Packaging is the ultimate consumer protection device, and it keeps your products safe during the journey from you to their eventual owner.
While it may be one of the most under-appreciated aspects of manufacturing, the packaging is also one of the least expendable. In other words, you can’t do without it. Here are a few things to remember when designing effective packaging.
Packaging for Protection
Because packaging serves as insurance for your product, it must be as strong and sturdy as whatever’s inside. For example, if you’re shipping delicate items, like glass bottles or electronics, make sure your packaging offers enough padding and cushioning to prevent them from moving around or breaking during transit.
Packaging also protects against theft and loss. If there’s anything missing when a customer receives their package, you will have to deal with an unhappy customer on top of having lost merchandise.
Reduce Waste
We all know that creating sustainable packaging is essential, but it’s also a fact that the majority of people still aren’t recycling in the first place. So how are we going to become better at this? If customers feel like they’re getting something extra out of their purchase, they will be more likely to reuse it and less likely to throw it away.
Use useful materials in your packaging. For example, some wine bottles have labels that double as coasters for the wine glasses. By providing consumers with something extra, you’re giving them an incentive to recycle and repurpose their waste into something new!
Market With Your Packaging
Another thing to remember when designing effective packaging is that packaging can help entice people to buy your products. If your package sits on a shelf for sale, you must consider your design elements, such as colors and fonts. You want your package to stand out and catch the consumer’s attention. Be sure to include selling points, such as “all-natural” or “cruelty-free,” as well as required information, such as ingredients or warning labels. Packaging is a detailed part of any product, and you should take it seriously.
Take the time to include everything you need in your packaging. However, don’t lose sight of its primary purpose: protecting products for transportation and storage. The right packaging materials and design can keep fragile items safe and whole when they reach the customer.
It’s best to use high-quality materials that will last and not damage easily. It might be more cost-effective to customize your packaging than to purchase stock options. Additionally, you may want to consider using recycled or recyclable material if possible so that it has a minor impact on the environment.