The process of custom packaging can be applied to a wide range of industries, and for many it is a necessary evil. Whether it’s for a single product that is fragile or expensive to produce, or whether it is a case of re-selling generic products so as to save the time and money involved in creating them, custom packaging is an essential aspect of any business, and one that should be given its undivided attention. However, it can also be time consuming and a bit expensive, with each and every aspect of packaging requiring a considerable amount of research before a decision can be made. Fortunately, this article will look at some of the main ways custom packaging is applied, both in terms of costs and effectiveness.
A lot of small to medium sized companies have custom packaging requirements, with a number of supermarkets being especially famous for their dislike of corrugated boxes and their associated packaging. In fact, the term “packing peanuts” was once widely used in a colloquial sense, reflecting upon the tendency for supermarkets to refuse to stock certain items if they were not packaged in a particular way. The concept has taken on a far edge over recent years, however, as more companies are refusing to stock products unless they are custom built. This means that smaller firms, which don’t have the budget for such an endeavor, are often forced to do things like manufacture packaging in a third party (often developing a design and prototype for a box), or use a supplier that specializes in custom packaging. Some companies also choose to create their own packaging – sometimes known as bespoke packaging – rather than using stock packaging. Even the largest packaging manufacturers (such as Droms) have chosen to use custom packaging in recent years, rather than going down the route of bespoke packaging.
Bespoke packaging is where one company takes stock of the design and manufacturing capabilities of another and then builds packaging around these capabilities. This can be especially useful where a company wants to build packaging around a particular application (e.g. cosmetic packaging), or where they want to control the look and feel of a product.
There are many advantages of custom cardboard boxes for branded packaging, especially when utilizing a custom packaging provider. One advantage is that because every aspect is tailored to the requirements of the customer, the end result tends to be far more consistent. Many companies that have used a custom packaging provider to make their products have found that their end product has a much higher degree of consistency than their competitors’. This is because the design and process of custom packaging are specifically adapted to the specific requirements of the customer.
Another advantage is that it gives you a high degree of control over the final look of your packaging. With a standardised design and production process, a lot of the decisions you make about your packaging are affected by other factors. For example, it is important to know exactly what colours you should use, how you should package each product individually, how you will fill each box, and so forth. Because every part of your custom made packaging is unique to your company, there is no likelihood of you having to change this, except for fitting different logos. As a result, you can choose the colours and designs of your packaging that suit your company best. If you want a specific shape or size, you can ensure that this is included in your design too.
Finally, custom packaging is cost effective. It is generally less expensive to create a custom design and therefore have your chosen company produce your packaging for you. Instead of paying a graphic designer a hefty sum, you are able to use their expertise to help you create the most effective and efficient packaging. You will then have the confidence in your brand that customers are aware that your products are high quality and durable. Instead of spending your money on generic packaging designed to look nice, you will be able to stand out from the crowd.
Whether you are a small, medium or large business, custom packaging can help to ensure that your product reaches your customer in the most effective manner. For example if you are a manufacturer of sporting equipment and need to distribute protective padding for all of your products then custom packaging will enable you to deliver these products in the best possible condition, in addition to being able to tailor their sizes and shapes to your individual requirements. In fact, custom packaging is so important that it is actually considered by law as one of the five pillars of good commercial practice. So why do so many businesses fail to make the most of their packaging?
The first reason is because they simply don’t know about it. You see, custom packaging is now more important than ever before and the fact is that consumers have become much smarter about what they purchase. For example, just think about how much you check a product for before you buy it. If it is a well-known brand, it probably won’t cost you a penny.
However, if a company produces an item that is new and not well known, then it will almost certainly cost more. But this does not mean that a cheaper option would be worse. Rather it means that you will want to check out the options that are available to you and custom packaging could be just what you need. For example, you could request that your packaging is watertight. Or you could choose packing material which is made from recyclable materials and which could easily last you a number of years. This all depends on what your goals are and how much you are prepared to invest in your brand.
Of course, the other reason many companies fail to invest in custom packaging is because they think it will take them too long to get their products to their clients. Now this is absolutely true. If you are a large manufacturer who wants to ship hundreds or thousands of items per month then you will have to find a custom packaging company who can do this and keep up with the pace. This can prove highly time consuming and unless you are a very large company, you may not have the financial resources to do so in the short term.
Fortunately, there are some alternatives to standard packaging which can help you get your product to your customer quickly and easily. These alternatives tend to be extremely durable, environmentally friendly and inexpensive. The one thing to remember is that if you are targeting a mass market, then you need to make sure you invest in customized packaging. Although this can prove expensive, if you target a niche market which is highly specific and difficult to reach, then custom packaging can provide you with a solution.
You can easily see that whether you are looking for a packaging solution to protect your new product in transit or you are looking for a novel way of advertising your product, custom packaging can give you the impact you are looking for. In addition, it allows you to stand out from your competitors by improving your product’s visibility and appeal. With so much competition online these days, being able to differentiate yourself through packaging is important. By choosing an expert to create your packaging design, you will be guaranteed of a long-lasting and effective solution.