The top 10 items US consumers are embarrassed to buy at physical shops include condoms (29%), emergency contraceptives (26%), bed bug spray (26%), head lice treatment (25%), hemorrhoid cream (24%), diarrhea medication (24%), pregnancy kit (23%), bladder leak or incontinence products (23%), menstrual products (23%), and cold sore medicine (23%).

More good news: brands can ship your order without any product identification or company name to prevent couriers or nosy neighbors from discovering what you bought from their store.

And that’s what discreet packaging is all about. 

Discreet packaging uses plain—no conspicuous design or imagery—shipment boxes or mailers with minimal labeling to avoid drawing attention and ensure its contents remain confidential.

Ambiguous Exterior: “Masking” What’s Inside

Discreet packaging uses the following to keep its contents a secret:

1. Plain boxes or bags

You can use plain white, Kraft, or neutral-colored carton mailers, shipping boxes (full overlap or slotted), or bags with little to no branding.

2. Generic/White labels

Discreet shipping labels can feature only a tracking number, recipient’s address, and any legally required descriptions, depending on your product. You don’t have to include your company name or business logo.

3. Stealth packaging

Packaging materials with tamper-proof features aren’t easy to rip open, securing the quality—and quantity—of its contents. They may use special seals and tapes that need scissors or blades to open. This makes it obvious if others besides the recipient attempted to look inside.

Product Categories Requiring Discreet Packaging

Customers are most likely to request or expect discreet shipping for the following categories:

1. Medication and healthcare products

Some health conditions are considered too embarrassing or sensitive that your customers are secretive about them and may prefer discreet packaging for their medicine. Examples include:

• Digestive and urinary problems (diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, incontinence)
• Personal hygiene troubles (body odor, foul breath, excessive sweating)
• Hair and skin trouble (balding and acne)
• Snoring or sleep apnea
• Fungal or viral infection (toes, nails, reproductive organs)
• Pregnancy

Take InControl Diapers, for example. A YouTube video from InControl shows that the adult urine and bowel incontinence diaper brand delivers orders in plain packaging. The box only has a label with your shipment number, name, and address.

2. Vapes

The amended Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act) prohibits the shipment of vaping products, e-cigarettes, and similar devices with or without “aerosolized solutions” via the US Postal Service (USPS). 

It also specifies the wording for packaging labels. “Permitted [cigarette/smokeless tobacco/ENDS] mailing—delivery only upon age verification” must appear in all caps on the mailpiece’s address side, based on its mailing guidelines. 

VapeA1 boasts “extra discreet plain box shipping.” The company ships customers’ packages from any of its four warehouses with available supplies that are closest to them.

3. Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD regulations vary by state but have common features. For instance, New York State’s Office of Cannabis Management and California’s Department of Cannabis Control require CBD retailers to use child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging that encloses the entire product.

CBD packaging shouldn’t contain elements—such as cartoonish or bubble-like fonts and bright colors—that can be confused with candies or snacks and may attract people aged 20 and below. 

Also, the state expects CBD retailers to use packaging material that will protect the content from light and other contaminants that can lead to product deterioration during storage. Both states require graphic markers on the CBD boxes and packaging.

Overall, vendors should accurately indicate CBD levels on product labels to avoid getting warning letters from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

One recent agency study showed that only 31% of 84 CBD extracts sold online bore labels accurately listing the CBD content of their goods. The FDA has issued warnings to 12 firms marketing CBD-related products as of July 26, 2023.

Meanwhile, six companies received cease and desist letters from the Federal Trade Commission for using deceptive marketing for their edible goods containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, another compound from cannabis sativa. The packaging resembled the designs of popular snacks, such as Doritos, Cheetos, and Nerds Rope Candy.

Utah-based WholesomeCo shows a discreet but not plain-looking packaging for its medical cannabis.

4. Adult products

Adult products include alcoholic drinks, lingerie, and sexual wellness products or sex toys.

New Zealand-based company Elusive Lingerie tells its customers to specify in the shipping “Notes” section that they want discreet shipping. Otherwise, they’ll get their order in a plain white but branded box.

Standard shipping procedures apply for sexy sleepwear, but for liquor and pleasure toys, consider the following:

Liquor

Like in CBD, state governments set rules for shipping liquor directly to consumers, including the allowable types, maximum amount, and required permit or license. In general, brands can’t send them through the USPS.

Eight states and territories accept D2C shipments of all spirits, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures website, which lists the details of each state’s requirements:

• Hawaii
• Nebraska
• Kentucky
• West Virginia
• New Hampshire
• Rhode Island
• Florida
• District of Columbia

In most states, shipments must be conspicuously labeled with these wordings: “Contains alcohol: Signature of person age 21 or older required for delivery.” 

Labels on alcohol shipments for New York residents must also have the same words but must end with “Not for Resale.” Meanwhile, the labels on North Dakota-bound shipments don’t require the phrase “Contains alcohol.”

Pleasure toys

Brands should check state laws on shipping sex toys, the sale of which is banned in Alabama (due to its Anti-Obscenity Enforcement Act of 1998), Texas, and Georgia. In Texas, these adult products should be identified as “novelties.” You’ll find them sold at local novelty stores.

Bonjibon uploaded a video on TikTok showing its “super boring” white label-plain packaging for its sexual wellness products.

Expensive or luxury goods

Luxury or high-end products include:

• Fashion items: watches, jewelry, precious stones, expensive perfume, designer clothing, bags, and shoes
• High-tech gadgets: headphones, tablets, laptops, electronics, drones, video or film production devices, medical equipment
• Artwork: prints, paintings, sculptures, collectibles

6. Political items

You can ship individual candidate campaign products to thank donors and supporters or send them in bulk ahead of mass rallies and sorties. These items can include:

• Pins
• Magnets
• Bumper stickers
• Doorknob hanger tags
• Pens
• Notepads
• Stress balls
• Hand fans
• Sunglasses
• Wristbands
• Lanyards
• Keychains
• Umbrellas
• Caps and hats
• Banners
• Balloons
• Table throws
• Mugs
• Tote bags
• Shirts
• Yard signs
  

3 Steps for Memorable Unboxing with Discreet Packaging

In customizing your discreet packaging’s interior, you can go all-out on box design, colors, and messaging. Get as creative as you want to provide a unique unboxing experience by trying these steps:

1. Greet your customer

Print “Thank you,” “Hello,” or any other catchy and personalized message at the back of your box’s cover or lid to acknowledge your client’s purchase and to introduce your brand further.

Your business name, logo, and other particulars can also fill this spot.

2. Wrap their order in custom tissue paper and a brand sticker

Use tissue paper and stickers bearing your logo, brand name, colors, and patterns to make your customers remember your business even after they’ve used up your product.

3. Include promotional inserts

Add custom promotional inserts based on your engagement and customer acquisition goals:

• Thank buyers with a customized insert instead of printing a message on the back of your box’s lid.
• Get client feedback on their purchase and connect with them online through social share inserts.
• Include a referral card to the package encouraging current customers to refer their friends to your company with a purchase discount.

You can also use these inserts for instructions on using the product or to share your company history, online or offline events, and upsell opportunities. 

How Discreet Packaging Boosts Your Business

You can reap the following benefits when you offer discreet packaging:

Privacy

Confidentiality works two ways—by concealing your business name and the specifics of your customer’s order, you guard your reputation and your buyer’s privacy.

Some frustrated clients take videos of discreet shipping failures. Prospects who come across such videos are likely to get turned off when they discover your brand doesn’t ship as discreetly as you claim.

Meanwhile, contented customers can polish your image when they leave positive feedback on your review forms and social channels for your expert handling of their sensitive orders.

Security

Discreet packaging isn’t just for embarrassing body-related products but also for high-end items. Generic-looking packaging can prevent theft, damage, or destruction.

Box interior optimization

Although you must be unobtrusive on the outside, your box can bear all your branding elements on the inside. 

Optimize your packaging box’s interior by printing your brand colors, logo, slogan, or personalized message on it. You can also wrap your product with custom tissue and seal it with a custom label or sticker. 

Be intentional with your packaging inserts—use eco-friendly materials for dividers or holders, and include thank you and social share request cards to promote extended engagement with your shoppers.

Available Courier Services for Your Discreet Packages

The country’s top couriers treat various product categories differently. Below is a summary of their services:

You can also opt to work with a fulfillment center, which offers discreet labeling along with shipping services.

Future-Proof Your Business with Discreet Packaging

With 24% of retail purchases expected to happen online by 2026, offering delivery options to your customers—including discreet shipping—can prevent you from being pushed aside by fierce competitors. Over two million retailers operate in the country according to the Census Bureau.

Surprise your customers—or at least don’t make them regret shopping with you—by working with seasoned packaging suppliers that provide white-glove treatment from box type selection to prototyping.

Refine Packaging specializes in customized mailers and shipping boxes, including packaging for brands that seek a balance between a discreet exterior and an impressive interior box design.

We can work with a print-ready design that aligns with our artwork guidelines to ensure a smooth and speedy production process. At the same time, our packaging design specialists can provide expert advice, from box structure to packaging inserts and inside printing. These accomplished graphic artists and engineers can apply their expertise and skills to make your packaging a trust-building vehicle for your brand.

Your journey with us includes 2D and 3D mockup development, which allows you to examine and test your box in its folded-up form before production. Contact us today to discuss your discreet packaging needs.

The post Discreet Packaging: The Ultimate Retail Embarrassment Cure appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Your target market’s initial impression of the packaging powerfully sways their buying decision. Shoppers can get your item from the shelf and examine it more closely (or click your product image online and read more about it) before adding it to their cart. Or they can pass you up for another item.

Packaging’s marketing role is undeniable in a world increasingly focused on online engagement. Tangibility still matters, with an enticing physical presence improving your company’s brand recognition and recall more than digital communications.

How can packaging support your branding and marketing strategy? 

It all starts with understanding your buyer’s behavior. So let’s dive in and discover what makes packaging a potent conversion tool. Also, we’ll tackle how you can track your packaging’s performance.

It’s Not What They Look at But What They “See”

In packaging design, you must plan with the end in mind. For brands, this entails balancing two primary goals—product safety and customer appeal. The box or container must protect the product until it reaches the customer. At the same time, the packaging should make the buyer feel happy about the purchase and transacting with the company.

Factors Influencing Consumer Perception

Let’s admit it: despite humanity’s great strides in knowledge—including sales tactics, we’re still prone to the bias from positive first impressions, also known as the halo effect.

This bias applies in shopping and packaging—consumers are inclined to choose products based on appearance. The following factors can affect how they perceive your brand:

Color

Color can create emotions leading to desire, disgust, or indifference. Researchers and market analysts reported that 85% of consumers selected products based on color.

Thus, knowing the psychology of colors—the messages they convey—is necessary for your color choice in packaging design. Your selection should be consistent with your brand’s mission and personality. 

Although culture, life experiences, and socialization affect color preferences, graphic designers and marketers refer to guides and charts like the one above when designing their branding assets, including packaging designers looking for inspiration.

Meanwhile, recent research shows that blue currently holds the record as the most-liked color (preferred by 57% of men and 35% of women).

Shape and size

Factors such as the size of your box can depend on your target market’s demographics. For instance, children view product sizes and shapes differently than adults. Grown-ups may lean toward easy-to-carry products with minimal excess weight, but large-size or uniquely shaped packaging may excite younger consumers.

Texture

Although product packaging should look attractive even from a distance, it’s meant to be touched. Glossy and smooth packaging can give products a premium look and feel. Meanwhile, eco-conscious consumers might appreciate Kraft paperboard or molded pulp boxes, which may feel rough and barely have any design. One forecast shows a growing demand for barrier coating—for paper and board packaging—as a plastic substitute and will hit $11 billion by 2028, based on 2022 prices.

Layout, fonts, and graphics

A well-laid-out packaging box with a clear and sharp logo and images plus readable typography for your product name, description, and instructions make it easy for shoppers to know how your product can benefit them. 

Packaging Reveals What Consumers Want to Know About a Brand

Effectively designed packaging can answer your target market’s questions about you and your product. Shoppers typically want to know:

• What company produced this product?
• Why did they develop this product?
• What process did the business use to create the product?
• Where was this product made?
• What makes this product the best or better than others in the same category?

