Starting your packaging design and preparing the file for your printer are some of the best times to understand the RGB model better. Whether your project involves a custom cosmetic box, display packaging, or retail box, read on and discover how to use this color space for your printing needs.

How RGB Works

As kids, we learned that red, blue, and yellow were the primary colors for producing new hues. But digital colors—or colors emitted by electronic monitors that allow us to see images—don’t work the same way.

The RGB system involves mixing different colors of light. Each color’s light intensity ranges from zero to 255. Each color has 256 values (including zero), resulting in 16.77 million available colors. The color mode ranges from warm orange to cool blue.

On digital screens, tiny dots called pixels form an image, with each pixel consisting of red, green, and blue light units.

RGB as an Additive System

In the RGB color model, adding or combining the primary colors or light units produces a more vivid or brighter color.

The light source changes the brightness level of each primary color within a pixel to create unique colors. Mixing two basic colors at full intensity produces cyan, magenta, yellow, and black—the primary ink or pigment colors.

Blending red, green, and blue light at optimum capacity or equal intensities produces white light. Meanwhile, you get black when with the absence of light. In between these extremes, combining two or three primary colors—each with a different intensity—produces the entire color gamut.

Best Applications for RGB

Manipulating light to produce desired RGB colors happens in the digital space. Thus, the RGB mode is best for:

• Branding (online logos and online ads)
• Web and app design (graphics, buttons, and icons)
• Visual content (photography for website, apps, and social media, video, and infographics)
• Social media (profile picture and profile backgrounds)
• Scanning documents 

Why RGB Isn’t Ideal for Commercial Printing

You can print an image set in RGB mode without making changes because today’s inkjet or personal printers have software that automatically converts them to CMYK. But the printout may be different—typically duller or less vivid—than how the colors appear on your screen.

Converting the file to CMYK using an image editing solution is still the best option. Besides, most professional commercial printers will ask you to convert your file from RGB to CMYK before they print.

Image editors such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and CorelDraw allow you to preview how your image, pattern, or design will look on paper. Moreover, such software lets you tweak your image if its appearance is way off the RGB version.

Understanding CMYK in Packaging and Print

CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black—the four ink colors used by most offset printing machines, such as those by Refine Packaging. In offset printing—whose market was worth $649.9 million in 2022, your design or image undergoes color separation. This process involves four plates receiving a calibrated amount of each CMYK ink. Each plate offsets the image to a rubber blanket, which then applies the ink on the material. When the four-color process is complete, the overlapping colors produce a single image of your original design or photograph.

Based on RGB’s additive nature, increasing your color’s intensity brings you closer to white. Meanwhile, the CMYK model is a subtractive process—inks “subtract” brightness from white or a blank surface. Adding different colors of pigment or ink to a surface will give you a darker result. However, CMYK has a smaller 16,000-color range compared to RGB.

Due to these differences, printouts can’t accurately represent the bright colors in designs created or photos captured using the RGB mode. Images can appear “washed out,” especially if you have “out of gamut” colors, such as neon, fluorescent, and metallic hues. You may have to make test prints and customize settings to get specific tones right for your printout.

Here’s a chart summarizing each color system’s unique traits:

Extended or Expanded Gamut

Process color is another term for any of the inks in the CMYK system. In process printing, the four colors combine after the machines apply CMYK ink to your material one at a time.

Because color consistency is important in branding, printers use additional colored inks to achieve a closer match to spot colors. These colors are typically unique to one’s brand and chosen from the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Printers use them pre-mixed—they blend inks before printing. Pantone uses 18 base inks to create all the colors of this color model.

Some offset printing companies use an extended gamut—CMYK + OGV, which stands for orange, green, and violet—to simulate most of the PMS colors—and closer to the digital or RGB version of a brand’s design.

How to Verify if Your Image Is in RGB Mode

Here are the steps for checking what color mode your design or image is in:

1. Illustrator: Go to File in the main menu, then select “Document Color Mode.”
2. Photoshop: Go to Image in the menu bar, then click “Mode” and search for the color profile with a check in the panel that appears on the right.
3. InDesign: Go to Window, then tap “Color” from the drop-down menu to bring up the color panel, which shows colors measured in percentages. You’ll find RGB percentages if you’re in RGB mode and CMYK percentages if you’re in that mode.

Prepress Process: Preparing Your File for Printing

The prepress stage—or the steps in preparing your packaging design for final production—is crucial in ensuring that the finished product accurately reflects your original vision and branding. 

For business owners and packaging designers, this covers creating the design, saving your file based on your printer’s specifications, and making a hard copy or printout of the design (proof). Proofing allows you to make corrections or adjustments and show your printer or box manufacturer a printed version that’s closest to your desired look. Let’s go through each step:

1. Ask your printer for the required file resolution and format for printing your design

Most printers require high-resolution (300 dpi or higher) graphics and images with clear and legible fonts. File saved at 72 dpi—the typical resolution of pictures and text on computer monitors and smartphones—will look blurry or pixelated when printed.

Also, inquire about what file format to use in saving your design. The most common file types used in printing include:

PDF (Portable Document Format)

You can view PDFs on almost any platform and device, making it a flexible format. It preserves the formatting and layout of graphics (raster and vector), fonts, and text. 

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)

An EPS file is a vector-based format, allowing you to scale your artwork infinitely (into smaller or larger sizes) while retaining its quality. However, image-editing software is necessary for opening and editing EPS files.

AI (Adobe Illustrator)

Another vector-based file type, AI is the native format for designs and graphics created in Illustrator. Like EPS, AI supports transparency and special effects. The majority of the Illustrator software’s users come from the US (42.17%), followed by the UK (8.54%), and Germany (5.29%).

The Adobe product line dominates the graphic design software sector worldwide, with a 43% global market share.

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2. Calibrate your monitor

Check your screen’s brightness, white point, and contrast index or gamma. Doing so will reduce the disparity between your design’s appearance—on your computer screen and a test print, particularly its luminance or brightness.

The most commonly recommended brightness for prepress work is 100 candelas per square meter. This is the standard unit of measure for monitor brightness, although the acceptable range is 80 to 120 cd/m2. Meanwhile, the recommended white point—or setting that determines the color temperature (warmth or coolness of light) of the brightest white—for CMYK reproduction is 5000 Kelvin or D50 and 5500K or D55. Monitors generally have high default or factory settings of D65, which is acceptable for images you’ll use and display online. As to the gamma levels, the range is from 1.8 to 2.2.

Besides these internal controls, you can also use monitor calibration hardware, such as Datacolor’s SpyderX Pro, X-Rite i1Display Pro, or Calibrite’s ColorChecker. These colorimeter or light-sensing devices measure the transmission of light or your monitor’s output. 

Calibrators have apps that automatically adjust your display to meet a color profile. Some devices also assess your ambient light, which is useful when the light source in your work environment doesn’t change. Otherwise, it’s best to turn off this feature.

3. Generate a soft proof

Soft-proofing is using your monitor to view how your design—particularly its colors—will appear when printed out.  It’s not perfect, but it’s better than guessing or hoping for a nearly accurate outcome.

To determine how your design will look in CMYK, convert your file to that color mode. Here’s how:

Adobe Illustrator 

Go to Files and select “Document Color Mode,” and click CMYK as shown in this video tutorial.

Adobe Photoshop

Go to Edit, click “Convert to Profile,” and pick CMYK in the Destination Space as shown in this explainer video.

Adobe InDesign

Go to File, click “Adobe PDF Presets,” and tap “[Press Quality].” Save the file and in the pop-up box that emerges, click “Output” and then choose CMYK in the Destination dropdown menu.

Select the correct material for your test print

If you wish, you can do a test print of your design to show to the printer. Use midrange to premium paper resembling your packaging material to see how the colors will show on a surface with a similar texture. Your chosen paper type and ink quality affect the appearance of your hard proof, so be sure your cartridges have enough ink.

