Advantages of Choosing Sustainable Retail Packaging

More and more companies are making the effort to turn their operations more environmentally friendly. Sustainable retail packaging has become one such strategy that is simple yet quite effective in demonstrating their concern for the world we all live in. Here is why all businesses should make this switch.

Low Cost

Much less energy is used in the manufacture of green retail packaging as compared to more traditional materials like plastics. Because less energy and materials are used, it makes the packaging cheaper to make by manufacturers and cheaper to buy by businesses. Where the material is recyclable, even less energy is used to reuse them to make new packaging. This can help to further lower the cost of production.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

Green packaging often requires less use of natural resources to manufacture. This is because recyclable materials can also be reused, providing already processed materials for the making of new packaging. This ensures a reduced carbon footprint that is good for the environment.

Versatile

Green packaging can be made to just about any specifications and to cater to various products. So whether you are packing cleaning products or food, there is sure to be some form of custom retail packaging that meets your needs. Not only can many green materials be flexibly designed, but they are often also easy to re-purpose and re-use, meaning that end consumers can utilize them beyond just taking delivery of their contents.

Biodegradable

Once the packaging has reached the end of its usefulness, it can easily be disposed of in the environment and it will safely break down without causing harm. This is another positive environmental impact that further reduces carbon footprint.

Brand Image

Consumers have a strong preference for businesses that are as concerned about the environment as they are. Those that use sustainable retail packaging help their brand image as it imparts a good impression. This is of economic benefit for businesses as they can attract more loyal customers whose buying decisions are partially influenced by environmental concerns.

No toxicity

Plastics are particularly problematic for the environment as their manufacture and disposal are bad for the environment. Made from petrochemical resources, they create waste that can last several lifetimes. Sustainable packaging has no toxins, ensuring it does not harm the environment, as it is biodegradable. It does not leave behind harmful chemicals. Much of it can even be recycled to create new packaging, reducing the burden on virgin natural resources.

Designing Unique Custom Labels

Whether it is a product appearing on your e-commerce site or the shopping aisle, being unique is important. Standing apart from the crowd helps boost visibility, and the drawn attention can aid in boosting sales. Custom labels are a part of this visibility and need to be strategically designed so they appeal to the eye of shoppers. Here are some tips on how to customize them so they will beat out the competition.

Color

Even just a single color is enough to capture the attention and interest of a shopper. Conducting some research into unique shades is a good idea. Choose a color for your label that best suits your product and ensure it is not already in use by competitors. Print out samples of different shades and visit stores that will stock your items. See what shade seems most distinct and will be easily spotted from a distance.

If you choose to give free samples of your product, you can also include a question about the label to see how respondents feel about it. Also, consider incorporating some metallic colors like gold or silver. This shiny appearance tends to give an impression of luxury and is well suited to high-end products.

Texturize

While choosing distinct colors can draw the eye, adding texture to custom printed labels is another way to encourage even greater curiosity. A person can often tell by sight that a label is texturized but will want to verify by touch. They will then take the item off the shelf for a closer look, which will add to its appeal. Modern printing technologies can incorporate such designs as embossing for this effect.

Shape

Most custom labels are made in a square or rectangular shape. A good way to distinguish your brand would be to alter the design so the label shape deviates from the norm. This will make your product stand out on shelves. You can even create a window on the label that allows shoppers to get a view of the contents of the packaging.

Go Holographic

Adding holographic images on your custom printed labels can also stir more curiosity. It is an unexpected visual that shimmers and easily gives off a rainbow-like effect. It is an effective design option for beverages and children’s products. Be sure to leave some empty space around the holographic image so that is more easily visible. Placing it amidst a busy design can make people easily miss out on its appeal.

How Small Businesses Can Save On Shipping Supplies

Like any other size of enterprise, small businesses need to be able to minimize costs to maximize profit. One of the areas they can seek to make some savings is in shipping supplies. Many small businesses are thriving in the e-commerce market and thus need to invest in shipping materials that will safely get their products to their clients’ destinations. This refers to the materials and tools they use to pack products in boxes including shipping tape, plastic wrap, markers, strap dispensers, and much more. Here are some tips on how to get these items at a more affordable cost.

Talk to Carriers

There are many shipping companies to choose from. As an incentive to choose them, some will offer a range of free shipping supplies including boxes, labels, pouches, and envelopes. Look up the shipping companies that can serve your area and explore their website for information on free shipping supplies. If you cannot verify this benefit, email, call or visit their nearest retail location. They will often quickly respond and guide you on how to access such items. Avoid requesting more supplies than you need. They might end up taking up storage space you have other need for. These offers are typically ongoing so just request what you need in the short term.