Including the following information in your custom packaging can convince consumers that buying your products is worth their money:

• Nutritional and health facts
• Ingredients
• Eco-friendly information
• Brand name
• Reasons for choosing your brand
• Certifications and awards
• Detailed instructions
• Cautionary notes
• Government regulations

Moreover, your packaging material and structure can reveal how much care you put into ensuring your product’s usability and consumer safety. In a video from The Packaging School, founder Dr. Andrew Hurley emphasizes that thoroughly knowing your product is crucial in developing packaging that hits safety targets for both your item and those who’ll use it. He says clarifying these aspects about your product can help you nail your packaging design:

1. Form and nature of your product

Your product’s state (solid, liquid, or gas) will determine what material you need to package it. 

Beyond dimensions and weight, you must also consider what’s required to prevent leakage and adverse chemical reaction due to temperature, moisture, and the packaging material itself.

2. Needed protection at each level of the sales cycle

Your packaging must keep your product safe from the stockroom or warehouse to its transfer to couriers or fulfillment centers that will transport and deliver it to your retailer or customer.

3. Product’s end user and expected interaction with the product

Customers may have unique preferences, but convenience is universal across your demographics. For instance, a resealable package is advisable for a kid’s beverage, while gable top carton boxes are handy for adults.

4. Presentation

Your packaging must differentiate your product from other players in your niche or industry. Moreover, it should include a surprise element, particularly an unboxing experience better than they expected.

5. Sustainability beliefs and regulations

Research your target market’s beliefs on sustainability in packaging and the laws at the locations where you distribute or sell your goods. Six US states currently uphold Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies on the disposal of hard-to-recycle materials: Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, New Jersey, and Maine. Use your packaging to communicate how your company adheres to EPR laws.

How to Use Packaging as a Marketing Tool

Packaging is now at the forefront of brand awareness and promotions after some marketers renamed their seventh marketing P from the overarching “physical evidence” to packaging.

Here are seven ways you can optimize packaging as your “silent salesperson”:

1. Include customized packaging in your branding

You can use packaging to reinforce your brand identity because it receives the highest engagement with your consumers next to your product. For consistency, your packaging should include these brand elements according to your style guidelines:

Name

The brand-to-product association is so strong at times that some names have undergone genericization—the trademark becomes synonymous with that class of products. 

Examples include Kleenex for tissue paper, Band-Aid for adhesive bandages, and Xerox for copying machines. Other genericized brands include Velcro, Lego, Google (“Let’s Google it.”), and Photoshop (“I think that was photoshopped.”).

Logo and brand graphics

Your logo is your visual trademark, which must be recognizable as your brand name—if not more memorable. Graphics separate from your logo must use your brand color palette.

Color palette

Your packaging should ideally use your brand colors, which should’ve been chosen after analyzing your target audience and competitors. Some designers advise using up to three colors for maximum memory retention.

Slogan

Slogans are simple and catchy phrases representing your brand’s personality. They’re also crafted to function as mini-mission statements.

M&M: “Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.”

FedEx: “Where now meets next.”

Nokia: “Connecting People.”

Typography

Your fonts should be easy to read and express product information. Their look must also fit the style of your other branding elements.

Images

Images or visual elements must be crisp and attractive enough to tug at your target market’s heartstrings. They should also represent your brand message and the product’s unique value.

2. Think out of the box for higher shelf impact

Does your packaging seem to blend with other products on retailers’ shelves? Although shoppers have subconscious packaging expectations for different product categories, your brand must have unique elements that will help you stand out in a sea of other competing products. Two steps can help you achieve this:

Audience research

Conduct a simple online poll (try Twitter or LinkedIn) and ask your target buyers what they consider to be typical packaging in your product category.

Competitor research

Look through store shelves and compare the designs of your rival products. You might notice similarities in color and typography—these are the core design elements of your category. Doing something different but still in tune with your audience’s survey results is worth the risk.

Finnish company Sitko’s artisan pizza box is one example of unconventional design. It only uses black and white and shows off its sourdough balls—described as the “heart and soul” of its business—in various irregularly rounded shapes.

Meanwhile, Norway’s Freja did quite the opposite, playing up Nordic geometric shapes and a bright—although still limited—color palette for its rebranded bone broth line.

Below, this unique nature-based concept by Vu Digital encases bottles like flower petals.

Meanwhile, one designer used insect-themed window boxes for lightbulb packaging. 

3.   Incorporate packaging in your marketing campaigns

Although packaging can promote your product on its own, it’s most influential when used in tandem with the rest of your marketing arsenal. You can feature them in your digital (social media and website or Google ads) or offline (billboards, print, and TV) ad campaigns.

Aligning your packaging with your ad strategies may be as simple as using custom tape, labels, and sleeves on stock packaging boxes.

4.   Make it functional

Packaging should be durable and user-friendly in that storing, opening, resealing, and displaying them shouldn’t be a struggle. New packaging trends, such as smart packaging features, offer tamper detection and counterfeiting technologies such as QR codes and RFID tags.

Functional packaging can also refer to ergonomic handling and dual-purpose design. For instance, Motorola’s Razr 5G comes in a box that doubles as a phone holder-stand.

The Botanist Gin’s functional liquor boxes also double as a reusable planter. When you can repurpose your packaging, you get plus points for sustainability.

5.   Personalize through promotional elements

Add a personal touch through packaging inserts, such as thank-you cards, coupons, or customer-specific samples. You can follow the STP model to determine the most appropriate personalization add-ons. The acronym stands for segmentation, targeting, and positioning. 

Segmentation is dividing your customers into groups based on shared traits. Targeting is determining each segment’s buying power and identifying those most likely to convert. Finally, positioning is developing a marketing mix for each group.

To illustrate how the model works, small business owners can apply STP by including handwritten thank you messages in the package of first-time buyers, addressing them by their names. They can add freebies—stickers, trinkets, or a product sample—that complement their purchase to encourage repeat business.

Meanwhile, for returning customers, a referral card (offering discounts to the customer and a friend) or loyalty program invite can help expand your client base and deepen engagement.

McKinsey reported that 71% of consumers expect brands to personalize their interactions. Meanwhile, 88% of shoppers surveyed by Salesforce said their experience with a company is as important as the product or services they offer. McKinsey adds that personalization can increase revenues by five percent to 15%.

6.   List all the ways they can reach you online

Use social share inserts or print your social channels directly on your custom box and labels to encourage clients to connect with you online for feedback and queries. Be upfront about requesting a review and include a link that directs them to your corresponding webpage.

Also, include your main hashtags to encourage customers to look them up online and use them in their posts and tweets.

7.   Provide themed or limited edition packaging

Holidays and occasions such as your subscriber’s birthday and anniversary of their loyalty program membership or first order offer opportune moments for you to produce variations of your packaging. Themed packaging instantly turns your products into giftable items—something not-so-crafty buyers warmly welcome.

Moreover, you can roll out limited-edition packaging for specific products. Doing so can entice shoppers to buy before supplies run out and give them a sense of exclusivity because they acquired something unique to your brand and not available to the rest of the public. 

Grow with the Packaging Industry’s Marketing Thought Leaders

Once your packaging design is done, finding a capable packaging and printing company can make or break your marketing dreams. Choosing a printer with established thought leadership in this area can give you peace of mind. Besides being masters of the technical process, such service providers are aware of what makes a design arresting and professional-looking.

Refine Packaging is more than just dependable—we’re committed to ensuring your custom packaging becomes a profitable growth driver. And our dedication to your marketing success isn’t just lip service. Check out our blog section where we discuss the essentials of design, printing, and distribution. We’re serious about what we do, but always aim to keep simplicity and lightheartedness at the center of it all.

No matter what stage in the business you’re going through, we’re here for you. Our team includes in-house designers so you can get answers to any marketing concerns. Contact us today for a free consultation or more information about our process.

The post Optimizing Packaging for Marketing: 7 Client Engagement Keys appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Chances are, the content will jiggle if the box is much larger than the content, especially if the giver packed it themselves by hand. When the gift is heavy and quiet, we secretly wish it’s a luxury or high-end item. Why? More often than not, brands selling pricier products package them with inserts that hold them steady in the carton container.

If you’re considering packaging inserts for your fragile product line or want them for your kits and subscription business, you’re in the right place. Hang on tight as we discuss the different packaging insert options available for every product type. You’ll also discover various promotional inserts your brand can consider for added engagement and upsell opportunities.

Packaging Insert Types

Packaging inserts can be either box inserts or promotional inserts. The first type supports a product’s protection and safety, while the second type serves as multi-purpose advertisement cards.

Box Inserts

Some of the immediate benefits of box inserts include:  

• Effective blocking (preventing side-to-side movement) and bracing (preventing up-and-down motion) of one or several items in your box, reducing or eliminating the shock and resulting damage your products can acquire during impact while the box undergoes storage, transport, and hand delivery
• Compartmentalizing items, preventing them from rubbing against each other 
• Reducing labor involved in applying protective wrap or assembling loose void fills
• Improving product presentation, resulting in positive unboxing moments

Here are the most common packaging insert types you can choose from:

Corrugated carton

These corrugated carton inserts typically separate the product from the cardboard packaging‘s walls. Their fluting layer cushions and reduces shock acquired by the item in case of impact during storage, transport, or hand delivery. 

Due to their thickness, these inserts aren’t suitable for small products and items or primary packaging with complex shapes. Like paperboard inserts, the white paper variety is ideal for colored printing, while the Kraft paper type can take black-and-white printing. Learn more about the distinction with our guide comparing cardboard vs corrugated cartons.

Chipboard

Several recycled paper sheets glued and pressed together compose chipboard or particle board inserts. They’re thinner than corrugated boards and have no flutes, making them more appropriate for lightweight and non-fragile items. Like corrugated inserts, chipboards make great inlays, dividers, and pads for stacked items.

Paperboard

Paperboard may be thinner than corrugated cartons, but that’s what makes them versatile. You can easily fold and customize them into your desired shape and size. Solid bleached sulfate (SBS) for high-quality colored print and unbleached brown or Kraft paper for black-and-white printing are the most common paperboard options. They’re also the most inexpensive insert type and partner well with your paper box. Dig into more detail with our ultimate guide to custom packaging inserts. 

Molded or paper pulp

Box makers combine recycled paper and cardboard to produce paper pulp inserts, which they mold into various shapes and sizes to secure glassware, electronics, ceramics, and other delicate products. Traditional egg carton boxes and many wine packaging use this insert type.

Mushroom packaging

Another highly recommended eco-friendly insert is mushroom packaging. The material consists of mycelium—the root system of mushrooms—and hemp hurd, or the inner fibers of a hemp stalk. Its insulating properties make it advisable for edible and temperature-sensitive goods.

Foam

Foam is lightweight and custom-cut to snugly fit a product’s specific shape. As a result, it’s another cushioning and protective option for fragile items.

Foam inserts come in low (cross-linked polyethylene or XLPE), medium (expanded polyethylene or EPE), and high densities (ethylene-vinyl acetate or EVA, resembling yoga mat material). Meanwhile, the soft and flexible polyurethane foam (which resembles the material used in dishwashing sponges) comes in various densities.

Molded plastic

Plastic is another customizable material available in various thicknesses and materials. The most popular are polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate (made from recycled polymer used for food products).

Blister insert is the other name of this insert type, referring to the product of thermoforming or heat application to mold the plastic.

Here’s a summary of box inserts and the products they match with the best:

Promotional Inserts

Promotional inserts or insert cards can take various forms depending on your brand, product, and target audience. Here are some ideas to inspire you: 

Thank you card

Buyers feel valued when businesses appreciate their interest and loyalty through thank-you cards. The gesture allows startups and small businesses to build relationships and spread a positive impression of their brand. 

Handwritten, personalized messages with the customer’s name make them feel extra special and can result in up to a 7% boost in conversion.

John Cronin is known for sending a handwritten appreciation for every purchase of his John’s Crazy Socks. Cronin, who has Down syndrome, co-founded the business with his father, Mark, back in 2016.

Coupon or discount offer

With inflation on the rise, 90% of consumers look for discounts and cash backs. Thus, money-saving promos can encourage repeat purchases and customer retention. Including inserts within packages also help ensure that your buyers can view and consider the offer instead of it just ending up in their email spam folder.