Later, you can ask your printer if they can produce a prototype before mass production. At Refine Packaging, we include mockup creation in our client’s printing journey with us.

Statista’s latest data shows that paper and cardboard enjoy robust sales, cornering 33% of packaging material demand worldwide. Flexible plastics are close behind at 25.5%. 

Investing in Colors Unlocks Business Opportunities

Read our packaging definitions and glossary guide to help you get up to speed with industry terminology as you create your own custom boxes.

Choosing a high-quality and seasoned printing company to produce your packaging is a wise investment to ensure uniformity in your brand colors online and offline. 32% of consumers say that visually appealing and gift-like packaging encourages them to post images or videos of products on social media. Thus, product packaging can open doors, whether it’s a greater online presence through user-generated content or wider brand awareness through ad campaigns. Increased brand awareness can lead to ROI growth from at least 5.5% to 820% in some cases.

When comparing printers, research online testimonials and feedback about them. Request packaging samples to get an idea about the company’s capabilities.

Refine Packaging’s partner brands can attest to our team’s customer service success and eye-catching customization using our offset printing process. Upon your request, we can send you a sample from our past projects if you want to check our work quality. Our team can also produce a custom sample of your packaging before production.

Still figuring out your custom packaging options? Our in-house design team can help you decide, including exploring label and sticker applications if you prefer customized fold-and-assemble stock boxes or single-color packaging.

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 What is the RGB Color Model? What It Is & Why It’s Avoided in Printing appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Today, knowing the difference between raster and vector images is crucial in packaging design, which prizes accurate and consistent print quality. Discovering their attributes allows you to choose the most appropriate type—or at least helps you appreciate why your packaging designer used one type or a combination of them.

Designers understand that their creations look different in 2D—on a computer monitor or a printed sheet—and in 3D—or the printed box. That’s why they save designs in a format that will preserve their look during the printing process. Moreover, designers aim to ensure that their creations—your brand logo and illustrations—stay sharp and comprehensible under store lights and beside other similar products.

Captivating with Visuals

One study says that brands have a seven-second window to convince shoppers to buy their products. According to another research, visuals—such as your logo, product name, and artwork—are among the first design elements that catch consumers’ attention. Imagery is an undeniably powerful design element. It represents your brand and shapes the public’s view of your business before they even try your product.

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The percentage of consumers who value a product’s packaging when making a purchase (10%) is about the same as those who prioritize the brand name (12%). So you must make sure that your packaging and brand assets appear crisp and stir curiosity, trust, and pleasure.

Leveling Expectations: Understanding Raster and Vector Files

Packaging designers save their creations as raster or vector files, the two main groupings of image formats in the digital art world. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of these two image types points us to their best applications.

Raster Images (Bitmap Images)

A series of tiny colored squares or pixels blend and form a raster image. Like a mosaic, each raster image contains a fixed number of pixels, expressed in dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI). The pixel number determines the image’s quality or resolution. Raster images with high DPIs or PPIs allow you to enlarge them without looking grainy or blurry—or what we call pixelated. However, these images come in larger file sizes.

Photographs and scanned images are examples of raster images. 300 DPI is the best resolution for printing, while 72 DPI is ideal for website images. Raster files, recommended for non-line art images, can undergo editing using Adobe Photoshop.

Vector Images

Mathematical paths, shapes, and curves define the direction (starting and ending points) and the magnitude of vector images. Because these files aren’t pixel-based, you can scale them up to billboard size or down to fit a pin or button without losing quality. 

Logos, illustrations, fonts, icons, and graphics created in Adobe Illustrator are examples of vector graphics. Their file size is relatively small because they consist of lines and anchor points, making them faster to transmit through email or other file-sharing platforms.

Image File Formats

Printers typically tell you their required file format and other specifications to make your design “print-ready.” Read our list below to familiarize yourself with various file formats for raster and vector images.

Raster files

TIFF or tagged image file format (.tiff)

TIFF was the most common format for saving high-resolution images bound for printing until the early 2000s when PDF and other vector formats became more popular. This file type uses lossless compression, resulting in large file sizes but high-quality images. TIFF can save transparent backgrounds.

JPG or joint photographic experts group (.jpg)

A JPG file is a compressed image with thousands of pixels saved as a flattened bitmap that uses less space. This method results in a smaller file size and quality loss— also referred to as lossy compression. 

The quality loss is generally not noticeable unless they’re sharp lines and geometric shapes, which become blurred as a result of compression. Moreover, this file type doesn’t save transparent backgrounds. Images with such backgrounds become a solid color when saved in JPG.

These images support a 24-bit palette of color, making them the best format to use for photos. Most website images and non-professional prints use this format.

PNG or portable network graphics (.png)

Unlike JPG, PNG is a lossless format and has larger file sizes as a result. These files are more versatile than JPG, as they support transparency, allowing them to blend with different backgrounds. Due to their low resolution, PNG images are more suitable for web graphics than printed materials. 

BMP or bitmap image file (.bmp)

BMP images also belong to the uncompressed file category. Microsoft developed this format to appear in Windows programs, but you can open and revise these files in major image-editing software. Experts recommend this high-quality format for archiving images or documents.

GIF or graphics interchange format (.gif)

You can find GIFs widely used today for web-based animated images. This format has a small file size and supports transparency. However, GIFs can only carry 256 colors, not making it advisable for photos and high-quality printing.

HEIC or high-efficiency image container format (.heic)

HEIC is the format of images taken on iPhones and other Apple devices using iOS 11 or later. It only needs half the storage space eaten up by JPG images. Windows have developed extensions that convert this file type into JPG.

Vector Files

PDF or portable document format (.pdf)

PDF is a popular format for printing because you can create it from various programs, and it preserves your formatting and layout. The file is commonly associated with vectors, but it can also contain a raster image, depending on the software you use to create it. 

You can also encrypt the file, setting passwords and digital signatures for access. However, PDF isn’t the best choice if your design will still undergo editing later.

EPS or encapsulated postscript (.eps)

Like PDFs, EPS files preserve their resolution or image quality when you scale them. Although no longer as popular in the design and printing process, many designers still use them for saving the logos, icons, and illustrations they create. 

Adobe created EPS in the 1980s to cater to artistic typography projects. This format aimed to ensure that image quality remains intact during text resizing, particularly for large format printing. You can edit EPS images in Adobe Illustrator and CorelDRAW.

AI or Adobe Illustrator (.ai)

Adobe introduced the AI format to replace the older EPS. AI images require Adobe Illustrator to view and edit (although CorelDRAW and other programs offer limited functionality). This format supports transparency and special effects.

CDR or CorelDRAW (.cdr)

Like AI, CDR files only work with full support within CorelDRAW’s platforms. The format is another good option for illustrations, icons, and logos.

SVG or scalable vector graphics (.svg)

SVGs are formats with small sizes that you usually find on the web. Some of its best uses include graphs and diagrams for websites.

This table summarizes our discussion on vector and raster images so far:

How to Prepare Your Artwork to Achieve the Best-Looking Prints

After learning about vector and raster images, you can now be on the same page with your designer and printer in preparing your design for printing. Here are some tips to ensure the final product will feature clear imagery:

1. Know your printer’s file-format requirements

Most printers require a vector file. Ask your printing company about the specific file format it needs. Moreover, verify if the file should include layers and cut and fold lines.

2. Check your colors

Consumers take around 90 seconds to decide how to interact with products. Moreover, color influences up to 90% of their initial impression. So be aware of colors and how they will register on your chosen packaging material. For instance, Kraft paper can carry darker colors well. However, not all printers can print white ink on this material.

Files bound for printing are typically in CMYK (cyan-magenta-yellow-“key” or black) mode. Images for websites and other digital media (on-screen displays) use the red-green-blue or RGB model. Ask your printer if it can match your Pantone or specific colors.

