According to Wikipedia, packaging is an art, science and technology of enclosing and protecting products for storage, distribution, sales and usage. The process of product packaging includes the designing, assessment and production of containers.

Today, product packaging has come out as a separate industry in itself. Package designs are playing crucial role in making and destroying of brands. A sizable consumer products industry relies heavily on packaging designers these days.

Whenever you visit the supermarkets, malls, stores and any other places where products are sold, you will always see that the products are wrapped in a packaging container. Container may vary in size, shape and color, and these are the factors that help you locate your favorite brand or product in a blink of an eye.

If you are looking for a packaging design idea that conveys the right message in the right manner to your targeted audience, check out these 5 can’t-fail tips:

1. Don’t Wait Till The Last Minute

Creative product packaging establishes both physical and psychological bond with the consumers. The design of the packaging speaks about the product inside, the company that owns it, or brand as a whole.

So, if you have the right statement to be conveyed, don’t wait till the end of the product development cycle. Rather, start gathering good design ideas from the very beginning. Conduct a research on your target niche and find out what they want to see or what their requirements are.

2. Less is More

Sometimes, the companies overdesign the packaging in hope for it to stand out on the shelf, which ultimately result in a negative outcome for the brand. If you don’t want your packaging design strategy to back-fire, keep it simple, to-the-point and effective.

3. Be Different

As reported by FMI (Food Marketing Institute), the average supermarket in America has approximately 40,000 items on sale. That shows how tough is the competition for product owners. If you want to outshine your rivals on the shelf, you have to be different. Design a unique packaging that separates your product from its competitors and neighbors.

4. Bring Authenticity

This is what is inevitable in the ideas of great packaging designers and big brands. Your main purpose behind packaging is to grab attention of the customers, but this isn’t the end of the game.

Say, if you have portrayed an image of your product in the packaging carton which is nowhere similar to the original product. The customer won’t pick your product again, even if your packaging idea is the finest. Embrace authenticity in your packaging design; use custom printed package labels or imprint the company address or contact detail, so customers can reach you when needed; don’t over blow the visuals.

5. Add Some Functional Value

This is mainly application to ready-to-eat food products and other consumer products. In this market segment, you will see a number of products whose packaging isn’t just creative, relevant and informative, but it is functional as well.

But how do you do that? Well, you can create an easy-to-open packaging, imprint directions to use your products, and put an additional item or element that make it easier for the customers to use the product.

No matter if you want a design idea for small shipping boxes or consumer product packaging, hiring a professional packaging designer is a must today.

3/22/2013

Big Brands’ packaging are transforming

Pepsi, the king of beverages, modified the look of its can or bottles for only 10 time in the last century. However, this year, this world-famous soft drink brand is planning to launch a new can design almost every week. Kleenex, an international brand of facial tissues, bathroom tissues and many other paper-based products, used square and rectangular packaging boxes for 4 decades, and then moved to oval packaging boxes now.

Coors Light, a light beer product by the world’s seventh largest brewing company -Coors Brewing Company, bottles features packaging labels that become blue when the beverage is cooled at the right temperature. Have you ever used the kid’s special soap bottle by Huggies? It has an LED that is programmed to flash consistently for 20 seconds to help children know how long they need to wash their hands.

Packaging isn’t just to hold or protect your products

Companies selling consumer products are now investing a large chunk of money in marketing and advertising their products. With the fastest trend of the internet and over hundreds of TV channels, the businesses can’t afford to miss on product advertising. Packaging today has become an inevitable part of product branding and advertising.

The companies are using various types of packaging solutions to boost sales by grabbing the customers’ attention, who always take the decision to purchase the product at the last minute while gazing at the shelf in a store or a mall, be it online or offline.

Packaging is a powerful way to convey your message to your targeted audience. Gone are the days when companies can sustain their packaging designs for many years. Today, the marketing professionals give emphasize on a product appeal by launching new packaging style or type at a regular interval. – as said by the CEO of a renowned brand agency.

