacon: A network of high-growth businesses also famous for their positions. 

Blank: A piece of corrugated box that has been prepared for making a box. Normally it is in a cut-and-scored form. 

Beers Tray: A type of folding tray that is made of corrugated material. You can find it to have glued corners, and it is quite effective for shipping and storage purposes. 

Bevel: A type of edge of container structure that does not have a 90-degree angle to the container.  

Bins: Boxes used for the purpose of storage of hardware and small parts. You can find them in the shape of corrugated cardboard and recycled plastic. Also, they are useful for shelving and hanging from panels. 

Bioburden: The relative number of microorganisms that you can find for a product at a specific time. This measurement may also apply to the level of microorganisms that you can find in a specific area during air sampling.  

Biofuel: A type of fuel that you can get from organic matter and not fossil products. 

Bird Swing: An edge oversight defect or a string of glass you can find inside a bottle. 

Black Spots: General defect or a small black speck that you may find inside a glass bottle or box in the packaging industry. 

Blake: A certain type of style of straight oblong bottle used in the Pharmaceutical industry. You can also call them space savers and wide-mouth packers. 

Bicell: A plastic sheet material brand you can consider to be a quality product. You can use it as an alternative to Correx. 

Bitmap: A type of digital graphic that is based on pixels normally. They have very large files, and you cannot resize them without losing their quality. 

B-Flute: A term that refers to a corrugated flute that has 1/8th of an inch. 

Bleached Pulp: A type of pulp that you can get by oxidizing chemicals.  

Bott: A term for an Aluminum case manufacturer in the packaging industry. 

Blister Packs: Blister packs are a common type of packaging made from transparent molded plastic, providing a tamper-proof solution for sensitive products, such as for medical and pharmaceutical product packaging.  

Blisters: Blisters are quite different from a blister pack, as blisters can be inside a glass in the form of a bubble. 

Blow Molding: A process that you can use to create plastic containers and bottles. This process also involves molding into two halves of a mold. At the same time, air pressure is used to create mold cavities in products made with this process. 

Blow Pin: A part of tooling that you can use for creating hollow objects or containers with the help of the blow molding process. You can consider it a tubular tool that allows air pressure into a container to shape the mold you want. 

Biodegradable: A material that can decompose in natural conditions. The factors that degrade it are bacteria and other living organisms. 

Blow Molding: A type of process that you can use to mold plastics. There are three main types of this process which are injection, injection stretch, and extrusion molding.  

Bondline: A term for structural parts of a packaging product, including the adhesive part. 

Board: This term is for a thick type of sheet of paper that comes in different variations. Cardboard, containerboard, and fiberboard are 3 common examples of this type.   

Bonding: A process to combine different pieces of foam or plastic. The use of this process allows you to get desired thickness and shape of your packaging products. 

Board Grade: The type of rate that you can give to corrugated boards on three different elements. 

Branding: Branding is a unique aspect or design found on your packaging boxes – such as a logo, color scheme, pattern, icon, slogan, or symbol – that helps people quickly recognize a specific product or suite of products. 

Break Pack: A type of transit container that can be a corrugated case. 

Bubble Pack: Type of package used to protect products inside your packaging. The basic mechanism of this pack is to create a cushioning between the product and potential damaging factors. 

Bottom Plate: Part of the mold carrying heel radius and helps to push up the box. 

Boundary and Scope: These are the two terms you can use for the measurement of project parameters and help define attributes and conditions for them. 

Bruise Check: A side effect or edge that may appear on the side of our product. 

Bulged Finish: A type of finished effect that may be blown out of shape during the production of a box. 

Bung: A type of plug you can use to close a barrel. You can also try using it for closing a drum bunghole. 

Burn Line: A type of dark streak of material you can have inside a plastic bottle. It can result in the decomposition of the material. 

Butterchipboard: A type of pigmented chipboard popular for having smooth sides. You can use it for laminating aluminum foil and quote it with a release quote. 

Buttress Thread: A design of a thread profile that can take certain forms, like a right triangle or a slightly different form.  

Brush Marks: A general defect that can be on the side of a box. Such artifacts may also appear on the neck of a packaging box. 

Brushes: Common packaging equipment that you can use in multiple activities. For instance, you can use them for cosmetic dental, medical, or other applications. 

Terms Starting with C

Capacity: The total volume of space a container can offer for a product that you want to store inside it. 

CAD: This term stands for the computer-aided design you can use in the form of electronic design automation. You can create them in the form of interactive engineering drawings with the retrieval and storage processes. 

CAM: This term is used for a process in the manufacturing of these products. You can use this one to feed data into machines and manufacture products with this data.   

Cap: Cover of a bottle or any packaging that keeps it sealed. Using this part of your packaging ensures that you avoid any type of adulteration into it by keeping it tamper-evident. 

Canning Supplies: Terminology for mason jars and closures. 

Carboy: A type of bottle or other that you can make out of clay, plastic, or metal. Notable for its ability to contain a capacity of three to 13 gallons, used for shipments of spring water and comparable resources.   

Catalyst: A type of chemical substance that can improve a chemical reaction but does not take part in this event. 

Cavity: The process of plastic blow molding, which works to provide the body of the container. 

Carry on Approved: A type of case you can use to meet the luggage requirements for your airline hand luggage needs. 

Chemical Block: This term is used for a form that produces a block of chemical resistance. 

Chop Edge: The chopping-edge is the length of the board or the sheet you use for packaging products.  

CDA: This type of agreement ensures that different organizations do not disclose certain information about certain commitments.  

Coatings: There are several types of specialist coatings that you can use on corrugated boxes. These coatings can help you get different types of benefits like waterproofing, anti-corrosion, and other effects. 

Cobb Test: This type of test allows you to understand the total amount of water a certain material has absorbed. 

C-Flute: A type of corrugated material that can help you get crush resistance. At the same time, this material can offer great printing properties.  

Coldset PVA:  This type of adhesive material can become liquid when you heat them to 60 degrees. On the other hand, it will lose fluidity under 20 degrees.  

Collapsible: A type of box that you can fold to ensure that you can easily bulk transport them.  

Conductive: A type of packaging that can offer protection against static currents.  

Corrispring: A type of material you can use as an alternative to foam and polystyrene cushioning often considered for its eco-friendliness. 

Corrugator: This term is used for an industrial machine that combines various paper types to create a new type.  

Corrust: A special type of coating you can use to avoid cohesion corrosion. Its main uses for protecting metal products for both storage and transit processes. 

Corstat: A type of carbon-based coating that you can use for corrugated cardboard. Its ability to get rid of static current makes it important for the packaging and printing industry.  

Corstat Container: Boxes, picking bins, and trays that have anti-static coating on them. 

CQV: Acronym for commissioning, qualifying, and verifying. These management methods ensure that packaging systems and machinery are kept in the best conditions. 

Cradle: Corrugated cardboard inserts and fittings that you can use to protect during shipping. 

Corrugated Material: The main feature of this material is its shape which allows you to get a lot of strength and stability against difficult conditions for packaging products. It carries ridges and grooves that can help improve the ability to provide strength. 

Corrugated Board Material: The main feature of this material is containing fluted paper sheets.   

Containers For Shipping: A type of container that you can use for shipping purposes. 

Contract Packaging: A 3rd party packaging company that provides you with human resources and packaging boxes for your business.  

Countertop: A type of displacement for retail packaging. You can consider them similar to shelf-ready boxes. 

Convertor: Companies that convert raw materials into packaging products. 

Copolymer Resin: A type of plastic material that is famous for its flexibility and toughness. At the same time, it has a great ability for transparency and clarity. 

Cores: Manufactured from wood pulp fiber, the fibers are wrapped around a rod in a spiral to create a tube shape. For the size of the core, consider both the core’s diameter and length.

Corner Blocks: Corners that you can use for form packaging. The main purpose of peace products is to help reduce the chances of product damage during the shipment process.

Correx: A type of twin-walled plastic that has multiple applications in the packaging industry. 

Corriflute: This term is used for Correx plastic material as a second name.  

Carton Board: A type of material that is stiffer than a board. You can use it for its ability to avoid compression and moisture issues. It has the ability to resist both of these issues.  

Closed Loop System: This term is used for an industrial system that carries zero waste and can reuse and recycle all the materials it uses for production. It can even do the composting processes to improve the eco-friendliness of your methods. 

CNC Routing: A process that allows for the usage of different materials. The main benefit of this method is the use of computerized devices. 

Closures: A type of device or technique that you can use for sealing packaging boxes. There are some common techniques for this purpose, like stapling, glowing, and tapping. 

Case Making: Case-making machines are the equipment you need for making a computerized setup.  

Clean Room: A type of assembly and packaging service among the facilities of packaging and printing. The purpose of this facility is to get rid of any contamination during different procedures. 

Case Sealer: A type of manufacturing machine that you can use for sealing and closing the flaps of any boxes. You can use glue and tape to make sure these packaging boxes are sealed well. 

Castors: A type of set of small wheels that you can use for the movement of different objects in the packaging process.

Clay Coat: A thin layer of clay coat that you can coat onto corrugated boxes. This is a method that can help improve the printing surface of this material. One of its common uses is on unbleached kraft paperboard.  

Crash Lock: A box style that allows you to lock its base. The main benefit you get from it is no need for tape for its interlocking system. 

Cratering: Small and thin spots where you can find bubbles in packaging products that you code with paint or dye. 

Crazing: Cracks that can come under a plastic or glass layer. 

Creep: A type of deformation that occurs progressively in packaging material. It can be caused by stress; anything or any factor may apply to it. 

CSI: A company that can project development and specializes in producing corrugated packaging. 

Cushioning: A type of packaging element that allows you to protect fragile products during delivery and transit. 

Cycle: The number of times you can get usage from a packaging product, used for reusable packaging containers.  

Cushioning Curves: These indicate materials that provide you with different levels of thickness. 

Cushioning Bicell: Foam laminate which allows you cushioning properties. At the same time, you get anti-abrasive features with this material. 

Creasing: Folding lines that you can find in packaging that allow you to allow the package to be folded and cut as desired. 

Terms Starting with D

Damage Burst: Term for packaging containers that may burst or split owing to their exposure to too much pressure. 

Declaration: The total amount of shock any packaging product can handle and endure. The main criterion of its measurement is the product should not get damaged by any force applied to it. You can measure it in G force. 

Deckle: The width of the board that you can run on a corrugator.  

Decorative: Aspect of finish used to identify color and printing of a packaging product. 

Demo Case: Cases you can use as a demo during your presentation in the sales meeting or a sales pitch. 

Density: The weight of a gas, solid, or liquid that you can measure in the unit of grams per cubic centimeter. 

Desiccant: A substance that you can use for drying purposes when you need to try water vapor. The main purpose of this is to decrease and control humidity inside sealed packages. You can use multiple substances for these many of these are calcium oxide. 

Design: A packaging design includes drawings and specifications of a packaged product. These specifications help you determine what a box will look like and how it will be constructed as an end product. 

Die: A die is a special type of packaging tool that allows you to customize your packaging products. You can create customized dyes to achieve a certain type of box design and other specifications. 

Die Cutting: A process that allows you to stamp the cuts and scores that you want to add to a packaging design. 

Distributor: Supplier of merchandise or products to a retail seller, who does not use any products but works as a reseller provider. 

Dividers: Devices that separate different sections of a container to ensure they get good protection. 

Dolly: A small type of device that you can use for moving heavy objects. It has a setup that is fixed on builds and allows you to move heavy objects easily. 

Drawing: Creation from an art designer or packaging engineer used for technical purposes.   

Drop Test: Test to find out the durability and capabilities of a packaging box.  

Dump Bins: A type of point-of-sales packaging that allows you to keep different objects disorderly.  

Dunnage: A type of material that you can use to support the protection of packaging against different contaminating factors. Moisture and damage are two factors they allow you to avoid. 

Duplex: A type of paperboard you can make out of two layers, commonly used for coating material to gain resistance against water. Often used for pharmaceutical industry paper cups and many other applications. 

Double Walled Board: A combination of corrugated material layers to make them one. Using this method allows you to get extra strength for your packaging boxes. 

Digitization: A process that allows you to convert data into digital format for packaging and printing purposes. 

Dimensions: The length, depth, and height of a packaging box. 

Direct Food Contact: Direct food contact is the physical contact of any material with food. There are certain regulations that must be followed if you are packaging a product with direct food contact. 

Displays: Type of packaging used to showcase a product or merchandise at the point of sale, which can be made from corrugated material. 

Terms Starting with E 

Ecommerce: Ecommerce or electronic commerce is a term that is used for selling products online. If you provide packaging or other products through the internet, you are in the ecommerce business. 

Ecommerce Packaging: The packaging boxes used for ecommerce purposes are called ecommerce packaging. The purpose of these boxes and packaging is to keep your product safe during transit. 

E-Flute: A type of material that allows you good crush resistance. At the same time, it offers you great quality printing.  

Egg-Box Foam: A type of form that you can use in packaging. A main feature of this one is being flat from one side and grooved from the other.  

Electrostatic: A unit of the decay rate electrostatic charge. 

Embossing: A type of effect that allows you to create raised design or lettering on a packaging material surface. 

EMC: Acronym that stands for electromagnetic management coupling. You can use this term for a case or product that helps you manage electromagnetic energies in packaging and processes. 

Emulsions: A type of topical public quoting which is famous for being water-soluble. At the same time, it would be quarter resistant when it is dry. 

End Caps: A type of form question cushioning that allows you protection for the product you pack inside a corrugated box. 

Environment Agency: Environment agencies work to improve the regulations set for waste production for packaging.  

EPS: Acronym for expandable polystyrene, which is a foam that allows you good thermal insulation and helps you with high impact resistance. You can use it in the construction and packaging industries alike. 

ESD: Acronym that stands for electrostatic discharge, which can be a common problem for packaging products. 

ESD Anti-static: A type of cortex that allows you to store equipment from entering a packaging box or other product. 

ESD Shielding: A type of conductive material that allows you to resist electrostatic charge in packaging. 

Estimate: The total amount a company calculates to produce packaging boxes.  

Extrusion: A type of method used for producing plastic bottles.  

Extrusion Profiles: Term for extrusions of shaped products, which you can get in multiple configurations. These shapes come in box solid and hollow forms. 

Ethafoam: A type of semi-rigid packaging that allows you medium-density lightweight. At the same time, it is quite flexible. 

Euro Box: A tough and durable storage solution that you can get in standardized sizing. You can get these in warehouse facilities.  

Euro Container: This term is used alternately for Euro boxes, as mentioned in the previous section. 

Explorer: These are military-grade cases that reproduced in Italy. 

Terms Starting with F 

Fabrication: The process of manufacturing, often used as a packaging or printing term. 

Falling Dart Impact: A traditional method used to evaluate the strength of plastics. 

Faraday Cage: A type of enclosure that you can use for blocking electric fields. You can find it in the form of conductive materials. Also, they are available in the form of a mesh of such materials.   

Faro: A type of digitization device that allows you to find different computerized versions of a small object used for packaging. 

Fatigue: The deterioration of packaging boxes in use. You can use this term for products that can be used repeatedly.   

Feasibility Study: Studies to determine if you can get certain results from a particular process, as well as what adjustments to the process are needed to receive the desired results.  

FEFCO: Acronym for an organization that sets standards for design patterns for corrugated products in packaging.  

Fiber: Fibers are the smallest unit of material that creates a packaging box., also known as molded pulp. 

Finish: A type of coating or print that you can use on packaging products. There are multiple benefits of these you can have for your packaging products. For instance, it allows you to get rid of any chances of corrosion.  

Foam: A substance that is created through a process of trapping gas pockets inside a solid material. There are different types of these that you can find, like XPS foam and Polyurethane. 

Foam Lining: A type of foam liner that you can use inside a case to get protection for your packed products.  

Folding Carton: A paperboard product that you can fold, print, and laminate. Also, you can use it by cutting and gluing, and the main purpose of this product is the transportation of products.  

Forme: A type of metal cutter that you can use for cardboard scoring. The purpose of this cutting can be die cut finish.  

Fulfillment: The use of third-party warehousing for your inventory services for your packaging production. 

FSA: A food standard agency determines different standards for shipping food products. 

FSDU: A type of display unit you can use for retail packaging products. 

Fittings: A range of fixtures that you can add to cases and can be made from plastics and steel.  

Flatbed Die Cutting: A process you can use for creasing, cutting, and embossing sheets. You can use this press this die on a material that you can find on a flat surface.  

Flat Pack: A type of packaging that you can use for shipping purposes. The main feature of this type is that you can use them as a flat box during such processes.  

Flood Coat: Term for when an entire surface will use a dye or color. 

Flute Direction: The literal direction you can add inside a corrugated box. You can have two types of directions here, vertical and horizontal. The main feature of these is to get strength for your boxes and other packaging products. 

Flute: Paper layer that allows you to get more strength when added to a certain corrugated board. You can get more rigidity for your product with these as well.  

Terms Starting with G

Glued: A process that allows you to connect different materials into a box. For instance, different sheets of cardboard can be glued together with wood for strength to your boxes. 

G-Force: A type of measurement that becomes the reason for the weight of a product. You can define it as a weight per unit mass.  

Gloss: A type of coating that can help you get higher reflection for your packaging boxes. A big feature of this coating is a good color and contrast definition for your boxes. 

Terms Starting with H

Hanging Tabs: A type of part that different boxes can carry. The main purpose of this part is to allow you to hang your products packed inside these boxes for display. 

Hardigg: Molded equipment cases used to transport fragile and delicate equipment.  

HDPE: Acronym for high-density polyethylene. You can use it for blow molding, which allows you resistance against cracks and also provides stiffness. 

Heat-Seal: Common method to seal multiple surfaces. 

Hermetic Seal: A type of seal you can use when in need of the ability to avoid leaks. 

Hinged End Cap: Similar to standard types, however, the main difference is hinged end caps do not involve any bonding feature. 

HIPS: Acronym for high-impact polystyrene. The multiple features of this material include cost-effectiveness and resistance against impacts. At the same time, it is quite easy to fabricate this material, making it a low-cost option. 

Hot-Melt Adhesive: Term for hot glue, which is famous for being solid at room temperature. On the other hand, you can liquify that by heating it. 

HPX Resin: A type of high-performance resin that is a polypropylene copolymer. 

Hybrid Pack: A type of packaging that uses both corrugated and rPET materials. 

Hand Erect: Term for a packaging type that you can assemble by hand. A common reason to use this type of packaging is the complexity of a packaging box design. 

Hand Holes: A type of space you can live inside a box for the purpose of its movement and handling.

Terms Starting with I

Impact Strength: The ability that a box carries against any mechanical shocks.  

Imperial: The traditional unit of measurement that you can replace with metric. 

Inert: An object that does not cause any reactions. 

Injection Molded Case: Term for the production process of certain plastic packaging boxes. 

Inkjet Printing: One of the most common types of printing that uses pigmented or dyed printer ink and the creation of images, letters, and other objects.  

Inline: A type of die-cutting machinery. 

Inline Wheels: A type of equipment that you can use for the purpose of easier movement of larger cases, insert supply chains, and other processes. 

In-Mold Labeling: This process allows you to place preprinted labels into the plastic mold. This process is done into the mold before the injection process is done into it.  

Inside/Outside View: Inside view refers to the way a package is designed. On the other hand, the printing process of artwork and text is viewed outside the boxes. 

Integrated: Plant that creates both the raw material and the products created from those raw materials. 

Integral Hinges: Type of one-piece molding is done for cases, and hinges are an important part of this process. You can keep in mind that you can inject two parts of a hinge if you want a cost-effective solution. 

Internal Dimensions: The dimensions of a case or box that you get by measuring it from the inside. Just like other box measurements, you keep depth, height, and width in mind during this measurement. 

Inter-Stacking Pattern: A mechanism that you can use to stack cases on top of each other with ease.  

Inventory: Materials and equipment that are meant for the purpose of reselling. 

IP Rating: The effectiveness level of a claim without any closure, measured against foreign objects.

ISO: Acronym that you can use for the international standards organization. 

ISO 14001: The environmental management system that allows you to set the framework for this purpose. The system is used for companies to adhere to and ensure environmental management. 

ISO 9001 Certified: Certification that a company has met the requirements of this ISO system. 

ISTA: Acronym for the international safe transition, which is responsible for setting international safe transit systems. Also used to improve your logistics for your international trade. 

Terms Starting with J

Jigsaw Packs: A term referring to cushion packaging that allows for the positioning to be logged alongside one another.  

JIT: Acronym for just-in-time inventory system, which is a management strategy that aligns raw-material orders from suppliers directly with production schedules.

Terms Starting with K

K470: A type of lightweight aluminum protective case that is also rugged. This case data test is ATA approved. 

Kanban: A Japanese manufacturing system in which you use the scheduling process. Also, you control the inventory system with the supply chain.  

KD: Acronym for knocked down, which means that you are sending boxes or cartons in a flat form. This works for the boxes to get stored and shipped. 