3. Get the correct files from your packaging designer

Unless your designer or agency included printing services in their package, relay your printer’s requirements so you can submit a “print-ready” version of your design (including dielines and color codes if your printer does custom colors).

4. Verify your paper or packaging material choice

This step can coincide with your ideation process or when you and your designer discuss your preferred material as part of your project or design brief. Your packaging designer and printer can confirm whether the material you selected is compatible with your preferred printing technique.

5. Request a custom box sample

The best printing service providers can give you a sample to view the final product up close and make any final tweaks before mass production. 

Questions for Evaluating Packaging Visuals

Once you get your prototype, you and your team can ask these questions to help you gauge your target market’s reaction to your packaging’s visuals:

1. Is it clear, and does it define your product right away?

Your packaging should immediately let buyers know what your product is and its purpose. Avoid confusing shoppers—don’t package your soap bars like food unless such design is part of your marketing strategy. 80% of customers are willing to try new products that help them attain their goals.

2. Does it honestly represent its content(s)?

Photos and descriptions on your packaging should accurately represent what’s inside, such as quantity, flavor, and so on.

3. What is the packaging’s “shelf impact”?

Visit one or more shops that will sell your product and see how it fares when on display with your competitors’ products. Does it stand out? How can your packaging be more noticeable?

Your product’s most important information should be front and center so that consumers can discover your brand when it appears between others of the same category on store shelves.

If you run an e-commerce store or subscription box service, visit sites that offer products like yours to determine your packaging’s visual appeal. Search engines (55%) andretailer websites (34%) are among the consumers’ top three sources of pre-purchase information.

4.  Is the design versatile enough?

When you decide to introduce variations of your product, can you easily modify your design for one or more variants?

Choose Professionals for Your Artwork and Printing

Outsourcing the creation of your custom-printed product box to a packaging designer or design agency is the most effective route to achieving your branding goals.

Agencies and printing firms specializing in packaging can recommend, develop, and execute designs that grab attention and elicit curiosity, excitement, and pleasure.

At Refine Packaging, we don’t just produce stunning boxes. Our customer support can start from artwork design guidance and structural engineering. If you already have a design, you can visit our Artwork Guidelines to help you or your designer send a print-ready file. The checklist, which includes our file format and other requirements, will allow us to process your order—or first produce a mockup—with minimal to zero hitches. Contact us today so we can connect you with our design team.

The post Raster vs Vector: Essential Printing Guide to Image File Formats 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.

That’s right—shopping bags! And specifically, the customized ones. While you may have your digital advertising efforts down, many companies are forgetting the power of traditional, subliminal promotion. Eye-catching, colorful custom paper bags with your branding and logo can draw in new customers, boost brand recognition, and even improve your revenue. 

The Business Benefits of Custom Shopping Bags

The benefits of custom shopping bags go beyond just marketing and advertising, particularly if you use paper. Recently, renowned luxury department store Harrods announced its plans to replace all of its plastic carrier bags with fully recyclable paper bags by the fall. The paper bags will be 100% recycled and also partly made from recycled materials.

The reason for the change, according to news analysis, is a commitment to sustainability, both from a corporate social responsibility standpoint and due to rising consumer demand. For more and more physical retailers, plastic just isn’t cool anymore. Its impact on the environment is hard to ignore, and as consumers become more aware about the dangers of plastic, they are looking to brands to help them make more eco-friendly choices.

As the below stats from IPSOS show, paper leads the way:

• 93% of consumers agree that paper is sustainable and should be used more as packaging.
• 86% of consumers agree that if they can choose between paper packaging or another material, they choose paper.
• 79% of consumers believe that paper is more pleasant to handle and touch.

Paper shopping bags don’t just look more eco-friendly, either—the science backs it up. A study from the IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute looked into the greenhouse gas emissions produced by paper and plastic bags. It found that paper bags had a remarkably lower impact on the climate than LDPE (low density polyethylene) bags.

In the US, states are catching on to the downsides of plastic bags. California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, and Maine, just to name a few, have all brought in bans on single-use plastic shopping bags. 

So more customers want paper, states are mandating it, and scientists are recommending it. All in all, it seems that using custom paper bags is a no-brainer. But where to begin? That’s exactly what we’ll help you with below. 

Why Should You Use Paper Shopping Bags?

Before we dive into the what and how of a customized paper bag packaging strategy, we first want to nail the why. Being confident that paper grocery bags are right for your business and understanding how they can help you create a lasting impression is essential to making an informed choice. Here are some of the most common reasons why custom paper bags are a business asset: 

1. Sustainable 

We’ve touched on this above but we’ll say it again: Paper bags are an excellent eco-friendly packaging option. They are made from wood—a raw, renewable resource—and can be recycled. Consumers are also acutely aware that paper bags are better for the environment. This means that by choosing to use paper gift bags, shopping bags, and grocery bags, you’re not only looking after the planet, but you’re also showing your customers that you care, something they will no doubt appreciate! 

2. Versatile

As you’ll find out below, paper bags are definitely not one size fits all. Different sizes, shapes, colors, handles—the possibilities are endless. If you want to tell your brand story through custom packaging, then paper is an excellent and inexpensive option. 

3. Free Marketing

Have you ever wandered around a shopping mall when a colorful shopping bag caught your eye? Maybe seeing the brand’s bag made you determined to find their store and go inside, or you remembered the name and brand colors. Either way, a well-designed paper shopping bag can boost brand affinity and lead to new customers. Plus, because paper bags are reusable, your customers may take them out again and again. Meaning, hundreds of people could learn about your brand, thanks to just a few bags! 

4. Cost-Effective

Facebook ads that point to relevant product pages on your website, SEO (search engine optimization), and Instagram influencer marketing can put a big dent on your marketing budgets in an instant. While these have a role to play in modern advertising strategies, we can’t forget the power of the in-person shopping experience. Personalized paper shopping bags are relatively cheap to create via bulk orders and offer limitless marketing potential. 

5. Tell Your Brand’s Story 

A paper bag is kind of like a blank canvas. Your team gets to decide what to put on it: the story you want to tell, the colors, the fine details. These bags offer a chance to unleash your creativity and make your company memorable to everyone who uses and sees your branded paper bags. 

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Custom Printed Paper Bags: The Basics 

At this point, we hope you feel excited about the potential of harnessing custom paper bags for your retail strategy. As you look for the right printed paper bags for your company, it’s important to remember the basics. Your paper bag needs to be as functional as it is fun. So it needs to: 

• Provide enough space to safely carry the volume of purchases by customers. You may need to consider offering different sized bags if your products vary greatly in size 
• Be strong enough to hold the weight of goods
• Provide customizable options that enable you to convey your brand’s story and values 
• Ideally, support environmental efforts and be in line with your company’s sustainability commitments 

8 Types of Paper Bags

So now it’s time to jump into the eight most common types of paper bags out there. There’s no such thing as a wrong or a right bag. The type of bag you choose will depend on the kind of products you sell, as well as the customer you’re trying to appeal to.

For example, some of the bags below are better for small items, while others are better for adding a touch of luxury to the in-store experience. Remember, too, that all of these bags can be customized so that they are unique to your company.

1. SOS Bag

The SOS bag is the iconic brown bag used for kids’ lunches. You often see it in cartoons—a generic, brown paper with edges that you fold over. The SOS bag can also come with small handles. Typically, it’s used for food and drink items but can also be used for small items like skincare or jewelry. While the bag is known for its natural brown kraft color, it can also be customized and designed in different shades and finishes. 

2. Pinch-Bottom Bags

The pinch bottom bag gets its name from the tapered bottom. It’s usually used for bakery goods and other food items. It has an envelope-like opening and is grease-resistant inside, which is why it’s favored by food stalls and coffee houses. It’s also suitable for takeaway bags.  