You can grant discounts based on your clients’ minimum spend (a specific percentage or dollar amount off). Recent Statista data shows that over half of consumers prefer percentage discounts. Other options include organizing a contest or setting a period for claiming products at a reduced price. 

Boxy Charm used inserts to announce its one-day discount for its beauty subscription business clients.

You may also consider collaborating with another business with a complementary product or service for a joint or cross-promotional offer.

Social share/product review request

These inserts can effectively continue engagement with your customer beyond the arrival of their order.

Give them a reason to connect with and follow your social channels by requesting online feedback about their purchase.

Frank Body used personification in its social media share insert, with its coffee body scrub encouraging users to connect with the skincare company on social media.

To make the review process easier, list the social links and questions you’d like them to answer. Moreover, you can add a QR code that takes buyers to a landing page containing the review form. You may also include a QR code that will direct them to a newsletter sign-up form so they can get regular updates on your new products and bargains.

Referral card

Do you know that 40% of consumers trust referral marketing? You can turn your shoppers into your extended marketing team through referral cards that will reward them and their friends with discounts or freebies. Make your referral inserts look like invites or business cards to make “customer recruitment” enticing and fun.

Stickers

Who doesn’t love freebies? Make customers feel proud about being part of your brand community by inserting stickers they can apply on their laptops, on the back of their phones, and on other surfaces. Stickers can also expand public awareness of your business.

Warranty guide

Make your product warranty registration and process less boring by having your box manufacturer produce custom warranty inserts. 

Scooter brand Micro has a warranty card, which points new owners to its website for activation and further details.

Usage and care instructions

Consider including this insert type if customers must follow steps to properly and safely use, clean or wash, and store your products.

Your product’s ingredients and warnings—such as possible allergic reactions and emergency first-aid advice—are other content you can include in instruction inserts.

Naples Olive Oil’s gift set includes recipe cards for using the oil, balsamic vinegar, and dipping spice blend in the box.

Interactive elements

Your insert can feature a fun puzzle, brainteasers, DIY activities, and additional tips for using your product. Smart content—such as scannable augmented reality (AR) codes showing your company’s history, “behind-the-scenes” footage, or games—also provides memorable experiences. Nine out of 10 brands say they plan to incorporate AR in their marketing campaigns.

Custom Die-Cut Inserts: Production Process

Inserts can be as simple as paperboard and corrugated carton dividers that offer multiple partitions for objects, such as glass bottles, coffee K-cups, and others.

But for custom inserts, box makers use die-cut machines with multiple cutters and blades to create inserts based on your product’s shape. They add cut-outs, slots, and holes, so you or their team can slip and fold without needing extra tools.

Packaging companies can also add color printing or custom-printed copy on carton inserts to further professionalize your packaging’s appearance. Customizations include:

• Embossing or raising an image or design on the box surface.
• Debossing—the opposite of embossing—involves sinking the design into the box surface.
• Spot UV coating or applying a clear coating that results in a high gloss or sheen.
• Foiling or applying thin metal (gold, silver, aluminum, or copper) foil to the box surface.

How to Choose the Proper Insert for Your Packaging

Box Insert

Determining the right box insert for your product will involve the following steps:

1. Note your product’s dimensions and weight

Consider your item’s length, width, height, thickness, or diameter plus its weight when deciding what insert to use. Heavier products will naturally need tougher materials to support them.

2. Establish how much protection your item requires

Pastry and flowers need a different kind of protection compared to glass and ceramics. Your shipping and handling method will also affect your material selection. Foam and molded pulp are the most typical choices for products with primary packaging, which can break or sustain scratches and dents.

3. Review your budget

Your budget will determine the materials you can choose from. Ask your packaging designer or box supplier how they shock-proof your product if you prefer lighter, or lower-density materials, especially if you want to reduce your shipping expenses. 

However, the best practice is to follow courier suggestions for packaging to ensure your box and its contents can survive hazards like poor weather, accidental drops, and poor road conditions.

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4. Study your packaging’s environmental impact

The latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report citing 2018 data showed that 82 million tons of solid waste came from containers and packaging. In the EU, cardboard and paper contributed to 32.7 million tons of waste from 2009 to 2020, while plastic and glass came in second and third, with waste amounting to around 15 million tons each.

In light of these saddening figures, using biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable materials reduces pollution and can enhance your brand image. Paperboard, pulp, and mushroom inserts are the most sustainable choices. If you must choose heavier, less recyclable materials, promote your packaging’s re-use opportunities.

Promotional Insert

Discovering what promotional insert must go with your product depends on your:

1. Goals

Choose the insert type that will fulfill your business needs, which may be more customers, increased sales, introduction of a new product, or awareness of your online platforms.

2. Customer base

You can segment your clients and send personalized inserts based on where they are in the customer journey. For instance, a thank you card and an insert that tells your brand story are fitting for new customers. Meanwhile, discount coupons or loyalty program invitations can excite your regular shoppers.

3. Budget

Set your marketing budget first to see how much you can spend on materials, type of printing, special coating, or interactive tech additions.

Fragile Items That Benefit from Box Inserts

Chipboard, corrugated, and foam inserts can protect these delicate items that are at risk of damage during shipping:

• Electronics: smartphones, laptops, TV sets, computer monitors
• Glass: glassware, stemware (drinkware that stands on stems), vases, mirrors
• Ceramics: bowls, plates, figurines
• Artwork: paintings, photographs, sculptures
• Musical instruments: flutes, violins, guitars

Producing Inserts for Medication

For medication boxes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specifications for patient package inserts (PPI), which it considers a labeling method for patients and caregivers. According to its website, PPI must include information about the medicine, how to take it, common and serious side effects, and who should not take the medicine.

Except for oral contraceptives and medicine with estrogen, brands may voluntarily submit medication PPI to the FDA “on their initiative or by FDA request.”

Choose a Sustainable Custom Packaging Company for Your Customized Inserts

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

Packaging firms typically specialize in only a few materials for their custom packaging inserts so you must check if your supplier can produce the type needed for your mailer box, marketing kit, and subscription boxes.

Refine Packaging can customize box inserts for various products. Cardboard, corrugated, and foam options are available. We don’t make plastic inserts. Contact us for any questions or concerns about your planned box insert so we can help you arrive at a solution that will upgrade your packaging box’s sales potential.

The post What are Packaging Inserts? Intro to Types, Selection Tips, & Legal Compliance appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Packvertising had intended to be a separate and more cost-effective alternative to traditional ad placements. Brands included flyers, vouchers, and promotional stickers in the box for added ways to connect and engage with consumers.

When COVID-19 struck, social media became flooded with at-home unboxing videos. The trend elevated the packaging box as an extension of every product, coming under the same scrutiny as its content in vlogs and influencer videos. Many brands now compete by showing off their product’s primary and secondary packaging in paid advertisements.

In light of this development, you may wonder: is it really worth investing in not just branded packaging but ads that include your product boxes? How can you make your packaging ad-ready?

This article answers these questions as we discuss improving your packaging ROI through ad placements that feature your custom branded packaging.

What Is Packaging ROI?

Your investment in packaging includes payments for design, packaging material, printing, distribution, and promotional activities.

How to calculate packaging ROI

You can apply the basic formula for ROI in calculating your product packaging ROI. That is, divide your net profit—the amount you earned from an investment or the investment cost minus its present value—by the investment cost and multiply the result by 100.

ROI =  (Net profit / Investment Cost) x 100

However, other factors contribute to packaging ROI. They include the following:

Damage reduction

A solid, structural packaging design results in savings for shipping and replacement of goods returned due to dents, breakage, or other damage. By protecting fragile goods, you can avoid processing returns, which can run up to 59% of the item’s original price.

Improved environmental profile

A quarter of consumers prefer buying from brands that use sustainable packaging, which Statista lists as the second top consideration among American shoppers after coupons and discounts.

Higher sales

Consumers have become more careful about how brands influence their buying decisions. 82% of shoppers in a Razorfish poll said they favor brands that stand for a greater societal purpose, which brands can achieve through packaging that conveys their intended contributions to the community. Your sales performance after your new packaging design’s launch is a good indicator of your ROI.

Recurring customers

When shoppers are delightfully surprised or satisfied with their initial purchase, their positive experience leads to what is called a “brand halo” effect. As a result, they’re likely to buy again and tell others about the product. American subscription box companies combine the power of packaging’s visual appeal with anticipation in keeping and growing their client base, which stands at 61 million. 

Top 3 Reasons to Include Custom Packaging in Your Ad Campaigns

You can double the influence of packaging over your target audience in the following ways when you incorporate them in your ads:

1. Packaging enhances your social media presence

Before the pandemic lockdowns, businesses used packvertising as a standalone marketing channel. They relied on extra features such as multi-page labeling and inserts containing rebates, discount coupons, and product information to attract buyers and engage customers.

When self-isolation mandates took effect, brands didn’t only ramp up their shipping and delivery procedures. They also ensured that their packaging would make up for the excitement and pleasure derived from in-store shopping. Their strategy included packaging in their content marketing and advertisements, mainly on their target market’s preferred social platforms. You can apply the same tactic to your online promotions. 62% of consumers tend to buy products a purchaser features in an image or video post.

Although unboxing videos reportedly started as early as 2006 (featuring a Nokia E61 phone), the contemporary content creators’ commentary covers the entire package—literally—from the box to its contents and fillers.

2. Packaging helps manage your customer’s expectations about a product

Advertisements featuring your product with its packaging promote transparency. Such ads can promote trust if you’re selling high-end products. As they say: the higher the price, the higher the customer’s expectations.

Potential buyers discover the item’s dimension and how large—or small—it is compared to its box. These visuals are more mentally digestible and retainable than a written description.

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3. Packaging allows you to receive immediate feedback

Why not hit two birds with one stone by asking your followers to comment on your packaging when you publish your social media ad?

How to Optimize Packaging for Advertising Success

You can succeed at including customized packaging in your advertising strategy by taking these steps:

1. Conduct market research and analysis

Market research and analysis help you discover more about your target market, competitors, and the packaging industry. Your study should ideally give insights about:

• Who belongs to your target market and their pain points
• Where your target and existing buyers research to discover and learn more about products and services
• Which of your rivals does your target audience turn to for options and information
• What influences conversions and purchases among your target audience
• What aspects of your competitors’ packaging are working for them
• Whether there’s a demand for your business initiatives
• Underserved or unaddressed consumer needs your business can turn into a selling opportunity
• What’s trending in your industry in the buyer’s eyes
• Consumer attitudes toward a particular topic or consumer issue, a brand or product, and pricing
  

2. Identify your goals and metrics

Surveying your target audience and industry helps you define or clarify the objectives and success indicators for your packaging.

Goals should reflect what your brand identity wishes to convey—a message (such as your unique selling point) and emotion (your brand personality)—besides growth objectives, such as increasing awareness, loyalty, and referrals. Meanwhile, success metrics include brand recall, conversion, retention, and word-of-mouth.

3. Pick the appropriate design, packaging materials, and box style (Proceed to points 4 or 5 if you have existing packaging)

Your design, paper stock, custom box style, and coatings must suit your product type and function. For premium products, you may want to use luxury materials and extra features.

4. Design, test, and evaluate your packaging’s performance

You can use prototypes when testing your product packaging with small markets or focus groups. Gather people’s opinions through surveys or interviews so you can determine your packaging’s strengths and areas for improvement. Here are some tips to follow:

• Limit the number of questions to ask, as they are open-ended ones.
• Provide participants with a demo or prototype.
• Ask them how they feel about your pricing.
• Ask for their views about your competition.
• Give them a chance to air any questions, concerns, or other comments at the end of the questionnaire or feedback session.

5. Adapt your packaging-related ad materials to the requirements and expectations of each advertising method

Around 55% of B2B and B2C product suppliers’ marketing budgets go to digital campaigns. However, traditional channels like print, TV, and billboards continue to be viable options.

If you’re allotting a large chunk of your budget to online marketing as well, familiarize yourself with the image sizes for product photography and video lengths required for website or social media ads. Our cheat sheet below is a handy reference.