Reuse Old Packaging

Chances are you receive your stock of goods in some form of shipping packaging. Some of it may be easily reusable, like filler. Form the habit of carefully opening up the boxes and salvage what materials you can for your own reuse.

Visit Neighboring Stores

Many other stores in your area are also likely to receive their stocks in shipping boxes, with materials that can also be salvaged. Many just throw away such boxes or will stack them somewhere for others to pick up for free. Target bigger stores like supermarkets who will have a larger variety and quantity of shipping materials to choose from.

Negotiate with Your Box Supplier

Many box manufacturing companies have now also expanded into the provision of shipping materials. Just like the boxes, they can even brand supplies like shipping tape and labels. You can often negotiate for better pricing on these items when you order them at the same time as your boxes. Discounts are easier to come by when you are placing an order of higher value. You can even source quotes for both boxes and supplies from multiple box manufacturers to see who can offer the best deal.

Simple Guide To Reinforcing Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are popular for their lightweight nature and reusability. You can easily flatten and store them for later reuse. They also have good tensile strength which makes them a good option even when shipping heavy items over long distances. However, it is only natural to worry that something could happen along the way to compromise the corrugated box and damage or expose its contents. Here are a few ways you can easily reinforce your box and improve the chances your items will arrive safely at their destination.

Corrugated Boxes – Taping

Taping along the edges and corners of corrugated boxes is a great way to reinforce their structure. These are the areas that suffer the most pressure and are likely to be injured during transit. this reinforcement can also be helpful should the box be exposed to liquids that can weaken the cardboard. Ideally, this should be done on both the inside and outside of the box. Be sure to use a strong option like duct tape. You can even run the tape across the sides of the box severally for even more reinforcement.

Coating

You can coat your cardboard box using paper glue, resin, or epoxy. They can easily be found in hardware stores and require just a paintbrush to apply a thin coating. This coating will help make the box water-resistant. The coating can be applied severally, allowing suitable time in between each coat for the box to dry. The hardened box will not only be unable to absorb moisture but will also be stronger and more resistant to tearing.

Layering a corrugated box

Adding a layer of cardboard to the top and bottom of your corrugated box is a good way to offer better support for the contents in the box and when stacking. The bottom side is especially vulnerable as it is what bears the bulk of the weight. It is also typically made with open flaps that have to be joined when packing. These flaps do not evenly distribute weight, hence the need for an extra layer that will support this and reduce the risk they will come open.

Inserts

This is a good way to strengthen the sides of the box and keep the contents stable while in transit. Businesses can have their box manufacturer customize box inserts that can suitably hold specific products in place. Another simple option would be to use spare cardboard pieces, cut them to an appropriate size and use them to line box corners. Add as many layers as you need to fill empty spaces and strengthen the corners.

Factors For When Making Custom Packaging For Your Small Business

custom packaging
The business world has never been more competitive. New products are steadily entering even the most saturated of markets, creating a tougher environment in which to succeed. For new entrants and even older ones introducing new products, custom retail packaging has become vital in meeting consumers’ high expectations. When deciding on what materials and design of packaging you will use for your products, do factor in these key considerations.

Affordability

Launching a new product can be costly and you need to make savings where you can for a better bottom line. While generic packaging may be the most affordable, there are added benefits from going the custom route, including better brand recognition. You can minimize the cost of custom packaging by shopping around for a packaging manufacturer that offers competitive deals, opting for low-cost flexible packaging, and buying in bulk at a discount. Different strategies can be applied to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Product Friendly

Custom packaging designs should be tailored to be user-friendly according to the product inside. For instance, larger juice cartons now come with a resealable pull tab which allows for easy pouring and storage. This is an improvement on older cartons that required snipping at the corner and would leave the contents exposed if not consumed in one sitting. Whatever the design and materials are chosen, be considerate of the conveniences the customer expects and what the competition is already offering.

Sustainable

Sustainable packaging is great for reducing manufacturing costs. Less energy and materials are utilized, and thereafter they can often be recycled. Consumers also prefer product packaging that is not harmful to the environment. Stick of custom retail packaging solutions that meet this standard to make the right impression on consumers.

Branding

Ensure that the packaging you choose offers a good opportunity to market your brand. It should display information relevant to the product and also about the business you do and how it can benefit them. from sharing contact details to slogans, ensure that the packaging provides a visible platform on which you can make your business more recognizable to your target market.

Uniqueness

As said, the business world is competitive. You need packaging that will help your product stand out from the crowd. Choose a design that affords you this uniqueness so your target market can more easily tell you apart from others offering the same product. Customize your packaging in terms of color, material, branding, and other factors for this. Choose a packaging manufacturer that can help with developing suitable design options you can test against competitors.