3. Merchandise Bags

Merchandise bags are probably the most common type of paper shopping bag you’ll see out and about. They come in a variety of styles and sizes, making them an excellent vehicle for customization.  

4. Euro Tote

The Euro tote is a step up from the SOS bag. This paper bag is heavily associated with luxury. These bags tend to be highly customized, down to the look and feel of the handles. When designed well, Euro totes can be their own form of gift packaging and go a long way to boost brand recognition.  

5. Bakery Bags

Bakery bags are designed specifically for the food market. They feature wax linings to preserve food items, making them a great option for muffins, bread, pastries, and more.  

6. Mailing Bags

Mailing bags get a sneaky mention on this list. Even though they’re more a form of ecommerce packaging, they do have “bag” in the name and are made from paper, too. Mailing bags are padded mailers. They’re great for shipping small items to customers who have purchased online. For a deep dive into padded mailers and other e-commerce options, check out this article about ecommerce packaging. 

7. Recycled Bags

While all paper bags are recyclable, not all paper bags are recycled. By this, we mean that not all paper bags are made from material that has already been used. However, you can specifically pick at least partially recycled paper bags. Doing this is great for the environment and is something you can shout about to your consumers who, as we’ve seen above, appreciate when brands choose paper-based packaging. 

8. Vogue Bags

Vogue bags ooze luxury and theater. These bags are more than just a paper bag; they’re an experience. With tissue paper, freebies, handwritten cards, and more to be usually found inside, these designer paper bags are a great way to make your clients feel like a million bucks. 

Common Types of Handles

Paper bags are about more than just the bags themselves; the handles play a huge role, too. There are a variety of customizable options, ranging in price and look and feel. Take a look at some of the most frequently used options below. 

1. Ribbon 

Ribbons are pretty, glossy, and add a touch of luxury to paper bags. They are also easily customizable. They can come in almost any color and suit most of the bag types mentioned above. Ribbons are quite durable but would not be appropriate for really heavy items, as they may snap. 

2. Cotton

Cotton has a similar look and feel to ribbon. It also portrays a sense of luxury, finesse, and is easily customizable. The main difference between cotton and ribbon is cotton’s durability. Cotton is a dense, strong material, meaning it can carry heavier products than ribbon.

3. Twisted Paper

Twisted paper handles are a cheap and cheerful option. While they aren’t as premium as cotton or ribbon, they are cost-effective and also very strong. They can endure a heavy weight and are extremely easy and quick to produce for manufacturers.

4. Folded Paper

Folded  paper is another cost-effective option. These handles are made from a piece of paper, making them great for lightweight purchases and small bags. However, be warned, folded paper bags tear easily if the weight of the bag gets too heavy. These handles also tend to disintegrate in heavy rain. 

Let’s Get Bespoke! 

Once you’ve chosen the type of paper bag you want and the coordinating handle, it’s time to think about customization. This stage is an opportunity to let your creativity shine and turn your visions into reality. No idea is too bold or whacky. Custom paper gift bags are a blank canvas that’s perfect for your art! 

In terms of cost, it’s important to note that the size of your bags directly correlates with the price. Depending on what kind of products you sell, you may want to order a few different sizes of bags. Similarly, the cost is strongly dictated by the amount of bags you order. How many stores you have will dictate the number of bags you need. You can choose to buy paper bags wholesale and keep them in warehousing facilities. Alternatively, you may want to put in a repeat request for your customized bags each month. 

1. Color Your Bag Beautifully 

You can choose any color, or colors, for your bag. Aside from colors, you can add colored features, like stripes, your logos, artwork flowers, and more. You’ll notice that a couple of acronyms pop up again and again when you’re looking at designs: RGB and CMYK. RGB stands for red, green, and blue. These colors are used for images on your computer screen. CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (Black). If your design contains three or less colors, then RGB will be adequate. But if your design is more complex, then CMYK is the option you should go for.

2. Carefully Choose the Type of Paper

There’s more than one kind of paper that you can use for your bag. Paper varies in strength and thickness. The stronger the paper, the better it is for heavy products. However, if you sell lightweight products like jewelry, small gift items, and other accessories, then you may want a lighter paper option. Here are the main types: 

• Kraft paper: Kraft paper is what’s used for SOS bags. It has a natural, eco-friendly feel and is cost-effective. Kraft paper is best used for small to medium-sized items.
• Recycled paper: Recycled paper comes from 100% recycled paper, making it a great choice for eco-conscious brands. Recycled paper is also very versatile and varies in thickness, making it suitable for all types of products. 
• Art paper: Art paper is derived from wood pulp. As the name suggests, art paper is ideal for creating designs because it has a smooth texture. Like recycled paper, art paper comes in varying thicknesses. Art paper also varies in terms of textures.  

3. To Laminate or Not to Laminate?

Lamination is a process where a thick layer of plastic is applied to your paper bags, giving them an enhanced finish and improving durability. There are different types of lamination finishes, which we’ve put in the handy table below:

4. Finishing Touches

The outside of your bag is now looking beautiful, but what about the inside? To truly delight your customers, you want the personalization journey to continue once they open your paper bag, too. Most paper bags are white or brown on the inside. You could, for example, print your brand’s logo or slogan on the inside of the bag to enhance brand visibility. Alternatively, you could use embossing or debossing to add a touch of luxury to the inside of your bag. 

Another option is spot UV varnish, which can be used to create glossy, elegant patterns inside your bag. Also, you should consider how you put your logo on your bag. For example, foil stamping is often used to create attention-grabbing, bold statements, a la Urban Decay below. Similarly, embossing and debossing can be used on the outside of the bag for eye-catching designs.  

The Future Is Paper

So, that’s it—our ultimate guide to custom paper bags. As you can see, it’s clear that paper has a lot to offer to your retail strategies. Just as cardboard is leading the way in ecommerce, paper is fast proving itself as the go-to option for physical stores. Through design and customization, you can elevate your printed paper bags so that they become a marketing vehicle, one that enhances customer loyalty, boosts revenue, and increases brand awareness.  

Here at Refine Packaging, we’re experts in helping brands of all shapes and sizes to create customized packaging strategies that bring an ROI. Whatever your vision is, our experts are on hand to help you turn it into reality, at a price that’s right for your business.

Ready to embark on your custom paper bag strategy? 

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 The Ultimate Guide to Custom Paper Bags appeared first on Refine Packaging.

But what do these unit systems actually mean? And what are their implications for your packaging and printing? 

Understanding the difference between the PT and GSM unit systems will help you better evaluate the weight and thickness of the paper or material you choose to print on. 

Knowing this will impact the printing options you choose and will help you determine how to find the right balance between durability and “printability” when it comes to your custom packaging. 

The Meaning of PT and GSM in Packaging and Printing

PT stands for The Point System while GSM stands for Grams per Square Meter. 

Both of these units of measurement are used to measure how thick stock is. Stock can be paperboard, cardboard or other packaging material. It’s used in folding cartons as well. The weight of the paper also plays a role and is measured in reams. One ream equals 500 sheets of uncut paper (where the paper is at its original, uncut size). You’ll often see paper noted as 80 lb or 80#, which means that one ream of that paper weighs 80 pounds. 

In order to understand the point (PT) system, it’s important to know that a point equals .001 inches, so 10 points would mean that there is a stock thickness of 0.01 inches.

GSM is the metric equivalent of points, but is based on the metric system rather than on inches. As you consider different paper levels, it’s important to understand that the thicker a packaging material is, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be heavier. With that being said, the higher the GSM, the thicker the paper will be. 

So, how do you determine the weight of a particular printing material?

By looking at the material itself. It helps to know what different GSM weights of common materials are so that you can have an idea of the thickness of the packaging you need. 