Kiss Cut: A term that refers to a form of die cutting in which you do not cut the top layer of the material, while leaving the bottom of the material attached. 

Kit Skip: A packaging form that sports teams can use to transport their kit, mostly made from aluminum.  

Korrvu: A type of packaging that allows you to use films inside corrugated outers to help keep your products safe during transportation. 

Kraft: A type of paper colored brown and made from paperboard. The process of its manufacturing has to do with virgin pulp.  

Terms Starting with L 

Labels: Informative document you can attach to a product which may also include bar codes.  

Label Panel: The section of a box where you can add labels to it. 

Laser Etching: A type of engraving method in which you can make designs and other elements with the help of lasers.  

Layer Pad: Used inside cases to divide layers of stacked products such as cans, bottles and other rigid packaging, used in the rigid layer separation process. 

LD: Acronym for low density. 

Lead Time: The time that it takes you to get your order from a manufacturer. You can measure it by starting from the time the order has been received till your customer gets the product.  

Lid: An attached top that you can use to enclose your contents. This type also has the feature of being removable.   

Lightweighting: Reducing the total amount of material used on a particular box for manufacturing to reduce the weight of a box, as well as reduce costs. 

Liner: A part of paper material that works as a component of a corrugated board. You can use inner and outer lines that give you higher-quality features. For instance, you can use them for the print finish.  

Line-Side: The type of packaging in which you handle containers. The main purpose of these will be your transport components to your assembly lines. 

Lithography: The printing of flat services in which you use plates. Also, you can find it as one of the most common and useful types of printing. 

Litho Laminated Print: A type of high-quality printer in which you can also add a press with a corrugated board.

Terms Starting with M

Machine Erect: A type of line of packaging which you can use as fully erected by a mechanical machine.   

Manufacture: Producing products on a large scale, typically through either the use of machinery and/or manual labor. 

Material: A substance of matter from which you can produce a product. 

Materials Handling: A system you create for storing and retrieving materials. You can use this system for distribution and manufacturing processes. 

Matte Finish: A type of coating that allows you to create a surface that absorbs light. As it is a coating, you can apply it to the surface of a packaging box. 

Max Case: A case you can use for military and minding marine industries. 

Mini Bag: Bag used for small samples for a serious picture or presentation.  

Mission Critical: A certain act or event that is essential for an organization. It can be any act or event you need to perform a certain task. 

MLT: Acronym that stands for manufacturing lead time, which is the total time of the production cycle till the finish. There are multiple terms that are used to represent different periods of this total term, including move times, inspection, set up times, and order preparation time.

MM: Acronym for millimeter, which is a type of unit you can use for the measurement of different packaging boxes. 

Monomer: A type of chemical that you can use for the purpose of packaging production. The main feature it provides is its reaction with polymer. 

MOQ:  An acronym for minimum order quantity, which refers to the lowest quantity that a supplier will accept to place an order.  

Mold Seam: A vertical groove that you can find at the mold halves, also referred to as a parting line. 

Multipoint Gluing: The points where you apply glue to two intricate designs.   

Multi Trip: A type of packaging that you can use for multiple trips. 

Multi Up: A type of design in which dyes and presses are designed.   

Terms Starting with N 

NATO Part No: NATO stands for North Atlantic treaty organization, a military alliance. This jargon represents a digit code used for identifying material supplies standards. 

N Case: A cost-effective version of smart cases which you can use for presenting and pitching products and their samples.  

Nesting Containers: The type of containers you can design with sloped side walls. This allows you to stack them on each other when empty, saving a significant amount of space. 

Nomar: A type of abrasion-resistant coating you can use for being water-based and can also be glued. 

Terms Starting with O 

Offset Litho: An alternative word for mass production printing in which you use the offset method.  

Offset Printing: This method uses the transferring from the printing plate onto double blankets. You can also use rollers instead of rubber blankets. It is a popular printing method that provides high quality printing and color labeling. 

Ohm: A measurement method that allows you to measure electrical resistance, used for devices and materials. 

Operational Temperature: A range of temperatures that protects you for a certain type of packaging or case.  

Output: The total number of units certain manufacturing blinds can create in a particular manufacturing cycle.  

Outside View: The exterior or outer view of any packaging design. 

Overprint: This is the process of printing multiple colors in a way one will be printed on another. 

Terms Starting with P

Packaging: Term for placing products in a stock or customized container, bag, or box.  

Pack Burst: A type of versatile package design that can contain lubricants. Such packages carry pre measured amounts of these materials. 

Pallets: A flat transport structure you can use for supporting products. These can be most commonly used in the form of wood, which also helps you lift and move products. 

Pantone: A system you can use for matching colors and for printing inks. 

Partitions: A device you can use to create partitions inside a box. You can use interlocking corrugated, cushioning, or other types of boxes. 

PE: Acronym for polyethylene material. 

Perforations: Small holes made into the side of a material that allows you to open a packaging box more easily.  

Performance: Productivity strength features and other noticeable aspects in a packaging process. 

Picking Bin: Containers for picking and shipping to the customer.

Pick Face: The front face of the storage that the order picker can see in the warehouse. 

Pillow Pack: A box that looks like a miniature cardboard pillow and can pop up into shape by handling. You can use interlocking tabs in them; they are perfect for small products and objects. 

Pin-Holding: Small holes you can find in a finish that can occur due to substance. Coating applicators can use multiple options to reduce the chances of such issues. 

Plastic Boxes: Any type of plastic box you can manufacture in a wide range of materials you get from plastic.

Platen: A process to achieve flat surfaces by pressing multiple surfaces against each other. There are types of presses that use such a platan process. 

Plotter: A device you can use for the cost-effective manufacturing of prototypes. You can also get pre-production samples with them that also give you new manufacturing of specific products. 

Plywood: A type of board made from wood carrying 2 layers you can glue together with grain direction altering.  

PMS: Acronym for the Pantone matching system, a popular color-matching system used in the printing industry.  

Polyethylene: A typically used plastic material that has multiple manufacturing benefits, with three classifications being low, medium, and high. 

Polyethylene Foam: A type of closed-shell foam you can use for its resilience against chemicals and the strength it provides. 

Polymer: A material that forms large molecules emerging from smaller molecules coming together. There are two types of them; you can get both synthetic and natural types. 

Polypropylene: A common material you use for packaging purposes and can provide stress resistance. At the same time, it can be transparent even after production. 

Polystyrene: A type of thermoplastic material you can get from the polymerization of styrene. It is non-toxic, and where the resistant features make it special. On the other hand, it can provide you with power and strength.  

POS: POS stands for point of sale product displays, which normally showcase products with promotions.

Postal: A type of packaging you can create and use to post items. This means it should serve all the needs you want to fulfill for transportation by posting. 

PP: Acronym for polypropylene.  

PPE: Acronym for personal protective equipment, which refers to the equipment used to protect team members directly involved in manufacturing.

Press and Pull Catches: Letters used for the purpose of packaging. They can be opened with the push of a button and can stay closed under stress. At the same time, they can bear impact without opening. 

Product Amenities: Additional product features. 

PU: A thin material you can use for being versatile as a plastic material. It is a flexible form of elastoplastic.  

Pulp: Material made from cellulose fibers, wood, and waste paper. You can prepare it by separating cellulose fibers from these materials. 

Purge Valve: A valve that allows you to let air flow through a case. But the real feature is that you can stop dust and water from entering this case without stopping the air.  

PVA Adhesive: A common type of rubbery and synthetic polymer that you can use as a thermoplastic. 

Terms Starting with Q 

Quote: A packaging code you can get from a salesperson or an estimator. With this statement, you’ll receive the total price for a specific packaging order.

Terms Starting with R

Rationalization: A process you can use for the purpose of merging similar packaging lines. With these, you can get but if it’s like a smaller inventory and better economies of scale.   

Rack Mount Case: A metal framework that allows you to carry electronic equipment. 

Rack Unit: A unit that you make for flat cases and portable server cases. 

Recyclable: Packaging materials that can be reused, instead of becoming waste or new single-use material.  

Reel: A spool or coil that you can use to wind flexible materials around. The benefit of this equipment is that you can easily store and translate these materials with it. 

Registration: Locations or marks you can make on print surfaces for better results with the print. It can be quite helpful if you print multiple colors on such a surface.  

Resistance: A measurement of how much difficulty an electric current would pass through a conductor.  

Rotary Die Cutting: A type of die cutting on a cylinder rotary press, commonly used in line with printing, in which you can use solid and engraved dies. At the same time, you can consider magnetic and adjustable dies. 

Rotational Molding: A type of molding process that you can use for plastic materials and has multiple qualities. For instance, it can help you with one-piece hollows and is also stress-free. 

RFQ: Acronym that stands for request for quotation that a company or person gets for estimating the costs and to make products.   

Reusable: Type of packaging that can be used multiple times before discarding it. 

Retail: A method of selling products directly to the public for use purposes and not for reselling or wholesaling.  

Royal Mail Sizes: Guidelines to measure the size and weight of different postages, also used for the maximum size of postages you can add. 

RSI: This acronym stands for repetitive strain injury that can occur due to repetitive actions. 

Run: The total number of products a unit produces in a session.  

Retention Pack: A type of packaging that allows you to have cost-effective and simpler protection in the form of protection. 

Terms Starting with S 

Shadow Board: A type of case insert you can use for an organization station. You can also make them custom forms with foams, and they highlight if a tool is missing or back to the store.  

Sheet: A raw material used for packaging and printing. 

Sheet Feeders: A type of plant that allows you to work with corrugated sheets with the help of a corrugator.  

Shell Case: An alternative commonly used for the purpose of sampling. You can use it instead of a traditional sampling case.  

Shielding Layer: A type of conductive layer that you can use for the purpose of blocking electrostatic fields. 

Sheet Plant: A company that buys its materials from sheet fitters and cut numbered them into packaging. Such plants typically do not have a corrugator device. 

Silk Screening: A printing technique you can use for transferring ink to the printer. There are multiple ways you can use it, like applying it to liners, containers, and other elements. 

SKU: Acronym standing for stock-keeping unit or an identification code you can use for an individual or product. 

SLA: Acronym for a service level agreement, which is a contract that a provider tells about the responsibilities of the supplier, as well as vice versa.   

Sleeve: A type of paperboard that you can customize with shape and style. You can make it in a way that slides over another one to provide you with decoration and beauty. 

Smart Case: A type of packaging case you can use to show products for a sales pitch or a business meeting. 

Sourcing: A term encompassing all functions used for raw materials. You can also consider the collection, processing, and recycling of these processes. 

Spec Number: A five-digit number that you can use for a certain design.  

SPRC: The total time that a production unit can use to create a certain amount of products.  

SSE: Acronym for static-safe environments that work by distributing certain conductive products. 

SSI Schaefer: A manufacturer of warehouse logistics systems shelving storage equipment, and many other similar products. 

Stack Height: Regulations that must be maintained to ensure that you stack packaging safely.  

Stacking Corner: The type of strong plastic corner that you can add to a case or a package to make it more steady and safe. So, the main purpose of it is during stacking. 

Standard 300: A standard age of presentation cases of shell type. 

Starpack: An organization in the packaging and printing industry that recognizes innovations in technology and design packaging. 

Stereo: A type of flexible plate that you use for printing, so it’s even easier, like the flexographic technique. 

Stillage: A type of brake or pilot you can use to hold multiple items. A common use of these is lineside assembly applications.  

Static Dissipative: A form or material you can use to dissipate static charges. These boxes help protect any item within these boxes against any such charges. 

Spool: A type of cylinder that allows you to wind flexible materials around.  

Single Wall: A certain type of box you can use for packaging purposes, which you can use with two materials. You can have fluted paper and then two materials that you can bond on any of the two sides of this material.

Simulated Rainfall: A test used in the UK for checking the protection of a packaging box.  

Single Pass Printing: A single-pass printer allows you the production of four-color printing and monochrome data in one pass. 

Single Source: A method of providing supplies to customers from one source. You can save costs with these and make management easier and better. 

Single-Up: A type of rotary die cutter you can use to cut products in one particular shape. 

Sheet Plant Association: An association that works on the motion of best practices in their member companies.  

Shelf Life: The total time during the age of the product can be usable after production. Packaging is one of the best methods to improve the shelf life of your products.   

Shelf Ready Packaging: A type of packaging that allows for easy assembly and display of your product.  

Sampling: The process of creating a prototype that you can use to get customer approval. All of its features must be like the products you will create. It is a process of creating a sample to show your customer what the end product will look like.  

Seams: Encompasses various techniques used to keep a package together. The methods you use in this technique are tapping, stitching, and gluing. For instance, you may use a corrugated board to make it bigger and stronger.  

Strapping: The process you can use for strapping and combining straps. You can try reinforcing these for stability for certain packaging products.   

Stratocell: A type of low-cost polyethylene foam that is used for packaging. You can try using it for the inner cushioning of a packaging box. 

Style: A style guide can be used for the purpose of box designs that the European federation has set. 

Supazote: A type of cross-linked ethylene copolymer format that you can use for its extremely soft feel. 

Supply Chain: A network that you create between different companies to handle and produce like any product.  

Suspension Pack: A type of check that protects your products during transit. Its mechanism of making products suspended between two layers allows you to get rid of impact. 

Sustainability: Processes and products that reduce the chances of environmental harm and promote eco-friendliness.  

Terms Starting with T

Tamper Resistant Seal: A type of seal that cannot be opened without clear evidence of tampering. When you try to open such a seal or gap, it will be partially destroyed, showing the abundance of tempering with the product. 

Tamper Evident Band: A part of caps and seals that allows you to determine if a product has been tempered. This way, you can reveal if any product has been tampered with or not. Once you open a cab, this part would be destroyed to provide evidence of this activity. 

Tear Strip: A type of plastic film that you can apply to the inside of a package.   

Tear Tab: An extension of a tearing strip that you can find on a package or a bottle. Its purpose is to provide easy grasping of the packaging.  

Technobag: A type of presentation bag made from polypropylene in Germany. Often considered for project production with injection molding, as they have a single wall. 

Test Liner: Manufacture a type of recycled liner board as a sheet of fibers. The big feature of this one is that all the fibers in this one are similar. Its outer layer is better quality cycle fiber, called multiply or duplex.  

Thermoforming: A type of manufacturing process in which you use vacuuming or pressuring. There are a number of industries you can use it for, like product displays, clamshells, and food packaging needs. 

Triboelectric Charge: A type of charge that can be produced by different materials coming together.  

Tri-Wall: The triple-floated corrugated board has the ability to provide flexibility and strength. At the same time, it has amazing eco-friendliness that makes it quite preferable. 

Tubes: Equipment used for the purpose of corrugated tubes for multiple reasons. Commonly you can find these alongside end caps. 

Turkey Lock: A style of box that comes with a full overlap base, which does not require tapping.  

Tool Control: A type of tool organization insert that you can use for cases. You can get its highlight when you’re missing different colored foams. 

Tongue and Groove Seal: A type of extended group that you can operate even on mind mirror image concepts, with the ability of a titled enclosure. 

Travel Skips: Large aluminum cases used to transport sports kits and equipment.  

Trays: Packaging solutions commonly used for samples and other product elements. 

Tote: A type of plastic container that you can stack one upon each other.

Transit: The process by which you transport products from one place to another for shipping. 

Transit Damage: Any damage to a product that may occur during transportation. 

Terms Starting with U

Ultrasonic Welding: A type of industrial building technique that allows you to create certain types of materials. You can use ultrasonic high-frequency vibrations for this purpose. It allows you to create a solid-state world that you can use for plastics.  

Unit Cost: The cost for manufacturing a particular product. Multiple types of costs exist, such as overhead costs, labor costs, among others. 

Terms Starting with V

Varnish: A type of ink that can be shortened or glossy. At the same time, it can be made and helps improve the beauty of a product, as well as increased product protection.  

VCI: Acronym that stands for vapor corrosion inhibitor. The coating allows you to get protection against corrosion. It works both passively and actively to provide this protection.  

Vector: A type of graphic that is made up of paths and defines points from start to end. These images are made from multiple dots, allowing you to scale them up without any quality loss. 

Vibration: Factors such as loose cargo that can damage packaging products and goods packed inside. 

Vibration Sweep: A vibration that travels from one frequency to another. You can use this method for protective cases. 

Virgin Material: A term of approval that a material has not been processed in any way except in its manufacturing process. 

VMI: Acronym that stands for vendor management inventory, used in stock management to determine the appropriate packaging levels. 

Void Fill: A type that you can use to protect a certain product inside a packaging box. You can get it from certain materials that fill the whole box except the product packed inside. 

Volume: The total number of units a manufacturer can produce in a certain amount of time. 

Volume Resistivity: The ability that a material contains to resist the flow of current.  

Vortex Pressure Relief Valve: A type of valve that can help adjust air pressure without letting in any water, and it does it automatically.  

Terms Starting with W

Waterjet Cutting: A type of equipment that allows you to cut materials with the help of high water pressure.  

Weight: The density of a material used for packaging purposes.  

Warehousing: The storage of parts and components that you can use for the purpose of packaging and printing processes. 

Wastage: The components or packaging boxes that do not meet your quality standards and can be discarded. 

Terms Starting with X 

Xtrabag: A type of case that makes you lightweight and is made of plastic. 

Terms Starting with Y

Yield Value: The actual amount of force needed to start an ink flowing.

Terms Starting with Z

Zarges: Manufacturer of a range of aluminum shipping cases and containers.

FAQs 

What are the most common examples of packaging? 

When it comes to the examples of products in this industry, there are multiple products you can have. For instance, there are products like: 

• Mailer boxes 
• Ecommerce packaging 
• Cosmetic packaging
• CBD packaging 
• Retail packaging

What are the most common types of packaging boxes in the packaging industry? 

The type of box ultimately depends on the unique products and custom specifications. In general, the most common types of boxes tend to be mailer boxes, candle boxes, product boxes, ecommerce boxes, and other retail packaging boxes. 

What is packaging, and why does it matter for products in different industries?  

Packaging is any type of product cover that needs protection against environmental factors that can cause issues.  

What is the importance of packaging abbreviations? 

When it comes to the terminologies used in the packaging industry, abbreviations play an important role. The better you understand printing jargon, the more impactful your collaborative packaging process and output can be.

What are the most common food packaging types? 

When it comes to the food packaging industry, there are multiple products that are essential. For example, cake boxes, cookie boxes, and other bakery packaging are quite commonly utilized. 

What does retail packaging mean? 

When it comes to what retail packaging means, it is simple that any type of box for selling to end consumers must be a retail packaging box. 

What does bulk packaging mean?  

Bulk packaging is a type of packaging that allows for scalability in box quantities, as well as more cost-efficient unit prices due to increased order size.  

Refine Packaging: Your Ultimate Custom Packaging Partner

So, you’re armed and ready with all of the packaging terminology that can help you grow as a packaging professional. Now it’s time to start the packaging production process!

Refine Packaging can assist from conceptualization to mass box production. We aim to provide as many options as possible and simplify the process so you can see your idea materialize in the shortest time possible.

Select from our array of custom box industries and products, or let us know your concept so our designers can work with you. We use various printing techniques and offer 2D and 3D mockups of your packaging. Our team can send you a sample so you can verify if the prototype matches your vision.

But don’t just take our word for it—discover how the Refine Packaging process has delivered successful customer stories for 1,000s of satisfied brands and their clientele. Contact us for a free quote today, and our packaging specialist will connect with you shortly.

The post Packaging Definitions: Complete Glossary of Printing Terminology appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Before the subscription model, businesses offered club memberships to introduce their latest offerings without pushing for physical store visits. With subscription boxes, various items from beauty or grooming products and pet food to clothing, books, and “loot crates” for gamers conveniently arrive at one’s doorsteps monthly, quarterly, or other recurring timeframes.

But life is now returning to the “old normal.” In-store shopping is in high gear – with 61% of consumers preferring to shop in person to view or try on the items they’re purchasing – and inflationary costs are rising. Consequently, subscription boxes are no longer the obsession they used to be, but are still widely used. How can your product offerings stay relevant and attract new customers? By understanding this business model’s success drivers and packaging basics, it’s still possible to plan and launch your themed box idea.

Subscription Box Categories

The three subscription box categories explain the appeal of this shopping model.

Access

Membership subscriptions boost the idea of being special, as certain items are only exclusive or limited to subscribers. A recent survey showed that being able to “try something new” is the top reason why up to 51% of U.S. shoppers get subscription boxes. Retailers sometimes include their latest offering in their monthly boxes for members to test, which could mean pre-launch access and a chance to purchase earlier than commercial distribution.

Curation

Who wouldn’t want to receive a “mystery gift” every month for the rest of the year? The surprise factor is the idea behind curated subscriptions, which offer something new in every shipment. This option builds up the anticipation to unravel and discover something novel and personalized, making it a wonderful gift idea for friends or oneself.

Replenishment

Also known as the “subscribe and save” category, replenishment subscriptions provide consumers with a fresh supply of their chosen product once it runs out (vitamins, soap, beverages, and so on). Shoppers gain peace of mind knowing they won’t run out of stock of their favorite items. They also skip the hassle of placing a new order because subscriptions are recurring.