Consumers’ Demands Drive the Packaging Industry

Consumers have also showcased a major shift in their consumption methods. The smart users are now considering the visual appeal of the products available on the shelves. Advertising companies are using attracting packaging supplies to meet the purpose of their clients, the product owners.

Results of a survey conducted by one of the top ten packaging companies asserted the fact that end users today expect something new every time they enter the store to buy the products. The demand and anticipation of consumers change so fast that the companies need to refresh their packaging almost every year.

However, there are several other reasons why companies are shifting to new packaging solutions; some want to shrink the carton size and shape to best fit the products and save cost on shipping, some want to make the containers more functional to stand out in the market, and some want to contribute in environmental sustainability by using recyclable product packaging.

Using effective packaging products like custom designed packaging boxes, packaging tapes, package labels and POP displays, the companies can talk to their customers in the most affordable way.

The packaging industry is yet to experience a tremendous growth and transformation. You may soon find packaging bags with a nice aroma in it, or may be something else. Corrugated cardboard is one of the most widely used packaging materials.

2/26/2013

Are you looking for a comprehensive guide to folding boxes? Well, this is a kind of packaging box which comprises of a flat bottom that can be folded in any shape to exactly fit the item within. Often, these boxes together with foam inserts are used as a packaging solution to protect products during shipping.

Too Many Choices

Folding cartons are mainly suitable to package odd shape items or objects, which can’t be fitted in conventional square corrugated boxes. Printed foldable boxes are also used for gift wrapping. These boxes are available in many shape, sizes and colors. Material of the box is also a key factor to consider while buying packaging boxes.

Typically, cardboard corrugated boxes are used in moving and shipping boxes. They are available in all size and shape. The box thickness may vary largely; the thicker it is, the sturdier it is. So, you can make the right choice considering the weight of your items that needs to be packaged in it.

What sort of folding boxes you require?

You must have a clear idea of your packaging needs before you watch out for packaging solution in the online market. And if you are not able to find the best fit box off-the-shelf, you may find a good folding carton manufacturer in your city and get custom-designed boxes for your products.

Today, most of the professional packaging companies have their presence over the internet. Visit as many websites as you can, and check out their line of packaging products online. Compare the prices offered by different packaging suppliers. You may also check their online portfolio to view some sample of their previous work.

Integrate Packaging to your Marketing Campaign

The majority of packaging companies offer custom-designed and digitally printed folding cartons these days. Certainly, the price may go up for such custom packaging solutions, but it is worth investing in. Many world-famous companies or businesses are leveraging packaging to enhance their brand among their targeted audience.

Gone are the days, when folding cardboard boxes were used just to package products. Today, they have become an inevitable part of companies’ marketing and advertising campaign. Businesses use custom designed folding carton with their company’s logo and brand name to go viral.

Industries jacking up the sales of folding cartons

E-commerce businesses, food & beverages, and beauty & cosmetics are some major industries showing the largest supplies of folding packaging cartons. Remember, packaging or shipping box represent your brand. Thus, the selection of right packaging supplier is crucial to your business.

Cost Matters…But, never comprise on Quality

While buying folding corrugated boxes online, make sure that the company offer shipping service to your area or city. And the last but the most important is the cost.
Before sealing the deal with any folding box manufacturer, compare its price rates with its competitors in the market; take into account quality of products and customer service at the same time.

Following this guide while hiring searching your packaging partner online will certainly help you make a right choice. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to move your products with the best packaging!

2/21/2013

The global packaging industry turnover in 2012 is estimated to be $460 billion, which shows the growing demand of product packaging worldwide. In addition, the latest market research performed by IPSOS public affairs in the USA reveals that over 34 percent consumers are demanding a change and more creativity in food packaging as well as in beverage packaging, which is quite higher than 24 percent consumers who categorized as price higher. Design, functionality and ease of unpacking have become an integral part of product packaging these days.

