81 % of people end up trying something new because of its packaging. A further 63% have repurchased a product because of its aesthetic packaging.
It’s easy to see that packaging can make a huge difference in sales. But, how do you make the most of the packaging of your products?
If you are an industrial manufacturer and are eager to have your product fly off the shelves, read on. We'll teach you what you need to learn about creative packaging solutions.
What Is Creative Packaging?
Creative packaging is any packaging innovation that helps a product stand out from the crowd of competing brands. Recently, innovative packaging has emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to the packaging challenges of old.
Designing a packaging solution is quite technical as it entails combining elements of science, engineering, and art. Further, all aspects of packaging, from the transportation of the goods, warehousing, logistics, sale, and the product's end-use, are all part of the process.
In some cases, some creative packaging solutions are the essential part of the product they contain.
What Is Flexible Packaging?
Flexible packaging is any part of/or a package whose shape you can easily modify through non-rigid materials. In addition, the materials allow you to come up with various economical and creative packaging solutions.
Flexible packaging is specifically more useful to industrial manufacturers that need versatile packagings. Industries such as beauty and personal care, food, and beverage, benefit from this type of packaging.
Flexible Packaging Material Options
The flexible packaging method uses several flexible material options. These can include foil, plastic, and paper, to make pliable product containers such as:
- Bags
- Pouches
- Shrink films
- Tubes
- Sleeves
- Carded packaging
Creative Packaging Solutions and Options
There are different types of creative packaging solutions you can use to enhance the outlook of your product. You can also drive a better general customer experience. Below is a rundown of 11 creative packaging solutions.
1. Paperboard Boxes
Paperboard is a lightweight yet robust paper-based material. Its characteristics make it suitable for personalised packaging. You can easily cut and manipulate it to come up with custom creative packaging solutions with varying shapes and structures.
Paperboard is made by bleaching pulp from recycled waste paper or fibrous materials from the wood. Different paperboard packaging grades depend on the type of product you want to package.
You may use SBS (solid bleached sulphate) for packing:
- Milk and juice,
- Medicines,
- Cosmetics,
- Frozen food
If you prefer an environmentally friendly or more natural look for your creative packaging, then CUK (coated unbleached kraft) paperboard packaging is ideal. This type of paperboard packaging has the rough finish of the recycled paper.
Kraft is less resistant to moisture, making it unsuitable for frozen goods or food-related packaging.
You can come up with a high-end-looking creative package. You just have to combine the suitable design options for paperboard without spending a lot of money.
2. Corrugated boxes
Corrugated boxes are commonly known as cardboard. The packaging solution probably got its name due to its use with ample storage, shipping and even packaging boxes.
Many people are not aware that corrugated boxes come in different types depending on the strength and durability of the box. However, it is pretty straightforward to identify a specific corrugated material.
Corrugated material comprises three layers of paper. These are an outer liner, an inside liner, and a corrugated medium (also referred to as fluting). The fluting layer gives the corrugated material its strength and rigidity. To determine the type of corrugated material, study its fluting.
Recycled paper is the primary raw material used to construct corrugated boards. Corrugators which are large high-precision machinery, make the boards. This type of packaging can be reused again and again as a source of pulp fibre.
Since corrugated boards are of different types, you can manipulate them to create creative packaging.
Corrugated boards designs can be;
- Single-faced
- Double-faced (single wall)
- Twin wall
- Triple wall
Other than storage purposes;
- Pizza delivery boxes
- Small consumer goods packages
- Retail packaging
All use corrugated boards.
3. Plastic Boxes
Plastic packaging is versatile hence its wide range of use. It has replaced almost all traditional packaging materials, such as wood, glass, leather, and ceramic.
There are several advantages of using plastic for creative packaging;
- It is easier to showcase your products at any angle without necessarily opening the packaging if the plastic is transparent,
- You can easily modify plastic to suit your creative packaging needs since it is lightweight, flexible, and can be applied a coating
- The material is recyclable
- Generally, they are more durable than paperboard boxes
- You can make it airtight to preserve the quality of packaged food
- Plastic packaging does not easily break
- You can use them to preserve items or food under extreme conditions
- They are cost-effective
4. Rigid boxes
As the name suggests, a rigid box is very stiff. They’re made of highly condensed paperboard. The best example of rigid boxes is the boxes used to package Apple's products. Rigid boxes house iPhones, iPads, and other luxury retail products such as Rolex. This packaging consists of 2-piece setup rigid boxes.