Moreover, buyers can also save on costs, as some—if not all—products are on discount as part of the subscription.

Factors to Consider in Choosing Your Subscription Box Packaging

You can tailor-fit your subscription box to match your brand’s marketing goals and keep your product intact during transit. Here are the factors you must consider when selecting your packaging:

1. Style

You can choose from various box types to ship your product:

• Folding carton boxes are for single-item, lightweight products.
• Mailer boxes are heavier and sturdier than paperboard boxes.
• Shipping boxes made of corrugated cardboard are heavier than mailer boxes. In many cases,  customized shipping boxes are your best option if you’re going for an original look and feel that suits your product protection and budget goals.
• Rigid boxes for heavy and premium or luxury products.
  

Choose a type robust enough that it won’t tear under your item’s weight.

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2. Size

You must know what items will go into your subscription box to determine the appropriate size. Take the dimension of your box’s contents: weight, length (side-to-side), width (front-to-back), and depth (top-to-bottom). Also, consider how fragile or durable they are.

A box slightly larger than your product is better than one in which your product barely fits. You can put fillers in the space around your item, particularly for breakable and easily deformed or punctured contents. However, the box shouldn’t be too big that products would jiggle inside.  Furthermore, consider that larger boxes can add to shipping costs.

3. Packaging Extras

People love unboxing. On Instagram, when you search for #unboxing, over 4 million posts will show up. To enhance your subscribers’ unboxing experience, you can choose to enhance the interior of your subscription box with the following:

Inlays 

Inserts provide perfect-fitting holders for your products, reducing the chances of items breaking or getting tossed around during shipment.

Dividers

Create compartments inside your box to improve the presentation of various products, especially to keep several small items of the same kind in separate spaces.

Padding 

Such as bubble wrap, air pillows, and crumpled kraft paper prevent dents and other damage on your item.

Custom Tissue Paper

Acts like a gift wrap that covers your product inside the box.

Custom Stickers, Labels, or Tape

Help heighten brand awareness and can prevent tampering if you use them to seal the lid onto the rest of the box. They’re also a cost-effective decor if you opt for plain packaging.

Custom Sleeves

Also known as belly band packaging, custom sleeves serve as 360-degree wrap-around labels for similar items—like a chocolate bar set or egg tray—or boxes, whether plain or printed.

4. Printing Method

The three most common printing methods that packaging service providers currently use are:

• Flexographic printing: Features printing plates containing your design—one plate for each color. They spin on rotating cylinders and “stamp” or transfer the image onto the packaging material. Most corrugated box projects with simple designs use flexographic printing due to speed and clarity, even on corrugated boxes.
• Digital printing: Involves machines that can apply the colored or monochrome design directly on the box’s surfaces. Although more highly recommended for smaller orders, some printing providers can offer this service for large-quantity jobs.
• Lithographic printing: Also known as litho-lamination or offset printing—can be compared to wallpapering. It produces high-resolution designs onto a paper sheet laminated on the packaging box using adhesive. We recommend this method for more intricate designs and photo-quality imagery. Offset printing is also suitable for printing boxes with a metallic finish and Pantone colors.
  

5. Packaging Designer and Supplier

A designer can help you determine the box structure that can best protect your product from breaking or shifting while at the same time representing your brand and delighting your subscribers. Some packaging suppliers have transit safety (ISTA) certification and offer rigorous box performance testing.

Before deciding to outsource your product box design and printing, be sure to:

• Determine your budget: This will help set the quantity you can order.
• Set your timeline: when you need to get your boxes to provide time for packing and shipping.
  

Meanwhile, examine the following when choosing a packaging supplier:

• Industry experience
• Range of services and customization (Can it design, print, and ship the boxes you require?)
• Reviews about the supplier’s output quality and customer service (If possible, ask and compare samples from your shortlisted candidates.)
• Response or delivery time
• Pricing, minimum requirement, and if they can keep up with demand
• Use of sustainable kraft and eco-friendly box materials
• Shipping service (warehousing and logistics)

A custom packaging manufacturer such as Refine Packaging can create a unique design, provide prototyping and testing, handle your printing needs, and scale high-quality production as your business grows.

6. Shipping

Handling subscription box deliveries can be time-consuming. Find out your options, including working with a fulfillment center if your orders are mounting and you don’t have enough staff to help you with shipping.

Branding Essentials You Should Know

Familiarize yourself with the following design elements to help you work better with your subscription box packaging designer:

Typography

Typography refers to the font your brand uses. It should be readable enough to catch your prospect’s and client’s eye. Besides using an attractive font, your tagline should include catchy words that reflect your brand values.

Copy

Copy refers to descriptions, instructions, and other written information you will include in your packaging.

Logo and Colors

It’s logical to use your logo and brand colors to reinforce your business identity. However, you can play around with your color palette. Check if your designer can draft multiple designs featuring variations of your brand colors. Good designers consider your target audience and market trends (including the competitor’s packaging type or style) when crafting and presenting studies for your review and approval.

Other Visuals

You can include photos of the product inside your box and other details such as vector graphics (that retain their smooth look even if you enlarge them) and patterns (lines, curves, shapes) to help manage subscribers’ expectations about the contents.

Negative Space

Negative spaces are the blank or white spaces around and between images. They add sophistication to packaging and can direct people’s gaze to significant elements like your logo or tagline.

Dieline

The dieline is the flat diagram showing all the cut lines and folds of your packaging box.

Subscription Box Packaging Checklist

Here’s a summary of the packaging details to remember from concept design to shipping:

Examples of Subscription Boxes

The most sought-after subscription boxes are visually appealing and structurally sound. Although the following examples mainly received good reviews for their content, their designs are also worth studying:

Universal Yums

Universal Yums’ subscription box—a custom end-open mailer box—features a set of various snack packets from a different country each month. The exterior design features blue-colored sweet treats set on a white background, building on the same colors as the Universal Yums logo. The two-toned design provides a good balance to its multi-colored contents, which include a country map and a guidebook about the featured nation’s top destinations, culture, fun trivia, and a local recipe. The box is available in three sizes: Yum Box with five to seven snacks, Yum Yum Box with 10 to 12 snacks, and Super Yum Box with 15 to 18 snacks. Shoppers can subscribe annually or send it as gifts (once or monthly for three, six, or 12 months).

Jot Coffee

Only Jot Ultra Coffee’s rabbit logo in gold foil appears outside the box in solid black. Inlays secure the bottles and a silver spoon. Newer subscription boxes contain dividers to separate the bottles and drinking glasses, which are among the welcome gift options for first-time subscribers. 

Unlike Universal Yums, Jot uses two-sided printing, which gives the box a luxurious feel, although it doesn’t use a rigid box. Subscriptions provide 25% savings on its 200-ml bottles of concentrated liquid coffee.

Gardyn

Gardyn claims you don’t need to have a green thumb to succeed at indoor gardening when you sign up for its monthly kit of salad vegetables you can grow using its proprietary hydroponic system. 

The company uses one rigid box to deliver ABS plastic columns, which hold several “yCubes” or pods with seeds and rockwool—”a natural, rock-based growing medium”—inside (packed in their own box), a six-gallon water reservoir that serves as the base, and other accessories. 

A separate narrower rigid box contains poles that provide simulated lighting for the plants. The Gardyn app guides subscribers through their gardening journey with the help of AI assistant Kelby, which monitors the plant’s health using the cameras on the light poles. 

Subscription Box: History and Forecast

The subscription box trend began at the heels of Netflix’s 2007 launch of its streaming service when Harvard Business School fellow grads Katia Beauchamp and Hayley Barna launched Birchbox in 2009. Subscribers received designer beauty products—mostly in miniature size—for a $10 monthly fee. By mid-2010 onwards, more sellers adopted the concept, offering consumers more product-type subscription options. Ipsy and Dollar Shave became Birchbox’s top rivals.

The COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 boosted the industry as followers of Instagram and YouTube influencers became captive audiences for unboxing videos. Large companies such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon and niche retailers like Wayfair, which hopped on the trend before the pandemic, drew more subscribers as people turned to safe and reliable shipping of home staples and hobby items when stay-at-home orders were in force.

The International Market Analysis Research and Consulting Group’s latest report shows that the global subscription box market was worth $28.1 billion in 2022 and may hit $73.6 billion by 2028. The report adds that the top challenges facing current and incoming players are fierce competition amid market saturation and a lack of long-term agreements with vendors, which could threaten standardization and spike prices.

How to Sustain Your Subscription Box Business

High prices are making 60% of Americans abandon the subscription box habit. Thus, you must make your target market feel they’re getting more value for their money by signing up or staying subscribed. Here are some ways you can activate or reignite the addiction for your recurring box:

1. Reward subscribers

You can integrate a loyalty program into your subscription by providing subscribers with access to free merchandise or priority customer support besides early access to new offers and discounts.

2. Collect and analyze feedback

Focus on the first box and what recipients felt upon receiving it. The American Marketing Association advises subscription box providers to combine “concrete” and “emotion”-related questions: “What did you feel when you saw the box’s contents?” (emotional) and “What were your top three thoughts when you tried the products?” (concrete). Avoid seeking extensive comments about their second box. Instead, build up interest for the next box.

3. Offer a preview about the next box without making them lose excitement

You can inform subscribers in advance about a specific product in the upcoming box but not the entire kit. Rotate the product category or any aspect of the box that you’d like to preview every month.

4. Diversify

If you’re not a brand owner but depend on suppliers for your subscription box’s contents, you may consider diversifying your offers just like what leading providers are doing. For instance, Blue Apron has launched one-off party boxes for Thanksgiving and special occasions and an online cookware and wine shop.

5. Keep a tab on trends

Hyper-personalization, higher demand for men’s boxes, and influencer marketing will continue to prevail in the subscription box sector in the short term. Stay abreast with new developments, including smart packaging technology. Examples include QR codes to access digital content describing the product or augmented reality, active (shelf life-extension) packaging, as well as radio frequency identification, and embedded barcodes to prevent tampering and counterfeiting.

Create FOMO with Unforgettable Custom Subscription Boxes

Consumers can fear missing out on your subscription box with the help of targeted messages and customized packaging. But since the unboxing experience is the main draw of your subscription offer, getting your packaging right becomes the top priority.

Refine Packaging can assist from conceptualization to mass box production. We aim to provide as many options as possible and simplify the process so you can see your idea materialize in the shortest time possible.

Select from our array of custom box industries and products, or let us know your concept so our designers can work with you. We use various printing techniques and offer 2D and 3D mockups of your packaging. Our team can send you a sample so you can verify if the prototype matches your vision.

But don’t just take our word for it—discover how the Refine Packaging process has delivered successful customer stories for 1,000s of satisfied brands and their clientele. Contact us for a free quote today, and our packaging specialist will connect with you shortly.

The post Subscription Box Packaging Design Essentials You Need to Know appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Having been given the green light by Congress a few years ago, CBD derived from hemp has been cropping up in a wide range of products. We now see it in food, oils, capsules, skincare, cosmetics, and other consumer products. For enterprising individuals, this presents a potentially lucrative venture with a vast market.

If you’re one of those carving a niche in the CBD sector, there’s one thing you ought to know—the importance of custom CBD boxes. Having high-quality products is already a given, of course. But you’ll need more than that to win consumers. You’d need to have eye-catching packaging that provides accurate product information AND meets legal requirements in your state.

That’s a lot to take in. But don’t fret. This guide will help you navigate the ins and outs and the do’s and don’ts of CBD packaging. It will help you find the packaging solution that screams, “I’m the coolest CBD product on the block!”

What Is CBD?

First things first. Before we delve deeper into carton packaging, let’s go over some CBD basics.

CBD is cannabidiol, a compound naturally found in cannabis and hemp plants. Unlike its psychoactive cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD won’t make you feel high or alter your brain function. Available in different forms, it can be easily incorporated into a wide variety of products, including food supplements, skin care products, edible oils, snacks, and cosmetics.

So what’s the buzz about CBD?

CBD’s popularity can be attributed to its purported benefits on health and wellness. A survey on why American adults use CBD shows that about 3 out of 5 find it helpful in reducing stress, relieving pain, and improving sleep quality. This may come as a surprise, but 1 out of 2 respondents indicated that a doctor suggested CBD as a form of medical intervention and/or treatment. Far from common belief, only 35% use CBD for fun or recreational purposes.

In the beauty industry, the most popular benefit of CBD is reducing inflammation. This is among the main reasons US shoppers buy CBD skincare products. Beyond beauty, CBD has shown promise in reducing seizure episodes in people with epilepsy. In fact, the FDA has approved the use of CBD-based Epidiolex to treat rare and severe forms of epilepsy. This prescription contains a purified form of cannabidiol from hemp and has been deemed safe for use in some seizure disorders.

WHO also gives the green light on hemp-based CBD, saying that the compound shows no potential for abuse or dependence. However, there are still no conclusive findings on the benefits that CBD brings and the effects of its sustained use. More research has to be done to uncover the true effects of this compound. There have been reports of potential side effects of CBD, including liver damage, drug interactions, gastrointestinal problems, male reproductive toxicity, and mood changes. Ingestible CBD products may also increase the risk of sedation and drowsiness when used with alcohol or other drugs.

Legal Matters: Do’s and Don’ts in CBD Packaging

Let’s get one more thing out of the way—the legal complexities of selling and packaging CBD products. When the Agriculture Improvement Act was signed into law in 2018, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and its derivatives and extracts were removed from the list of controlled substances. However, CBD products are to be regulated by the FDA and must still comply with regulations, including a cap of 0.3 percent THC on dry weight.

Except for Epidiolex, the FDA has not approved the marketing of CBD as a treatment for any disease or condition. CBD products are also excluded from the list of dietary supplements. However, there are some states that remove restrictions on the medical and health use of cannabis within their jurisdiction. You may want to hold off jumping in excitement though. While some states have legalized the use and sale of CBD products, some have not. There are also some states that prohibit their sale in interstate commerce. That is a bit of a buzzkill, but it’s something you should comply with as a CBD seller.

Because the laws and regulations vary from state to state, you really need to do your homework to know which ones to comply with depending on where you’re located and the areas you cater to. Now, to help you avoid legal ramifications, here are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to CBD packaging.

Do’s:

• Make it crystal clear what form of CBD is in your products. Is it oil, extract, or some fancy concoction? Have this information readable on the product packaging.
• Include the amount or percentage of CBD and/or THC in your product. Follow state regulations and keep the THC under 0.3%.
• Display all essential information clearly. Don’t make your customers wonder what’s inside your products. Include a list of ingredients in your packaging.

Don’ts:

• Don’t make unverified claims or market your CBD product as a miracle cure that can treat and prevent ailments. This is a dangerous practice that can hinder proper and timely medical care.
• Don’t market or label your CBD product as a dietary supplement or food product. Go over FDA regulations and local state guidelines for CBD labeling requirements.
• Don’t mislead consumers with small print. Minimalism is not ideal when designing custom labels for CBD products. You’d want to make sure all information is displayed clearly and readable.

Phew! That was a lot to digest. Now that we’ve shed some light on legal matters, we’re ready to dive into the exciting world of CBD packaging.

Choosing the Right Packaging Type for CBD Products

With CBD sales growing from 0.5 billion to 1.8 billion in just four years, the CBD market is becoming increasingly competitive. More businesses are likely to capitalize on the increased demand, spurring a highly competitive market.

To stand out, having good-quality products isn’t always enough. You must capture consumer attention and pique interest in your products. How do you do that? Through awesome packaging. 72% of Americans state that packaging typically influences whether they buy an item.

Let’s explore some packaging types that can elevate your CBD products and make them shine on the shelves and on online platforms.

1. CBD Boxes

A CBD box offers versatility and customization options, making it suitable for a wide range of CBD products. Whether you’re packaging CBD oils, tinctures, creams, balms, or even CBD-infused edibles like chocolates or granola bars, a CBD box can be tailored to accommodate various product sizes and shapes. Look for features like protective dust flaps, a self-locking design, and durable construction to ensure your products stay secure and protected.

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2. Paper Bags

Paper bags are an economical and eco-friendly packaging option that works well for CBD products like loose-leaf teas, dried herbs, or pre-rolled CBD joints. In a survey, more than 65% consider paper packaging as more appealing than other materials. Paper bags are ideal for customers who appreciate a more natural and minimalist aesthetic. You can also incorporate your brand colors by opting for colored paper packaging with customized designs to make your products stand out. The downside to this type of packaging is that it may not always be that durable for shipping your products.

3. Fabric Wraps

Fabric wraps add a touch of elegance and sophistication to CBD beauty products. An alternative for cosmetic packaging design, they’re perfect for packaging CBD-infused skincare items like face masks, bath bombs, or body lotions. Consider using a loosely woven sack or silk fabric that not only protects the product but also enhances the overall presentation.

4. Display Boxes

Display boxes are designed to catch the eye of potential customers and create an attractive presentation on the shelves. They’re suitable for showcasing CBD products like CBD-infused beverages, vape cartridges, or CBD topicals. CBD display boxes help your products stand out among the competition and create a visual impact that drives consumer interest. These can get your CBD products off the shelves and into consumer homes.

5. Corrugated Boxes

When it comes to sturdiness and protection, corrugated packaging is ideal for CBD products that require extra durability during shipping. They’re well-suited for CBD oils, glass bottles, or any fragile items that need to be securely packaged. Corrugated boxes offer excellent cushioning and protection against impact to ensure your products arrive in perfect condition. Plus, they have a high 91.4% recycling rate in the United States, helping protect the earth as well.

6. Gift Boxes

 If you want to create a memorable unboxing experience and add a touch of luxury to your CBD products, have some custom gift boxes made just for your brand. They’re ideal for CBD gift sets, premium CBD oils, or high-end CBD skincare products. By incorporating customized designs and premium finishes, gift boxes elevate the perceived value of your products.

7. Drawstring Bags

Drawstring bags provide a unique and reusable packaging option for various CBD products. They’re well-suited for CBD-infused bath salts, loose-leaf teas, or small CBD accessories like vape pens or CBD-infused lip balms. The eco-friendly nature of drawstring bags aligns with sustainability-conscious consumers.

8. Kraft Paper Tubes

If you’re packaging edible CBD products, such as CBD gummies, chocolate truffles, or protein bars, a kraft paper tube is an excellent choice. Kraft paper tubes often have a food-safe lining to keep your products fresh and maintain their quality. They can also be used to prevent oil vials or delicate CBD-infused products from being damaged during shipping.

9. Tincture Boxes

Tinctures require sensitive packaging due to temperature and weather considerations. CBD tincture boxes are specifically designed to provide better protection for these delicate products. They’re ideal for packaging CBD tincture bottles, as they ensure that the integrity and potency of the product are maintained.

10. Stand-Up Pouches

Stand-up pouches come with flat bottoms and tear notches for easy opening. They’re usually composed of multiple layers of different materials such as polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), aluminum foil, or metalized films. The food-grade inner layer keeps food products safe, while the foil seal keeps moisture out to maintain freshness. This type of packaging is great not only for snacks, candies, and cookies but also for non-edible products like bath salts.

These packaging types are just a few suggestions. The suitability of each option varies depending on your specific CBD products and target audience. Consider these recommendations as a starting point, and explore customization options to create packaging that aligns with your brand identity and captivates consumers.

Enhancing Your CBD Packaging with Bespoke Accessories

Bedazzle your packaging to dazzle your customers. Enhance your product’s appeal and boost its value with packaging accessories that elevate its overall presentation and appeal. Here are some packaging add-ons you’d want to have:

1. Custom Coated Labels

Add a personal touch to your CBD packaging with custom coated labels. Design your labels with your logo, brand colors, and unique design elements that match your brand identity. These not only enhance the visual appeal of your packaging but also help improve brand recall and loyalty.

2. Custom Stickers

Just starting out and only have a limited budget for customized CBD boxes? Custom stickers are the way to go! Designing and printing your own custom stickers is a cost-effective way to add branding elements and important details without the need for extensive printing or packaging customization. If you can, invest a bit in professional design and printing services. Use the custom stickers on stock packaging boxes and jars or on the products themselves.

3. Custom Roll Labels

If you have multiple CBD product variations or sizes, custom roll labels offer convenience and flexibility. They come in the form of continuous rolls that allow for easy application using label dispensers or applicators. Custom roll labels can be printed with vibrant colors, high-resolution graphics, and precise product information. They’re a cost-effective option for labeling different CBD products within your product line.

4. Tissue Paper

Tissue paper and custom packaging inserts add more oomph to your CBD packaging and make the unboxing experience more exciting. They can be used to wrap individual products or line the inside of boxes to provide an extra layer of protection. Tissue paper comes in various colors, patterns, and textures so you can choose which ones align with your brand identity.

5. Branded Ribbons or Twine

Adding a branded ribbon or twine to your CBD packaging can instantly elevate its visual appeal. These accessories can be used to tie boxes, secure tissue paper, or create decorative accents. Branded ribbons or twine can also feature your logo, brand name, or tagline. These create a cohesive and polished look for your packaging.