The packaging industry is seeking designers who can break the conventional styles and types and come up with new packaging solutions for the 21st century consumers. Many new companies have been emerging in the market to tap the maximum share of packaging cartons. Check out these 9 factors that will drive the packaging industry in the current year:

1. New Age Consumers Demands

   “Customer is king” – you might have read this sentence thousands of times and I am using it one more time here as the packaging industry isn’t an exception to it. The consumers are now focusing on the packaging of the products they buy. Many companies have already integrated product packaging as a part of their marketing campaign and relishing in profitable results.

2. Creativity

   Creativity in product packaging can help businesses enhance their market reputation. The large-scale enterprises have increased their investment in packaging and labeling of products for the current year. Innovation in folding packaging of the products will help the packaging companies set new milestones in the industry.

3. Social Media Integration

   Social media platforms will bring a number of opportunities for packaging companies throughout the year. The zero moment of truth will truly work for packaging industry in 2013.

4. Build Up New Processes

   The company will focus on preventive issues and risks in order to reinforce their processes to match the international standards of quality packaging.

5. Flexibility

   This is another major parameter that plays crucial role in the unprecedented growth of global packaging industry. Flexible packaging has become inevitable in the current markets.

6. Packaging that Speaks

   Yes, you heard me right. Some brilliant packaging designers have made smart use of packaging options available in the market and brought to the table highly interactive packaging that speaks volumes for the product inside it as well as about the company that owns it.

7. Reusability

   People are becoming more aware of the environmental issues and thus the demand of recyclable packaging solutions has increased by manifold in the current year. Thus, packaging companies are focusing more on corrugated shipping boxes and cardboard box accessories.

8. Digital Printing

   This has become a powerful tool attract the consumers and turn them into potential customers. With the continuous advancement in the graphic design industry, the packaging companies often come up with the new design and prints in the packaging boxes.

9. Clear Cuts

   Clear cuts and shapes of packaging boxes can raise the bars on quality and won trust of consumers. Advanced machines and tools are used to obtain clean design in shipping boxes.

Gone are the days of plain packaging. Now businesses are looking for custom packaging solutions and thus they prefer to hire professional packaging designers.

1/22/2013

Regardless of what industry you work with, there are scenarios when you need to mail, ship or store important papers, which can be any business document, banner, poster or any material. And this is when cardboard tubes come on the scene; these tubes are the ideal packaging solution for articles like blueprints, research papers and crafted item. These shipping tubes safeguard the merchandise inside it, optimizing the space, and leave a good impression on receivers.

Mailing tubes typically have removable plastic or metal caps at the end, so one can insert and take out the article easily. If you do a lot of mailing and shipping, mailing tubes, also called shipping tubes and postal tubes, are a must for you. These tubes are available in various sizes to best fit most of the merchandise items. The majority of the tubes used in retail packaging don’t exceed the length of 122 cm (48 inches).

Over a span of the last ten years, the market demand of the mail tubes has increased by manifold. Below are the major benefits of picking cardboard mailing tubes for your business packaging needs:

There is a size for every article!

Cardboard material is very easy to manufacturer. There are a large number of packaging companies that offer almost every size of tube containers. So, you can easily find the container that best fit your article size. If you want to ship some important business papers ensuring they reach the client without having a single crease on it, you are best to select a circular tube of the exact size.

Dream any shape

Typically, off-the-shelf mailing tubes are in cylindrical shape. But you can dream almost any odd shape and the professional mailing tubes manufacturers can make it feasible for you. The packaging companies offer custom-designed shipping tubes, or shipping boxes, to meet various needs of the customers and clients. To make the shipping containers look more attractive, you can ask the packaging companies to embrace a good printed design with your business logo and address over it.

Light or Heavy? It Isn’t a Problem!

Is your shipment light or heavy in weight? This answer will help you determine the type of the mail tubes to choose. Cardboard mailing tubes are available in combination of different materials such as plastic, glass and metal. For example: If you want to ship business document or any other thing of light weight, you may select cardboard shipping tubes with plastic caps.

In the contrast, if you want to package a heavy article, you may choose from a collection of cardboard heavy duty shipping boxes available in the market. Cardboard tubes with metal interior and metal caps at both the ends offer higher ruggedness and durability.