Minimizing The Cost Of Gin Packaging

gin packaging
Many new businesses are emerging from the alcohol industry. Craft brewers and distillers have become a niche market that is growing in popularity. To ensure the best value for money in this investment, minimizing cost has become a priority. For those involved in gin making, finding ways to lower the cost of a gin box can help achieve this goal.

Gin packaging plays a key role in marketing the product within and securing it before the customer consumes it. Careful choice of design is necessary to ensure it makes the desired impact for the brand. Here are some cost-saving tips when deciding on this design that should be balanced against the interests of marketing and storage.

Flexible Gin Box

Traditional glass bottles have long been the standard in the gin business. However, younger demographics are proving more open to newer gin packaging designs that can be more affordable to manufacture and easier to carry around. Options like plastic are much lighter to invest in and transport. They can also reduce the need to print labels as information can be printed directly on the packaging, helping to further reduce costs. The shape of the bottles can also be further customized so a larger quantity of products can fill a shipping box or pallet. Boosting packing density is another good way to manage costs.

Choice of Packaging Manufacturer

It is advisable to partner with a packaging manufacturer that uses modern packaging technology and designs, over a more traditional vendor. Those that use modern technologies like digital printing and color management will use resources more efficiently, resulting in a lower cost per gin box. While the savings may seem minimal in the short run, they will be more noticeably beneficial in the medium to long term. Be sure to seek quotes from various packaging manufacturers. Shopping around periodically will ensure you are getting the best value for money and will inform you of emerging technologies that you can consider in updating your packaging.

Sustainable Gin Box

This is a factor that can aid in reducing packaging costs and improve the marketability of the product. Flexible packaging, like liquor pouches, is easier to manufacture and customize. This means less energy is used in their production and therefore less waste. They are also often bio-degradable and recyclable. This makes them more sustainable and better for the environment. A fact that is popular with modern-day consumers that are concerned about their carbon footprint. Even where the product is damaged during shipping, there is less concern about waste and harmful effects with such packaging.

Tips For Packing Dishes In Shipping Boxes

shipping boxes
The dishes we use are typically made of material that is easily breakable like porcelain and glass. While often elegant, this fragility can be a particular problem when shipping to customers or relocating. Extra care must be taken when packing them into boxes for shipping, so they can arrive at their destination in perfect condition. Here are a few guidelines to follow to help improve the chances of safe delivery.

Pad The Bottom

Reinforcing and padding the bottom of the box is important. It will help keep the entire structure rigid throughout its journey. It also reduces the risk of breakage should the shipping boxes be dropped on a hard surface, less than gently. Pad the bottom using a thick foam insert or layer with fabric or newspaper. Reinforce the middle and bottom edges with packing tape.

Wrap Dishes Individually

Through fragile, dishes can also be hard. When in transit, they may end up rubbing against each other and causing scratches and other blemishes. It is best to wrap each dish individually using such material as newspaper. You can use a little tap to keep the paper in place. Rather than lay the plates on top of each other, try to stack them on their side to reduce the weight they would have to bear if stacked one on top of the other. Do not overload the box so it will be difficult to move or can easily come apart in transit.

Use Filler

Once you have packed in the dishes, you need to fill up the empty spaces before you seal the boxes for shipping. Loose filler like packing peanuts are a good option as they can better penetrate wherever there is even a small empty space and provide extra cushioning that will help reduce the risk of breakage.

Pad The Top

Just like you padded the bottom, do pad the top. When adding filler, leave a small space between the top layer and the top of the box. Then fill this with the same kind of padding used at the bottom. This will provide extra cushioning for protection. Even with this, do try to avoid placing anything on top of this box.

Seal Tightly

Once your box is full, seal the top well. Push down the top flaps to flatten them against the packing material within seal the ends and middle with packing tape again. Ensure to properly label the box at the top so all relevant information on what is being shipped is well-displayed. It should include labeling or printing on the box that confirms the contents are fragile and should be handled with care.

Choosing The Right Packaging Company For Your Startup

Business startups are faced with many challenges as they try to carve out a niche in the market for themselves. No matter the product being sold, packaging will play a big role in helping to ensure your brand stands apart from the crowd. Hence the need to partner with a packaging company that understands how to customize in a way that will effectively capture the attention and interest of your target market. Here are key qualities to look for when vetting such companies.

Versatility

There are many packaging options that new businesses should consider before settling on a final design. Not to mention that as the business grows, so too will the products lines, each of which will possibly require its distinctive packaging. It is advisable to work with a corrugated packaging company that can offer multiple options, from mailers to folding cartons, telescopic to suitcase boxes. They should also help in developing designs that better convey the purpose of the product, not just be aesthetically pleasing. Packaging that meets this need will be a bigger help in establishing the brand in the minds of potential buyers of the products.