The Benefits of Custom CBD Packaging Boxes

Customized CBD boxes come with additional costs, but they’re well worth the investment. Custom CBD boxes offer numerous benefits beyond basic packaging functionality. They play a vital role in conveying your brand’s values, creating a memorable customer experience, and positioning your CBD products as trustworthy and desirable choices in a competitive market.

1. The PRO Vibe. Custom CBD boxes and mailer boxes instantly give your products a professional makeover. They scream, “Hey, we mean business!” With their sleek and polished appearance, these boxes elevate your brand’s credibility and build trust with customers.
2. The Wow Factor. Custom packaging turns your CBD products into showstoppers. Captivating designs and attention-grabbing aesthetics create a wow factor that turns heads and sparks curiosity. These make your products stand out on store shelves and in online marketplaces.
3. Brand Magic. Custom CBD boxes provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand’s logo, colors, and other elements. It’s like having a mini billboard for your brand anywhere your products are. This reinforces brand awareness and recognition.
4. Information Galore. Information is crucial today. Customers want to know what they’re getting, and custom CBD boxes have got you covered. You can include all the important details like ingredients, usage instructions, and any necessary warnings. No more guessing games for your customers—they’ll be well-informed and ready to enjoy your CBD creations.
5. Versatile Branding Opportunities. Customizable CBD boxes provide versatile branding opportunities that can extend beyond the packaging itself. You can create a cohesive brand experience by incorporating additional branding elements, such as branded inserts, stickers, or promotional materials inside the box.
6. Fort Knox for Your Products. Your precious CBD products deserve top-notch protection, and custom packaging delivers just that. One consumer survey shows that 65% of product returns are due to damaged items. Well, you wouldn’t want to be part of that statistic, do you? These boxes are tailor-made to keep your items safe and sound during their journey from production to the customer’s hands. It’s like a cozy home for your CBD wonders!
7. Crush Shipping Costs, Not Your Products. Custom shipping boxes can be tailored to fit your products perfectly to minimize wasted space. This means lighter shipments and lower shipping costs. It’s a win-win for your bottom line and the environment.
8. Fast Fame. Want to get noticed in the blink of an eye? Custom CBD boxes are your ticket to quick recognition. With their alluring designs and unmistakable branding, you’ll become the talk of the town. Watch your brand soar to new heights as customers eagerly seek out your products.
9. Sustainability Champion. Custom CBD boxes can be designed with eco-friendly materials and practices in mind. By opting for sustainable packaging options, such as recycled materials or biodegradable alternatives, you demonstrate your commitment to the environment. This appeals to the increasing number of environmentally conscious consumers who prioritize sustainable choices. By choosing custom CBD boxes, you can be a sustainability champion and contribute to a greener future.

Designing Your Custom CBD Packaging

Designing your custom CBD packaging is a crucial step in creating a captivating and functional packaging solution for your CBD products. By carefully considering various factors, you can design product packaging that not only protects your delicate CBD items but also attracts attention and communicates essential information to your customers.

Are you ready to design your own CBD packaging? Here are some tips to help you craft CBD boxes that are perfect for your brand.

• Choose high-quality materials that are most appropriate for your product types.  Selecting high-quality retail packaging materials is important for both the durability and visual appeal of your custom CBD boxes. Opt for materials such as sturdy cardstock, eco-friendly kraft paper, or cushioning corrugated board depending on the weight and nature of your products. The right material will ensure your packaging stands up to the demands of shipping and handling.

• Make your CBD packaging visually appealing and eye-catching to grab customers’ attention. Incorporate exciting colors, state-of-the-art designs, and printing techniques that align with your brand identity. Use product-related and conceptual art to help customers understand the purpose and uniqueness of your CBD products. Aesthetically pleasing boxes will attract new customers and encourage them to explore your offerings.
• Choose CBD boxes that are easy to open and close. Convenience is key when it comes to packaging design. Keep your customers happy by making sure that your CBD boxes are easy to open and close without any hassle. Customers appreciate packaging that’s user-friendly and doesn’t require excessive effort or tools to access the products they’ve purchased.
• Make your CBD packaging functional beyond its primary role. Design boxes that can serve as storage containers for your customers even after they’ve opened the package. By offering convenient storage options, you provide added value to your customers and increase the likelihood of repeat purchases.
• Let your custom CBD packaging showcase your drive for sustainability. A McKinsey survey reveals that while 75% of businesses have committed to the use of sustainable packaging, fewer than 30% actually do so or meet requirements. Stand out from them by making it clear in your custom packaging that you’re holding true to your commitment to sustainability.

When it comes to printing information on your CBD packaging boxes, consider the following details:

• Brand Name. Print your brand name prominently on the packaging to enhance brand awareness and recognition.
• Product Details. Clearly indicate the purpose of your CBD products on the packaging to help customers understand their usage and benefits. Include important details, such as manufacturing date, expiration date, batch codes, or any other relevant details that inform customers about the product. Be mindful of federal and state regulations on CBD product information.
• Product Ingredients. Display the list of product ingredients to assure customers of the authenticity and quality of your CBD items. We reiterate the need to clearly state the form and percentage or amount of CBD and THC in your products.
• Product Weight. Specify the weight or volume of the CBD product excluding the container weight. Make sure the measurements are accurate to ensure customer satisfaction and earn trust.
• Cautions on Product Use. Provide necessary cautionary statements and warnings to ensure product safety and inform customers about potential risks or contraindications.

Frequently Asked Questions for CBD Boxes

What are CBD packaging boxes?

CBD packaging boxes are specially designed containers used to package and protect CBD products. They come in various shapes, sizes, and materials to ensure the safe storage and transportation of CBD items. They can also be customized to align with your brand’s identity and product requirements.

Why is packaging important for CBD products?

Packaging plays a crucial role in the CBD industry. It protects the products from damage, ensures product freshness, provides essential product information to customers, enhances brand recognition, and helps products stand out in a competitive market.

What materials are commonly used for CBD packaging boxes?

Common materials used for CBD packaging boxes include cardstock, kraft paper, corrugated board, and bux board. Each material offers different levels of durability, strength, and aesthetic appeal. Brands can choose the most suitable option for their specific products and needs.

Are there any regulations or guidelines for CBD packaging?

Yes, there are federal and state regulations on the use of CBD packaging. However, these vary depending on the state or region. Most states have specific guidelines on labeling, product information, and packaging material. To make sure that your CBD packaging is compliant, stay informed about local and national regulations relevant to the use and sale of CBD products.

How can I make my CBD packaging sustainable?

Use recyclable, biodegradable, and other eco-friendly materials that are ethically and sustainably sourced. You can also use water-based inks for printing and opt for minimalistic designs that use as few materials as possible. Strive to make your carbon footprint as small as possible for CBD packaging that’s truly sustainable. To inspire individuals and other brands to be more environmentally conscious, you can also incorporate a sustainability message. Taking these steps can help you win the hearts of the estimated 69% of consumers who prefer businesses that use eco-friendly packaging.

Ready, Set, Package! Discover Where to Find the Best Source for CBD Packaging Boxes

So you’re ready to take your CBD packaging game to the next level? Great choice! Now, let’s talk about how and where to get the best CBD packaging that will make your brand shine like a supernova.

The first step is to find a packaging company that knows its stuff when it comes to customization. Look for a company that specializes in custom packaging, but also offers stock packaging options. Why? Because you want the freedom to unleash your creativity with custom designs, but also have some pre-designed options readily available for those times when you need packaging in a pinch.

That’s where Refine Packaging comes into the picture. We’ve got your back when it comes to customizable CBD packaging boxes that meet your needs. Lightweight? Check. High-quality? Double check. The best part? We offer free design services that’ll give you professional-looking CBD packaging boxes and accessories. With our fast turnaround time, you’d have your custom CBD boxes right when you need them.

The post Designing Custom CBD Packaging Boxes: The Complete Guide appeared first on Refine Packaging.

In fact, the State of Consumer Behavior report by Raydiant shows that 46% of consumers still prefer to browse products and shop in person rather than online. Another study by Nielsen also shows that 82% of consumers are now doing in-store shopping again after restrictions have been lifted. These statistics indicate that a significant number of consumers still crave in-store experiences.

However, changes in consumer behavior also necessitate retail space. Today, visual merchandising has become both an art and a science, as retailers go beyond aesthetics to deliver value to the customer and drive sales. 

Here, we’ll discuss product displays and how they can be used to help businesses boost engagement and sell more items. We’ll also share ideas on how to use cardboard display boxes for product display. Read on to learn more about transforming your retail shop and creating awesome customer experiences.

Why Product Displays Matter

Before we delve into the details, we must first understand what a product display is and why they remain important for a company.

Product displays are creative presentations of a store’s products or services. They are an integral element of merchandising and often serve as the first point of interaction with customers. 

In a retail environment, quality product displays engage the customer and entice them to make a purchase. They also contribute to consistent branding and can create a positive impression of what a company represents. Used effectively, they can significantly boost sales and help earn customer loyalty.

15 Common Types of Product Displays

1. Storefront Window Displays

Storefront displays are the first touchpoints of a company with a potential customer. These are presented in the front window of a store and are designed to attract passersby.

A storefront display must be striking enough to catch the attention of people within the few seconds it takes them to pass by the front window. An effective one can spark interest and compel a customer to discover more about the products inside the shop. It leaves a positive first impression that can advance a customer from the awareness stage to the consideration stage.

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2. Freestanding Displays

For larger items or products that need to be presented in a more organized manner, standalone displays are better than dump bins. Instead of putting the products in a single box, they are arranged on hooks or shelves in a freestanding display. 

This type of display is accessible from all sides and is great for cross merchandising. It can be placed strategically in the middle of aisles to break the traffic flow and engage shoppers.

3. Pallet Display

Pallet displays are similar to freestanding displays, but they are placed on a pallet instead of directly on top of the floor. These are often seen in big box stores or wholesale clubs where large volumes of products are sold. 

Even with large quantities and heavy items, they can still be moved around with ease using a small pallet truck. They can be placed in wide open spaces with high traffic to encourage fast turnover of products.

4. Display Tables

Display tables are a bit similar to showcase displays, but they don’t have glass enclosures. With the open display, a customer will feel more comfortable taking a closer look at the products presented. 

Display tables are also perfect for showcasing items that form a set or have complementary uses, such as small home appliances, kitchen tools, or outfits with matching accessories. They also work great for seasonal items and holiday gift sets.

5. Dump Bins

For large volumes of low-price merchandise that need to be sold quickly, dump bins provide higher visibility and easy accessibility. These are point of purchase displays placed near the checkout counter or in a high traffic area where customers can conveniently grab the featured products. 

These counter displays are usually made with durable cardboard boxes printed with promotions or ads. Since the bins are relatively lightweight, they can be moved to other areas within the store.

6. Gondola Displays

One specific type of freestanding display is the gondola. Like other standalone displays, this is best placed in open areas with high traffic. A gondola display is typically made of steel frames with a peg board. The pegs can be adjusted based on the products being promoted. 

They can also be single-sided, double-sided, or wraparound. This versatility makes it a good option for brands with multiple product offerings to explore.

7. POP Displays

Regardless of the type of retail space, there is likely a point-of-purchase (POP) display that highlights a specific product or announces a new promotion. 

POP displays are ubiquitous elements in in-store marketing. They are often made of cardboard and printed with ads, promos, or deals. A POP display can be standalone displays or small shelf inserts placed in any open space that can lead a customer to purchase certain products. Specific types of custom cardboard POP displays are also included in this list.

8. End Cap Displays

Also another type of display targeting customers at the point of purchase, end caps draw the attention of customers passing through the end of an aisle. These are shelves at the end of an aisle where new inventory or store specials are displayed to build product awareness and boost sales. They can be used also for cross merchandising complementary products of the same brand.

9. Inline Displays

For business brands that share shelf space in large groceries or box stores, inline displays can be used to create differentiation from other brands. They are placed on a regular shelf to make a brand stand out from other similar products. These work well in directing customers’ attention to small and easy-to-grab items.

10. Showcase Displays

Showcase displays are typically used for valuable high-end merchandise or high-interest niche items. The display cases are made from clear materials such as plastic, glass, or plexiglass. They are encased on all sides to keep the products on display secure. They are accessible from one side or from several sides but require the help of a store clerk.

11. Retail Shelf Displays

Retail shelves are fixed, and sturdy shelves are used to display a wide assortment and range of merchandise. These can be single-sided shelves placed along the walls or double-sided ones that form aisles in the store. These are the typical product displays we see in grocery stores, box stores, and big pharmacies.

12. Glorifier

A glorifier is a small clear box made from glass or plastic. It is placed on a standard shelf to highlight a specific product. It acts as a pedestal or podium for products being pushed for higher sales.

13. Countertop Displays

Countertop displays encourage customers to buy small items or products on promotion. These are best placed on the checkout counter to push impulse buys at the point of purchase. However, they can also be strategically placed on display tables and shelves throughout the store. They are best used for displaying and organizing small merchandise.

14. Mannequins

Mannequins also display products. They help customers visualize how pieces of clothing or accessories look when worn. They can also be used to recommend items that can go well together and the styles that are currently on trend. To further boost sales, have the items the mannequins are wearing on a nearby rack or shelf.

15. Immersive Displays

Immersive displays elevate the buying experience by giving customers a more personal engagement with the products. They follow a central theme and tell a compelling story that customers can relate to. 

One example of an immersive display is a camping setup complete with an erected tent, sleeping bags, camp stove, and other camping paraphernalia. This image helps customers envision the environment where they would be using the products.

A Practical Guide to Product and Purchase Displays

1. Be Economical 

Although they are effective in boosting sales, there is no need to spend a huge chunk of your marketing budget on a product display. Utilize space and materials that are already available to avoid additional expenditure. Upcycle materials and fixtures to create one-of-a-kind displays. Resourcefulness and creativity are often the only things you need to build eye-catching displays.

2. Make Them Versatile

Many product displays are seasonal in nature but some can be used long-term. In creating these types of displays, strive to make them versatile so they can be used to exhibit almost any type of merchandise. Make them in such a way that they can easily convey different messages and fit almost any business theme.

3. Create a Multisensory Experience

Most people focus on the visual aspect of a product display. But aside from catching the eyes of potential customers, your display must also engage their other senses. So go beyond the visuals and create a multisensory experience. 

Play music that appeals to your target customer. Use scent marketing to stir positive emotions and trigger good memories. If you are selling food or consumables, offer free tastes or samples. The more senses you entice, the higher the probability of converting into sales.

4. Consider Both Demographics and Psychographics

Demographic data have been traditionally used in developing marketing strategies. Even in creating quality product displays, it is important to identify the age, income, education, geographic location, and other such data of your target customers. These help you understand them better. 

However, you must go beyond demographics and dig deeper into your customers’ psychographic information. Psychographics will tell you what their interests are, what drives their purchase decisions, and what type of lifestyle they live. Having a more in-depth knowledge of your customers will enable you to create displays that truly connect with them.

5. Keep the Price Tags On

Removing the price tags on a product display can lead to a lost sale. Some customers may not bother to ask about prices and just assume that the product is beyond their budget. If your product is of high-quality, they may even think that it is priced much higher than the actual price. So keep the tags on.

6. Placement Matters

Even the most attractive product display will not convert into a sale if they are not visible. The location of your product display would matter significantly. Make sure new products and bestselling ones are displayed in high-traffic zones. Accessories and small items can disappear from shelves, so place them near the checkout counter.

Another crucial area you must pay attention to is the decompression zone. This is the area inside the store right near the entrance. Use this zone to create a transition from the outside world to your store by placing a product display that showcases your company’s image. Keep the area free of clutter to make your store seem more inviting.

7. Use Your Displays to Educate

Aside from showcasing your products, use your displays to provide customers with more information about the items you offer. Indicate useful tidbits on unique features or functions. Illustrate how the featured product can be used. 

You can also share new trend ideas. Consumers are more likely to buy a product that they feel they have more knowledge of.

8. Keep Displays Clutter-Free

It may be tempting to place all of your new products or bestsellers in a single product display, but avoid doing so. Overcrowding your display can overwhelm customers. Instead of displaying too many disparate products, focus on a single point of interest. You can highlight a single product or use a unified theme that connects several items.

9. Keep Your Displays Fresh

Change your product displays on a regular basis—once a week, at the least. Having a new one every week keeps your store looking fresh and gives regular customers something to look forward to every visit. Frequent passersby are also more likely to notice your store if your storefront display changes constantly.

10. Maintain Your Product Displays

Most retail market stores have specific areas for their product displays. If you have a permanent location for these, make sure it is always clean and organized. Check the fixtures such as lighting and platforms as they can break or become worn down over time.

How to Make a Quality Product Display Case That Attracts Customers

1. Make It Readily Visible

Visibility is a huge factor in the success of all promotional materials, including product display. Place your display case where customers can readily see it. Choose a location where there will be little space lag between the time a customer sees the display and the time they react to it.

2. Use Actual Products

Ideally, actual products should be featured in your product display case. However, there may be certain circumstances where this is not possible, such as when selling perishable food items. What’s important is that your display shows the customer what the product actually looks like in real life. Instead of using a flat intangible picture of your product, use a more realistic representation.

3. Be Bold

Your product display should help you stand out from the competition. Be bold and create contrast using eye-catching colors and images. Make your display case Insta-worthy by choosing a design that would make people want to snap a pic and share it online. Remember that there are currently over 3.6 billion people using social media worldwide, and many of them love sharing images and graphics that stir interest.

4. Be Innovative

Strive to be original with your design and think outside the box. Use modern techniques to make your displays standout.

5. Make Your Display Cohesive

Avoid a cluttered display especially when cross merchandising. Group related products in one display or have a single cohesive design that ties all the items together. Every item in your display products list must interact or complement the other items. 

6. Set the Mood with Lighting

Use lighting to set the tone for your product display. A spotlight can focus attention on a featured product. Soft lighting can be used to create a glowing effect that captures the eyes of customers.

7. Use Motion to Attract Attention

Anything that moves is bound to catch people’s attention. Incorporate some form of movement in your product display to draw more people in. Try a rotating carousel for small items on a display table or use a small fan to create breeze in a summer display.

8. Offer An Experience

33% of consumers prefer shopping in person because they want to interact directly with the products. They want to personally see and feel the products before purchasing them. High-tech interactive displays can enhance their buying experience, which in turn, can increase the odds of a purchase.

9. Make a Statement

Social media has made people more vocal about their advocacies and opinions. Use your product display to make a statement that your business stands for. 

Mannequins that are plus-sized or have dad-bods are now more common, as they help promote self-love and acceptance of one’s unique appearance. If your company promotes sustainability, make sure it is evident in your product displays.

10. Leverage Technology

We are now living in the digital age where technology plays a vital role. Leverage modern tools to amplify your product display. 

About 8 out of 10 customers enter a store because of a digital sign that caught their interest. Find ways to incorporate one in your storefront display. You can also use videos or interactive tablets in your in-store displays to capture the interest of your customers. 

What You Must Absolutely Avoid When Creating Custom Displays

1. Placing Unrelated Items Together

The human mind seeks order. It constantly looks for patterns and systems. This is why clutter and disorganized items create anxiety in many people. For your customers to have a pleasant shopping experience, do not place mismatched displays of unrelated items.

2. Displaying Too Much or Too Little

Although consumers look for variety, placing too many products or multiple product types can overwhelm them. It can make it more difficult for them to choose which one to buy. 

On the other hand, not displaying enough products can create the impression that your product portfolio lacks variety. Thus, balance is key to product displays. You must have just the right number of items that provide ample choices without causing confusion.

3. Focusing Too Much on the Display, Not on the Product

Product displays should look great, but keep in mind that the focus should be on the products you want to sell. Avoid displays that are too flashy—they can distract potential customers from the actual products. Your product display should enhance the products instead of taking the spotlight off them.

4. Using Dark Backgrounds on Window Displays

A dark background makes the glass behave as a giant mirror. A person who looks through a window with a dark background is bound to see his own reflection, too. This may steal attention away from the products on display. 

5. Filling Every Corner or Space With Displays

Resist the temptation to cram every available space on the walls, shelves, and aisles with product displays. Having a white, clean space where there is nothing but an empty spot creates a breathing room in your store. Far from being a waste of space, it actually helps highlight your product displays by creating a focal point in the store.

Choosing the Best Material for Product Display Boxes

A product display often involves the use of boxes made from different materials such as plastic, metal, wood, or cardboard. The best material for your product display will depend on what products you are showcasing, where you will be placing the display, and how long you plan on using it. 

In choosing the material for your display boxes, consider your intended use, specific requirements, environmental impact, and cost.