Common GSM Paper Measurements

• 35-55 GSM: Newspaper, very thin and delicate.
• 90-100 GSM: Printer paper, more durable than newspaper but definitely not impervious to being handled. 
• 120-140 GSM: Posters and bulletins, can withstand the elements more but can still deteriorate if exposed to them constantly over time. 
• 210-300 GSM: Magazine covers, better suited to maintaining their form even if they are bent. 
• 350-400 GSM: Most popularly referred to as card stock, this thick material is often used to print invitations and business cards and is commonly used for retail packaging as well. 

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Converting Between the GSM and PT Unit System

GSM is, at its core, the metric version of the PT system and both are used to calculate thickness between each other.

However, the GSM system takes the stock weight into account, but the PT system does not. There are, however, conversion charts that simplify this process and we can convert to and from GSM to PT and vice versa if need be.

Below is a rough GSM to PT conversion chart  to help you understand how the conversion process might look in your unique scenario.

It’s worth noting that since most of the world uses the metric system, GSM is more common overall, however we’re able to work with both systems interchangeably. 

How to Compare Paper Weights and Thicknesses

The US-based system can be more confusing than the metric system, but to help make packaging uniform between the different systems, the U.S. version takes into account the weight of the uncut paper (the “basis weight” of the ream). So if you see paper marked with 92#, you’ll know it’s rather thin compared to paper with a weight of 230#.

Why does knowing the weight of paper (or other material) matter, anyway? 

You probably don’t think much about the mailers that come into your home every day – until you’re suddenly faced with paper terms like bond, text, book, cover, tag, index and more. But the differences between different sizes and styles of paper are actually a good thing.

Paper has been around for so many centuries that mankind has experimented with all kinds of creative ideas to make it durable and longer lasting. It also means that tried and true methods can be put to work right away to make your packaging stand out from the competition. 

What Do These Different Unit Systems Mean for My Product Packaging? 

Deciding between points and grams per square meter is just one of the decisions you’ll need to make when you weigh the pros and cons and differences of different types of packaging materials.

Understanding how thick and how heavy you want your packaging to be will not only affect its durability but also the way it’s printed and the features you can use. Some packaging materials will have a smoother surface, which makes printing on them easy. Others are rougher and more coarse which improves their durability, but also affects how easily different printing processes can be achieved.

At the same time, the packaging has to be durable since it needs to protect its contents while showcasing them accurately and in a way that makes the package stand out. 

Is it possible to have a package that’s truly the “best of both worlds” – something that evokes quality while maintaining durability as it goes through the printing, labeling and shipping process? The answer is yes! 

Speak with a Packaging Expert To Help You Decide on GSM vs PT Unit System

Considering different types of paper weight, thickness, GSM and PT systems and how to choose the right balance between durability, thickness, “printability” and other options can be overwhelming – but that doesn’t mean you have to make that decision alone. 

At Refine Packaging, we know that the design, printing and packaging world can be a confusing place to navigate, which is why we’re here to walk you through the process from start to finish and help you enjoy an incredible end result that perfectly positions your product. 

We take great pride in taking the time to understand your vision and your goals for your product. Whether it’s standing out with a unique design to separate your product from the crowd, or giving your product a sophisticated and elegant look that was born for unboxing, we have the know-how, expertise and experience to make the end result truly surpass your expectations. 

We welcome the opportunity to help you across all aspects of your product’s packaging design. Even if you’re not exactly sure what you want, we have graphic artists on staff who can help bring your vision to life. Once you’ve decided on the design, we can help you choose the right packaging material that helps to protect your product while showcasing it perfectly from every angle. 

Plus, we can also help your product stand out in more than just the visual sense. Using the very latest in printing technology, we provide options that are both eye-catching and sensational to behold. From spot UV printing and foil stamping to soft touch coating and lamination that protects and enhances the value of your product, everything we do is done with satisfaction in mind: both yours and your customers. 

Interested in learning more about our comprehensive packaging design and printing services? Contact us today for a free, no obligation quote. We’ll take the time to answer any questions you may have about GSM versus PT in print or any other questions you may have about the packaging process.

We know you’ve worked hard to create a product that’s truly extraordinary – now it’s time to choose custom packaging that’s equally as incredible! 

The post GSM vs. PT Unit System: Main Differences and Which is Best for Printing appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Or what gives some custom boxes a classy and elegant look that others are missing?

Foil stamping might be the answer you’ve been looking for.

Foil stamping is a unique printing process where heat, pressure, foil and metal come together to create unique designs and optical effects.

The foil can be any color, but usually metallic foils, like gold and silver are used. Foil rolls, like paper, are available in matte and glossy finishes. 

Foil Stamping: A Brief History

The foil stamping process has its roots in ancient Egypt, where gold was beaten with a hammer until it was extremely thin, and then applied to papyrus to add luster.

As you might imagine, this process was labor intensive and only reserved for the highest quality written records. Even throughout the beginnings of recorded history, things like gold leaf were typically reserved for royal or religious texts.

After the invention of the printing press, foil stamping used hand-set lettering or dies that were custom engraved. Because the process was so evolved, foil stamping was only used for book covers and literary works.

For example, if you wanted to print gold text on a book cover, you had to use separate fonts that used brass or lead type and then assemble the text by hand, one letter at a time, on a custom-engraved die. Once the text and the die were assembled, it was fed into the press which then printed the metallic foil sheets stamped into the book cover.

Modern foil printing came about in the early 1900s. In Berlin, a master bookbinder developed hot-stamping foils in the late 1800s. In England, atomized gold was used on thin sheets of polyester film. The popularity continued well into the 1950s and 1960s. 

The Foil Stamping Process in Printing and Packaging

Commonly known as hot foil stamping, foil stamping is similar in technique to letterpress and engraving, where pressure is used to apply color to paper.

When the design is finalized, metal plates are created for each individual color foil in the shape that’s needed. Then, the dies are heated. Pressure is applied to seal the foil to the paper or packaging material and then the press is run multiple times to apply each color individually.

If you want a raised or embossed effect, another die may be used to create that look to finish up the project. 

As you begin to explore the idea of using foil stamping in your printing, consider how your decisions about matte or gloss lamination, embossing and debossing and UV coating will influence the overall appearance of your packaging.

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Common Types of Foil Used in Foil Stamping

There are several different types of foil that can be used to give different optical effects to the packaging, including: 

Metallic Foil

When you think of foil stamping, this is likely the type of foil you’re thinking of. Metallic foil, also known as metalized foil, makes your text or area have a shiny, metal-style look. It’s great for adding a touch of luxury, especially through the use of gold or silver foil as a finish. 

Pigment Foil

Pigment foil is similar to metalized foil, but does not have the metallic look. They are available in a wide range of colors and are available with matte or glossy finish, which can make them undoubtedly eye-catching or add a touch of luxury and softness

Holographic Foil

These types of holographic foils create a sort of rainbow effect in 3D. You’ve seen this type of foil at work in collectibles like baseball cards or other trading cards, or even on promotional materials. 

Other types of foil – such as pearl foil, effects foil and scratch-off foil – are less commonly used, but have well-known use cases, such as wedding invitations or lottery tickets. 

Traditional Foil Stamping

Now that you understand the different types of foil stamping, it’s time to move on to the actual methods involved.

Foil stamping can be done in two ways – traditional foil stamping or digital foil stamping.

With traditional foil stamping, the design is edged onto a metal plate. This metal plate is similar to a regular die, except its particular use is for foiling. It’s similar in function to a rubber stamp. The die is headed and a layer of the foil you want to use is placed between the die and the surface below it. The die is then pressed down onto the surface which causes the foil to bond to it in the shape of the design that was on the metal plate.

For designs that use several types of colors of foil, foiling dies need to be created for every color and the packaging material has to run through the machine several times (one for each color) so that the final design can be produced.