They’re just a click away!

Instabox offers top-quality cardboard mailing tubes at the most competitive rates. Buying shipping tubes online in bulk will help you save a large amount, as you will get them at retail prices.

1/16/2013

Manufacturers of Canada use a selection of containers and packaging materials to protect the products or goods from possible damages in manhandling and shipping. Some of the most common containers used in Canadian manufacturing industry include corrugated boxes, glass containers, metal cans, and set-up and folding boxes.

Over the last 10 years, there has been a tremendous growth in the packaging industry which is caused by many industrial parameters, mainly consumer demand of top quality packaging and exponential increase in freight shipping all around the world. The manufacturing industry in Canada is now spending a billion dollars in packaging and labeling their products.

As reported by Euromonitor International, Canadian consumers are now emphasizing on the closures of the products, be it food products, health or wellness products, or anything else, which implies that the future of the packaging industry is bright in the coming years as well. Plastic and corrugated cardboard packaging materials have reduced the cost of containers dramatically, without compromising on the durability of containers. And perhaps, this is another reason why manufacturers choose these packaging containers for their products.

The Carved Out Niche of Containers

More than 55% of the containers are used in packaging of food items and beverages. These two industries are growing at a fast pace, which in turn boosting the demand of plastic containers and corrugated boxes. Chemical, healthcare and garment industry are another three major industries in Canada that play crucial role in maintaining the bursting demand of corrugated containers in the market. There are many other industries in the country that invest a considerable amount in packaging products including textile, tobacco and coal.

Most Common Types of Packaging Containers

Plastic containers, corrugated box containers, metal containers, cardboard folding boxes, and glass containers hold 70% of the packaging products used by the manufacturers of Canada.

• Corrugated Boxes – They are in the spotlight since 1996. The industry of corrugated containers has showcased a tremendous growth in the last decade and today it has marked its place as one of the billion dollar industries of Canada. Corrugated cardboard boxes are available in a great variety of shape, size and colors.
  One can also find a packaging company that offers custom printed cardboard containers. With the advent of latest technologies and tools of graphic designing, printed corrugated boxes look more attractive. The corrugated cardboard material is recyclable, so boxes made out of this material can be reused and made available in the market at half the price of the new ones.
• Plastic Containers – From 9% in 1995 to over 20% in the last quarter of 2012, the share of plastic containers and packaging material has almost doubled in the last 2 decades. Due to its light weight, higher strength and lower price, plastic containers have replaced the metal and glass containers in many industries.
• Metal Containers – They are widely used in the food and beverage industries. However, in the last 20 years, the demand of metal containers has decreased noticeably.
• Glass Containers – Food, beverage and chemical products munch through almost all the glass containers manufactured in the country. However, the glass container industry is showcasing decay in the last ten years.
• Folding Boxes – The market share for folding box containers remain steady from day of its origin in the industry. Food industry consumes the largest share of set-up and folding boxes.

Instabox Canada has come a long way from its inception in the industry many years ago. In addition to a huge assortment of containers, they offer an extensive collection of box accessories for better packaging of the products.

1/11/2013

The Corrugated boxes are widely used as shipping, storing and display containers for numerous products. However, the packaging needs vary from one business to another. Some companies prefer to buy off-the-shelf corrugate containers and some order custom-designed cartons from a professional supplier. If you are using or planning to buy corrugated boxes for product packaging, consider the below list of box accessories that will help you make the most of your container’s space.

1. Dividers

   Cardboard sheets are used as a divider inside the corrugated packaging and shipping boxes. These dividers can be placed in a large size container to separate the products. Another benefit of using these box dividers is that they hold the products on a specific position, which is very essential in shipping fragile items. Manufacturers can easily create as many compartments as you wish with this corrugated paper divider.

   Box dividers are also used to protect the product from directly coming in touch to the outer pressure or compression. They are crucial to ensure that the product reaches the destination safely, without a single scratch on it. The major three types of cardboard box dividers are as follows:

   • Corrugated Dividers – A type of box divider that can accommodate heavy-weight products like coffee mugs, jars and bottles. Top-quality corrugated dividers are thick and sturdy. They have higher stacking strength and thus used for packing taller items.
      
