Monday, 22 October 2018

How to Balance Sustainability and Opulence in your Product Packaging

Luxury packaging is important for a lot of brands. When you give them a package that looks good and also feels good, they’ll know that you care about what’s inside, generating excitement and understanding amongst customers.

But the main problem with luxury packaging is balancing sustainability with a product packaging that really feels nice.   

High-end branding and consumer experience matters, so make sure you have this precarious balance in place. The challenge of balancing the opulent design with the practices and materials of eco-friendly packaging is a big factor in this, and here, we’ll go over how you can be sustainable while also giving your product packaging something that shines. 



High-Quality sustainable Materials Matter 

There are some high-quality sustainable materials that work well. glass is the first one that many companies go to. Sure it’s fragile, but it’s also incredibly sustainable, being one of the best reusable packaging ideas that you can try. It does require some planning for shipping and product optimization so the glass doesn’t break, but if you can master that, this is a great option for luxury gift boxes and such.

The second one is metal. Metal packaging such as aluminum and the like are all great options. Again, sustainable and also looks and feels good. metal has a feeling of value to it, which can as well be a huge part of the overall feelings that come about with this. 

You should also consider paper. Not all paper is going to work, so make sure that it’s responsibly sourced. But, if you do this, you’ll definitely have people clamoring for your items. These days, there’s a lot more sustainable luxury gift boxes, as they are in demand by many of the customers at hand. 

Reusable and Refillable 

Another thing that you should consider as well are eco friendly features of design, including refillable sorts of containers or reusable types of packaging.   Refillable items are great, as they allow a customer to fill them up again and again while using them.



Reusable is the same way. If you can show that the packaging can be used to hold the item, the customer might be less inclined to toss it, as they see that there’s a benefit to keeping the box for display purposes and whatnot.

This is a good way to create an eco-friendly design, and in the world of packaging, you’ll be glad that you did. 

The Benefits and Challenges of Doing This 

Why should you care about luxury packaging being eco-friendly? Well, it’s because a lot of people are looking for companies that are focused on sustainability, especially in the world of luxury.

You want to make sure that you align the prestige of the brand with the growing need for sustainability within this market. All of that culminating together can play a major part.

The biggest challenge that comes with this, is the cost factor. The costs for luxury packaging is a lot already, but going sustainable is important as well. you want to make sure that the costs still bring profit margins.

The second one is sourcing. A lot of high-end and sustainable materials cost a lot, and you want to make sure you don’t compromise on the quality of design, ensuring that you’re getting the items from a good place.



But a lot of brands are using this. Many high-end makeup retailers and jewelry brands love to use this, as it helps create a feeling of excitement and design.

You’ll be glad that you did this, and the benefits of the packaging incentives that you put forth.


Friday, 15 September 2017

Budgeting for Packaging

For a lot of businesses, the first impressions matter. Offering the best unboxing that you can is great, but it can cost a pretty penny. For those looking to work out exactly what’s needed, can help with saving money from the different supplies that are there. Here are a few kinds of ways to ensure that you’ve got different packaging that fits the budget that you have.

A few things to :Look Into 

The first thing that you need to look into, is the different aspects of your business. Look at your products, what you’re planning to sell, and the types of products that are there. Do they tend to break? Will you have to transport them a certain way? Do they need to be protected from the elements? Are they perishable items? Or are they items like clothing that’s less inclined to be damaged?



These questions are vital for ensuring the practicality and the usage of the different packaging supplies that are out there.  Packaging that’s functional is your first thing, especially since it’s what will keep everything neatly in place. If the product is broken by the time it reaches the customers, they’re going to be upset. The next thing is you have to look at the way the packaging will look. Do you have a vision of what this might look like? Are you a fan of mailers over using regular cardboard boxes? There are different things to consider with this, and when you’re looking at the budget that you have you’ll get an idea of the right kinds of ideas to help you improve your packaging experience. 