It’s also possible during this time to apply other effects to the foil stamping such as an embossed edge or a raised look so that the finished product stands out even more, not just visually, but with a tactile sense as well. 

Digital Foil Stamping

Also called digital foiling, digital foil stamping follows a similar process as traditional foil stamping, but rather than using pressure to bond the design to the product packaging design with a metal die, a digital printer uses a specific type of foil that adheres to the surface of the design. This means that there’s no need for multiple passes of the material into the printer for packaging design that uses several foil colors or patterns. 

One particular method is not necessarily better than the other since both can be used to create the type of effects that you want on your packaging. Should you have questions about the specific intricacies of different foil stamping processes, we’d be happy to elaborate and guide you on the one that’s right for your needs. 

Benefits of Foil Stamping

Foil stamping offers a number of benefits for your retail packaging. 

First, your product packaging will most assuredly stand out from the competition. Metallic foil or colored foil adds a touch of eye-catching brilliance and beauty to any package and gives it a luxurious style.

Combine that with other effects like raised or embossed designs and you can see how the packaging can take on a whole new level of sophistication.

In addition, foil stamping is versatile. It’s not just reserved for metallic lettering, although that is one of the most common options. In addition, hot foil stamping is durable and resistant to moisture and scratches. It can be used on different types of stock (think corrugated boxes or folding carton boxes) and still retain its luster.

Hot foil stamping is a great way to stand out and add a touch of elegance, with either bright and eye-catching gloss, or more subdued with matte style foil stamping. 

Ready to Use Foil Stamping in Your Packaging?

If you love the allure and uniqueness of hot foil stamping and you’re interested in using this time-honored tradition to add refinement to your packaging, contact us today for a free, no obligation quote and consultation.

At Refine Packaging, our experts have years of experience and know-how in creating a wide variety of packaging products that leverage many different types of foil stamping and printing to ensure that your product packaging perfectly captures and conceptualizes your brand, your message and so much more.

Let us put our extensive experience to use in helping you magnify your product packaging with exquisite hot foil stamping and many other types of printing to captivate and compel your audience to buy. Rely on our expertise in helping thousands of brands large and small with all of their product packaging needs.

Not sure what type of design you need? Check our packaging glossary of terms and ask away. We have a variety of talented artists on-staff that can perfectly capture your vision and what you want your brand to convey to your target audience. Contact us today to learn more about working together and let us show you the power of premium packaging. 

The post What is Foil Stamping? How Hot Foil Stamping Works in Printing & Packaging appeared first on Refine Packaging.

What is UV Coating?

UV coating, or ultraviolet coating, is a clear and shiny liquid coating that’s applied to a printed material. UV coating is commonly used in printing to protect packages that are handled frequently during shipping. It’s unique sheen makes colors pop more vividly, reflecting light in an eye catching way.

Why Is It Called a UV Coating?

The UV coating itself is applied in a liquid form. Then, as the name implies, the packaging is exposed to UV (ultraviolet) light, which then causes it to instantly dry and bond to the material it’s coating. This coating can be used over the entire area – a process known as “flooding” or it can be applied to certain areas, which is known as spot UV coating.  

In addition, there are different levels of “sheen” available for UV coating. High gloss UV coating is often the most popular choice, but if you need a more subdued look, that’s also possible with UV coating. 

Compared with other coatings, UV coating is more durable than aqueous coating, although not quite as much as direct plastic laminate. UV coating dries relatively slick, so if for any reason you’d need to write on the surface, print over it, glue it or apply certain kinds of labels to it, they likely won’t stick unless those areas are excluded before starting the UV coating process during printing. 

Benefits of UV Coating in Printing

UV coating offers a number of benefits over other types of coating, including: 

• High-gloss, high-shine finish: Deep, dark colors appear richer and can almost look wet with the right type of finish on UV coating. This vivid look is what makes UV coating a popular choice for people who want their packaging design to really stand out. Learn more about the differences between CMYK vs RGB and Pantone colors as you explore if UV coating makes sense for your needs.
• High-clarity: Logos and photographs are ideally suited for UV coating because of its ability to make them richer and more vivid. 
• Resistant to scuffs: If your packaging will be handled a lot, you’ll be glad to know that UV coating offers an added layer of protection, as it’s slightly thicker. It also resists accidental smudging and marking, while still looking professional and polished.
• Dries immediately: The moment the coating hits the UV light, it dries instantly, so there’s no waiting. Less waiting means less production time, which means you can ship out and deliver your product into the hands of eager consumers faster. This is especially true for ecommerce packaging, since your packaging and product are often your only physical touchpoint with your customers.
• Environmentally friendly: UV coated packaging material can be recycled with your other materials, so it’s not hazardous to the environment. 

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Drawbacks of UV Coating in Printing

There are a few cases where UV coating is not a good fit for your printed project. For example: 

• If you’re using metallic ink: The metallic ink can mar the surface of the packaging. 
• If you have weighted paper below 100#: Thinner paper may curl when the liquid UV coating is applied, even though it dries immediately. 
• If the piece has foil stamping: This is a mixed bag in the printing world. It’s possible to get decent results because there are foil stamping options for UV coating, however, success depends on a variety of factors that need to come together precisely in order to achieve the kinds of results you want. 
• If the piece needs to be written on extensively: As noted, the high gloss and sheen provides for a slick surface that causes most inks to simply rub off. 

Lamination, such as matte or gloss, may be perfect for your specific needs. With that said, UV coating is often one of the most cost effective and affordable options to add a layer of durability and protection to the finished box design or other printed piece. Plus, it won’t weigh down the finished result the way that other types of coatings or coverings can. 

Add a Little Something Extra to Your UV Coated Packaging

Different types of coating make your product packaging design stand out in different ways. It’s important to know before you begin, the kind of results you want to achieve. Along with UV coating, there are certain additional options that you can include to create a remarkably different effect.

For example, spot UV coating is great when used with logos to add a layer of dimension. It naturally draws the user’s eye and their attention, so you can highlight important areas on your packaging that you want your customers to see and notice. 

Another option is soft touch coating. This adds a velvet-like, soft matte look to the piece, which gives it a touch of elegance and sophistication. 

We invite you to read more about both spot UV coating and soft touch coating in detail to learn more about how these similar methods of digital or offset printing can help add a touch of refinement to your product packaging. 

Of course, seeing (and touching) is believing, so if you have questions about how the finished product looks and feels, we invite you to request samples so that you can see the differences in all of the coating options to decide which one is best for your specific needs. 

Have Questions About UV Coating for Your Printed Packaging?

Our comprehensive A-Z guide to packaging definitions can help you get up to speed with industry terminology as you create your own custom boxes

We understand that it’s one thing to request samples and look over the different options, versus actually speaking to a packaging and printing expert to get your questions answered and get more information.

If you have questions about UV coating for your printing packaging, or other types of packaging or printing questions, we’d love to speak with you! We promise to explain things thoroughly, without the use of printing jargon and technical explanations so that you ultimately benefit from our knowledge, experience and expertise in a way that positions your packaging in the best way possible. 

UV coating is just one of the many types of coatings and printing options available for your product packaging. Contact us today to learn more about your options and let’s work together to bring your packaging vision to life in a way that attracts your perfect customer and builds brand awareness and loyalty.  

The post What is UV Coating? Make Your Colors Pop With UV Coating for Printing appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Think about the red and yellow arches that are printed on every McDonalds happy meal. They’re iconic. And part of what brings those colors to life are the RGB and CMYK color models that are used during the printing process for each and every one of those happy meal custom boxes.

So what is CMYK color in printing? What does CMYK stand for? And what does the RGB color model have to do with it all?

RGB and CMYK are both color modes used in the printing process. But when you’ll use each one depends on a variety of choices that you’ll need to decide before your packaging box design is printed. Let’s jump right in.