   • Fiber dividers – Fiber dividers offer a higher level of protection and compatibility. In comparison of cardboard dividers, they create less paper dust. Also, fiber partitions can be crafted with higher accuracy than corrugated partitions. They are skinnier, so box size for the same volume of products will be reduced considerably.
      
   • Chipboard dividers – Chipboards are custom made to meet the customers’ specific packaging and shipping needs. They consume about 35 percent less area than standard cardboard dividers. So, by choosing chipboard partitions, you can save big on your packaging and shipping cost.
      
2. Pads

   Pads too are made of cardboard material. They are used as dividers or insulator in packing boxes. They are plain cardboard sheets which can be cut based on customers’ requirements. Corrugated pads isolate different layers of products in a container. They are widely chosen for packaging promotional items, as they can fit to any shape and size. Pads can also bend as you want them to be.

3. Trays

   Trays are cardboard boxes without top flaps. They are used to store bottles or tools. If you use a single tray to put single product, you can accommodate many other products within a container. Corrugated trays are available in die-cut style or you can customize the shape as you wish.

4. Foam Inserts

   Foam inserts are a perfect fit to custom-made packaging boxes. They can bend in any shape and at any angle. They ensure that your product reaches the agreed destination in one piece. Custom foam inserts help you make the most of the space within the corrugated packaging box.

Corrugated containers, box accessories and package labels are three must-have components of professional product packaging. If they are chosen carefully, they help your products stand out in the market.

12/18/2012

The Product packaging industry is responsible for creating containers as specified by clients to ensure that the products reach the destination safely in time. The process of packaging is often considered as the science and art of covering or protecting the products for sale, storage or distribution. Packaging companies use containers made from different material such as plastic, corrugated paper, fiber, aluminum wrappers and glass.

There are plenty of reasons why we need product packaging, but here I have covered the top 5 reasons why packaging is considered a crucial parameter in product branding and marketing:

1. Product in one piece – 100% customer satisfaction

   One of the obvious reasons of choosing packaging is to protect the products from damages or scratches that may occur during shipping and moving due to frequent manhandling. It is also done to protect your products from dust, debris and wetness.

2. Get an edge with the Impressive Presentation

   Professionally packaged products create an appeal to the customers and make the products eye-catching. A large group of consumers buy products looking at its packaging only. A leading media company defines effective product packaging as a proven way to build a brand. In this cut-throat competition, branding is vital for all businesses. Analyze your niche and define your packaging by hiring a professional product packaging company.

3. Space for Words that Markets your Products

   The packaging provides you with space where you can share your company information, print company logo and its physical address, or perhaps you can outline the directions to use the product. Some products have marketing messages printed above its package. Consumers often get tempted to pick such products, or to buy them.

   Businesses can effectively use packaging to portray an image of the benefits their products will offer to customers. In this highly competitive world of businesses, effective packaging is a proven strategy to market the products and improve the sales. Attractive packaging can help you boost your business revenues tremendously, even if the product lacks the quality!

4. Help Make a Quick Decision

   When a product packaging contains information about products such as size, direction to use, colors, etc., it helps the consumers learn quickly if the product fits their needs or not. For example, packaging of under-the-sink garbage can showcase its measurements (height, width and depth), so buyers can easily determine if the garbage can will fit in their sink or not. And this ultimately helps them decide whether they should purchase the product or not.

5. Stand Out From the Crowd

   A standard packaging will make it easier for your consumers to identify or locate your products when placed amidst many other brands. For example, a business sell stockings with proper packaging that holds their logo, name and a well-defined color theme. Once a customer buys their product, the next time he or she will quickly identify that particular brand.

Corrugated folding packaging boxes are widely used in the market. They are available in tailor-made sizes and shapes at the lowest prices possible; so you can see why they are in demand. Remember, packaging of products, if done professionally, can help you market your products, win customer satisfaction and increase sales.