Besides great visuals, the best social media ads have a clear call to action so your followers know what to do next, such as “Buy now” “Add to shopping cart,” “Sign up,” and “Learn more.”

6. Include your social media icons on your packaging

Invite ongoing engagement with your customers by including your social media handles on your company info. Doing so can raise your chances of upselling opportunities and referrals. 

Social Media Ad Specs Cheat Sheet

Here’s our cheat sheet for social media ad specifications. Aspect ratio (x:y) refers to the ratio of an image’s width to its height.

Social Media Examples Featuring Product Packaging

Here’s how some businesses featured their personalized packaging in social media ads:

ThreadBeast

Streetwear brand ThreadBeast showcases their subscription boxes directly in their Facebook advertising campaigns.

Jam Cellars

Jam Cellars’ Butter Chardonnay brings on some “better beach time” based on the brand’s YouTube video featuring the wine with its bright yellow-labeled bottle, can, and packaging box.

Crest

This Instagram image ad of Crest 3D White Strips directs the platform’s users to Amazon.

Corkcicle

A TikTok subscriber included the packaging in the unboxing video of the insulated tumbler by Corkcicle, which she received on Mother’s Day.

Purolator Inc.

Purolator made a LinkedIn post to announce its limited-edition holiday boxes. Like the Canadian courier, you can end your written ad with hashtags to widen your reach. Although you can use up to 30 hashtags, marketers advise using only a few of them. Three to five are enough according to the Instagram Creators account.

Know Your Other Advertising Channels

Through market research, you can focus your ad budget on your target audience’s preferred channels. Nevertheless, knowing the various advertising channels below makes you aware of additional venues for sourcing product promotion ideas.

Moreover, consider that although the average American broadband-connected household has 13 connected devices, 28 million households can’t afford the fees for internet access.

Television

Advertisers forecast a 10.4% growth in ad revenues amid an expected increase of connected TV (CTV)—or traditional TV connected to the internet that allows video streaming and web browsing—adoption from 2023 to 2028. Moreover, 50% of Americans connect their smart TV or CTV sets through their in-built mechanism.

Minimum CTV ad costs range from $20,000 to $50,000.

Print

Newspaper and magazine ads, flyers, and posters are all part of print advertising. Their tangibility gives them an edge over online adverts, the oversupply of which has taught netizens to ignore their presence, resulting in so-called “ad blindness.” Moreover, internet users can use ad blockers for privacy. Top Media Advertising reported that a digital ad’s effectiveness rises 400% when combined with print ads. 

Newspaper ads can cost between $50 and $2,700 and up for full-page ads.

Outdoor advertising

Billboards and public transportation ads are examples of outdoor advertising. Billboard fees—which cover four weeks—are worth $850 (for static) or $2,100 (for digital) on average. Meanwhile, transit advertising shares the same average cost as static billboards.

Email ads

Your brand can place an ad on a third-party email newsletter in exchange for an endorsement. The sponsorship cost depends on the newsletter’s industry, subscriber count, and audience engagement. Advertising charges can start at around $15 to $30 per sponsored email. 

Make Your Custom Box Packaging Ad-Ready

Selecting an expert custom box manufacturer with an eye for design is crucial when you decide to make product packaging design a part of your advertising projects. Your box provider should help deliver what you promised consumers in your image or video ads in whatever medium.

Refine Packaging can print branded boxes that will delight your customers beyond what they see in traditional or digital ads. Our happy customers can tell you all about it.

Moreover, our seasoned in-house design team can ensure that every step in your packaging development journey with us targets optimal client satisfaction from discovery to conversion. Contact us today to request a free consultation about your ad-ready packaging requirements.

The post How to Increase Your Ad Campaign’s ROI By Showcasing Custom Packaging (6 Steps) appeared first on Refine Packaging.

If so, it’s critical to understand the basic types of labels, materials, and finishes before working with a professional printer. 

Without further ado, let’s dig into the nitty gritty details of product labels, customization options, types of finishes, and so much more!

How Labeling Supports Custom Packaging

Labeling is a component of custom packaging that focuses on promoting and describing your product so buyers know what’s in store for them if they decide to purchase it. This table summarizes the significant role of printed labels in relation to your product’s packaging.

When to Use Printed Packaging vs Custom Labeling

Importance of Custom Label Printing

Product label printing supports your branding efforts in the following ways:

1. Customization

Your custom labels can feature all the content your buyer needs to know about your product. Once you’ve decided on what information and images to include in your label, you can work with a designer or your printer for its layout, shape, and sizing. You can also do it yourself, using an online design tool such as Adobe or Canva.

2. Product and Brand Recognition

A designer can help you come up with ideas that will pique your target market’s interest and make your product easy to distinguish from your competition. Meanwhile, professional printers ensure quality and consistency in the overall look of your custom labels.

When your product has several variants (i.e., flavors or scents), you can design labels that can make sorting easier for wholesalers, retailers, and buyers.

3. Trust Building

Brands can better convince consumers to pick their products if their labels honestly state their contents and benefits. According to research, 97% of beauty product shoppers seek this kind of transparency.

4. Legal Compliance

To comply with industry and government standards on health and safety, include warnings, health hazards, emergency solutions, and other lawfully required information on your personalized labels.

5. Tracking

You can design custom quality labels to help you track products from production to delivery to your distribution points. Bar codes and other stockkeeping unit identification are necessary aids in current warehousing and shipping systems. They’re also useful in the case of product recalls.

6. Marketing Promotions

Labels for products can also feature information such as discounts, coupons, or other special offers to increase your product’s appeal. 

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General Types of Custom Packaging Labels

Labels are made to adhere well to their product’s packaging. Here are the most popular types of printed labels today:

1. Pressure-Sensitive Labels

The most common of all custom labels, pressure-sensitive labels are applied on packaging by hand or machine. They’re made up of a facestock (more info on this later) with or without a top coat and an adhesive with a liner. The details of a label’s anatomy are found in the next section. For optimum adherence, brands and manufacturers consider the surface or material that the label will be attached to.

• Dry peel: Dry peel labels have semi-permanent adhesives. They’re often designed to serve as coupons that buyers can peel off and present to get discounts or to join a contest.
• Reseal: Resealable labels allow customers to seal them back into the product packaging to keep its remaining contents fresh before use or consumption.

2. Shrink Sleeves

Also referred to as a shrink wrap, these polymer plastic films cover entire containers. The film is exposed to heat from a handheld gun or passes through the heat tunnel of industrial label printers to make it fit tightly around the product. Many bottled beverages that need refrigeration have heat-shrink labels.

3. In-Mold Labels

These preprinted polypropylene (PP) labels are injected into a mold where the plastic packaging container is formed. Once the packaging takes shape, the label is already fused into the container. This makes these labels look like they’re part of the container instead of a separate stock placed on its surface. Some laundry detergent bottles and food tubs (yogurt and butter) use this type of labeling.

4. Die-Cut Labels

These labels are made for uniquely shaped containers. They use a die and a press to cut the custom shapes. 

5. Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels

A warm printhead (direct thermal) or heated ribbons (thermal transfer) print words or graphics on the label material instead of ink. These individually cut custom labels are usually used for price tags, shipping, and bar coding. They have a short life span and are prone to change color when exposed to another heat source. 

The Anatomy of Personalized Labels

Pressure-sensitive labels for products mainly consist of these five parts:

1. Facestock

The facestock is the specialty paper, film, or fabric that contains the graphics and text. Being the main part of the label, it’s the layer where the ink is applied and onto which the top coat and adhesive are anchored. It gives your custom labels structure, shape, and size.

2. Ink

Various types of inks are used to print text, graphics, and photos on the facestock: fade-free UV inks, nearly odorless and affordable water-based inks, and durable solvents that don’t require a top coat. Meanwhile, you can use specialty inks for unique metallic and fluorescent effects.

3. Top Coat

Not all labels need top coats (uncoated), but they’re necessary for facestocks made of plastic film. Top coating helps the ink spread out and cling to these types of surfaces. Meanwhile, varnishes and laminates are examples of top coats for paper labels. Besides providing an aesthetic finishing touch to their surface, this layer protects the print on labels from fading due to moisture, sunlight, or rough handling.

4. Adhesive

The adhesive layer is what sticks to your product’s container or packaging using pressure or heat. Your choice of adhesive material will depend on your packaging material, its shape, the environmental conditions it will be subject to, and your desired level of permanence. 

Here are the four basic types of adhesives:

• Peelable: Labels with removable adhesives can be taken off the surface without leaving any residue or destroying the label itself, compared to permanent ones. But removable adhesives can permanently bond to a surface when they’ve stuck to a surface for an extended time or due to environmental exposure.
• Permanent: Permanent adhesives can stick to moist and rough surfaces. Taking them off will usually result in destroying the facestock. They’re recommended for flat surfaces.
• Semi-permanent: Also called repositionable adhesive, this type lets you peel off labels from their surface in the short-term for adjustment. They settle and harden once reapplied to their new position.
• Freezer: Custom labels with freezer adhesives stay put on the products or their packaging without peeling or cracking—even in below zero settings.

5. Liner

The liner protects your adhesive until it’s applied to a surface. It can be made from paper or film. 

Facestock Materials

Paper and film are the most common materials used for the facestock of custom labels.

Paper

As ink settles well on paper, text and images look very sharp on this surface. Compared to film stock, they’re available in different colors and textures and are more affordably priced.

Paper-based labels are most appropriate for dry and cool indoor applications as they can only handle limited exposure to moisture (water and oil), extreme temperatures, and abrasion. Paper labels are best used for non-perishable goods like canned food as well as household and beauty products like soap bars.

Some common paper facestock examples for labels include:

• White paper: White paper is made of high-quality paper that’s bright and opaque white. It can have a matte, semi-glossy, or glossy finish.
• Metallic paper: Metallic paper gives products a polished sheen. Some of the available colors include gold, rose gold, silver, bronze, and copper bronze.
• Recycled paper: This brown-colored paper stock can give products a vintage, rustic, or handcrafted look. Facestock of this type includes kraft and the black and velvety vellum labels.
• Estate 4: Estate 4 paper is the most durable of the paper stocks due to its “wet strength” or water resistance. It’s also colored white and has a subtle linear texture.

Film

Facestock made of plastic film are tear-free and can conform to the shape of curved or other oddly shaped containers. They’re long-lasting due to their oil and chemical resistance. Film stocks also hold up to spillage, condensation, sweating, and sun exposure. They often have permanent adhesives and can attach to textured surfaces and painted metals.

• Vinyl: Technically called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), these plastic stocks made of ethylene and chlorine have a slight flex and are dishwasher-safe. They can withstand extremely cold environments and can last for up to five years, based on the vinyl formulation. These labels work best on vehicle windows (static cling vinyl) and bumpers, sports equipment, outdoor marketing devices, and frozen food that has to stay in below-zero temperatures for long periods of time. They come in white and clear varieties.
• Polypropylene: Biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) is slightly thinner than vinyl and works well on contoured containers as they can stretch horizontally or vertically (biaxial). They have a medium lifespan (six months to two years) compared to vinyl and polyester stocks. They’re advisable for labeling smaller refrigerated items, such as meat, sauces, dressings, cheese, jams, and beverages. They’re available in white, silver, and transparent versions.
• Polyester: Also known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and mylar, polyester facestock can last over 10 years, making it the most durable of all film stocks. They’re ideal for industrial use due to their chemical and moisture resistance. These materials remain intact in extreme temperatures and under UV exposure. They’re the most expensive of all three plastic stocks. Professional printers can offer to make these labels using white, clear, and metalized polyester.
• Squeezable film: This material is best for squeezable bottles and tubes, including lotion, sunscreen, toothpaste, and other beauty and health products.

Different Types of Finishing for Customized labels

Labels need the right finish or top coat to make them last and look good longer. Here are some of the most popular label finishes:

1. Varnishes

Varnishes coat facestocks in clear liquid, making labels smoother and more resistant to spills and scuffs. They cost less than UV coatings and laminates but have the least staying power. A glossy varnish can make image-heavy labels stand out, while a non-reflective matte varnish can produce a subdued but professional effect. You can use spot varnish to highlight specific elements on your custom labels like your logo, brand name, or graphics.