Comparison of Different Materials for Display Boxes

Benefits of Using Cardboard Display Boxes

Cardboard is the most popular choice when it comes to product display boxes for retail marketing. Here are seven reasons why it is the most preferred material:

• It is cost-effective. Cardboard prices are lower compared to wood, metal, and plastic.
• It has a quick turnaround time. Cardboard boxes can be manufactured faster than other materials even with bulk orders. This quick turnaround time makes them perfect for seasonal marketing campaigns.
• It is versatile. Cardboard is easy to cut and mold into unique shapes. Shelves, pockets, folds, and other details can also be easily integrated into its design.
• It is easy to assemble. Most cardboard boxes are designed to unfold and fit together like puzzle pieces. They do not require tools and other materials for assembly.
• It is easy to transport. Cardboard is the most lightweight material for display boxes. It can also be disassembled and folded flat for shipping.
• It is durable. Cardboard may not last as long as metal or wood, but it can withstand use for an entire marketing campaign period.
• It is environmentally friendly. While not all cardboard is eco-friendly, many of them can be easily recycled. Vegetable-based inks can also be used to print on them to make them more eco-friendly.

8 Common Types of Cardboard Display Boxes

1. Counter Display

These are small and compact boxes designed to be placed on top of display tables or countertops. They are great for retail sales of small items, such as pens, candies, makeup, and other similar-sized merchandise.

2. Power Wings

Also called sidekicks, power wings are small displays on end caps or shelves. They increase a shelf’s basket size and allow brands to highlight new products or promotional offers. They are often used for small lightweight items, like sample-sized products, magazines, cosmetics, and OTC pharmacy products.

3. Inline Displays

Inline displays or on-shelf displays help businesses set themselves apart from a shelf full of competing products. These are usually trays or open boxes with additional branding to break the visual monotony of similar products lined on the same shelf.

4. Brochure Holders

Some businesses such as travel agencies, salon services, or B2B companies advertise their products and services but do not necessarily offer them in a particular store. Instead, they provide brochures which the customer can get while shopping or waiting in line. 

Brochure holders not only give their brand and message more visibility but also keep marketing collaterals organized. These are usually placed on the checkout counter, reception desk, or takeout window.

5. Floor Display Stand

Cardboard floor displays may have 2-7 layers of shelves where several products can be arranged on display. Some have pegs and hangers instead of layered shelves. Others combine both shelves and pegs for a wider variety of product display.

6. Pallet Display

Cardboard pallet display racks combine storage and display. The bottom part is often used to store stocks while the top rack is used to display the product being promoted. This type of display is lightweight and can be conveniently moved throughout the store.

7. Cardboard Trolley

Cardboard trolleys are ideal for mobile marketing campaigns. They combine the portable storage of trolleys and the visibility of display boxes. They are usually printed with ads and used in shows and conventions where mobility is required.

8. Dump Bins

Cardboard is also a low-cost material for dump bins. They can be easily printed with visually appealing designs and work great for seasonal promotions. Their lightweight materials also make them easy to move around the store.

Other Cardboard Promotional Items

Aside from display boxes and custom packaging, cardboard can be used for other promotional items and POP displays.

1. Shelf Stoppers

Shelf stoppers or shelf takers are signs placed on a retail shelf. They are positioned perpendicular to the shelf to attract customers and to draw their attention directly to where a featured product is displayed. Cardboard shelf stoppers do not require floor space, are easy to attach to shelves, and provide brands an affordable way to increase product visibility.

2. Ceiling-Hung Signs

Like shelf stoppers, ceiling-hung signs do not require floor space and provide a low-cost way to increase brand awareness. These signs are hung from the ceiling to draw customers to the area where products are shelved.

3. Cardboard Standees

One way to gain more awareness for a brand is to use cardboard standees. These are 3D structures of the actual products or the product endorsers. They can also be designed to resemble free-standing product displays that have unique shapes.

Make a Statement with Customized Cardboard Display Boxes

Cardboard display boxes are customized according to the specific size, design, and style that a company needs. When having your display boxes customized, consider the products you will be showcasing. Having a product-oriented display ensures that the spotlight will be on your product and not on the box. Also make sure that the box has the physical integrity to support the product you will be displaying on it.

When featuring small items, like cosmetics, include dividers or pockets in your display box to keep the items organized. If the box will be placed in an environment exposed to moisture, opt for waterproof or water-resistant cardboard.

To get the best cardboard display boxes, partner with a manufacturer who is willing to talk with you about your customization options and go the extra mile to meet your requirements.

Refine Packaging is the top choice for the world’s Inc 5000 and Fortune 500 companies. With super fast production times, affordable pricing, and a sky’s the limit attitude, we’ll help you turn your custom packaging into a competitive differentiator. Contact us today and a dedicated packaging specialist will guide you through every step of the custom packaging process without breaking a sweat.

The post Ultimate Guide to Product Display and Custom Cardboard Display Boxes appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Implementing green packaging in your brand’s operations is a necessity now more than ever. In this guide, you’ll find out why. 

What is Kraft Packaging?

About 32% of all plastic used in the packaging industry won’t end up in the trash. The problem with that is plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose. In other words, aside from the ones that have ended up in the incinerator, every piece of plastic ever manufactured still exists to this day.

Kraft is an eco-friendly alternative to plastic packaging and might be the world’s answer to the ever-growing plastic pollution. It is a common material used for packaging products in industrial and commercial operations. Kraft packaging is made from a renewable resource, which is biodegradable and recyclable. However, unlike regular paper, kraft paper can be made from any type of wood species.

During the kraft process, the natural wood is ground into a pulp and then treated with white liquor, which is a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. It separates the lignin and the cellulose. Due to its reduced lignin and high sulfur content, kraft paper is very sturdy.

The kraft process is better for the environment, as it requires fewer chemicals, which can be recovered and reused without affecting the quality of the output.

Kraft has a natural brown color because of the wood pulp. Although it can be bleached, this process can weaken the fibers that make the material strong. The extra bleaching step can also drive up the manufacturing costs of the kraft packaging. 

Regular Paper vs. Kraft Paper

Kraft papers are arguably more sustainable and eco-friendly than regular paper materials. The kraft process is a self-sustaining method used to produce kraft papers and boards. Any type of wood can be used in this method, including pine and bamboo, which aren’t options for traditional paper making.

Since the kraft process results in lower lignin and higher sulfur content, kraft paper is sturdier than regular paper. It holds up well against heat, moisture, grease, and rough handling during shipping, making it a superior choice when it comes to packaging. It can be used to store food and beverage, cosmetics, appliances, and various other products.

Compared to general packaging materials such as plastic, kraft paper is more affordable. Despite its strength and thickness, it won’t add much weight to your package, allowing you to save on shipping costs.

The growing demand for kraft paper and eco-friendly packaging might further reduce their costs in the years to come.   

Benefits of Kraft Paper Packaging

Why are so many businesses willing to switch to kraft paper boxes packaging? Aside from the rise in demand for sustainable packaging, using kraft has a range of advantages.

1. They Are Versatile

From envelopes and food-grade boxes to tuck-top kraft boxes and folding cartons, kraft paper can be turned into all kinds of packaging materials. No matter what type of product you sell, you’d have the option to use some form of kraft paper packaging.

If what you need isn’t available on the market, you can have custom packaging to fit your products.

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2. They Are Durable

Kraft paper boxes packaging is very strong and robust. It can withstand rough handling and shuffling in transit, which enables brands to protect delicate products from damage.

Natural kraft paper lasts longer than its recycled alternatives because it mostly contains pure wood pulp. The raw materials are harvested from tree trunks and contain high concentrations of fiber. Recycled kraft paper will usually contain bark and other materials, which reduces its strength.

Although it’s durable, kraft tends to lose its strength when exposed to water. Thus, it’s usually treated with special resins when used to wrap wet products.

3. They Are Eco-Friendly

Kraft packaging reduces your carbon footprint because it is 100% eco-friendly. Even if it isn’t segregated in the trash, the kraft material will decompose in the landfill in a matter of weeks, leaving no negative impact on the environment.

Take note that kraft paper must be free from any plastic films and special resins if you want it to be 100% compostable. Let’s say you use kraft cut-out windows for your product packaging. Adding a non-compostable material, like a gloss lamination, over that cut-out space won’t make your packaging 100% eco-friendly.

Instead, you can leave that cut-out space open. Your customers can have a closer look at your products, while you stay true to your promise to deliver their goods in eco-friendly packaging only.

It’s also a recyclable material. You can recycle old kraft boxes and turn them into new packaging.

4. They Are Cost-Effective

Natural kraft paper is more affordable than plastic packaging. Even though they are sturdier than regular paper, their strength and durability don’t add to their weight. The kraft material won’t cost a lot of money in terms of shipping.

Buying kraft boxes wholesale can deliver a great deal of relief to a small or medium-sized business. The prices are significantly lower if you buy in bulk.

5. They Are Customizable

Paper kraft packaging can be manufactured in a variety of colors, dimensions, and shapes. Also, natural kraft paper is print-friendly. Using modern printing machinery, you can personalize your packaging in a variety of ways. You can print logos, attractive designs, and other product details directly on the material.

Custom kraft boxes with personalized prints usually cost extra money. If you want to personalize your boxes without spending too much, you can decorate them with stickers, ribbons, and stamps instead.

6. They Are Print-Friendly

As mentioned, kraft paper boxes packaging supports varying printing techniques, including digital printing and lithography. You may also use embossing and foil stamping techniques to enhance the look of your brown paper kraft boxes.

Whether you want to use soy-based or water-based ink, your prints will come out clearly on the kraft material. You can grab the attention of consumers and increase the promotions of your product. 

Color Classifications of Kraft Paper Boxes

Kraft paper boxes have a natural brown hue. However, this natural hue can be turned into white and other colors through bleaching and other chemical processes.

1. Brown Kraft Paper

Natural kraft paper is dark brown with visible impurities on the surface. If you bleach kraft, you can reduce those impurities and brighten the color. However, you’ll reduce its strength in the process. Hence, for shipping boxes and outer layer packaging, which protect your products from dust and moisture, natural brown kraft paper is more ideal.

2. Black Kraft Paper

Black kraft paper has a smooth surface with a slight glossy sheen. It is used mostly as backdrop for picture frames because of its sleek and professional appearance. Sometimes, it’s used for bulletin boards, banners, and wrapping.

3. Bleached Kraft Paper

Naturally brown kraft paper can be bleached to produce a lighter color. This type of kraft paper is often used in the restaurant industry as a cost-friendly alternative to linen tablecloths. It can also be used as wrapping paper for packages.

Although the bleaching process may weaken the fibers that make kraft paper durable, there are other ways to lighten the material without affecting its strength.

4. Single-Sided Smooth Kraft Paper

This type of kraft paper has a smooth and bright side, which has minimal impurities. The other side has that brown hue that kraft paper is known for. It also has the impurities of natural kraft paper. 

Types of Kraft Paper Packaging

There are different types of kraft paper packaging on the market. In general, these packaging materials are very sturdy. However, their strength and application may depend on the source of the wood as well as the manufacturing processes used.

1. Virgin Kraft Paper

Virgin kraft packing is made from raw wood pulp. This natural wood is harvested straight from the tree before it is manufactured into brown paper.

Even though virgin kraft paper isn’t very thick or heavy, it has high tear resistance and stiffness. It is an ideal packaging material for heavy-duty applications and is used to make packaging tapes, corrugated mailer boxes, and more.

The naturally brown hue of the kraft paper adds to its uniqueness, making it look rustic and homemade. Plus, unlike whiter packaging alternatives, the rough handling process isn’t as obvious on kraft paper boxes.

2. Recycled Kraft Paper

Coated recycled board is made of recycled content, such as cardboard boxes, books, and kraft materials. They are reduced into pulps before they are turned into recycled paper.

Once kraft paper is recycled, it won’t be as sturdy and tear-resistant as virgin kraft paper. It is great for products that don’t require high tear resistance like cereal boxes, paper bags, and paper cans.  

3. Mixed Kraft Paper

Mixed kraft papers are used for postage boxes and cardboard envelopes. As its name suggests, mixed kraft paper is a blend of sorts. It contains recycled and virgin pulp, which makes it as sturdy as natural pulp. It’s cheaper and more eco-friendly because it contains recycled materials. 

Kraft Paper Packaging Designs

What is kraft paper used for in packaging? Kraft paper boxes packaging is incredibly diverse. From bags to boxes, here are some unique packaging and gift box ideas that you can use with kraft materials.

1. Countertop Display

Businesses with brick-and-mortar shop locations use countertop displays to entice customers to buy more. At supermarkets, makeup stores, and confectionery shops, these are the little containers you’ll see at the counter. These kraft display boxes don’t take up a lot of space. They can hold several small-sized products, which are often very enticing.

With their eye-catching designs and styles, countertop boxes are meant to grab the attention of consumers while they’re checking out. They can also feature product-related information that may influence the purchasing decision of prospects.

2. Food-Grade Boxes

Kraft paper food packaging comes in a wide array of designs to fit a variety of food products. Salad containers, for instance, have at least one big clear window and side buckles to prevent your greens from spilling out.

Takeaway containers, like gable boxes and food bags, may have protective films like oil-proof lamination and heat-retaining coatings to keep the food fresh inside and prevent the grease from seeping into the paper. They may come with flaps that can be ripped out.

By using food-grade kraft boxes, restaurants and fast-food chains can reduce their plastic waste. They can reduce costs as well. 

3. Paper Bags

A kraft paper gift bag may have greaseproof and waterproof finishes to accommodate homemade products such as greasy food and baked goods. Apart from the natural brown color, a paper bag of this type is available in a wide array of colors.

4. Magnetic Boxes

Built with magnetic flap closures, these kraft paper boxes look very sleek and luxurious. You can add custom foam or silk inserts to protect fragile products like porcelain figurines, silverware, and more. This extra step you take to include add-ons can elevate the appeal of your product and improve the brand experience.

5. Jewelry Packaging

For businesses selling handmade jewelry and accessories, kraft jewelry boxes are an affordable and creative way to ship your goods to customers. Adding a foam insert to your kraft box can help protect the delicate trinket inside.

You can have the traditional styles of jewelry boxes, which come with a solid lid that covers part of the base. If you’re willing to spend extra, you can have custom kraft boxes with clear lids. You can also use black kraft boxes. They have a sleek and simple natural look that seems timeless and premium.

6. Pop-Up Tubes

Unique product packaging can give you a distinct advantage in the market. It can get people talking. Pop-up tubes usually have two thermoformed lids that go on each side. Apart from giving the tube structure, the lids also help preserve the flavors of your candies, cookies, spices, and other treats.

7. Tube Packaging

Rigid kraft cardboard can be turned into tube packaging, which can be used to store t-shirts, jeans, and accessories. Its sturdy walls are great for protecting glass bottles like essential oils, cosmetics, and other products. For fragile goods, you can opt to add a foam insert to ensure that your glass bottles stay secure at all times.

Unlike your average folding box carton packaging, this rigid kraft cardboard tube will retain its shape no matter how rough it’s handled during shipment. They are long-lasting and reusable.

8. Cut-Out Window Boxes

Clear plastic windows won’t make your packaging 100% eco-friendly. Instead of adding a see-through plastic over your cut-out packaging, leave the window open. It gives your customers a glimpse of the product inside. It can be used to wrap lightweight products such as hair clips, phone accessories, and other tiny trinkets. It can also be used to secure more delicate products like scented candles, mugs, and wine glasses.

9. Resealable Pouches

Resealable pouches can be made with kraft paper, too. They are great for storing lightweight goods like loose teas, herbs, spices, and dried fruit.  Like the food-grade boxes, they may have an optional clear window. Some may have aluminum foil included, which prevents moisture from seeping into the package.

10. Gift Boxes

Kraft gift boxes come in many shapes, sizes, and designs, such as kraft pillow boxes. These little containers form a curved pillow shape once you stash small gifts inside. A two-piece kraft gift box, on the other hand, has a lid that goes over and fits the tray tightly.

Bigger kraft gift boxes may contain inserts to divide and secure the products inside. Like other kraft packaging options, you’re free to customize them using creative prints to enhance the unboxing experience for customers.

11. Sliding Boxes

Sliding boxes can be used to hold a variety of products, including silverware, clothes, and accessories.

Retailers use kraft sliding boxes to give the customer a unique unboxing experience. If your box is designed to slide open from one side, you can attach a ribbon or a rope pull to the drawer so it’s easier for customers to open the box. An alternative would be a finger notch cut. You can add this to the side of the drawer that opens to ensure a fun and hassle-free unboxing experience.

12. Corrugated Shipping Boards

Kraft corrugated boxes are made of multiple layers of kraft paper. A corrugated board has two thicker outer layers called liner boards. Sandwiched between them is a thinner fluted corrugated sheet, which makes the board highly impact-resistant.

When it comes to wholesale packaging, a kraft shipping box is more ideal than a regular cardboard box. Its tough structure enables you to ship out products safely to consumers. Corrugated boards are used for packaging household appliances, auto parts, and more.

13. Wine Boxes

Custom kraft boxes designed to fit standard wine bottles can give your products a rustic and charming appeal. They may have clear or cut-out windows that show the wine labels. They also have sturdy handles for easy transport.

These wine boxes are great for holidays and special occasions. You can use them to gift your friends and loved ones with their favorite bottles of wine.

14. Mailer Kraft Boxes

Kraft boards can be turned into all kinds of mailer packaging. These boxes are designed to hold and secure a variety of products inside. Unlike your regular shipping boxes or gift boxes, mailer kraft boxes have extra flaps that prevent the products from spilling out during transport.

Printing Techniques for Kraft Packaging

Kraft paper boxes packaging is compatible with most modern printing machinery and techniques. Due to the thickness of kraft material, your inkjet and laser printers might not be the most suitable choice.

Just remember that the results will depend mostly on the printing material you use. Hence, take a close look at the quality of the paper. Make sure to assess its surface and determine whether it creases, cracks, or stains easily. Additionally, try to ask about its physical properties, such as its printing performance, absorption, and optical properties.

Many printing companies would use different printing techniques to achieve the desired colors and designs on the kraft paper boxes material.

Here are the most widely used printing techniques for kraft paper boxes packaging:

1. Flexography

Flexography is a common printing method used on kraft boxes, particularly stand-up pouches. However, it can be used to print on corrugated boards as well. It uses light-sensitive polymer instead of plates to print on kraft cardboard.

Modern flexography machines have built-in die-cut and lamination. This makes it easier to laminate or cut kraft boards. Just remember that die-cutting and laminating kraft boards might cost you extra because of their thickness.

2. Offset Printing

Another widely used printing method that works well on kraft boxes and other forms of kraft packaging is offset printing. Also called offset lithography, this method uses printing plates to transfer an inked image to a rubber blanket before printing it on a kraft material. The printing plates are made of zinc or aluminum.

This type of printing technique utilizes oil-based inks, which are suitable for highly absorbent kraft materials. Using oil-based colors, you can have full-colored designs on your packaging. 

Inks for Printing on Kraft Paper

What colors can you print on custom kraft boxes? The quality and type of kraft board you use will affect the colors of the ink. As a textured and absorbent material, it tends to soak up the ink and reduce its colors.

Since kraft is inherently darker in color than regular paper, some inks might appear more muted on the brown paper.

In general, you should avoid light colors like yellow, cream, and light pink. These colors won’t show up well on the brown paper kraft material. Once you print lighter tones on the board, the absorbent material will soak up the ink. The colors will lose their saturation or intensity. In some cases, the colors might appear differently on the kraft paper or board.

Here are the best colors for kraft material: 

1. Black

All colors will appear slightly muted on kraft paper—except for black. It is less likely to be affected by the natural color of kraft. It is your best choice if you’re printing on kraft material.

2. Darker Tones

Aside from black, darker tones like blues, purples, and greens will look exceptional on kraft materials. Their high saturation and deep colors will appear crisp against the dark brown color of your packaging.

3. Neon Inks

Neon and fluorescent inks, on the other hand, are viscous, which means they sit on the thick kraft board instead of seeping into it. Simply put, neon colors can retain much of their vibrancy when they are printed on kraft boards.

4. White Ink

If you’re printing on kraft paper, white ink is a good option. It looks bright and vivid on your brown packaging, which should draw the attention of your target customer. It gives your packaging a clean and modern look, adding to the rustic appearance of your kraft gift boxes.

This is a relatively new packaging trend. While it is new, you might as well join in and gain a competitive edge.

As with other colors, the quality and opacity of your ink, as well as the material of your kraft box, will determine the final look. 

What Makes Kraft Paper Packaging Eco-Friendly?

Sustainability in packaging isn’t just about having all-natural raw materials. The environmental impact of the production process, as well as the reusability and recyclability of the material, determines the sustainability of the packaging.

1. Materials

Kraft packaging is manufactured using all-natural wood fibers. Although trees are renewable resources, the sustainability of kraft paper also depends on the source of the materials. Ideally, wood fibers should be sourced from a responsibly managed forest.

By looking for the Forest Stewardship Council certification, customers can make sure their kraft gift box packaging is sourced from responsibly managed forests.

2. Production Process

The manufacturing process itself should be another important consideration when it comes to choosing sustainable packaging. How much energy is needed to produce it? How much pollution is created as a result?