12/18/2012

Chipboard boxes are made from cardboard material which can exhibit a noticeable difference in its weight. Shipping or packaging companies select the cardboard boxes based on the type and size of the products. For example, packaging of toothpastes doesn’t require the same durability of boxes as need in case of heavy weight equipments. Businesses use these boxes to package the products they want to ship to their customers.

Chipboard boxes are very popular amongst businesses these days due to its low price and environment friendly material. They are made of recycled pieces of papers which are then compressed via a pressure-heating process. You may have seen white coating on one side of some of the cardboard boxes, which is made from a clay-based concoction.

Cardboard boxes are mostly commonly available in white and orange-brown color. Though, there are many companies that offer printed chipboard boxes with your business logo and address. Custom printed shipping boxes seem professional and give packaging a unique look. If you are a small size company with budget restriction, you can order white chipboard containers with stickers on it. So, you can write down your company name, address and contact detail on the stickers before mailing them to the customers.

Cardboard boxes, sometimes called as fiber boxes, are widely used in packaging of gifts of all sizes. In general, cardboard moving and shipping boxes are bought flat and then folded as per needs. Chipboard mailing boxes are made of light cardboard material, so the sender doesn’t incur high postage cost, ensuring the material is durable enough to withstand the weight of the article being sent.

If you ever purchased printer papers, you might have seen two-piece chipboard boxes. This type of storage boxes keeps the stationery clean and organized. Tiny two-piece cardboard storage boxes are designed specifically to hold tiny items such as business cards. Often, chipboard partitions are used to separate and hold thin and lightweight items, which is together then sealed by the large size container.

The height and width of every single cell of chipboard partitions are determined based on customer’s needs. And such partitions are used in a plenty of applications within freight packaging. Businesses looking for corrugated boxes and containers to ship heavy items can select heavy duty shipping boxes made of cardboard. This will make you save a fortune and maintain your prestige amongst your customers or partners.

If you are not looking around to purchase chipboard boxes, you can reach the nearby office supply shop. However, for more options and choices, you can resort to online websites selling customized and standard cardboard boxes. If you are new to online shopping, you will be surprised to see how easy it is to browse and buy corrugated boxes of all types. The seasoned online shoppers will get spoiled with the wide selection of boxes the e-stores offer.

So, what are you waiting for? Start browsing Instabox web site showcasing various types of boxes. Instabox is your ideal chipboard boxes supplier and it is just a click away!

12/14/2012

In today’s world of hustle and bustle, when time is at premium and your budget calls for making wise decisions when picking your carton products, you will be faced with some decisions to make. There are questions to deal with when deciding about the source for your corrugated packaging, box accessories, fiber boxes or any kind of cartons.

Cartons have many uses in the general areas of shipping and storage. They are very attractive for their properties and cost and for these reasons very ubiquitous in our world of every day need for shipping of goods or storing files and supplies. For example, fiber box provides the external shell of protection and structural strength of the package while fiber partitions along with other optional accessories protect smaller objects inside from getting damaged while moving or in shipment.

Whether you are an individual or a business, whether you use fiber boxes and corrugated packaging in the course of your work or at home, you will deal with these products. One way or another, if only by just receiving goods by mail or buying products at the store, you are part of the cycle and have the power to decide what will be the source of your supplies and what will happen to them once they have served their purpose.

If you are someone who is an environmentally-conscious person, you will be asking yourself if the corrugated fibreboard box or other carton you are about to order come from a company that treasures the world, its beauty and the natural resources of our planet.

Corrugated packaging or box accessories, such as fiber partitions yield their properties to the concept of being 100% recyclable. That alone makes your eco-friendly corrugated fiberboard box a much more attractive product – one that has more to offer as far as cartons go for the generations to come.

Conversely, the usage of non-recyclable packaging and accessories is decreasing gradually and manufacturers are focusing more on eco-friendly products. Businesses and individuals are becoming aware of their responsibilities towards the environment and thus they are moving towards more of the green solutions.

11/28/2012