2. UV-Resistant Coatings

This type of finish involves applying a special liquid on a label’s facestock and then curing it in ultraviolet light. The coating later becomes a permanent sunscreen that prevents your text, design, and colors from fading and other possible damage. 

Although this is usually a glossy finish, UV coating is also available in semi-gloss and matte. You have the option to cover the entire surface of your label (overcoat) or just selected sections (spot coat).

3. Laminates

Laminates are a thick film-like coating. They offer the greatest protection against sunlight, moisture, and abrasion. A glossy laminate sharpens the content and color of the label’s facestock while a subtle matte finish can give your custom labels an elegant touch.

4. Foils

A hot foil is composed of metalized PET film with heat and pressure-activated adhesive, which sticks well on glass bottles and cans. Hot foil can give a sophisticated look to custom wine labels. Meanwhile, a cold foil uses UV-curable adhesive, so it’s suited for thinner packaging material like plastic that can’t withstand high temperature. 

Finishing Formats: Roll, Sheet, and Fan-Folded

You can order custom-made product labels by sheets or rolls. Let’s see when to best use each of them.

1. Sheet Labels

When it comes to label sticker printing, sheet labels come in sheets of different paper sizes, although the most common is the A4 size.

Using sheet labels is the best option for short runs or smaller quantities (below 250 labels), including testing out the packaging of your new product or selling seasonal products. But some professional services can also offer this type of printing for a larger project.

2. Roll Labels

Roll labels are spun on a cardboard spool and get printed on using a roll printer. They’re advisable for bulk orders, including those that need specialty ink printing. They can be die-cut in any shape and size. Custom roll labels also work best for labels containing unique content per piece, such as bar codes or shipping labels.

3. Fan-Folded Labels

These pressure-sensitive custom labels are on a continuous backing sheet that folds along its perforations accordion style. This self-stacking format makes a great alternative to the roll format for shipping, address, and barcode labels.

Designing Your Own Labels

How do you come up with a label that will attract customers to choose your product? Here are some pointers.

1. Know Your Target Market and Existing Buyers

What’s your target demographic? It’s important to establish who your buyers are when designing your custom labels—and even your stickers and decals, for that matter. Determine their ages, gender, location, lifestyle, educational levels, income, values, and pain points or challenges that your product can solve. Listen to relevant feedback so you can personalize their experiences. Personalization is generally the difference between successful and disappointing campaigns.

Some relevant statistics to keep in mind:

• 56% of consumers become followers of a brand that “gets them” or understands their needs, and 89% choose to patronize a brand that shares their values.
• 64% of food shoppers spent more on products whose labels contained popular phrases such as “fresh,” “no sugar added,” “whole grain,” or “organic.”

2. Research the Competition

Examine and compare the attributes of your competitors’ marketing and branding materials, such as labels, flyers, stickers, and packaging. Take a close look at the color, typography, imagery, size, shape, and target demographic. What do consumers like and dislike about your competitors’ labels? What colors or other design elements are they drawn to? What are the major differences between your labels and theirs?

Take note of those elements that work well and brainstorm ways you can customize and improve them. Your custom labels should command attention when displayed side by side with similar products in-store. For e-commerce items, check if your labels will register well on the camera for photography and video shoots. You can also create custom shipping labels to elevate the look of plain cardboard packaging.

3. Determine the Essential Product Information to Include

Decide Your Information Hierarchy 

List down all the product details that you want your buyers to read on your label. Afterward, arrange them according to importance with the product name and brand name on top. For instance, in a food product, your brand’s logo, product’s weight, and other graphics should go in front. Meanwhile, instructions, expiry date, company’s contact information, and others can appear at the back.

In the image below, the brand’s logo, which includes its brand name and tagline, is on top of the label. The product’s name appears just below the brand’s logo. Its ingredients are listed in a smaller font and occupy the lower half of the label. The product’s net weight and storage instructions are printed at the bottom of the label, in a much smaller-sized font.

Meanwhile, this product’s back-of-pack label includes directions on how to prepare its contents. The company’s contact information, its country of origin, and bar code also appear there.

Highlight Your Unique Selling Point

Why would a customer want to buy your product instead of another brand? Research and create a profile of your leading competitors. See what your competitive advantage is over them so you can incorporate it in your selling point.

You also need to know what your target market needs and wants. Run a survey using your social channels or email questionnaires. Find out what your consumers’ pain points are and how your brand can help overcome them. After analyzing their feedback, you’ll be able to go beyond enumerating your product’s features or what it can offer. You can tell your buyers how your product can meet their needs and wants.

Below, the brand cited the benefits of its iremia oil burner blend on its rear label.

Include Legally Required Content

Check what your national, local, and industry laws state about the mandatory information that a custom label should carry.

In the United States, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act requires household items like cosmetics, cleaning products, and art materials to have storage and safe handling instructions. Thus, custom labels should carry signal words such as “poison”, “caution”, or “danger” and steps for first-aid treatment.

Food and beverage manufacturers are required to disclose the nutritional value and ingredients used in their products on the packaging. According to an American Heart Association survey, a majority of food shoppers (59%) always read packaged food labels before buying the product for the first time. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also expects manufacturers to list the allergens, additives, and other chemicals used. 

Many plastic and latex products, such as children’s toys with toy parts, should carry choking hazard warnings, according to the Consumer Safety Protection Commission.

Use Customer-Friendly Language

Again, knowing your target customers is important here. You can review social media comments and feedback to pick out the phrases they commonly use. Also, use the results of your surveys and questionnaires to know what words resonate with them.

Besides using easy-to-understand language, be honest about what your product contains. In the latest Innova Consumer Survey, transparency emerged as the top need among food shoppers. This means including the ingredients list in plain English, certifications, and in-depth nutritional information.

Provide Space for Your Barcode

Barcodes are now necessary in helping you keep track of your products, whether inside the warehouse or the store. Aside from shipping and inventory purposes, they also protect your products and brand from counterfeiters. You can also use barcodes for promotions to reward consumers and build loyalty.

4. Consider the Packaging Materials

There are several factors to think about when deciding on the type of material to use for your individually cut labels. The label material refers to the facestock or that which receives the printed text, image, and barcode.

Shipping Container Size and What It’s Made Of

Will you be sticking the label on cardboard boxes or glass, can, or plastic shipping containers? Does it have a solid color or is it transparent? And how large (or small) is it? You need to measure the surface onto which you will apply your label so you can get the right fit and pick the correct adhesive.

Printing and Finish

Pick a material that carries your preferred texture—matte or glossy—and can take the kind of coating or finish that you want it to have such as hot stamping, embossing, debossing, and others.

Environmental Factors

Your chosen material should stay durable throughout your product’s lifespan. What kind of environment will it be exposed to? UV light can fade out inks, while water exposure can cause the ink to smear or get washed off the label.

Products that are subject to extreme cold such as refrigerated food may need freezer-grade adhesives. Meanwhile, others that are exposed to heat, such as products you take with you outdoors, are prone to peel (label lift). Special equipment can remove condensation to prevent this problem or adhesives should be allowed to fully set 24 hours after application.

Some custom labels may need foam or tape to reduce friction, while labels placed on wearables may need skin-friendly applications to endure stretching and sweat.

5. Select Your Colors and Fonts

Amid the possibilities, it’s best to stick with your core brand colors to strengthen your brand’s identity and reduce the chance of counterfeiting. Also, it’s best to refer to the Pantone Matching System to determine how your brand colors will register on preferred label materials.

Color

Colors are typically associated with certain emotional or psychological responses:

• Green: Green symbolizes growth, a fresh start, health, nature, peace, and wealth. Its darker shades can imply wisdom and prosperity. It’s used by brands that are into organic food and pro-environment products. Some investment firms also use green as it stands for the color of money. Goes well with: blue, yellow.
• Blue: Like green, blue can evoke a sense of tranquility and openness. Many banks and communications firms use this color as it embodies intelligence, security, and reliability. It’s also found in many home cleaning products as it conveys a sense of tranquility and openness. Goes well with: green, yellow, red, and orange.
• Red: Red exudes excitement, warmth, and strength. Brighter shades can stand for high energy while burgundy, maroon, and darker shades can represent elegance. Many food and beverage brands include this color in their packaging. Goes well with: yellow, black, blue, white, and green.
• Orange: Orange also radiates vitality and a sense of adventure but by a notch or so lower than red. It’s also linked to confidence, creativity, friendliness, and innovation. Innovators, technology, sports, recreation, and home improvement brands carry this color. Goes well with: blue, black, and white.
• Yellow: Yellow stands for joy, clarity, optimism, and youth. It’s recommended for children’s products, bath and body items, candle brands, and honey distributors. But it’s also ideal for warning labels and products containing powerful chemicals. Goes well with: red, blue, and black.
• Purple: Purple suggests nobility, luxury, and ambition. It’s also associated with youth, creativity, and spirituality. Several creative startups have opted to use this color, and so have some beverage companies for their wine bottles. It’s also found on custom labels of some anti-aging and high-end skincare products. Goes well with: yellow, blue (when mixed with deep purple).
• Pink: Pink is the color of romance, softness, serenity, and fantasy. Many skincare and beauty business brands tap this color. Goes well with: blue (when combined with baby pink), black.
• Black: Black evokes power, sophistication, solemnity, or mystery. It’s a popular choice among liquor brands and candlemakers. Goes well with: white, yellow.
• White: White represents simplicity, cleanliness, and innocence. It can also stir up feelings of lightness or reverence for what’s supernatural or sacred. The color is a common preference among medicinal, health and beauty, and household brands. Goes well with nearly any color.
• Gray: Gray indicates neutrality, balance, and professionalism. Information and technology, architecture, and industrial circles favor this color. Goes well with: brown.
• Brown: Brown creates feelings of comfort and dependability. Organic products as well as tea, coffee, and chocolate brands include this in their brand colors. Goes well with: purple, gray.

As a general principle, the darker the hues, the more serious your message is compared to bright and fun shades.

Typography

Just like in color selection, the fonts you choose for your custom labels should resonate with your brand. There are mainly four basic types of fonts:

• Sans serif: These fonts don’t have “feet.” A few examples are Arial, Helvetica, Century Gothic, and Corbel.
• Serif: These traditional fonts have feet. Examples include Times New Roman, Garamond, Georgia, and Baskerville.
• Slab serif: Although not very popular, these fonts have thick and bold serifs like Rockwell, Memphis, and Soho.
• Script: Examples of these cursive or handwriting-like fonts are Freestyle Script, Lavanderia, and Yellowtail. The upper case of “Unreadable” script fonts like Precious and Shathika can be used as the first letters of paragraphs.
• Display: Inspired by handcrafted signs and calligraphy, display or decorative fonts are best used for headings instead of body copy. Algerian, Pinewood, and Monoton are examples of display fonts.

To ensure you pick the appropriate font for your product labels, it should:

• Reflect the qualities of your product and brand voice. You can select chunky and loud fonts for fun and affordable products. Meanwhile, clean, light, and delicate or formal-looking fonts are suitable for high-end products.
• Appeal to your target demographic
• Meet regulatory standards, clearly presenting product benefits and instructions
• Work well with your graphics

While you can choose between classic and more cursive fonts for your product names and front-of-the-package details, it’s best to use simple but legible fonts for the rest of the product information such as ingredients list and directions for use.

When you come across a font that you like while browsing the web, you can discover its name by using online font finder tools.

6. Use High-Resolution Images

When preparing artwork to use or submit to your label printing service provider, choose images with a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch. Avoid pulling images uploaded on a website as they’re usually low-resolution and will look blurred when printed.

7. Conduct a Test Survey

You can work with a market research firm to hold a label test survey so you can tweak or further customize its design or content, depending on the feedback, before launching a full custom label printing run.

Set Your Brand Apart with Stunning Custom Labels

The team of creatives at Refine Packaging can turn your design ideas into reality, creating beautiful customized labels that will delight your customers and build brand affinity, all at a reasonable price for your business.  

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote on your custom packaging needs. We’ll support you in creating personalized labels that convey your brand’s unique personality, have amazing social appeal, and protect your product no matter where it travels.

The post Custom Labels: Essential Guide on Types and Design for Printing appeared first on Refine Packaging.

Custom box inserts may be just what you’re looking for. 