Look into Different Suppliers 

There are tons of different suppliers out there and you’ll find that you want to find someone that fits the budget, offers you exactly what you need, and the like. Some even offer bulk discounts, especially if you buy a lot, or other types of options. Always look at the reviews too, since this can help you determine the suppliers. 



Set Aside an Emergency Fund 

For some people, they have the packaging planned, but then, they find out that the packaging that they used won’t fit, or maybe, you’ve run out. This can be a bit scary, but to save yourself money, being planned in advance is important for you. Packaging is vital for branding and practicality, and you should make sure that you have the packaging that’s absolutely necessary to use. 

Make Sure the Options are Correct for your needs 

You also want to make sure that the printing and branding is correct for your needs.  There are different printing options for you to choose from this. If you’ve got small orders, you can use digital printing, and it’s good for testing the packaging, but usually, it doesn’t look as good. Flexo printing is usually a bit more expensive, but this is one of the more cost-effective ones. Litho printing is good for those who want to have high-quality packaging for your needs. 



Be wise with spending. 

Finally, make sure that you spend correctly, and don’t spend too much, or spend too little.  If you’re looking to get products that are cheaper, you’ll be able to spend a bit wisely on packaging on this and spend less. For luxury packaging, you should try to spend a little bit more so you don't come off as cheap.  Don’t’ be a frivolous individual with this, but also, make sure you don’t’ skimp out on his that it makes you look badly. Consider all of these to help with offsetting the costs and making you a better person for spending wisely. 


Monday, 10 July 2017

Packaging Designs for some toys you have

 If you’re someone who loves to craft some great, remarkable toys that you will want to sell to others, then you’re not alone. Here are some great toys that you can utilize, and those that will definitely work. Whether it’s puzzles, model cars, or even robots, these toys offer a unique perspective, and the packaging does offer this too. 

The first we are going to look at, is Dinky Toys, which is a British toy brand that definitely is worth checking out for the sole reason that it can offer some great product packaging to choose from.  They are famous for their model cars, with over eighty years of car making under their belts.  The recent product packaging was redesigned by a Belgian student by the name of Pierre Lorimer, who recently created new packaging for people to use. 



Antler is a popular playing cards company, and Ginger Monkey, an agency known for these cards, recently put together some nature, and they’ve managed to create beautiful forests, hills that are rolling, and even mountains that are snow capped on their packaging. They took real locations in California as their inspiration to create this. 

Now, let’s look at puzzles. If you’re someone who loves puzzles, you’re not alone. They’re timeless, and perfect for you to look at some puzzle packaging newer packaging to check out.  The recent packaging got inspired by different  pop culture and media.  You’ve probably wondered what other cool puzzle packaging there is. A lot of people who package these puzzles add to them unique imagery that’s clear and distinct. This also provides a story, and also tells those who love to put together puzzles what the character is supposed to look like on the packaging. 



Star Wars has been a super popular property for decades, and these days, the toys are able to combine packaging that communicates different features  of the different toys that are out there. They utilize different finishes to reinforce the quality of the products. Every side of this box is then utilized to further explain the software, and the hardware functionalities of such, which can be a great way for you to really sell the toy and its packaging. 

Finally, let’s look at some dart boards packaging. People do buy dart boards still. A game of magnetic, or regular darts is always a fun time for a lot of people. The packaging also reflects this, because you can get a dart board with some packaging that’s similar to the classic toys that are out there, and they also offer different toys with a 50s style sort of graphical nod.  It’s a great way to really market this, and to provide you with the right product packaging and design that you want.



When you’re designing toy packaging, you want to look at the types of people buying the toys, and then give them a unique demographic for them to work with. It can take a little bit of time in order to perfect this, simply because there are always people who want something different, and some customers or toys do need specific types of packaging to help with this. We hope, however, that these different packaging ideas bring you a packaging style that you can love, and one that will surely provide the packaging line with the right kind of items that you’ll be able to share with others. 

Toys and toy packaging is all the rage for a lot of people, and here we went over all of the fun, unique ways to really market this. 