To create paper kraft packaging, natural wood fibers have to undergo the kraft process. Compared to other paper manufacturing processes, it requires fewer chemicals. As mentioned, the chemicals used in the production of paper kraft packaging can be recovered and reused, making this process a self-sustaining one.

As for the excess byproducts of the process, tall oil and turpentine, they can be used to manufacture other items.

3. Reusability and Recyclability

The final output of the kraft process, which is the kraft paper itself, is reusable and recyclable. For instance, at home, consumers can reuse their kraft cardboard boxes for storage or transport of household items. They can also be recycled and turned into new packaging materials. 

What is FSC-Certified Kraft Paper?

The Forest Stewardship Council sets standards for sustainable forest management. In North America alone, around 168 million acres of forestland are FSC-certified.

FSC ensures that landowners and wood product manufacturers adhere to responsible forestry practices that include:

1. Protecting the water quality
2. Avoiding hazardous chemicals
3. Protecting the woodlands and natural forest covers
4. Safeguarding the rights of local communities and indigenous people
5. Reducing clear cutting
6. Saving wildlife habitats
7. Promoting transparent governance

Any product that bears the FSC label, including kraft paper packaging, certifies that it is sourced from responsibly managed forests. That means consumers will be able to trace the raw materials that were used to create the kraft gift boxes, as well as the forest where they were harvested from.

In a survey, 76% of retailers and non-manufacturers claimed that the FSC certification adds value to their products. About 88% of them agree that the label helps them convey their corporate social responsibility initiatives to their target audience. Also, 88% of them say that the certification helps them build a positive corporate image. 

What Do Consumers Think of Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable packaging is important for a modern business because it helps the environment. The world is producing so much plastic, which only ends up in landfills or in our oceans.

Here are some figures from Ocean Conservancy that should concern you:

• 2.5 billion metric tons of solid waste is manufactured globally
• 275 million metric tons consists of plastic
• 150 million tons of plastic is stuck in marine environments around the world
• 8 million tons of plastic enters the oceans every year 

Now more than ever, customers are knowledgeable and aware of the impact of businesses on the planet. To gain the trust of an increasingly eco-conscious market, setting up green initiatives should be a priority in business.

In a study, Trivium Packaging found that 74% of customers are willing to pay extra for products that have green packaging. Of that number, about 25% said that they are willing to pay more than 10% for sustainable packaging.

Nearly 50% of consumers avoid harmful packaging like plastics. Of that number, 68% associate plastic with ocean pollution, which isn’t wrong.

Shifting to sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives in industrial and commercial operations can drastically change the amount of plastic entering the oceans. You can be part of that solution by using kraft paper boxes for your packaging needs. Eco-friendly packaging shows consumers that you care about the planet. 

Kraft Paper Market Updates and Trends

Due to changing customer habits and sentiments, there is an increase in support for the recycling process and demand for sustainable packaging. That includes kraft boxes.

The global market for kraft paper boxes packaging will be worth $22.38 billion in 2028, analysts say. This reflects a 3.8% compound annual growth rate from 2020. Its growth will be driven mostly by this demand for sustainable and recyclable packaging solutions.

Little by little, kraft paper is becoming a primary packaging solution for end-use industries, such as food and beverage, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

North America is expected to have the largest revenue share in the global market. Its thriving food industry will fuel this growth, along with increasing paper recycling practices in the region.

Build a More Sustainable Future with Kraft Paper Packaging

The commitment to sustainable business packaging is greater than ever. Although the world can’t completely eliminate plastic waste and plastic pollution any time soon, using kraft paper boxes packaging as much as you can and implementing greener alternatives into your operations is a step in the right direction. You might as well do your part to save the environment and the communities you serve.

Refine Packaging is the top choice for the world’s Inc 5000 and Fortune 500 companies. With super fast production times, affordable pricing, and a sky’s the limit attitude, we’ll help you turn your custom kraft packaging into a competitive differentiator. Contact us today and a dedicated packaging specialist will guide you through every step of the custom packaging process without breaking a sweat.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Kraft Paper Boxes appeared first on Refine Packaging.

If so, it’s critical to understand the basic types of labels, materials, and finishes before working with a professional printer. 

Without further ado, let’s dig into the nitty gritty details of product labels, customization options, types of finishes, and so much more!

How Labeling Supports Custom Packaging

Labeling is a component of custom packaging that focuses on promoting and describing your product so buyers know what’s in store for them if they decide to purchase it. This table summarizes the significant role of printed labels in relation to your product’s packaging.

When to Use Printed Packaging vs Custom Labeling

Importance of Custom Label Printing

Product label printing supports your branding efforts in the following ways:

1. Customization

Your custom labels can feature all the content your buyer needs to know about your product. Once you’ve decided on what information and images to include in your label, you can work with a designer or your printer for its layout, shape, and sizing. You can also do it yourself, using an online design tool such as Adobe or Canva.

2. Product and Brand Recognition

A designer can help you come up with ideas that will pique your target market’s interest and make your product easy to distinguish from your competition. Meanwhile, professional printers ensure quality and consistency in the overall look of your custom labels.

When your product has several variants (i.e., flavors or scents), you can design labels that can make sorting easier for wholesalers, retailers, and buyers.

3. Trust Building

Brands can better convince consumers to pick their products if their labels honestly state their contents and benefits. According to research, 97% of beauty product shoppers seek this kind of transparency.

4. Legal Compliance

To comply with industry and government standards on health and safety, include warnings, health hazards, emergency solutions, and other lawfully required information on your personalized labels.

5. Tracking

You can design custom quality labels to help you track products from production to delivery to your distribution points. Bar codes and other stockkeeping unit identification are necessary aids in current warehousing and shipping systems. They’re also useful in the case of product recalls.

6. Marketing Promotions

Labels for products can also feature information such as discounts, coupons, or other special offers to increase your product’s appeal. 

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General Types of Custom Packaging Labels

Labels are made to adhere well to their product’s packaging. Here are the most popular types of printed labels today:

1. Pressure-Sensitive Labels

The most common of all custom labels, pressure-sensitive labels are applied on packaging by hand or machine. They’re made up of a facestock (more info on this later) with or without a top coat and an adhesive with a liner. The details of a label’s anatomy are found in the next section. For optimum adherence, brands and manufacturers consider the surface or material that the label will be attached to.

• Dry peel: Dry peel labels have semi-permanent adhesives. They’re often designed to serve as coupons that buyers can peel off and present to get discounts or to join a contest.
• Reseal: Resealable labels allow customers to seal them back into the product packaging to keep its remaining contents fresh before use or consumption.

2. Shrink Sleeves

Also referred to as a shrink wrap, these polymer plastic films cover entire containers. The film is exposed to heat from a handheld gun or passes through the heat tunnel of industrial label printers to make it fit tightly around the product. Many bottled beverages that need refrigeration have heat-shrink labels.

3. In-Mold Labels

These preprinted polypropylene (PP) labels are injected into a mold where the plastic packaging container is formed. Once the packaging takes shape, the label is already fused into the container. This makes these labels look like they’re part of the container instead of a separate stock placed on its surface. Some laundry detergent bottles and food tubs (yogurt and butter) use this type of labeling.

4. Die-Cut Labels

These labels are made for uniquely shaped containers. They use a die and a press to cut the custom shapes. 

5. Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels

A warm printhead (direct thermal) or heated ribbons (thermal transfer) print words or graphics on the label material instead of ink. These individually cut custom labels are usually used for price tags, shipping, and bar coding. They have a short life span and are prone to change color when exposed to another heat source. 

The Anatomy of Personalized Labels

Pressure-sensitive labels for products mainly consist of these five parts:

1. Facestock

The facestock is the specialty paper, film, or fabric that contains the graphics and text. Being the main part of the label, it’s the layer where the ink is applied and onto which the top coat and adhesive are anchored. It gives your custom labels structure, shape, and size.

2. Ink

Various types of inks are used to print text, graphics, and photos on the facestock: fade-free UV inks, nearly odorless and affordable water-based inks, and durable solvents that don’t require a top coat. Meanwhile, you can use specialty inks for unique metallic and fluorescent effects.

3. Top Coat

Not all labels need top coats (uncoated), but they’re necessary for facestocks made of plastic film. Top coating helps the ink spread out and cling to these types of surfaces. Meanwhile, varnishes and laminates are examples of top coats for paper labels. Besides providing an aesthetic finishing touch to their surface, this layer protects the print on labels from fading due to moisture, sunlight, or rough handling.

4. Adhesive

The adhesive layer is what sticks to your product’s container or packaging using pressure or heat. Your choice of adhesive material will depend on your packaging material, its shape, the environmental conditions it will be subject to, and your desired level of permanence. 

Here are the four basic types of adhesives:

• Peelable: Labels with removable adhesives can be taken off the surface without leaving any residue or destroying the label itself, compared to permanent ones. But removable adhesives can permanently bond to a surface when they’ve stuck to a surface for an extended time or due to environmental exposure.
• Permanent: Permanent adhesives can stick to moist and rough surfaces. Taking them off will usually result in destroying the facestock. They’re recommended for flat surfaces.
• Semi-permanent: Also called repositionable adhesive, this type lets you peel off labels from their surface in the short-term for adjustment. They settle and harden once reapplied to their new position.
• Freezer: Custom labels with freezer adhesives stay put on the products or their packaging without peeling or cracking—even in below zero settings.

5. Liner

The liner protects your adhesive until it’s applied to a surface. It can be made from paper or film. 

Facestock Materials

Paper and film are the most common materials used for the facestock of custom labels.

Paper

As ink settles well on paper, text and images look very sharp on this surface. Compared to film stock, they’re available in different colors and textures and are more affordably priced.

Paper-based labels are most appropriate for dry and cool indoor applications as they can only handle limited exposure to moisture (water and oil), extreme temperatures, and abrasion. Paper labels are best used for non-perishable goods like canned food as well as household and beauty products like soap bars.

Some common paper facestock examples for labels include:

• White paper: White paper is made of high-quality paper that’s bright and opaque white. It can have a matte, semi-glossy, or glossy finish.
• Metallic paper: Metallic paper gives products a polished sheen. Some of the available colors include gold, rose gold, silver, bronze, and copper bronze.
• Recycled paper: This brown-colored paper stock can give products a vintage, rustic, or handcrafted look. Facestock of this type includes kraft and the black and velvety vellum labels.
• Estate 4: Estate 4 paper is the most durable of the paper stocks due to its “wet strength” or water resistance. It’s also colored white and has a subtle linear texture.

Film

Facestock made of plastic film are tear-free and can conform to the shape of curved or other oddly shaped containers. They’re long-lasting due to their oil and chemical resistance. Film stocks also hold up to spillage, condensation, sweating, and sun exposure. They often have permanent adhesives and can attach to textured surfaces and painted metals.

• Vinyl: Technically called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), these plastic stocks made of ethylene and chlorine have a slight flex and are dishwasher-safe. They can withstand extremely cold environments and can last for up to five years, based on the vinyl formulation. These labels work best on vehicle windows (static cling vinyl) and bumpers, sports equipment, outdoor marketing devices, and frozen food that has to stay in below-zero temperatures for long periods of time. They come in white and clear varieties.
• Polypropylene: Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) is slightly thinner than vinyl and works well on contoured containers as they can stretch horizontally or vertically (biaxial). They have a medium lifespan (six months to two years) compared to vinyl and polyester stocks. They’re advisable for labeling smaller refrigerated items, such as meat, sauces, dressings, cheese, jams, and beverages. They’re available in white, silver, and transparent versions.
• Polyester: Also known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and mylar, polyester facestock can last over 10 years, making it the most durable of all film stocks. They’re ideal for industrial use due to their chemical and moisture resistance. These materials remain intact in extreme temperatures and under UV exposure. They’re the most expensive of all three plastic stocks. Professional printers can offer to make these labels using white, clear, and metalized polyester.
• Squeezable film: This material is best for squeezable bottles and tubes, including lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste, and other beauty and health products.

Different Types of Finishing for Customized labels

Labels need the right finish or top coat to make them last and look good longer. Here are some of the most popular label finishes:

1. Varnishes

Varnishes coat facestocks in clear liquid, making labels smoother and more resistant to spills and scuffs. They cost less than UV coatings and laminates but have the least staying power. A glossy varnish can make image-heavy labels stand out, while a non-reflective matte varnish can produce a subdued but professional effect. You can use spot varnish to highlight specific elements on your custom labels like your logo, brand name, or graphics.

2. UV-Resistant Coatings

This type of finish involves applying a special liquid on a label’s facestock and then curing it in ultraviolet light. The coating later becomes a permanent sunscreen that prevents your text, design, and colors from fading and other possible damage. 

Although this is usually a glossy finish, UV coating is also available in semi-gloss and matte. You have the option to cover the entire surface of your label (overcoat) or just selected sections (spot coat).

3. Laminates

Laminates are a thick film-like coating. They offer the greatest protection against sunlight, moisture, and abrasion. A glossy laminate sharpens the content and color of the label’s facestock while a subtle matte finish can give your custom labels an elegant touch.

4. Foils

A hot foil is composed of metalized PET film with heat and pressure-activated adhesive, which sticks well on glass bottles and cans. Hot foil can give a sophisticated look to custom wine labels. Meanwhile, a cold foil uses UV-curable adhesive, so it’s suited for thinner packaging material like plastic that can’t withstand high temperature. 

Finishing Formats: Roll, Sheet, and Fan-Folded

You can order custom-made product labels by sheets or rolls. Let’s see when to best use each of them.

1. Sheet Labels

When it comes to label sticker printing, sheet labels come in sheets of different paper sizes, although the most common is the A4 size.

Using sheet labels is the best option for short runs or smaller quantities (below 250 labels), including testing out the packaging of your new product or selling seasonal products. But some professional services can also offer this type of printing for a larger project.

2. Roll Labels

Roll labels are spun on a cardboard spool and get printed on using a roll printer. They’re advisable for bulk orders, including those that need specialty ink printing. They can be die-cut in any shape and size. Custom roll labels also work best for labels containing unique content per piece, such as bar codes or shipping labels.

3. Fan-Folded Labels

These pressure-sensitive custom labels are on a continuous backing sheet that folds along its perforations accordion style. This self-stacking format makes a great alternative to the roll format for shipping, address, and barcode labels.

Designing Your Own Labels

How do you come up with a label that will attract customers to choose your product? Here are some pointers.

1. Know Your Target Market and Existing Buyers

What’s your target demographic? It’s important to establish who your buyers are when designing your custom labels—and even your stickers and decals, for that matter. Determine their ages, gender, location, lifestyle, educational levels, income, values, and pain points or challenges that your product can solve. Listen to relevant feedback so you can personalize their experiences. Personalization is generally the difference between successful and disappointing campaigns.

Some relevant statistics to keep in mind:

• 56% of consumers become followers of a brand that “gets them” or understands their needs, and 89% choose to patronize a brand that shares their values.
• 64% of food shoppers spent more on products whose labels contained popular phrases such as “fresh,” “no sugar added,” “whole grain,” or “organic.”

2. Research the Competition

Examine and compare the attributes of your competitors’ marketing and branding materials, such as labels, flyers, stickers, and packaging. Take a close look at the color, typography, imagery, size, shape, and target demographic. What do consumers like and dislike about your competitors’ labels? What colors or other design elements are they drawn to? What are the major differences between your labels and theirs?

Take note of those elements that work well and brainstorm ways you can customize and improve them. Your custom labels should command attention when displayed side by side with similar products in-store. For e-commerce items, check if your labels will register well on the camera for photography and video shoots. You can also create custom shipping labels to elevate the look of plain cardboard packaging.

3. Determine the Essential Product Information to Include

Decide Your Information Hierarchy 

List down all the product details that you want your buyers to read on your label. Afterward, arrange them according to importance with the product name and brand name on top. For instance, in a food product, your brand’s logo, product’s weight, and other graphics should go in front. Meanwhile, instructions, expiry date, company’s contact information, and others can appear at the back.

In the image below, the brand’s logo, which includes its brand name and tagline, is on top of the label. The product’s name appears just below the brand’s logo. Its ingredients are listed in a smaller font and occupy the lower half of the label. The product’s net weight and storage instructions are printed at the bottom of the label, in a much smaller-sized font.

Meanwhile, this product’s back-of-pack label includes directions on how to prepare its contents. The company’s contact information, its country of origin, and bar code also appear there.

Highlight Your Unique Selling Point

Why would a customer want to buy your product instead of another brand? Research and create a profile of your leading competitors. See what your competitive advantage is over them so you can incorporate it in your selling point.

You also need to know what your target market needs and wants. Run a survey using your social channels or email questionnaires. Find out what your consumers’ pain points are and how your brand can help overcome them. After analyzing their feedback, you’ll be able to go beyond enumerating your product’s features or what it can offer. You can tell your buyers how your product can meet their needs and wants.

Below, the brand cited the benefits of its iremia oil burner blend on its rear label.

Include Legally Required Content

Check what your national, local, and industry laws state about the mandatory information that a custom label should carry.

In the United States, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act requires household items like cosmetics, cleaning products, and art materials to have storage and safe handling instructions. Thus, custom labels should carry signal words such as “poison”, “caution”, or “danger” and steps for first-aid treatment.

Food and beverage manufacturers are required to disclose the nutritional value and ingredients used in their products on the packaging. According to an American Heart Association survey, a majority of food shoppers (59%) always read packaged food labels before buying the product for the first time. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also expects manufacturers to list the allergens, additives, and other chemicals used. 

Many plastic and latex products, such as children’s toys with toy parts, should carry choking hazard warnings, according to the Consumer Safety Protection Commission.

Use Customer-Friendly Language

Again, knowing your target customers is important here. You can review social media comments and feedback to pick out the phrases they commonly use. Also, use the results of your surveys and questionnaires to know what words resonate with them.

Besides using easy-to-understand language, be honest about what your product contains. In the latest Innova Consumer Survey, transparency emerged as the top need among food shoppers. This means including the ingredients list in plain English, certifications, and in-depth nutritional information.

Provide Space for Your Barcode

Barcodes are now necessary in helping you keep track of your products, whether inside the warehouse or the store. Aside from shipping and inventory purposes, they also protect your products and brand from counterfeiters. You can also use barcodes for promotions to reward consumers and build loyalty.

4. Consider the Packaging Materials

There are several factors to think about when deciding on the type of material to use for your individually cut labels. The label material refers to the facestock or that which receives the printed text, image, and barcode.

Shipping Container Size and What It’s Made Of

Will you be sticking the label on cardboard boxes or glass, can, or plastic shipping containers? Does it have a solid color or is it transparent? And how large (or small) is it? You need to measure the surface onto which you will apply your label so you can get the right fit and pick the correct adhesive.

Printing and Finish

Pick a material that carries your preferred texture—matte or glossy—and can take the kind of coating or finish that you want it to have such as hot stamping, embossing, debossing, and others.

Environmental Factors

Your chosen material should stay durable throughout your product’s lifespan. What kind of environment will it be exposed to? UV light can fade out inks, while water exposure can cause the ink to smear or get washed off the label.

Products that are subject to extreme cold such as refrigerated food may need freezer-grade adhesives. Meanwhile, others that are exposed to heat, such as products you take with you outdoors, are prone to peel (label lift). Special equipment can remove condensation to prevent this problem or adhesives should be allowed to fully set 24 hours after application.

Some custom labels may need foam or tape to reduce friction, while labels placed on wearables may need skin-friendly applications to endure stretching and sweat.

5. Select Your Colors and Fonts

Amid the possibilities, it’s best to stick with your core brand colors to strengthen your brand’s identity and reduce the chance of counterfeiting. Also, it’s best to refer to the Pantone Matching System to determine how your brand colors will register on preferred label materials.

Color

Colors are typically associated with certain emotional or psychological responses:

• Green: Green symbolizes growth, a fresh start, health, nature, peace, and wealth. Its darker shades can imply wisdom and prosperity. It’s used by brands that are into organic food and pro-environment products. Some investment firms also use green as it stands for the color of money. Goes well with: blue, yellow.
• Blue: Like green, blue can evoke a sense of tranquility and openness. Many banks and communications firms use this color as it embodies intelligence, security, and reliability. It’s also found in many home cleaning products as it conveys a sense of tranquility and openness. Goes well with: green, yellow, red, and orange.
• Red: Red exudes excitement, warmth, and strength. Brighter shades can stand for high energy while burgundy, maroon, and darker shades can represent elegance. Many food and beverage brands include this color in their packaging. Goes well with: yellow, black, blue, white, and green.
• Orange: Orange also radiates vitality and a sense of adventure but by a notch or so lower than red. It’s also linked to confidence, creativity, friendliness, and innovation. Innovators, technology, sports, recreation, and home improvement brands carry this color. Goes well with: blue, black, and white.
• Yellow: Yellow stands for joy, clarity, optimism, and youth. It’s recommended for children’s products, bath and body items, candle brands, and honey distributors. But it’s also ideal for warning labels and products containing powerful chemicals. Goes well with: red, blue, and black.
• Purple: Purple suggests nobility, luxury, and ambition. It’s also associated with youth, creativity, and spirituality. Several creative startups have opted to use this color, and so have some beverage companies for their wine bottles. It’s also found on custom labels of some anti-aging and high-end skincare products. Goes well with: yellow, blue (when mixed with deep purple).
• Pink: Pink is the color of romance, softness, serenity, and fantasy. Many skincare and beauty business brands tap this color. Goes well with: blue (when combined with baby pink), black.
• Black: Black evokes power, sophistication, solemnity, or mystery. It’s a popular choice among liquor brands and candlemakers. Goes well with: white, yellow.
• White: White represents simplicity, cleanliness, and innocence. It can also stir up feelings of lightness or reverence for what’s supernatural or sacred. The color is a common preference among medicinal, health and beauty, and household brands. Goes well with nearly any color.
• Gray: Gray indicates neutrality, balance, and professionalism. Information and technology, architecture, and industrial circles favor this color. Goes well with: brown.
• Brown: Brown creates feelings of comfort and dependability. Organic products as well as tea, coffee, and chocolate brands include this in their brand colors. Goes well with: purple, gray.