Custom packaging inserts can be made from a variety of materials like cardboard, foam, and fungi. These stylish and practical inserts can be custom-sized to fit your unique products.  

You can use packaging inserts to ship all kinds of products. Want to give that bottle of wine a little added padding? Have a plant you need to send? A custom insert will hold them securely, so they arrive at the recipient safe and sound. Even large and heavy items can get added protection when nestled in a custom insert.

Custom inserts not only cradle your precious cargo, so they get to their destination in one piece. They can also give your packaging that wow factor. Custom inserts can take your customers’ unboxing experience from ho-hum to something they’re eager to share with friends word-of-mouth and the world through social media. 

So, let’s get started! Here’s everything you need to know about custom boxes and inserts. 

Types of Custom Inserts

There are items you can place in a box and send off without putting any thought into it.  However, you give your customers a lackluster experience when they open that box. 

Also, most products need some sort of added protection to ensure their safe arrival. This is where void fill options come in handy. Examples like packing peanuts, crinkle paper, PE foam, and air pillows protect your products and help boost their presentation. 

These are all great options for certain products and in certain situations. But sometimes, you want to add something a little extra to make your customers’ experience much more special.  

Enter custom packaging inserts. 

Custom inserts keep the cargo safe from damage during shipping as they fit the exact specifications of your products. More importantly, they add style to the packaging and help you achieve your branding goals. They’re also not limited to securing the actual products. You can use inserts as trays or dividers.

But what type of packaging insert is right for you? 

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First, you must choose what sort of material you must use for your custom inserts. Each material has its characteristics that add to the presentation of the product packaging. 

Also, coming up with the best custom packaging depends on the product you’re putting in the box. Each product requires different ways to keep it safe during delivery. You can’t just use any material for your packaging inset and expect the product to arrive at the destination without any damages.

According to studies, product damage is the cause of 34% of customer returns related to packaging. So, you can’t afford to lose more than a quarter of your sales due to negligence.

It’s also important to keep in mind the company vibe you want to reflect. If your company mission statement centers around sustainability and environmental causes, use eco-friendly materials for your packaging inserts. 

Last, your budget will also play a part in what type of insert you choose.

To give you a summary of the different kinds of custom boxes, below is a handy table for your reference:

Now, let’s take a look at common materials used for custom inserts: 

Paperboard Inserts

Not all inserts need to be heavy-duty. Sometimes products don’t need much protection, but you’d still like to have an appealing presentation.

Paperboard inserts won’t give you maximum protection, but they’re a great choice for carton boxes and invitation boxes. They’ll keep your products in place and add to an overall pleasing presentation.

Paper stock is also good for small, lightweight items, such as beauty products or stationery. These inserts usually come in natural kraft color or white. Finally, there’s plenty of opportunities to add your branding, such as colors, logo, and message, suitable as paperboards are easy to print on.

Corrugated Inserts

Another affordable option is corrugated cardboard inserts and boxes. They’re heavier duty than the paperboard inserts and offer more protection. You might see these used in a box to separate fragile items like bottles.  

As you can see in the below image, Fuego Box uses custom inserts to display their hot sauce bottles beautifully and to prevent the bottles from spilling into each other. No one wants to open a box to find glass shards and sauce strewn around.

As with the kraft paper inserts, you can also easily print on corrugated cardboard. So feel free to add a message or use a brand color.

Rigid Chipboard Inserts

Rigid chipboard inserts are made from reinforced cardboard, making them good for shipping and protecting fragile items like ornaments or perfume bottles.

They’re also great for keeping products separated, so they don’t rattle into each other.  And since the design is pretty solid, this type of divider might be reused by customers to store other items down the road. 

Foam Inserts

Foam inserts are best for protecting fragile items like glass, camera lenses, and jewelry from scratches and scuffs. 

This foam padding type is made up of pre-scored squares that you can simply take out to fit your product. Since it eliminates the need for die-cutting, it’s a more affordable option. At the same time, these inserts are also super-lightweight and help decrease your shipping costs.

If you have different size products or have a smaller budget, “pick and pluck foam,” is an alternative to the die-cut foam inserts.  

Pulp Packaging Inserts

Pulp packaging inserts can be used for fragile items because they offer a lot of protection. Molded pulp inserts are made from recyclable and biodegradable materials like cardboard, sugarcane, bamboo, and other natural fibers. A perfect example of this packaging insert type is an egg carton.

Pulp packaging is highly versatile and comes in different shapes or sizes. They can even support heavy items like wine bottles. When empty, you can stack these inserts on top of each other to help you save storage space.

Mushroom Packaging

If you want to go further on the sustainability front, packaging made with mushrooms is the way. This packaging can be molded to fit just about any product, from cosmetic to CBD.  

For example, Ecovative Design’s Mushroom Packaging can be grown in only seven days and made from hemp hurds and mycelium.

Their packaging is 100% biodegradable so that you won’t be adding to the overfilling landfills. And you can even add it to your home’s compost pile.  

Molded Plastic

This packaging type is made from natural or synthetic materials with a polymeric structure, making it easy to mold when softened. Common examples of molded plastic include soda bottles, lids of takeout coffee cups, and water bottles.

Molded plastics were popular back in the day due its durability and cost-effectiveness. However, its non-biodegradable nature makes it harmful to the environment. 

Out of the 8.3 billion tons of plastic created between 1950 and 2015, only 9% has been recycled. Its effect on marine life has been devastating. This is a large reason why people are more conscious about using less plastic as much as possible. 

Coming Up with the Structural Design

Custom packaging inserts mean they’re specially made to fit your products and beautifully reflect your company vibe.  However, ensuring you get the right fit and look will take a little work on your end.  

First, it’s essential to determine the exact dimensions of the products you want to place in the insert. If you have a somewhat regular-shaped item, like a candle, or something cube-shaped, simply measure and share its dimensions with the manufacturer.  

But how about for odd-shaped items like drills, cameras, or game controllers? They have all kinds of nooks and crannies that make it challenging to get precise measurements. If the opening is too big, the item will fall out. Too small and it won’t fit. The insert is supposed to cradle your item just right to keep it safe and attractively displayed.  

In some cases, you may need to send the physical product to the manufacturer to get the measurements right. From there, they can build the insert around the product.

Also, avoid over-engineering your custom insert. You want it to offer the protection your items need, but you don’t want to add unnecessary weight or bulk to your packaging.

On top of ensuring the right fit for your products, you must also consider the fulfillment side of things. Cardboard inserts are usually made and stored flat, then folded into shape, and placed in the box.  Someone or something (if you’re using automated machinery) must put the inserts in all of those custom boxes.

While fulfillment should be easy, common issues you may encounter include receiving the wrong package due to poor shipping management. Getting your inserts printed and shipped by a reliable fulfillment center is key to a hassle-free delivery.

Also, you don’t want to frustrate customers with their unboxing experience. Make sure that taking the items out of the insert is as easy as possible for customers. 

Also, consider how your customers will dispose of this packaging. Is it easy to break down? Easy to recycle? Most people don’t want to fill their trash cans with excess packaging. 

Custom Printing and other Design Elements

Inserts don’t have to be a drab brown color unless that’s the look you’re going for. In fact, your insert doesn’t have to match the outside of the mailer box. Feel free to give your customers a little surprise inside. 

You can pick a bold color, print your logo or catchphrase, or write a message to your customers like a simple “thank you.”

Here are three of the leading printing techniques for paperboard or corrugated material:

1. Flexographic printing (or Flexo): This process stamps a non-photo quality design onto the cardboard material.  Since it works well on smooth and rougher surfaces, it’s a good choice for printing on corrugated material. And it’s a good option for large quantities.
2. Digital Printing: This newer printing technology uses the CMYK ink spectrum, giving you a wide choice of colors. Digital printing prints the design line-by-line so you can get photo quality. This process is more cost-effective for small batches, and it has a quick turnaround.
3. Lithographic printing (or Litho): The design is printed onto a label, and then that layer is stuck onto the cardboard.  Litho printing can give a premium look to your packaging.  You can add things like foil details and emboss with this method.  Litho is a good choice for large quantities of premium packaging. 

You can also choose what kind of coating and lamination you’d like for your inserts. Do you want to go for a glossy look? Or maybe a matte finish is more in tune with your brand. 

Get as fancy or simple as you want. Just make sure it ties in with your overall branding goals to delight your customers. 

Benefits of Custom Inserts

As seen above, there are tons of options for custom inserts. It’s now a matter of planning for the right materials and design elements for your custom insert design.

The extra time and effort you may need to invest in coming up with a custom insert design can have big-time benefits.  

Let’s take a closer look at some of the advantages of going with custom box inserts: 

Robust Product Protection

The most important job of your packaging is to ensure your goods arrive in one piece.  

The last thing you want is for your customer to open a box and find out that the special wine glass or new camera lens is shattered into pieces.

It doesn’t matter how great your products are or how pretty your packaging presentation is. If your products arrive broken, your customers will not be happy. And this incident could create a bad lasting impression about your brand that could lead to lost revenue.

Custom inserts are designed to secure and protect your products inside the box that they’re shipped in. They’ll effectively secure your unique products, no matter their shape or size or how many they are.

Presentation

Custom inserts can give your packaging a polished look that customers will take notice of. They can present your items in a way that makes your products the focal point. 

A beautiful presentation can lead to immense marketing benefits. For example, unboxing videos are pretty popular nowadays. In fact, the time people have spent watching unboxing videos from their phones is equivalent to watching “Love Actually” more than 20 million times. And most of the time spent on these videos is about the packaging of the product.

Also, many influencers, and even your everyday customers, have taken to sharing pretty packages on social media channels, such as Instagram and Pinterest.

Finally, according to surveys, 72% of Americans agree that packaging can influence their purchasing decision. In the case of e-commerce and retail, looks matter.

Amplify Your Brand Recognition

Custom package inserts can help customers take notice of your brand. You can add your logo to the insert or use your brand colors. You can even keep branding to a minimum to achieve a raw and bare look.

No matter what style you choose, giving your customers a thoughtful, high-end experience through your packaging will make your brand more memorable and excite your customers.  

And why is building brand loyalty so important? Consider this:

• 43% of customers spend more money on brands they are loyal to. (Fundera)
• 94% of people said they’d be highly likely to recommend a brand they were emotionally engaged with. (Genler)
• 48% of consumers report that they are more likely to become loyal to a brand during the first purchase or experience. (G2)
• 50% of shoppers say they’re more likely to recommend a product with branded packaging. (BusinessLoad)

Custom packaging inserts are a great way to pump up customer loyalty. Not leveraging your packaging to get your brand noticed potentially leaves a lot of money on the table. 

The Environmental Angle

Environmental concerns are on top of the consumers’ minds, and this includes packaging.  No one wants to contribute to landfills or have a giant carbon footprint.

Recent research conducted about sustainability concludes the following:

• 74% of those surveyed would pay more for sustainable packaging, and nearly one-fourth are willing to pay for an increased cost of 10 percent or more.

• 60% of consumers say they are less likely to buy a product in harmful packaging.

The bottom line is that the friendlier your packaging is to the environment, the better.

Inserts made from paper or cardboard are not only easy to recycle but also sustainable. Look for manufacturers who use responsible forestry.

Want to go a step further? Try inserts made from organic material like fungi.  Not only are they super sustainable, but they’re even home compostable.  Who would have thought discarded packaging could help grow a garden?

A Few Potential Drawbacks

As with everything, there are some potential drawbacks to going with custom box inserts. Ironically, many of their cons are what make custom inserts so special. There are three main disadvantages:

• It’s a custom design: On one hand, custom design will make your brand stand out. On the other hand, unlike stock packaging, they’re going to take longer to complete. You can’t grab these inserts off the shelf or put your order in and expect the product the next day. 
• These inserts are product-specific: Sure, this means they’ll offer optimum protection and fit your products like a glove.  But, if you sell a bunch of different products, this may be problematic. Coming up with custom inserts for hundreds of unique products could prove to be a logistical nightmare.
• They’re more expensive than many other void-fill alternatives: As with all of your packaging needs, you need to keep your budget in mind.  Custom inserts might not fit your bottom line today, but they may be something to consider in the future. 