In comparison to paperboard and corrugated boxes, rigid boxes are more costly. This type of packaging is hand-made as opposed to massive machinery constructions. The tough material can allow you to incorporate features for creative packaging such as;
- Platforms
- Compartments
- Domes
- Windows
- Lids
- Hinges
- Embossing
Typical uses of rigid boxes include;
- Merchandising
- Cosmetics
- Jewellery
- Technology
- High-end luxury couture
5. Chipboard packaging
Chipboard is simply a paperboard made out of recycled paper stock. The material is more lightweight; hence it can be cut, folded, and formed. In addition, it is one of the most cost-effective packing options for your products.
Depending on the density of the material, it can formulate packages of different grades strength. Treating the chipboard with Clay Coated News Back and bleach sulfate makes the material even more durable. Another plus is that you can print on the fabric.
Industries that often use chipboard packaging include;
- Electronic
- Food and beverage
- Pharmaceutical
- Cosmetic
You cannot store heavy items in chipboard packaging due to its lightweight nature. Also, avoid humid environments as they will cause the chipboard storage to weaken, expand or discolour.
6. Polybags
A polybag is a type of flexible packaging also known as a plastic bag. The construction of this type of packaging is thin, elastic, plastic film fabric. It is a common type of packaging because of its ability to carry a wide range of products such as food items, flowers, magazines, chemicals and waste, etc.
Polybags are structurally simple hence can be customised as a creative package. Further, you can adjust its style, design & sizes at minimal costs.
Depending on the material construct of the poly bag, you can recycle the plastic.
Most poly bags feature hanging holes, tape attachments, and carrying handles. These features achieve visual appeal and improve the security of the creative packages.
7. Foil Sealed Bags
Foil sealed bags keep products dense to protect them from bacterial contamination. It also preserves the flavour of food products. Mostly, foil sealed bags are used for packaging coffee and tea.
Other than the food, bedding and clothing products, use foil-sealed packaging. The package first undergoes a procedure to remove oxygen to keep the fabric tight and secure by preventing the growth of fungi and other bacteria.
Other food items packaged in foil-sealed bags to prevent spoilage include smoked fish, cured meats, cheese, nuts, and cereals.
8. Stand Up Pouches
As their name suggests, this is a type of flexible packaging where the packages stand upright on shelves. In addition, the packaging has an airtight closure.
As a creative packaging solution, you can customise a stand-up pouch by branding digital printing. This customisation gives you the liberty to use eye-catching graphics and breath-taking colours.
Stand-up pouches include multiple barrier layers of protection. Products across all industries can use stand-up pouches as a packaging solution.
9. PET Flexible Films
Different types of flexible film materials are used mainly in the food industries. Most of these films contain a barrier against moisture, gas, or aroma, while others are even heat-resistant.
An excellent example of flexible films is (PET) Polyethylene Terephthalate. PET is mainly used for packaging beverages such as milk and juice. The film provides machinability strength, a gas/aroma barrier, a moisture barrier, and heat-resistant.
10. Other Flexible Films
Some alternative standard flexible films are:
- (EAA) Ethylene Acrylic Acid
- (EVA) Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
- (EVOH) Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol
- (PA) Polyamide
- (PC) Polycarbonate
- (PE) Polyethene
- (PEN) Polyethene Naphthalate
- (PET-G) Glycol-Modified Polyethylene Terephthalate
- (POF) Cross-Linked Polyolefin
- (PP) Polypropylene
- (PS) Polystyrene
- (PVDC) Polyvinylidene Chloride
- (PVC) Polyvinyl Chloride
- Sachets
Sachets are flexible packaging made of layered packaging material; hence they are flat. Pharmaceutical and personal care industries often use them to package single-use products.
Other industries also use them to distribute samples for advertisement, such as in trade shows.
11. Air Pillows
Air pillows are a form of flexible packaging that you can use to palletise bulk products. They are a protective packaging material that secures your products from shock and vibration.
Therefore, you can include this packaging in your creative design to ensure your products reach consumers intact. In addition, air pillows are lightweight and easy to dispose of or recycle.
How To Package
You first need to know the packaging options that are most suitable for your product. Once you have that in mind, you can develop creative packaging.
Another essential factor to consider is the user engagement you want your product to achieve. Learn what your client base wants and needs and work with that.
You may want to think about how your labels work too.
Aside from how your products will look on the shelves, you need to consider how they arrive there safely. Therefore, you need to include packaging that will safely store your products during transportation/shipping and storage.
How Do I Design My Product Packaging?
Aesthetically pleasing and unique creative packaging solutions will greatly increase sales in a physical store. You can decide to design your creative package but honestly, consider your professional skills.
Working with a packaging partner might be ideal as they are well-versed in the different creative packaging solutions and the most appropriate label printing. You will save both time and money if you recruit a professional in the long run.