As a general principle, the darker the hues, the more serious your message is compared to bright and fun shades.

Typography

Just like in color selection, the fonts you choose for your custom labels should resonate with your brand. There are mainly four basic types of fonts:

• Sans serif: These fonts don’t have “feet.” A few examples are Arial, Helvetica, Century Gothic, and Corbel.
• Serif: These traditional fonts have feet. Examples include Times New Roman, Garamond, Georgia, and Baskerville.
• Slab serif: Although not very popular, these fonts have thick and bold serifs like Rockwell, Memphis, and Soho.
• Script: Examples of these cursive or handwriting-like fonts are Freestyle Script, Lavanderia, and Yellowtail. The upper case of “Unreadable” script fonts like Precious and Shathika can be used as the first letters of paragraphs.
• Display: Inspired by handcrafted signs and calligraphy, display or decorative fonts are best used for headings instead of body copy. Algerian, Pinewood, and Monoton are examples of display fonts.

To ensure you pick the appropriate font for your product labels, it should:

• Reflect the qualities of your product and brand voice. You can select chunky and loud fonts for fun and affordable products. Meanwhile, clean, light, and delicate or formal-looking fonts are suitable for high-end products.
• Appeal to your target demographic
• Meet regulatory standards, clearly presenting product benefits and instructions
• Work well with your graphics

While you can choose between classic and more cursive fonts for your product names and front-of-the-package details, it’s best to use simple but legible fonts for the rest of the product information such as ingredients list and directions for use.

When you come across a font that you like while browsing the web, you can discover its name by using online font finder tools.

6. Use High-Resolution Images

When preparing artwork to use or submit to your label printing service provider, choose images with a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch. Avoid pulling images uploaded on a website as they’re usually low-resolution and will look blurred when printed.

7. Conduct a Test Survey

You can work with a market research firm to hold a label test survey so you can tweak or further customize its design or content, depending on the feedback, before launching a full custom label printing run.

Set Your Brand Apart with Stunning Custom Labels

The team of creatives at Refine Packaging can turn your design ideas into reality, creating beautiful customized labels that will delight your customers and build brand affinity, all at a reasonable price for your business.  

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote on your custom packaging needs. We’ll support you in creating personalized labels that convey your brand’s unique personality, have amazing social appeal, and protect your product no matter where it travels.

The post Custom Labels: Essential Guide on Types and Design for Printing appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Rigid packaging boxes are also referred to as set-up boxes as they’re usually displayed in stores along with the products they contain. They often hold high-end items such as electronics, jewelry, and cosmetics, so some people also call them luxury packaging.

Rigid packaging boxes normally consist of two parts: thick chipboard with a 36- to 120-point thickness (about 2-3 millimeters), which is 4x to 5x thicker than folding carton boxes, and the thinner and more flexible paper wrap that’s pasted over the chipboard to cover it. It’s the wrap that gets customized for branding and can feature foil stamping, varnish, coatings, and other premium printing techniques and textures.

Some custom rigid boxes also have lining interiors that add an elegant touch besides shielding products from scratches and dust. 

Comparing Rigid Boxes vs Folding Cartons vs Corrugated Boxes

Rigid set-up boxes are always in 3D form and generally don’t require assembly before they’re filled. Unlike carton boxes, rigid boxes typically can’t be folded to lay flat and reassembled into their box form, although some brands are now developing collapsible ones.

Due to their thickness, customized rigid boxes can withstand the stress of shipping without damage, protecting the usually fragile products they contain. However, rigid gift boxes may not be as tough as corrugated boxes, which are made of several dense paper layers. Corrugated boards are more versatile in that they’re lightweight and can be folded flat like carton boxes. They can also be customized, being the box of choice for stand-up, point-of-purchase, or point-of-service displays. 

Benefits of Using Rigid Boxes

What makes rigid gift boxes a great option for your business?

1. They’re Customizable

You can look into several possibilities when it comes to using a custom rigid box as part of your marketing strategy for luxury retail packaging or e-commerce packaging. Depending on your target buyers, you can choose a unique shape with a bright and fun design or a more conservative layout with little to no embellishments.

Chipboards come in different values of thickness, while you can play around with your logo and brand name on the wrap using specialty paper, printing techniques, coatings, and finishes.

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2. They Don’t Require Setup

Unless you opt for collapsible models, a customized rigid box doesn’t need assembly, so they reduce the labor involved once they’re delivered to your company.

3. They Raise Brand Awareness

Rigid boxes can help increase sales if you can pick a box style or design that stands out from your competitors. Boxes can feature a clear window, sticker labels, or a specific structure that delivers a pleasurable handling and unboxing experience.

4. They Improve User Experience

Quality packaging is important as it’s the next thing that consumers lay their eyes on after seeing or touching your merchandise. Custom packaging boxes can enhance the visual and tactile appeal of a product. This makes the item look elegant, increasing the worth of your brand.

Thus, rigid packaging boxes give prospective and current customers a well-rounded experience from the time they examine it (whether online or in a physical store) until they receive it via delivery or take it home after their in-store purchase.

5. They Can Boost Your Credibility

When the printing of your logo, brand name, artwork, and product details, plus the box’s finish, appear high quality, your brand appears more professional and trustworthy.

6. They Protect Against Damage

As their name suggests, rigid boxes are supposed to be sturdy enough to protect their contents from the effects of storage, handling, and long-distance travel. Their lids are meant to be secure, and the inserts can securely hug the items, including bottles of oil and tincture, so that they don’t arrive broken. Inside panels for sweets can also prolong shelf life.

7. They Can Be Repurposed

Due to their sturdy construction, many pieces of luxury packaging become keepsakes and are reused as drawer separators or storage containers, especially if they have quality magnetic closures or similar resealable lids. From mementos and jewelry to important documents and printed photos, well-designed, high-quality packaging boxes can become a part of one’s work desk or closet for a long time.

8. They Support Brand Loyalty

You can make your rigid packaging boxes reusable for other purposes: to build a following. Using eco-friendly materials is highly popular and can attract environmental advocates who are very particular about how packaging boxes are made. 

When Not to Use Rigid Packaging

Rigid boxes may not be the best option if:

1. You Have a Large Product

Although the structure of rigid setup boxes can offer superior product safety for small to medium items, its design may not be suitable for large home appliances as their heavy weight may put pressure on the edges. High-end corrugated packaging may be a more viable alternative.

2. You’re Not Yet Ready for a Large Expense

As you read on, you’ll discover that you have to pay more for rigid boxes due to more expensive and thicker materials, the more specialized process involved, and higher shipment fees.

If you’re not ready to invest in rigid packaging, you can ask your manufacturer how it can work with your design using a quality folding carton or high-end corrugated box.

3. You Have Limited Time

Rigid boxes take longer to produce than carton boxes, so you may have to go for carton boxes if you have a tight schedule. 

Different Types of Rigid Boxes

Rigid box packaging styles are either two-piece or hinged: 

1. Telescope or Top-Load Boxes

With Corners

The telescope box features a lid that covers the base midway (partial telescope) or nearly all the way to the bottom edge (full telescope). Some full telescope lids have thumb cuts or semi-circular cutouts, which make them easier to lift from the base.

The classic shoebox, which has a lip that is typically one inch deep, is an example of a partial telescope box. Many commercially available high-end gift boxes as well as our own windowless shirt boxes and luxury cosmetic packaging are structured this way. They can come in various shapes, too.

The neck or shoulder (others call it shouldered) box is another example of a partial telescope box. This type of box has a dual base, with the inner one (also called the tray or neck insert) higher than the other. The protruding part of the tray is called the neck while the top edge of the outer base is referred to as the shoulder. The lid rests on the shoulder. There are shoulder boxes with an extra-long neck, creating a gap between the lid and the base of the box.

Meanwhile, the drawer-style box is a variation of the full telescope box. Also referred to as a tray with a sleeve or the shell and slide. This type of box is like your traditional matchbox. It has a slipcase going over the base or “tray” of matches instead of a lid on top. They’re suitable for items that need to be laid down instead of upright to prevent damage or to preserve their contents. Such products include smartphones, jewelry, and some cosmetics.

Without Corners

Cylindrical rigid box styles, also referred to as rolled-edge tube packaging (or just tube packaging), feature either telescopic or shoulder-neck openings. They make a great packaging option for bottles, markers, other circular-shaped items, as well as powdered goods and irregular-shaped objects. Brands can also consider them alternatives to metal packaging.

Some rigid tube boxes have plastic or metal lids. Their interiors can feature plastic inserts (as in the case of beauty products) or foils.

2. Hinged Lid Boxes

With Cover on the Hinge

Hinged lid boxes have covers that are permanently attached to the base. They close due to their weight, via magnetic strip, or other securing material. The lids of some of these boxes, such as the flip-top or cigar box, don’t have a lip that covers the base of the box. The covers of the book-style box are the same as that of a cigar box—the covering flap extends slightly beyond the base so that when you close it, the box looks like a hardcover book.

Meanwhile, the clamshell design has a lip that goes down partially or down to the bottom edge of the base. In some hinged lid boxes, there’s a cloth or other lining that covers the hinge joint. 

No Cover on the Hinge

Custom Rigid Boxes: Different Types of Finish

Besides having versatile structures, rigid boxes can also offer you plenty of finishing types, from the way the wrap encompasses the box to the look and feel of the wrapping material.

Partial vs. Full Finish

When the wrap only covers the entire outer surface of the lid and tray, it’s called a partial finish rigid box. You can see the lips of the wrapping paper folded and glued to the chipboard’s interior, but most of the board is bare and visible.

Meanwhile, the chipboard is wrapped to its entirety in a full finish rigid box. The inner wrap may be colored white or another color.

Exterior Add-Ons

Brands can select from a variety of options when they want to go for fancy packaging.

1. Coatings 

Coating can come in different types:

• Varnish: Varnish is made of clear ink and creates a thin satin, matte, or glossy layer on the wrap. It can be applied to a specific area (spot varnish) or the entire sheet (flood varnish).
• Aqueous coating: A water-based coating gives your boxes a glossy or matte surface, making it easier to clean dirt and fingerprint marks off of them. They’re also scratch- or scuff-resistant and more eco friendly than varnish or ultraviolet (UV) coatings. Because this type of coating is food-safe, it’s usually preferred for boxes that house food and beverage.
• Ultraviolet coating: UV coatings need UV light or sun exposure to quickly harden coating. They offer the highest gloss finish, but foil stamping can’t be applied to them. UV-coated sheets can be embossed, but they should completely harden first.

2. Lamination

Lamination involves spreading polypropylene or a very thin, plastic film on the wrap, making it water-resistant and moisture-free. It reduces creases and small cracks. The higher level of protection it offers makes it pricier than varnish, which is why it’s mostly used for high-end luxury packaging. Most custom luxury boxes feature matte—as opposed to glossy—lamination. It’s the best coating to use when planning to add foil stamping, embossing, and spot UV on your outer design.

3. Hot Foil Stamping

Heat and pressure are used to apply foil designs of gold, silver, or other colors. The bright metallic foil can highlight your brand and logo.

4. Embossing and Debossing

Creating raised areas (embossing) and indentations (debossing) can enhance the texture of your high-end gift boxes and fancy packaging, making it more eye-catching and attractive to consumers. Embossing and debossing create depth when applied to foil-stamped material.

5. Flocking

Flocking is the method used in rigid boxes where there are velvet or suede-like textures on certain parts of or the whole wrap. The short fibers can be made of cotton, wool, rayon, or other synthetic materials. They can be dyed according to your color preference. This process may also be applied on the surface of some inserts.

Special equipment, as seen in the following video, electrically charges the flocking fibers—causing them to stand up—before spreading them over an adhesive-coated material. 

How Are Custom Rigid Boxes Made?

Brands and sellers tap rigid box manufacturers for luxury brand packaging or high-end retail packaging solutions. The creation process normally involves three stages:

1. Conceptualization

Contracting companies can tap the expertise of a rigid box packaging consultant to come up with the right design that will meet their goals. Some manufacturers also have an in-house design and engineering team that can handle conceptualization and prototyping.

At this stage, designers need to know the following points:

• If the item to be packaged is part of a broader product line, which has an existing design that should be followed or patterned after
• If the box will have to hold many items in a specific way
• If a certain artwork should appear in front of the box that may affect sizing specs
• If you want to incorporate advice from your retailer, who’ll ultimately decide which of your products will be put on sale at its store

Once the concept and budget estimates are presented, reviewed, and approved, the box maker can create the template. The contracting company needs to provide the artwork that will go on the wrap of the rigid box.

2. Production

Production is done by machine, hand, or a combination of the two. The wrap is printed beforehand, undergoing lamination or other treatments required by the client. On the other hand, chipboards are scored and cut to the correct size and shape. Machines (quad stayer) or staff—or a combination of both—then fold the tray or base of the rigid boxes and apply adhesives on the corners so that the sides stay up.

In packaging companies with fully automated systems, pre-trimmed wraps are trimmed and lined up in a conveyor belt. An arm places the tray on the glued surface of each wrap. Then the tray with the wrap beneath it passes through a plunger, which glues the wrap evenly on the tray’s outer surface.

3. Delivery

The packaging material itself also needs protection during shipment. This aspect should be considered and included during the design stage. 

Testing

About 11% of shipped goods arrive with damages. This results in the brand replacing the unit, offering a discount, spending on return freight, and missing profit. More importantly, customer trust is adversely affected when boxes—or worse, their contents—come with dents, scratches, or torn parts.

Thus, production of your custom rigid box packages and other high-end packaging will only be complete when testing is conducted.  

Dimension Testing

Even before your chipboard gets wrapped, it has to be tested for accurate dimensions. In an automated assembly line, the folded chipboard should have the precise length, height, and width or diameter to ensure that the wrap will cover it partially or fully, depending on the company’s design specifications. Meeting the prescribed measurements is also necessary to ensure that the product, inserts, and fillings will fit inside.

Label and sticker application is also set automatically in mechanized production. Thus, custom rigid boxes should all have the exact and accurate dimensions so that seals and any other adhesive-based matter will be placed on the right spot.

Drop Test

This allows contracting companies to determine how the box will stand up to accidental falls. The most popular drop test procedures come from the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA).

During the test, the product is placed inside the box and a machine drops the box on a hard surface from varying heights. The test can be performed on the corners, edges, or sides of the box. The manufacturer or supplier should analyze any resulting damage and work out a solution. When the improved box is available, the test is repeated.

Drop test machines for various package sizes and weights are available in the market. 

Common Custom Rigid Box Mistakes to Avoid

Using custom rigid boxes may turn to your disadvantage due to the following:

1. Use of Oversized Packaging

No matter how fancy the packaging is, buyers will be turned off if they discover a small product inside a big box. Disappointment over the false impression can lead to negative online reviews or even a lawsuit.

2. Lack of Differentiation

Your custom rigid boxes shouldn’t only be eye-catching but also distinct from those of your competitors. Be sure to research your segment thoroughly and get your design team’s opinion about how your product can stand out.

3. Insufficient Protection

Boxes for bottles containing liquids may need a grease barrier. Waterproof-coating should be considered for custom rigid boxes that will go on outdoor display.

4. Not Child-Friendly or Pet-Friendly

When you’re targeting adult clients of various ages, packaging should include instructions for human and pet parents. It should clearly state whether contents include choke hazards or hazardous substances. 

Factors That Contribute to High Prices

A custom rigid box can cost an average of $4 to $5 per piece, more expensive than a fully printed and labeled corrugated box (under $2 to $3) or a folding carton box (under $1). As the previous sections mentioned and indicate, the higher cost can result from:

Materials

More expensive chipboard, which is thicker than regular, foldable carton packaging, is used for custom rigid boxes. They come in a variety of colors—including white and black—with natural chipboard being the cheapest.

Your choice of paper and finish for the wrap also affects the final price. Full finish boxes cost more as they require more paper to cover the chipboard.

When it comes to finishes, metallic, neon, and other specialty inks are more expensive than regular ink. And naturally, larger surfaces will entail more materials. Any labels, magnetic strips, or ribbon pulls needed also add to the total expense.

Construction

The tooling cost in your final bill covers the use of custom-made tools needed to produce each custom rigid box, including dies for cutting its shape, foil stamping, and embossing or debossing, as well as print cylinders, print plates, and molds. The fee goes up if your packaging box has a unique shape or various parts and involves many colors and other printing techniques. Inserts require separate cutting dies and molds.

Reputable manufacturing companies use special machines to fold parts of your custom rigid boxes, paste their sides, and cover them with wrap. But manual labor may be required for intricate packaging or inclusion of inserts, which can be made of tissue, cardboard, foam, or plastic.

Volume

The packaging industry also follows economies of scale, so small-run custom packaging projects will cost more than large ones.

Transport

A majority of custom rigid boxes aren’t collapsible so they don’t ship flat, thus requiring higher shipment fees. Moreover, the rising cost of fuel will ultimately impact how much you have to pay couriers or third-party delivery firms.

Storage Space

As custom rigid boxes arrive pre-assembled in their final form, they need plenty of storage space. Ask your packaging company if it offers managed inventory service. This refers to keeping an agreed level of stock for you and shipping on a just-in-time basis or when you need them. You can also survey your business warehouse for any unused space.

Ways to Cut Rigid Box Production Costs

Here are some workarounds to consider when you need to deliver rigid boxes on a budget:

1. Opt for Standard Sizes and Thickness

A complicated structure will inevitably command a higher price. If this is beyond your budget at this time, use a standard size and thickness that will demand less customization from your manufacturing partner. Standard chipboards are easier for them to buy in bulk or may be available in their stock at a volume that can cover your custom rigid box order. This will result in lower costs for you, an early production start for them, and a faster turnaround time. 

2. Go for a Smaller Design

Want to stick with your original concept? Maybe you can reduce the graphics and shorten the text to make them fit in smaller cardboard packaging. You can also try repositioning the product in a different way or even disassembling it to see if a smaller box will work for you. One advantage of using smaller rigid boxes is that more of your products can fit on a store’s shelf at one time.

3. Pick Lighter Materials

Know your options when it comes to chipboard thickness. Then discuss with the design or manufacturing team how a thinner version can support your advertising and functional needs.

4. Choose Digital Printing for Low-Volume Runs

Although not as high-quality as offset printing, digital printing is more cost-effective, especially if you have a simple and minimalist design.

5. Tone Down Embellishments

• Consider adding a viewing window. A cut-out area that will show the product inside the box might be a cheaper alternative to embossing or foil stamping, especially if there’s artwork in the primary package—that is, the label on your product’s bottle, plastic casing, and so on.

• Reduce the area(s) where foil-stamping or embossing will be applied. The cost goes higher for every square inch where these treatments are used. Choose only the essential parts of your box for these finishes.

• Select water-based coatings and low-gloss finish. UV and glitter coatings are more expensive. A low- or semi-gloss finish can be a good alternative to lamination, which is known for high moisture protection.

6. Use Paper and Tissue Paper Inserts

These materials are more affordable than foam padding. Paperboard inserts with slits can provide the support your rigid setup boxes need for gadgets, cosmetics, luxury candles, and more.

7. Contact and Get Quotes from Different Suppliers

Ask three or four reputable packaging solutions companies to give you a quote, specifying your materials and size. Then determine which one can do the job at a more affordable price without sacrificing quality. 

What to Look for When Choosing a Rigid Box Maker

An ideal custom rigid box supplier should have the following characteristics:

1. Specializes in Rigid Box-Making

Folding carton manufacturers currently outnumber rigid packaging makers. Custom carton box makers may offer to do the job for you by outsourcing the work and just bill you for added costs. It’s better to choose a company whose specialty is rigid packaging. Ask for actual samples, not just prototypes.

2. Employs In-House Designers

It’s best to find a producer with a team that can help you come up with custom quality packaging that will best suit your product. This can help minimize delays and improve coordination as you only have to deal with one company from conceptualization to production.