A Little Inspiration

The eCommerce industry generated an estimated $839 billion in sales last year, which increased over 40% from the year before. But there’s a lot of competition out there.  Everyone is trying to claw their way to the top.

So, what can you do to get your products noticed?

It’s going to take a little effort on your part to keep your current customers and attract new ones. Beautiful packaging, including custom inserts, is one way to do that.  

Let’s take a closer look at how some companies are using custom box inserts to enhance their customers’ experiences:

Warby Parker

Finding that perfect pair of eyeglasses that look just right on your face can be a real chore.  That’s why online prescription eyeglass retailer Warby Parker introduced a program where they’ll send out five free pairs of glasses. Decide which one (or ones) you’d like to keep and send the rest back.

Since glasses are fragile, they require extra care when mailing them out. Warby Parker uses a corrugated box with insert dividers to keep the glasses separated and ding-free.

Ritual Vitamins

Ritual is an online multivitamin retailer that developed itself into an Instagram darling.  So you know presentation is important to them including with their packaging.

In the above example, Ritual uses its signature bright yellow color for an eye-catching insert. This color is found splashed across their website, so including it in their packaging reinforces their brand identity. 

Cupcakes

Cupcakes aren’t just for little kids’ birthday parties anymore. In recent years, all kinds of boutique cupcake shops have sprung up across the country, lending these once humble little cakes an air of sophistication.

But nothing less unflattering than a smooshed cupcake. These delicate little cakes need protection. Custom inserts can ensure these tasty morsels make it home looking as good as they did on the bakery shelf. 

Winestyr 

More people are enjoying the ease of ordering their wine, especially since the pandemic. But can you imagine the mess a shattered wine bottle would unleash upon delivery? Talk about a way to lose customers fast! 

Winestyr is fully aware of this. As an online purveyor of artisanal wines, you can join their wine club or order premium gifts. Since their whole business is about shipping out their product to customers, they have their packaging dialed in.

In the above example, they have three wine bottles nestled in a cardboard insert. The insert both protects the bottles and nicely presents them.

Esquire Beast Box

Esquire needs no introduction, but its new subscription gift box does. Named “Beast Box,” it contains various men’s grooming products, in line with Esquire’s branding.

The box insert has different-sized sections for each of the products included. Also, the understated color scheme exudes masculinity, which is just what you’d expect from the brand.  

Pirells Innovative

Here’s a concept design from Pirells Innovative for a premium watch box. The monochrome color complements the simple yet elegant design. The pattern made on the mailer box and the inside insert are made by cutting the black paper, which gives it a unique, memorable look.

When you pop open this box and find a watch lying on the insert, the overall presentation oozes luxury and sophistication. 

Tait Design

You wouldn’t expect a design studio to skimp on presentation, and Tait Design does not disappoint. 

The hot pink cardboard box for their yo-yo matches the printing color on the outside of the box. It pulls the whole look together and makes a “child’s” toy feel unique and fancy.

Get People Talking with Memorable Custom Packaging Box Inserts

Custom box inserts can take your packaging from unremarkable to something that gets people talking. Packaging inserts are only one component of your overall marketing arsenal, but they can build trust, increase brand recognition, and enhance your customers’ overall experience. 

Custom box inserts will protect your goods and make them look good. They’re made from various materials, so you can find one that reflects your company’s values. What’s not to love?

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

The post Ultimate Guide to Custom Packaging Inserts appeared first on Refine Packaging.

A lot happens in the first few seconds after a package is delivered. When your customer first lays eyes on the box you’ve sent to them, you have an opportunity to trigger an emotional reaction. Play your cards right, and you can delight your customer, reinforce your message, and build brand affinity. Alternatively, if your packaging supplies and boxes aren’t up to scratch, your customer may feel frustrated, underwhelmed, and less likely to order from you again.

These days, it’s simply not enough to just deliver a package safely. Of course, this is of paramount importance, but it’s really the bare minimum and now expected. What’s needed today is customization. 

In the 2021 fiscal year, FedEx Express delivered an amazing 6.6 million packages each day. You may be an online shopper yourself. Just think back to the amount of packages you’ve ordered over the last few months. Chances are, the e-commerce packages that stood out from the crowd are the ones that were customized. 

This is because a premium look and feel, plus clever branding, has the power to build relationships between e-commerce brands and their customers. In the absence of physical stores and face-to-face customer service, your shipping boxes are more than just a safety measure; they’re a creative medium that can be harnessed for communications and marketing. 

Still not convinced? Think about the growing number of unboxing videos and posts on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Then there’s the research by experts, which shows just how much consumers value thoughtful, customized packaging: 

• 72% of American consumers say their purchasing decision is influenced by the packaging design. (Ipsos)
• 61% say they are much more likely to repeat a purchase of a luxury product if it came in premium packaging. (Dotcom Distribution)
• 40% of consumers will share an image of your packaging on social media if it was unique or branded. (Dotcom Distribution)

Unboxing the Magic of Packaging with Custom Shipping Boxes

Leading e-commerce players are those who understand the magic of an end-to-end customer experience. Sure, you have a great website, but the customer’s retail experience isn’t over until your product is safely shipped into the hands of your customer. Factors like product quality, competitive prices, fast checkout and shipping, and a good online customer service team play an important role, but the unboxing experience is also crucial. 

In fact, a wondrous unboxing experience can be the difference between a one-off customer and a loyal brand advocate. While it’s tempting to keep costs as low as possible and go for the cheapest packaging options from a financial perspective, this doesn’t bode well with consumers.

According to GfK, consumers value brands with a premium look and feel. In fact, they’re more likely to buy less products that are higher-quality than more products that are of low quality. 

When your product arrives, the packaging instantly gives a first impression to your consumers. A plain cardboard box can look cheap and thoughtless, which is the opposite of the premium quality that today’s consumers crave. 

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On the other hand, when your products arrive in bespoke, carefully designed custom shipping boxes, you demonstrate to your customer that you’ve put thought into the shopping experience and care about your brand. 

Plus, your designs can go beyond just being eye-catching and pretty; they can tell your brand story. With the right typography and messaging, your custom shipping boxes can become another key vehicle in your marketing strategy. 

It’s clear that by customizing shipping boxes, brands can improve their relationships with customers and boost both marketing and sales efforts.

Is a Shipping Box Right for My Business? 

Of course, a shipping box isn’t the only way you can get your products to your customers. There are other options, too, like the mailing envelope.  

Mailers are a good choice for lightweight, robust items like clothing or jewelry that is already packaged in a gift box. You don’t need to pick between mailing envelopes and shipping boxes, though. Depending on the products you offer, you may choose to use a mailing envelope for smaller items and a shipping box for larger ones. 

To help you understand the pros and cons of each shipping container, we’ve created a handy table below that gets into the details. 

Mailing Envelopes vs Shipping Boxes

Once you’ve made up your mind between mailers and a shipping box, it’s time to move to the next stage. 

Types of Boxes and Box Style to Consider

You know you’d like to use custom shipping boxes to delight your customers. Now, it’s time to think about the type of box to go for. Generally speaking, there are six main kinds of custom shipping boxes, designed to accommodate different products. Take a look at the main types below. 

• Regular Slotted Container: Think of regular slotted containers as the traditional, common box. It’s likely that most of the packages you receive come in these types of boxes. This is because regular slotted containers are versatile, reliable, and come in a wide variety of sizes, making them ideal for a range of products. Regular slotted containers have a simple design, making them easy to manufacture with little waste.
• Full Overlap Container: A full overlap container is like the sister of the regular slotted container. The one main difference is that the flaps in a full overlap container overlap one another to completely cover the box’s width. This gives the box another layer of thickness, which provides more padding and safety. For products that are more fragile, the full overlap container is a great option. Again, it comes in many sizes. 
• Full Telescope Containers: Full telescope containers are an unusual shape. They’re usually the length of a telescope, which is where they get their name from. They’re made from two slotted regular banks that are placed together. This gives the box layered edges, making them sturdy and strong. The long, rectangular shape of full telescope containers makes them perfect for products like magazines, newspapers, and even artwork. The shape of these types of containers could be instrumental in making a brand statement. 
• Wraparound Blank: The wraparound blank is pretty much like a regular slotted container box but switched sideways. These custom boxes are usually used for rigid products that will fit snugly within the wraparound blank, making for a tight, protective fit. Wraparound blanks are typically packaged using a robotic machine, which is great from an efficiency and productivity standpoint. Usually, these custom shipping boxes are used for perishable products like food and wine, as well as home and personal care items.
• One-Piece Folder Box: The one-piece folder box is for items that are slim and shallow. This box uses one piece of cardboard, creating a smooth bottom. The flaps of this piece of the cardboard are used to create the top of the box, and also broken up into side flaps. One-piece folder boxes are easy to assemble, making them convenient for small businesses to use and store. They’re often used for shipping books, magazines, artworks, or picture frames.
• Five-Panel Folders: Five-panel folder boxes are made from corrugated box material. They are created using a single piece of cardboard that is divided into panels. The fifth of these panels is used as the closing flap, which functions to seal the box. Usually, these boxes are used to ship long, slim items like metal rails. Because of their unusual shape, they’re less likely to be used for e-commerce products.

Once you know the kinds of boxes out there, the next question is: How do you create an amazing custom shipping box strategy at the right price? Here are five things you need to know.

1. Size Matters

Before you can start customizing your bulk shipping boxes, you need to first think of the basics, starting with size. 

If your shipping box sizes aren’t right, not only will they cost more, but your items could end up being damaged if the box isn’t properly filled. Plus, it’s well-known that online shoppers hate waste. In fact, 88% of U.S. and U.K. consumers want brands to be environmentally friendly and use sustainable materials. So if your box is too big and overfilled with non-recyclable filling, your customers won’t be happy.

Not only that, but a too large or too small box demonstrates a lack of care and thought,  which relates back to the premium look and feel concept we mentioned earlier. If a customer’s first impression of your brand is that your custom shipping boxes are tatty and poorly packaged, you need to do a better job.

To decide what size box you need, assess the needs of your company, and take the time to analyze your products. The box you choose will need to tightly fit them inside but leave some room for padding to minimize the likelihood of product damage during handling, storage, and shipping. This will also help reduce shipping costs. Generally speaking, the smaller and lighter the box, the lower the cost of transport. 

As mentioned previously, if your products are small enough, then you may want to consider customized mailers. These sleekly designed packages do exactly what they say on the tin: They arrive in the mail. You’ll often see these kinds of packages used for subscription boxes. 

If your business needs a shipping service to move your products, then your next best bets are shipping cartons or cardboard shipping boxes, assuming that your products are not fragile or delicate. If this is the case, then the best choice is corrugated shipping boxes, which are more robust and sturdy. 

2. The Look and Feel

Once you’ve got the size and type of packaging figured out, it’s time to get to the fun part: design. A sense of style and flair for design can turn a plain rectangular box into a marketing superstar. 

Creating a customized shipping box goes beyond just graphics and colors. You can consider textures and finishing options, too. You want your box to best represent your brand and your products. Every choice you make has the potential to be a statement. 

The first thing to consider is the texture of your packaging. Depending on your brand values and colors, this could be anything from embossed gold to kraft-feel brown, or even a luxurious leather texture. When it comes to textures and the whole design process, this is an opportunity to let your creativity go wild. So choose the right material and create something spectacular that wows a variety of customer types. 

As an example, take a look at Earth Fare’s eye-catching customized packaging. The company’s eco-friendly packaging instantly conveys the brand’s values as a natural, ethical company.

However, you don’t have to stick with neutral cardboard brown. You can customize your boxes’ colors so that they are in line with brand guidelines. You can also decide if you want the color finish to be glossy or matte. It’s worth remembering that different colors and textures need to be carefully combined to make sure you get the look you want. We advise experimenting before you commit and order your custom shipping boxes in bulk. 

3. The Custom Box Design

We’ve already mentioned brand guidelines, and the design element of custom shipping boxes is where these come to the forefront. Your logo, typography, artwork, company strap-line, and more can come into play here. After all, customized shipping boxes are an excellent marketing vehicle. 

It’s likely that your social media pages and websites are exploding with your brand tone of voice, and it should be on your packaging, too. Your custom shipping boxes are a storytelling opportunity, a way to build affinity with customers. Tell them something they didn’t know about your company, and make them feel special. What you write—or don’t write—is important. 