Offset printing machines combine varying levels of these 4 colors using physical ink in the CMYK process called “subtractive mixing“. When all of the colors are mixed together, the result is pure black. 

When Should You Use the CMYK Color Model in Printing?

CMYK is best used for printed material. It’s more accurate than RGB, which we’ll describe below, and allows for subtle differences in shade and tone (subtleties that digital devices cannot “see” but our eyes can still perceive). 

If you use CMYK printing, you’ll have more accurate results compared to the RGB color model. Learn about the Pantone Color Matching System (PMS) which was created to help standardize color variations when using CMYK.

What File Formats are Best for CMYK?

PDF is the best file format for CMYK printing because of its wide compatibility. For logotypes and other product design elements, Adobe Illustrator’s AI format is often used, as is a similar standard from other vector software of EPS. We work with all of these types of formats, so feel free to use whichever one you prefer and you can be confident that we’ll be able to work with it. 

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In the RGB color model, all colors start out as black. As more red, green or blue are added and at different intensity levels, the colors change accordingly. At their highest levels of intensity, the light from the device is mixed completely at the same level for each color, creating pure white. 

From here, the designers can vary the saturation of color, the shade of the color and its vibrance level in order to get the exact color they want, based on how the light and darkness are shown on the screen of the device they’re designing for. 

When Should You Use The RGB Model in Printing? 

The RGB color model is typically only used for designs that will be viewed solely on screen. If you’ll be using your design both on screen and in print (such as on your website and your product packaging), it’s normal to have a version as RGB and one as CMYK, which we’ll outline in more detail below.

The most common uses for RGB are things like graphics, buttons, icons and web-based logos. 

What File Formats are Best for RGB?

JPG is normally the standard for RGB files, normally because it strikes a good balance between quality and file size. If everyone will be working with Adobe Photoshop, PSD is a commonly used format. Use PNG as the format if you want parts of the image to be transparent, or if the image is made up of a few colors. Icons, buttons and other graphics are often saved as PNG files.

If you’re going to be using animation, GIF is the ideal format to use. You’ll want to avoid BMP, TIFF, EPS and PDF as there are often compatibility issues with these older formats, and the file sizes are unnecessarily large and cumbersome to work with. 

What’s the Difference Between RGB and CMYK Printing?

The difference between these formats is that the colors will render differently depending on whether they’re viewed on a screen (RGB) or on a print device (CMYK). The rendering of the different modes depends on how the colors “mix”. 

RGB printing has a larger range of possible colors, while CMYK has the ability to make the colors more vivid. That’s why, if you transfer a CMYK image, it will show less of a range of colors and may look slightly different on screen than in print.

Conversely if you tried to print an RGB image, it would look muted and dull in terms of its coloration. It is possible, however, to convert RGB to CMYK using software, so if you have an RGB or CMYK image and you need it changed to the different mode, it’s no problem to do this in Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator.  

We can convert your logo or other file formats before printing if you need this done, to ensure excellent results with your printed design. Keep in mind that there is no 1:1 correlation between the colors, but they can come very close to matching each other. 

Keep reading: Learn about embossing vs debossing, spot uv for printing, aqueous coating, soft touch coating and lamination as you explore your packaging and printing needs.

Still Have Questions About Working with CMYK or RGB Color Modes? 

At Refine Packaging, we understand that you may still have questions about the different color modes than what’s answered here. We’re happy to convert your files so that the end result will look flawless in print. 

We can also advise you on the best type of retail packaging to fulfill your product development vision and ensure that your product is treated with the best possible care and precision in printing to have a package that equally matches your brand’s personality and style. 

And even if you’re not sure exactly what sort of design you want, we have a team of artists from a variety of backgrounds who are ready to step in and help. We’ll take the time to get to know your unique vision for your product, as well as who your target audience is, so that we can create a congruent match between product and customer. 

We then work to better understand your budget so that we can make cost-effective suggestions that maximize your product’s packaging design without breaking the bank. 

Finally, when all is said and done with the design, we can suggest packaging options that fit the theme, box size or style of the look you want to convey. Whether it’s classy and sophisticated, or you want to draw attention to your logo or lettering, there are numerous print styles and processes that can help you achieve all of this and more.

Contact us today for a free quote on your product packaging design and printing needs and let’s work together to create a professional look that perfectly matches your brand and vision!

The post What Are The RGB & CMYK Color Models In Printing? Learn Color Modes. appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Essentially, embossing raises your artwork (usually your logo) from the printed material of your packaging, while debossing does the opposite to give your artwork a sunken look.

A cocktail napkin with the company’s logo which is slightly raised up from the foundation of the napkin has been embossed. A silicone wristband with the logo stamped down on it is a debossed product.

For many products, like napkins and wristbands, the choice between embossing vs debossing is clear. But when it comes to custom packaging, choosing between embossing and debossing depends on several factors.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into both embossing and debossing to help you fully understand what they mean and when you’d want to use each one. 

The Process of Embossing Your Logo Onto Product Packaging

Embossed Artwork on Product Packaging

When starting out with the embossing process, a metal plate, known as a die, is created. Embossing creates the raised graphic on it that you want to emboss onto the final product. 

This plate is pressed into the product underneath, raising the profile of the product design (such as the box) to stand out. This process is then repeated again and again. Because embossing dies are made of metal, they’re incredibly durable and can be used for small scale and large scale projects alike. 

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It’s worth noting that embossing a logo onto a product is a different process than raised ink printing (also known as thermography). This is made possible by using a special type of powder that binds to the paper when it is heated, rather than actually raising the paper itself and thereby changing its shape. 

Embossing often has a higher setup cost through offset printing, however the quality is indisputable, as it adds a touch of elegance and exquisite style to a finished packaging design. 

The Process of Debossing Your Logo Onto Product Packaging

Debossed Artwork on Product Packaging

The debossing process is similar to that of embossing, but rather than pressing the die underneath the product to make it stand out, debossing applies the logo downward from the top. This indents the logo into the product. While debossing is not as popular as embossing, debossing carries a unique look all its own. 

What to Keep in Mind When Embossing or Debossing

There are certain design considerations you’ll want to keep in mind when deciding to deboss vs emboss. In many cases the design process will be the same, but much of this process will depend specifically on what you want to have embossed or debossed, the type of material it will be applied to, and much more. Here’s what to keep in mind: 

Convert Your Artwork to a Vector Format

First, it’s important that you begin the process with vector art. If the graphic designers at Refine Packaging are designing your packaging, we’ll already have this covered. 

The reason why vector art works better is that because behind the custom design itself, there are mathematical calculations that make it possible to resize the debossed design or embossed design without any loss of quality. That means it can be printed on a tiny sticker or blown up to the size of a skyscraper and still look great. Having vector artwork makes the printing process easier, no matter what type of packaging you want to create. 

It’s also important that you use a simple design. The more complex the image, the more it has the chance to look skewed or distorted when made in a “3D” style format, the way logos can look when being embossed. Surprisingly, logos that have shadows, gradients and similar effects can look unusual when they’re suddenly converted into a 3D style texture, so in this case, simpler really is better. A custom packaging manufacturer can provide guidance about design complexity after receiving all your print collateral.

Select the Area of Your Design to Be Embossed

Many companies want to have their entire logo embossed. This is possible, however, embossing designs often work better if only a section is embellished, rather than the whole logo. 

For example, only embossing some of the logo’s text, initials, logotype or a pattern. Again, since every project and every design is different, it’s important to consider the entire goal and the impression you want to convey in order to determine the best plan of action that will have the biggest effect on your target audience. 

Enhanced Finishing Options for Added Style

Choosing embossing vs debossing is a matter of preference, but keep in mind that you can customize the look even further with different finishing options to further highlight and refine the style you’re looking to convey. 