3. Communicates Effectively

Check client reviews. Companies manufacturing rigid setup and luxury boxes with good reviews most likely listen well to what their clients need and want, resulting in a low error rate. They should be able to promptly answer your questions regarding how boxes are made, the minimum order size, and turnaround time, for example. They should also be able to provide practical solutions.

4. Respects Environmental Sustainability

Today’s consumers are drawn to brands that are conscious about environmental protection. A rigid setup boxes producer that’s Forest Stewardship Council-certified means that it uses paper products from responsibly managed forests. You can also choose custom product packaging manufacturers that use recycled fibers, practice water stewardship, and operate with renewable energy. 

Market Updates and Trends

The rise of work-from-home opportunities has recently paved the way for more people to shop online for various goods, including luxury and gift items. The demand for rigid paper packaging remains high despite the growing popularity of bioplastic, which may affect the quality of food and flavor of liquids and releases polluting methane gas.

The personal use and gifting of video games and equipment, confectionery, wine and other beverages, personal care items, bags, clothes, shoes, watches, and jewelry packaged in luxury rigid boxes, especially among millennial customers and Gen Zers, is expected to drive e-commerce growth in the coming years. The market for this box type will be worth more than $5.4 billion by 2030, according to forecasts. Custom two-piece rigid setup boxes will be at the forefront, with its value expected to reach $268 million until 2025.

Collapsible Rigid Boxes

As mentioned earlier, several manufacturers can now design and produce foldable rigid setup boxes. They can offer the versatility and convenience that custom carton boxes can offer, with the top selling point being their ability to store flat, which lowers shipping cost.

Smart Packaging

More and more brands will continue to integrate digital technology into their custom rigid boxes for better quality and customer engagement. Here are some examples:

Printed Electronics

Boxes with near-field communication (NFC) chips can provide more product information, prove authenticity, enable tamper detection, and even detect temperature when consumers bring their smartphone close to the NFC tag. Brands may also use NFC and radio-frequency identification (RFID) stickers to track orders.

Quality custom packaging may also feature LED and OLED lighting devices. These flat, nanometer-thin types of lighting can make your business logo, product name, or parts of the packaging glow or cause a holographic image to appear using hand pressure or with the aid of a smartphone, without the need of a battery.

Augmented Reality

Brands can include a QR code in the packaging that will allow buyers to view the product with animation and sound effects or play a mini-game, with virtual objects seemingly emerging from thin air. The visual appeal of AR-enabled packaging is reportedly two times stronger than regular ones.

Impress Your Customers with Luxurious Rigid Packaging Boxes

Refine Packaging is the top choice for the world’s Inc 5000 and Fortune 500 companies. With super fast production times, affordable pricing, and a sky’s the limit attitude, we’ll help you turn your custom packaging into a competitive differentiator. Contact us today and a dedicated packaging specialist will guide you through every step of the custom packaging process without breaking a sweat.

The post Rigid Boxes: A Complete Guide to Luxury Packaging appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Custom box inserts may be just what you’re looking for. 

Custom packaging inserts can be made from a variety of materials like cardboard, foam, and fungi. These stylish and practical inserts can be custom-sized to fit your unique products.  

You can use packaging inserts to ship all kinds of products. Want to give that bottle of wine a little added padding? Have a plant you need to send? A custom insert will hold them securely, so they arrive at the recipient safe and sound. Even large and heavy items can get added protection when nestled in a custom insert.

Custom inserts not only cradle your precious cargo, so they get to their destination in one piece. They can also give your packaging that wow factor. Custom inserts can take your customers’ unboxing experience from ho-hum to something they’re eager to share with friends word-of-mouth and the world through social media. 

So, let’s get started! Here’s everything you need to know about custom boxes and inserts. 

Types of Custom Inserts

There are items you can place in a box and send off without putting any thought into it.  However, you give your customers a lackluster experience when they open that box. 

Also, most products need some sort of added protection to ensure their safe arrival. This is where void fill options come in handy. Examples like packing peanuts, crinkle paper, PE foam, and air pillows protect your products and help boost their presentation. 

These are all great options for certain products and in certain situations. But sometimes, you want to add something a little extra to make your customers’ experience much more special.  

Enter custom packaging inserts. 

Custom inserts keep the cargo safe from damage during shipping as they fit the exact specifications of your products. More importantly, they add style to the packaging and help you achieve your branding goals. They’re also not limited to securing the actual products. You can use inserts as trays or dividers.

But what type of packaging insert is right for you? 

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First, you must choose what sort of material you must use for your custom inserts. Each material has its characteristics that add to the presentation of the product packaging. 

Also, coming up with the best custom packaging depends on the product you’re putting in the box. Each product requires different ways to keep it safe during delivery. You can’t just use any material for your packaging inset and expect the product to arrive at the destination without any damages.

According to studies, product damage is the cause of 34% of customer returns related to packaging. So, you can’t afford to lose more than a quarter of your sales due to negligence.

It’s also important to keep in mind the company vibe you want to reflect. If your company mission statement centers around sustainability and environmental causes, use eco-friendly materials for your packaging inserts. 

Last, your budget will also play a part in what type of insert you choose.

To give you a summary of the different kinds of custom boxes, below is a handy table for your reference:

Now, let’s take a look at common materials used for custom inserts: 

Paperboard Inserts

Not all inserts need to be heavy-duty. Sometimes products don’t need much protection, but you’d still like to have an appealing presentation.

Paperboard inserts won’t give you maximum protection, but they’re a great choice for carton boxes and invitation boxes. They’ll keep your products in place and add to an overall pleasing presentation.

Paper stock is also good for small, lightweight items, such as beauty products or stationery. These inserts usually come in natural kraft color or white. Finally, there’s plenty of opportunities to add your branding, such as colors, logo, and message, suitable as paperboards are easy to print on.

Corrugated Inserts

Another affordable option is corrugated cardboard inserts and boxes. They’re heavier duty than the paperboard inserts and offer more protection. You might see these used in a box to separate fragile items like bottles.  

As you can see in the below image, Fuego Box uses custom inserts to display their hot sauce bottles beautifully and to prevent the bottles from spilling into each other. No one wants to open a box to find glass shards and sauce strewn around.

As with the kraft paper inserts, you can also easily print on corrugated cardboard. So feel free to add a message or use a brand color.

Rigid Chipboard Inserts

Rigid chipboard inserts are made from reinforced cardboard, making them good for shipping and protecting fragile items like ornaments or perfume bottles.

They’re also great for keeping products separated, so they don’t rattle into each other.  And since the design is pretty solid, this type of divider might be reused by customers to store other items down the road. 

Foam Inserts

Foam inserts are best for protecting fragile items like glass, camera lenses, and jewelry from scratches and scuffs. 

This foam padding type is made up of pre-scored squares that you can simply take out to fit your product. Since it eliminates the need for die-cutting, it’s a more affordable option. At the same time, these inserts are also super-lightweight and help decrease your shipping costs.

If you have different size products or have a smaller budget, “pick and pluck foam,” is an alternative to the die-cut foam inserts.  

Pulp Packaging Inserts

Pulp packaging inserts can be used for fragile items because they offer a lot of protection. Molded pulp inserts are made from recyclable and biodegradable materials like cardboard, sugarcane, bamboo, and other natural fibers. A perfect example of this packaging insert type is an egg carton.

Pulp packaging is highly versatile and comes in different shapes or sizes. They can even support heavy items like wine bottles. When empty, you can stack these inserts on top of each other to help you save storage space.

Mushroom Packaging

If you want to go further on the sustainability front, packaging made with mushrooms is the way. This packaging can be molded to fit just about any product, from cosmetic to CBD.  

For example, Ecovative Design’s Mushroom Packaging can be grown in only seven days and made from hemp hurds and mycelium.

Their packaging is 100% biodegradable so that you won’t be adding to the overfilling landfills. And you can even add it to your home’s compost pile.  

Molded Plastic

This packaging type is made from natural or synthetic materials with a polymeric structure, making it easy to mold when softened. Common examples of molded plastic include soda bottles, lids of takeout coffee cups, and water bottles.

Molded plastics were popular back in the day due its durability and cost-effectiveness. However, its non-biodegradable nature makes it harmful to the environment. 

Out of the 8.3 billion tons of plastic created between 1950 and 2015, only 9% has been recycled. Its effect on marine life has been devastating. This is a large reason why people are more conscious about using less plastic as much as possible. 

Coming Up with the Structural Design

Custom packaging inserts mean they’re specially made to fit your products and beautifully reflect your company vibe.  However, ensuring you get the right fit and look will take a little work on your end.  

First, it’s essential to determine the exact dimensions of the products you want to place in the insert. If you have a somewhat regular-shaped item, like a candle, or something cube-shaped, simply measure and share its dimensions with the manufacturer.  

But how about for odd-shaped items like drills, cameras, or game controllers? They have all kinds of nooks and crannies that make it challenging to get precise measurements. If the opening is too big, the item will fall out. Too small and it won’t fit. The insert is supposed to cradle your item just right to keep it safe and attractively displayed.  

In some cases, you may need to send the physical product to the manufacturer to get the measurements right. From there, they can build the insert around the product.

Also, avoid over-engineering your custom insert. You want it to offer the protection your items need, but you don’t want to add unnecessary weight or bulk to your packaging.

On top of ensuring the right fit for your products, you must also consider the fulfillment side of things. Cardboard inserts are usually made and stored flat, then folded into shape, and placed in the box.  Someone or something (if you’re using automated machinery) must put the inserts in all of those custom boxes.

While fulfillment should be easy, common issues you may encounter include receiving the wrong package due to poor shipping management. Getting your inserts printed and shipped by a reliable fulfillment center is key to a hassle-free delivery.

Also, you don’t want to frustrate customers with their unboxing experience. Make sure that taking the items out of the insert is as easy as possible for customers. 

Also, consider how your customers will dispose of this packaging. Is it easy to break down? Easy to recycle? Most people don’t want to fill their trash cans with excess packaging. 

Custom Printing and other Design Elements

Inserts don’t have to be a drab brown color unless that’s the look you’re going for. In fact, your insert doesn’t have to match the outside of the mailer box. Feel free to give your customers a little surprise inside. 

You can pick a bold color, print your logo or catchphrase, or write a message to your customers like a simple “thank you.”

Here are three of the leading printing techniques for paperboard or corrugated material:

1. Flexographic printing (or Flexo): This process stamps a non-photo quality design onto the cardboard material.  Since it works well on smooth and rougher surfaces, it’s a good choice for printing on corrugated material. And it’s a good option for large quantities.
2. Digital Printing: This newer printing technology uses the CMYK ink spectrum, giving you a wide choice of colors. Digital printing prints the design line-by-line so you can get photo quality. This process is more cost-effective for small batches, and it has a quick turnaround.
3. Lithographic printing (or Litho): The design is printed onto a label, and then that layer is stuck onto the cardboard.  Litho printing can give a premium look to your packaging.  You can add things like foil details and emboss with this method.  Litho is a good choice for large quantities of premium packaging. 

You can also choose what kind of coating and lamination you’d like for your inserts. Do you want to go for a glossy look? Or maybe a matte finish is more in tune with your brand. 

Get as fancy or simple as you want. Just make sure it ties in with your overall branding goals to delight your customers. 

Benefits of Custom Inserts

As seen above, there are tons of options for custom inserts. It’s now a matter of planning for the right materials and design elements for your custom insert design.

The extra time and effort you may need to invest in coming up with a custom insert design can have big-time benefits.  

Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages of going with custom box inserts: 

Robust Product Protection

The most important job of your packaging is to ensure your goods arrive in one piece.  

The last thing you want is for your customer to open a box and find out that the special wine glass or new camera lens is shattered into pieces.

It doesn’t matter how great your products are or how pretty your packaging presentation is. If your products arrive broken, your customers will not be happy. And this incident could create a bad lasting impression about your brand that could lead to lost revenue.

Custom inserts are designed to secure and protect your products inside the box that they’re shipped in. They’ll effectively secure your unique products, no matter their shape or size or how many they are.

Presentation

Custom inserts can give your packaging a polished look that customers will take notice of. They can present your items in a way that makes your products the focal point. 

A beautiful presentation can lead to immense marketing benefits. For example, unboxing videos are pretty popular nowadays. In fact, the time people have spent watching unboxing videos from their phones is equivalent to watching “Love Actually” more than 20 million times. And most of the time spent on these videos is about the packaging of the product.

Also, many influencers, and even your everyday customers, have taken to sharing pretty packages on social media channels, such as Instagram and Pinterest.

Finally, according to surveys, 72% of Americans agree that packaging can influence their purchasing decision. In the case of e-commerce and retail, looks matter.

Amplify Your Brand Recognition

Custom package inserts can help customers take notice of your brand. You can add your logo to the insert or use your brand colors. You can even keep branding to a minimum to achieve a raw and bare look.

No matter what style you choose, giving your customers a thoughtful, high-end experience through your packaging will make your brand more memorable and excite your customers.  

And why is building brand loyalty so important? Consider this:

• 43% of customers spend more money on brands they are loyal to. (Fundera)
• 94% of people said they’d be highly likely to recommend a brand they were emotionally engaged with. (Genler)
• 48% of consumers report that they are more likely to become loyal to a brand during the first purchase or experience. (G2)
• 50% of shoppers say they’re more likely to recommend a product with branded packaging. (BusinessLoad)

Custom packaging inserts are a great way to pump up customer loyalty. Not leveraging your packaging to get your brand noticed potentially leaves a lot of money on the table. 

The Environmental Angle

Environmental concerns are on top of the consumers’ minds, and this includes packaging.  No one wants to contribute to landfills or have a giant carbon footprint.

Recent research conducted about sustainability concludes the following:

• 74% of those surveyed would pay more for sustainable packaging, and nearly one-fourth are willing to pay for an increased cost of 10 percent or more.

• 60% of consumers say they are less likely to buy a product in harmful packaging.

The bottom line is that the friendlier your packaging is to the environment, the better.

Inserts made from paper or cardboard are not only easy to recycle but also sustainable. Look for manufacturers who use responsible forestry.

Want to go a step further? Try inserts made from organic material like fungi.  Not only are they super sustainable, but they’re even home compostable.  Who would have thought discarded packaging could help grow a garden?

A Few Potential Drawbacks

As with everything, there are some potential drawbacks to going with custom box inserts. Ironically, many of their cons are what make custom inserts so special. There are three main disadvantages:

• It’s a custom design: On one hand, custom design will make your brand stand out. On the other hand, unlike stock packaging, they’re going to take longer to complete. You can’t grab these inserts off the shelf or put your order in and expect the product the next day. 
• These inserts are product-specific: Sure, this means they’ll offer optimum protection and fit your products like a glove.  But, if you sell a bunch of different products, this may be problematic. Coming up with custom inserts for hundreds of unique products could prove to be a logistical nightmare.
• They’re more expensive than many other void-fill alternatives: As with all of your packaging needs, you need to keep your budget in mind.  Custom inserts might not fit your bottom line today, but they may be something to consider in the future. 

A Little Inspiration

The eCommerce industry generated an estimated $839 billion in sales last year, which increased over 40% from the year before. But there’s a lot of competition out there.  Everyone is trying to claw their way to the top.

So, what can you do to get your products noticed?

It’s going to take a little effort on your part to keep your current customers and attract new ones. Beautiful packaging, including custom inserts, is one way to do that.  

Let’s take a closer look at how some companies are using custom box inserts to enhance their customers’ experiences:

Warby Parker

Finding that perfect pair of eyeglasses that look just right on your face can be a real chore.  That’s why online prescription eyeglass retailer Warby Parker introduced a program where they’ll send out five free pairs of glasses. Decide which one (or ones) you’d like to keep and send the rest back.

Since glasses are fragile, they require extra care when mailing them out. Warby Parker uses a corrugated box with insert dividers to keep the glasses separated and ding-free.

Ritual Vitamins

Ritual is an online multivitamin retailer that developed itself into an Instagram darling.  So you know presentation is important to them including with their packaging.

In the above example, Ritual uses its signature bright yellow color for an eye-catching insert. This color is found splashed across their website, so including it in their packaging reinforces their brand identity. 

Cupcakes

Cupcakes aren’t just for little kids’ birthday parties anymore. In recent years, all kinds of boutique cupcake shops have sprung up across the country, lending these once humble little cakes an air of sophistication.

But nothing less unflattering than a smooshed cupcake. These delicate little cakes need protection. Custom inserts can ensure these tasty morsels make it home looking as good as they did on the bakery shelf. 

Winestyr 

More people are enjoying the ease of ordering their wine, especially since the pandemic. But can you imagine the mess a shattered wine bottle would unleash upon delivery? Talk about a way to lose customers fast! 

Winestyr is fully aware of this. As an online purveyor of artisanal wines, you can join their wine club or order premium gifts. Since their whole business is about shipping out their product to customers, they have their packaging dialed in.

In the above example, they have three wine bottles nestled in a cardboard insert. The insert both protects the bottles and nicely presents them.

Esquire Beast Box

Esquire needs no introduction, but its new subscription gift box does. Named “Beast Box,” it contains various men’s grooming products, in line with Esquire’s branding.

The box insert has different-sized sections for each of the products included. Also, the understated color scheme exudes masculinity, which is just what you’d expect from the brand.  

Pirells Innovative

Here’s a concept design from Pirells Innovative for a premium watch box. The monochrome color complements the simple yet elegant design. The pattern made on the mailer box and the inside insert are made by cutting the black paper, which gives it a unique, memorable look.

When you pop open this box and find a watch lying on the insert, the overall presentation oozes luxury and sophistication. 

Tait Design

You wouldn’t expect a design studio to skimp on presentation, and Tait Design does not disappoint. 

The hot pink cardboard box for their yo-yo matches the printing color on the outside of the box. It pulls the whole look together and makes a “child’s” toy feel unique and fancy.

Get People Talking with Memorable Custom Packaging Box Inserts

Custom box inserts can take your packaging from unremarkable to something that gets people talking. Packaging inserts are only one component of your overall marketing arsenal, but they can build trust, increase brand recognition, and enhance your customers’ overall experience. 

Custom box inserts will protect your goods and make them look good. They’re made from various materials, so you can find one that reflects your company’s values. What’s not to love?

Refine Packaging is the top choice for the world’s Inc 5000 and Fortune 500 companies. With super fast production times, affordable pricing, and a sky’s the limit attitude, we’ll help you turn your custom packaging into a competitive differentiator. Contact us today and a dedicated packaging specialist will guide you through every step of the custom packaging process without breaking a sweat.

The post Ultimate Guide to Custom Packaging Inserts appeared first on Refine Packaging.

A lot happens in the first few seconds after a package is delivered. When your customer first lays eyes on the box you’ve sent to them, you have an opportunity to trigger an emotional reaction. Play your cards right, and you can delight your customer, reinforce your message, and build brand affinity. Alternatively, if your packaging supplies and boxes aren’t up to scratch, your customer may feel frustrated, underwhelmed, and less likely to order from you again.

These days, it’s simply not enough to just deliver a package safely. Of course, this is of paramount importance, but it’s really the bare minimum and now expected. What’s needed today is customization. 

In the 2021 fiscal year, FedEx Express delivered an amazing 6.6 million packages each day. You may be an online shopper yourself. Just think back to the amount of packages you’ve ordered over the last few months. Chances are, the e-commerce packages that stood out from the crowd are the ones that were customized. 

This is because a premium look and feel, plus clever branding, has the power to build relationships between e-commerce brands and their customers. In the absence of physical stores and face-to-face customer service, your shipping boxes are more than just a safety measure; they’re a creative medium that can be harnessed for communications and marketing. 

Still not convinced? Think about the growing number of unboxing videos and posts on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Then there’s the research by experts, which shows just how much consumers value thoughtful, customized packaging: 

• 72% of American consumers say their purchasing decision is influenced by the packaging design. (Ipsos)
• 61% say they are much more likely to repeat a purchase of a luxury product if it came in premium packaging. (Dotcom Distribution)
• 40% of consumers will share an image of your packaging on social media if it was unique or branded. (Dotcom Distribution)

Unboxing the Magic of Packaging with Custom Shipping Boxes

Leading e-commerce players are those who understand the magic of an end-to-end customer experience. Sure, you have a great website, but the customer’s retail experience isn’t over until your product is safely shipped into the hands of your customer. Factors like product quality, competitive prices, fast checkout and shipping, and a good online customer service team play an important role, but the unboxing experience is also crucial. 

In fact, a wondrous unboxing experience can be the difference between a one-off customer and a loyal brand advocate. While it’s tempting to keep costs as low as possible and go for the cheapest packaging options from a financial perspective, this doesn’t bode well with consumers.

According to GfK, consumers value brands with a premium look and feel. In fact, they’re more likely to buy less products that are higher-quality than more products that are of low quality. 

When your product arrives, the packaging instantly gives a first impression to your consumers. A plain cardboard box can look cheap and thoughtless, which is the opposite of the premium quality that today’s consumers crave. 

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Custom Bath Bomb Boxes

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Custom Collapsible Boxes

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Custom Kraft Boxes

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Custom Printed Medicine Packaging Boxes

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Custom Hanger Boxes

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