Think about your brand and its values: Are you subtle and elegant, loud and proud, or colorful but modest? Once you’ve narrowed down a few words to define your brand, it’s time to think about how the design of your customized shipping box can reflect this.

For example, if your brand is eco-friendly and values minimalism, you may want to go for a crisp kraft paper with a small amount of lettering in a delicate typography. Alternatively, if your brand is exuberant and colorful, then you may want colored cardboard, decorated with different patterns. 

Keep in mind that small boxes have limited room. For example, if you’re a cosmetics brand and are only delivering a single product, it’s likely you’ll only need small boxes. However, this doesn’t mean you need to skimp on the design. Instead, think of how you can make the most of the space you have to make an impact. 

After you’ve got the design sorted, it’s time to think about printing options. The option you choose takes price into consideration, but it’s also worth thinking about the intricacy of your design. There are three main print methods to consider:       

• Flexographic/direct printing: This is perfect for high-quality printing of basic designs, featuring a maximum of three colors. This option is cost-effective and produces a beautiful, professional-looking finish in your custom shipping boxes. 
• Lithographic printing: This is great for more intricate designs or those that incorporate photography. Lithographic printing is often considered as the highest caliber in terms of quality, although it is more expensive, especially if you need a large quantity.  
• Digital printing: This is a more basic form of printing that can even be performed from home. It’s cheaper but also produces low-quality prints. If you’re on a budget or think your designs may change, then digital is a great option to start with. 

4. Customize Your Box From The Inside Out

You’ve mastered the exterior design of your custom shipping boxes and you’re sure it will wow your customers. Now, it’s time to think about how you can continue the wow factor once the box is opened. 

The inside of your shipping boxes are a continuation of your brand story. You can design the interior of your box just as you would the outside, with typography and brand colors that continue to tell your story. 

Aside from the box itself, think about the interiors that surround your product—the filing. While bubble wrap and styrofoam are traditional packaging cushions, they aren’t the most exciting or ingenious. However, with a little bit of thought and creativity, you can turn your packaging cushioning into another tactic in your customization strategy.

For example, if you use packing peanuts, you could consider changing the color and shape so that they represent your brand. Alternatively, you could consider using colored tissue paper to add a sense of luxury to the unboxing experience. 

Aside from cushioning, it’s a good idea to think about how else you can make the unboxing experience YouTube-worthy. If you’re a small company, you could perhaps include personalized, handwritten notes to make your customers feel special and show the care that goes into packaging your products. Details like stickers, newsletters, ribbons, and free samples are also a great way to make the unboxing experience feel even more rewarding for your customer. 

5. Outside the Box

When it comes to sealing your custom boxes, there are two main kinds of tape to consider. There’s water-activated tape and pressure-sensitive tape. 

• Water-activated tape is a type of paper tape that incorporates a water-based chemical. When you put the tape on the carton, a chemical reaction is triggered, which strongly bonds the tape to the box. This makes water-activated tape extremely strong and almost tamper-proof. It’s also great for keeping products safe in even the roughest conditions, as the tape’s bonding measures mean it’s difficult for water to get into the box. 
• Pressure-sensitive tape, by comparison, uses a sticky adhesive substance, which sticks to the box when it’s rolled on. This is the kind of tape you’ll be familiar with in everyday life; it’s used in sellotape and masking tape, for example. Pressure-sensitive tape isn’t as strong and robust as water-activated tape. However, for small items and small businesses, it is good enough to do the trick, especially if your items are durable. 

Finally, after all the work you’ve put into creating amazing custom boxes, you should tell the world about them. Display your beautiful boxes with promotional products in them on social media, and share posts from customers who do, too. Ultimately, your customized shipping boxes can become another part of your content marketing strategy, helping you attract new customers and ensure your current ones keep returning. 

Logistics, Logistics, Logistics

A custom shipping box strategy doesn’t start and end with the box. There’s the whole process of getting your beautiful packaging in the hands of your happy customer. In the world of e-commerce, your price strategy for shipments can be a competitive differentiator. 

Free shipping, same-day shipping, and next-day shipping are all huge plusses. However, your choices need to make financial sense. If your model isn’t profitable, then this could cause long-term damage to your business’s revenue stream. 

Here’s an overview of the most common shipping methods for your custom shipping boxes, and how they could work for your company. 

Free Shipping

Did you know that 90% of consumers would increase their online shopping spending if they could select free shipping? However, while shipping may be free to the end consumer, it won’t be free for your business. There will always be costs involved.

Free shipping can be a viable option for many companies though. It’s all about the tactics you employ to strike a balance. For example, you could make the prices of your products more expensive to account for the cost of free shipping. Alternatively, you could strategically add the cost of free shipping into your financial planning and deduct it from your revenue. 

There are other options, too. Rather than offering free shipping across the board, you could run special sales, such as during the summer or Black Friday, in which free shipping is advertised for a short time. Another tactic is to offer free shipping for orders over a certain price. 

Charge Up-to-Date Carrier Rates

A more straightforward method is to align your shipping prices with real-time rates from suppliers like FedEx and USPS. If you’re savvy, you could even offer your customers a range of choices from different suppliers, enabling them to choose the option that works best for them. 

Some may wish to go for the cheaper option that takes a little longer to deliver. Other customers may want their product as soon as possible and so are willing to pay a little more for quick delivery. This transparency and the power of choice can go a long way toward making happy customers. 

Charge a Flat Rate

Another popular choice is what’s known as flat rate shipping. This is where you select a standard rate for shipping. Often, the rate is cheaper for a few days delivery and more expensive if the customer chooses next-day delivery. Flat rate delivery puts you in control and can be helpful from a financial planning sense, as you won’t have to incur the cost of free delivery. 

That said, flat rate shipping doesn’t take into account fluctuations in dimensional pricing, so if your products vary greatly in size, it could be a risky option.

Offer Pickup Options 

Another option to consider is offering pick-up delivery options, either curbside, store, or locker deliveries. This option can be viewed as more sustainable by end consumers, as it drops a number of parcels often at a central delivery point rather than delivering them to individual addresses. 

However, pickup options are often less convenient for the customer, unless the pickup spot is right down the road from their office or home. For this reason, we recommend offering pickup options in addition to one of the strategies above. 

Keep Your Products Memorable and Secure with Custom Shipping Boxes

You may be thinking, “This all sounds great, but where can I get customized shipping boxes?” Don’t fret because you’re in the right place. At Refine Packaging, our bread and butter is helping brands create customized packaging for all kinds of products. 

We understand that designing custom size shipping boxes in bulk can be a daunting, overwhelming task, which is why our friendly, experienced team is on hand to make the entire production process smooth, rewarding, and simple. 

Our team of creatives can turn your design ideas into reality, creating beautiful cardboard printed boxes that will delight your customers and build brand affinity, all at a reasonable price for your business.  

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote on your custom shipping box needs. We’ll support you in creating custom shipping boxes that convey your brand’s unique personality, have amazing social appeal, and protect your product no matter where it travels.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Custom Shipping Boxes appeared first on Refine Packaging.

And whether they’re located in South Korea, Afghanistan, or Germany – you can bet that they’d all love to have a little slice of home shipped to them.

Whether you have a loved one serving overseas, or you just want to show your appreciation to all of the brave men and women, who put their lives on the line for our protection – a care package is a great way to go.

A thoughtful delivery will bring a little comfort to those in far-off lands.

Of course, there are some logistics to making sure your care package arrives in one piece and makes it to its intended recipient.  

Here are 9 tips to ensure the safe delivery of your goodies to those in the military:

#1 Check Shipping Regulations

First off, you need to be aware of what you can’t ship.

Some things should be no-brainers, such as alcohol, animals, explosives, and illegal substances.  But also keep in mind that some tobacco, pornography, nail polish, perfume containing alcohol, lithium batteries, fruits/vegetables, and live plants are also a no go.  

The USPS has a helpful list of international guidelines and limitations by country. When in doubt, it’s probably a good idea to keep it out.

There are restrictions that apply specifically to military personnel, so it’s important to know those as well.  

Some items are not accepted in certain countries because of cultural reasons. Not every country has the same rules, so it will depend on where the service member is stationed.  

For instance, you may be able to send that jerky to a soldier in Germany, but if it contains pork, don’t try and ship it to Afghanistan.

#2 Research What Soldiers Want

The whole point of shipping goods to service members is to give them something they actually want.

Obviously, soldiers’ needs are going to depend on where they’re stationed. You may think that handknit sweater is gorgeous, but it may not be of much use to a soldier in Iraq in the middle of summer.  

A cursory search on the internet shows that items like sunscreen, toiletries, and magazines tend to be a hit.

#3 Wrap Items Individually

If you’re preparing a care package, you’re likely filling it with different types of items. You may be shipping energy bars, sunglasses, boots, and toothpaste. It doesn’t make sense to haphazardly throw all of these in one custom box as one big mass.

Plastic bags with zip locks are a great way to keep small items together, contain odors, and keep things dry. As a bonus, service members can reuse these bags.

Be especially careful to package food items separately from things like toiletries.  Because, seriously, who wants to eat candy with a shampoo aftertaste?

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#4 Take Care of Expensive Items

Unfortunately, theft is a concern – even on military bases.  

A good idea is to seal up your box with stickers or tape so the intended recipient will know if someone tampered with it.

It’s also helpful to include a list of the contents inside the box, so they’ll know if something’s missing. If your items are particularly expensive, consider insurance.

#5 It All Starts With the Box

A strong box is your first line of defense in protecting what’s inside.

You want to get the right size.

You don’t want your items swimming inside, but you want to leave room for padding.

Once you have your items in the box, tape up the package to make it even stronger.

#6 Secure the Items Inside the Box

If you’re going to the trouble of shipping something across the globe, you want to make sure it arrives in one piece.  

Your heart may be in the right place but if a soldier opens up a box containing a bunch of broken bits, they’re not going to be happy.

Here are a few steps you can take to ensure everything arrives intact:

• Make sure the items fit snugly. You don’t want a lot of excess space in the box.
• Use padding, such as tissue paper, or even a crinkled up hometown newspaper (to give them an added taste of home) to cushion your items.
• Perform a shake test. Who knows what kind of abuse your package will encounter on its way. Try to anticipate what will happen to your box on its journey.  Drop the package on different sides to make sure its contents hold up.

#7 Pay Attention to Your Shipping Label

Have you ever mailed something off, only to have it come back stamped “return to sender” months after the fact? Total bummer. You definitely don’t want your carefully prepared package to be left languishing in some far off post office.

That’s why it’s so important to have complete, accurate shipping information.

You need to include the unit, last and first name, title, and zip on your shipping label.

Also, be sure to double-check that your label is legible and all of the details are correct.  It’s also a good idea to include a shipping label inside the box as well, in case the outer one gets ripped off or lost.

#8 Understand Package Regulations

When shipping things overseas it’s important to be aware of any international regulations. You’ll need to know the value of the items you’re shipping, so you can make sure you have the right customs forms. The USPS makes it easy by having customs forms automatically built in.

You should also know the dimensions and weight of what you’re shipping. For instance, if you’re shipping to a base, it can’t weigh more than 70 pounds.

Also, keep in mind that mail delivery frequencies will vary depending on where you’re sending your stuff. Factors such as bad weather and enemy threats can delay packages.

#9 Look for Savings

If you’re using the USPS to ship to an APO/FPO/DPO you’ll enjoy domestic mail pricing – which will save you big bucks.  

Additionally, the USPS also provides free military care kits, which include flat rate boxes, shipping labels, and even needed customs forms.

Brighten a Soldier’s Day

Because of security concerns, you need to address your care package to an individual soldier.  

But that doesn’t mean that if you don’t know a service member personally, you can’t send a care package to a deserving soldier.

Organizations like Any Soldier let you choose from a list of names of individual military personnel to send your care package. You can even search by branch if you want to send to someone serving specifically in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.

So, now that you know the ins and outs of shipping a military care package, what are you waiting for?  

Go ahead, let them know they’re not forgotten.  

Show your appreciation for a brave service member by shipping out a care package today.

The post 9 Tips For Shipping Military Care Packages Safely and Securely appeared first on Refine Packaging.