For example, dies can be customized to create a different look for the blind emboss or deboss, making them look several layers deep rather than one single raised or recessed layer. This can make your embossed graphics or embossed image look more like it is “sculpted” into the package.  

There are also other accents, varnishes and laminations that can add a touch of sophistication to your packaging design, such as the choice to apply foil stamping, aqueous coating, and matte or gloss lamination

Why is Embossing More Expensive than Debossing?

You may be wondering, if both embossing and debossing use metal plates to press the design into the material, why is embossing often more expensive?

The fact is that embossing needs an additional metal element (known in the printing industry as a “counter”). This is required to actually push the die down into the material. The use of the counter increases the setup cost, so it may not be financially desirable to add that up-front cost to your print project if you only need a small batch of items printed. 

If you have specific needs for your deboss, it’s also possible that this process will go up in price if you want a deep indentation in the package, or you want to cover a box and then deboss it with your logo after it’s covered. In this case, the debossing process may need to be done by hand in order to ensure better results and the high quality output you require. 

Embossing or Debossing: Which Should You Choose? 

We understand that a simple question like understanding the difference between embossing and debossing can have a complicated answer that is partly personal preference, but that doesn’t mean you have to figure it all out on your own. 

Here at Refine Packaging, we have the knowledge, experience and expertise to help you with your packaging design and production from concept to completion.

Request a free quote today to learn more about our detailed packaging services and see why so many companies, large and small, rely on us to turn their packaging vision into reality. 

The post Embossing vs. Debossing: Which is Best for Packaging and Printing? appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Millions and millions of packages are shipped each year and wasteful packaging puts an extra burden on our already strained waste management and recycling systems. 

Let’s take a closer look at ways that you can reduce packaging costs while still staying true to your brand, providing a unique experience to your customers, and increasing your profit margins.

Which Factors Cause Higher Packaging Costs?

The cost of materials isn’t the only thing that adds to packaging expenses. Most notably, the things that contribute to high packaging costs include: 

1. Inadequate material storage and poor design of packaging lines: When packing materials are poorly stored, they can cause a domino effect that gums up the processing, shipping, fulfillment and much more. 
2. Long packaging processing times: The longer it takes to process the packaging, the more the costs add up. Even automating some of the packaging process by sourcing your packaging fulfillment to an experienced company can help you save money by putting your packaging design in the hands of experts who know how to create packages that take these points into consideration. Check out our top packaging design tips and inspiration to get a better idea of what to consider during the design process.
3. Paying extra for box dimensions rather than product dimensions: Why pay for packaging when you don’t maximize the use of the space you’re given? Oftentimes, in a rush to get a product shipped, brands will pay for the box dimensions instead of the package dimensions, adding considerable costs to their order fulfillment. Instead, pay only for exactly what your products need. Compared to standardized packaging options, custom boxes save you money by eliminating the waste and cost of unnecessary space.
4. Packaging materials that provide inefficient support and allow the product to be damaged: For example, if your product will be transported through harsh weather conditions, is the packaging designed to stand the onslaught of rain, snow, heat or even pests? 

Increasing Efficiency by Improving the Storage of Packaging Materials 

Of course, as your business and product line grow, so too will the amount of packaging materials you need. Fortunately, there are a variety of materials available and countless variations within each type of material. The organization of this material and proper grouping of like items together can help trim costs and speed up efficiency. 

In addition, packaging materials that are not used as frequently can be grouped together on the chance that those items are needed from time to time. 

By streamlining similar products together in your inventory, you will naturally create a ripple effect across the entire business — reducing the administrative workload and improving (re)order fulfillment as well. 

Read our definitive guide to custom boxes and branded packaging to learn more about what types of materials to choose for your specific needs. 

Ask Yourself These Key Questions as You Work to Optimize Your Packaging

As you streamline your inventory and processes, this is also a great time to look at your current product packaging and consider ways in which it could be further optimized. For example: 

• What type of package do you need?
• What kind of environment/weather conditions will the package be exposed to? 
• With that in mind, what kind of materials can I use to protect my product?
• How can I be creative with the materials I’ve chosen for my packaging? 
• What kinds of quality standards does my packaging have to meet in order to provide the most protection and stability during its transit to the customer? 

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Looking at New Technologies: The Evolution of Packaging

Sometimes in order to reduce packaging costs, you have to look to the future. 

Today’s packaging spans an entire spectrum of technology to fit all sorts of design and packing needs. You’ll be amazed at the creativity and the structural stability and protective assets of  today’s packaging evolutions.

With that being said, there has never been a better time to go online and look at new advances in packaging material. Every product is different. There truly is no “one size fits all” approach that works with packaging. 

For example, you may find that you can reduce the design of your product boxes to use less packaging material. Even something as seemingly insignificant as a 10% reduction could lead to big savings over time.  

Other options could include using green (recyclable) packaging that customers can reuse to ship other items, or eliminating the use of labels by printing directly onto the package. You can even change the shape of the product slightly to allow it to be packed more densely and efficiently. 

The Secret to Saving Money with Design

In addition to the structure and processing of your packaging (and the materials within it), you should also consider ways that you can save money on your packaging’s design. One of the best ways to do that is to use one or two colors instead of a full 4-color palette. If you want to include more colors, consider using gradients or shades of gray. This will give your product that attractive, eye-catching look without a huge investment in different color choices. It’s a small step, but one that can lead to significant savings. 

In addition, changing from traditional printing to digital printing can also save a great deal of money. This is particularly true for small to medium runs of products. It also prevents an excess build-up of inventory and can turn out to be more affordable for businesses than if they invested in a larger batch run. This varies from product to product, however, which is why it’s a good idea to consult with packaging professionals in terms of ways where you can save costs without skimping on design and branding. 

Analyze Every Step of Your Packaging Process

A great deal of time and effort often goes into evaluating production processes and enhancing them. As a result, production is streamlined, but hits a bottleneck at the often overlooked (and admittedly less glamorous) world of packaging and fulfillment. 

Instead of investing even more in small steps to improve production, which may have limited return on investment, look for ways to improve on the packaging process. Here again, it may be worth reaching out to a company that specializes in the packaging process. 

Not only do they use the latest equipment, but they can provide advice on a variety of packaging materials best suited to ensure that the package arrives safely to its destination. Don’t forget to consider ways to improve your shipping strategy as well. Any saved shipping costs will only compound the savings you earn by reducing your packaging costs.

Customers Can (And Will) Judge a Product By Its Packaging

Although packaging is often the least thought of part of the fulfillment process, it is vitally important — now, more than ever. Not only does your packaging need to attract the customer’s attention and provide them with a pleasant experience, but it also carries the weight of your brand on its shoulders. 

Cheap, disorganized packaging unfortunately lends itself to whatever is packaged inside. Customers will immediately think that the product is likewise cheap and poor quality if the packaging is sub-standard. Although every customer is different, one thing that all customers have in common is that they like to be pleasantly surprised and impressed. 

For example, reusable packaging commands a more high-end price point, but nevertheless makes customers feel as if they (and your brand) are doing their part to help support the planet and minimize waste. Small things like this can make a big impression.

The Bottom Line on Reducing Costs While Creating Positive Branding Experiences

Today’s product packaging has to do a great deal more heavy lifting than it ever had to do in the past. These days, a simple cardboard box won’t cut it. Today’s packaging has to be evocative and effective, high-quality and attractive. It’s a tall order to fill, but with the right company behind your product packaging, your brand can and will do amazing things. 

To learn more about how Refine Packaging can help you, contact us to learn more about our comprehensive packaging and design solutions. From small batch processing to large productions, our combination of advanced technology, eco-friendly packaging processes and knowledgeable team of experts is at your service and ready to help you create packaging that truly speaks to your customer and reflects your brand with uncompromising quality and attention to detail. 

The post The Best Ways to Reduce Packaging Costs: Thinking Outside the Box appeared first on Refine Packaging.