Market Knowledge

Your packaging company should have a good understanding of the market you are going into, the expectations of the target clientele, and what competitors are already doing. This knowledge will better inform their recommendations on everything from package aesthetics to dimensions. It will also help in ensuring that the final packaging designs for your startup can better stand out.

Affordability

It is important to be judicious in how you spend your capital. While some money will need to go into packaging costs, you should try to set a limit. Work with a corrugated packaging company that will offer you competitive rates for your orders. Comparison shopping with multiple vendors can help in establishing market rates and determine what kind of deal you are getting. As demand for your product increases, they should also be able to offer discount deals on bulk orders as a standard.

Eco-Conscious

Today’s consumers are justly concerned about their impact on the environment. They prefer to buy products from companies that are also concerned about safeguarding the world. Opt for a packaging firm that shares such values and can offer packaging solutions that are sustainably manufactured and Eco-friendly. You will find that where the manufacturing processes include such approaches as recycling, the cost of production will often be lower and lead to greater savings for those buying the packaging.

Reasons to Opt for Carton Packaging for Men’s Apparel

carton
The apparel business is quite lucrative. If you can develop unique, quality, and competitively priced designs, it is possible to grow a successful business. Choosing the right packaging will also have some impact. Carton is a popular choice of packaging material that offers several worthwhile benefits, whether you are a new entrant into the industry or are already well established.

Customizable Designs

Cartons can be made to a wide variety of dimensions. So whether you are shipping a bulk order to a retail store or want to make up smaller boxes for individual pieces being sold directly to consumers online, your box manufacturer should be able to customize to whatever sizing. Being easily foldable also makes the transport and storage of said boxes to buyers easier.

They can also be easily customized in terms of colors, graphics, and other design features. This ability helps in the branding and marketing of the apparel that is being packaged. The packaging can often play a role in attracting the attention of shoppers, making them want to buy an item. The better the quality of the design and construction of the packaging, the better an impression it will make. The versatility of cartons to be designed in whatever way makes them a good option for displaying and marketing men’s apparel.

Visibility

A box can be customized to easily display the contents within. Whether it is by leaving a section open or covered with a clear plastic window, this customizable feature helps make the contents more visible and verifiable. Men tend to want a quicker shopping experience. Once they can verify that a clothing item meets their demands, they will quickly make a purchasing decision. Such designs also tend to make the item more lightweight, which is more convenient for the shopper. Reducing the material put into the packaging can also make it cheaper for the seller.

Protection

Though this kind of packaging can be lightweight, it is also quite durable. It can withstand the stresses of normal transit, ably protecting the contents within. Because men’s apparel is chiefly made up of fabric, there is less risk of damage from the contents within, even if conditions are rough during transit.

Recyclable Cartons

Carton packaging is recyclable. This is a big benefit to the environment and often satisfies modern consumers who prefer to pay for products that do not contribute to the degradation of the environment. It allows the packaging to be reused in making new packaging and provides a good sustainable source of material for manufacturers. Because it is already processed, the repeat manufacturing process is carried out much faster and at a lower cost.

Impact Of Investing In Quality Vodka Packaging

vodka packaging
The spirits business is a competitive one. Walk into any wines and spirits shop and you will find the shelves packed with a huge array of options. Vodka makes a significant portion of this market and for those looking to join in, the presentation should matter. Vodka packaging can be customized in a variety of ways and must be carefully chosen to achieve the desired impact. Here is why you will want to do the necessary research and testing before committing to this investment.

Branding

To entice consumers to buy your vodka product, you need to build a brand presence that resonates with their values. Your brand must impart a strong and positive image that will attract interest and make them want to try the product. If satisfied, the consumer will then have a positive association with the brand and will be more likely to become a repeat customer.

Packaging is vital as in branding. The vodka box they see is often the first connection they will have with the brand and become the key identifier of the product. The quality of the packaging will give an impression of the quality of the contents within, hence the need to invest wisely here.

Also, the more of a positive emotional connection the design makes with consumers, the more likely they will feel motivated to keep purchasing the product. Emotional themes like the spirit of adventure, luxury, and reward often override other considerations when buying a product, like its cost and functionality. Consider what your target market values most and incorporate that in developing a brand they will emotionally connect with and become brand loyal.

Visibility

As said, a visit to any liquor store or section at the supermarket will demonstrate just how congested the wines and spirits business is. There are many brands to choose from, both local and foreign. Being visible to consumers means trying to ensure your brand stands apart from the crowd. Careful market research is needed to ensure that the vodka packaging of the product can effectively draw the eye of observers.

The visual impact of packaging can be more profound than even the taste of the spirit. In many cases, the taste between brands can be quite similar, hence the need to make the brand appear more distinct using packaging design features that will give the impression they are beholding a quality product. From coloring and graphics to the use of embossing and labels, ensure your design reflects the values you want your consumers to associate with your brand.