Tuesday, 13 June 2017

How to Choose the Perfect boxes

There are a few ways to choose the right boxes, especially Chinese takeout boxes. Here, we’ll go over how to choose the perfect takeout box, and something you should always consider.

The Size Matters 

The right size is important, because you want the food to fit inside the box without it being squished down. 

Here are the primary sizes for Chinese takeout boxes: 

  • Small fits a meal, or a singular serving of rice and noodles 

  • Medium, which is good for two or three different servings, especially if you’re sharing or have a small family 

  • Large is best for family feasts, or if you’re having a party. It’s a lot of food, and having a big container prevents spillage. 

Leak Proof is your best friend. 

One of the most important parts of Chinese takeout is that you want to choose something that is leak proof. This is because there are some instances where the leak proof box will help. 



Here are some things to remember: 

  • The kung pao and sweet and sour sauces will leak through weak boxes, and makes the food really soggy 

  • Noodles and hot soups generate moisture, which can ruin the food and the experience that you have 

  • You should choose a box with a liner, as this stops the sauces from fully leaking out of the box 

  • Leak Proof boxes aren’t just liners, but they also have latches to stop leaks, and double walls for an enhanced experience. 

  • Choose the type of leak proof boxes you need based on your menu.   While light sauces might be okay, a heavy sauce or a hot soup will need some leak proof protection additives added. 

Go microwave Safe 

You also want to make sure that you have a box that’s microwave safe. That’s because chances are, there will be leftovers. If the box isn’t, it could be dangerous, and ruin the experience of a customer. Paper boxes are the most popular, but also choose boxes that are microwave safe. That means that the box has a coating atop it that will be used to tolerate plastic, heat, and the like. Don’t use metal or plastic boxes, as they’re not suitable for this. 



Dividers and insulation 

Now, there are some unique boxes that are worth mentioning when choosing takeout boxes.The first are dividers. They’re being used these days to keep the dishes that are different separated out. It also may stop your sauces from being mixed together, so that the fried rice is tasty, and not a mushy mess. The other one is insulation.   This is perfect for hot soup, or spring rolls that just got done. This is preferable, since they will keep the heat inside. alternatively, vented boxes for colder dishes also prevent the ongoing threat of condensation to your foods. 

Get sustainable 

Finally get sustainable boxes. In our world, ecofriendly does matter a lot, but you also want to make sure you get a takeout box that matters. 

Takeout boxes made from materials that are recyclable or are made to be recycled definitely are important. Biodegradable types of options are becoming more available, so you can feel good when you eat your food. 

You should also look for takeout that’s crafted with recycled items including cardboard, and paper.. This does reduce one’s need to cut down trees, and conserves the resources that matter too.You should always look for the recycling symbol on the box, which is the triangle with numbers. 

Choosing the right takeout box matters, and you’ll be amazed at the difference this makes.


Sunday, 2 April 2017

Energy-Harvest box Packaging

Did you know that there’s now boxes that will collect energy, storing it during the transit of such items.These unique boxes play a great role in providing a more energy-efficient process, and will in turn, allow you to collect all of the energy you need during the shipping process. Here, we’ll go over all of the different ways to help you with improving your energy efficiency with your packaging. 

How this Works 

This type of packaging uses a variety of materials, including piezoelectric materials, which will naturally hold energy within the packaging. 

It also will use kinetic energy converters, taking the current energy and building it into something amazing.



Then of course, there is the sun, powering labels with solar power. These solar-powered shipping labels are a great way for you to improve your energy output, creating more efficient boxes as a result. 

The applications 

This type of packaging is used in many different ways. Long-distance shipping and tracking requires energy. Some customers might have to wait days, or weeks for the tracking.   If you’re going to ship out items across many different ways and channels, then you’ll want to consider this type of long-distance shipping tracking to improve the efficiency of such items. 

It is also used in medical cold-chain logistics. A lot of cold-chain shipping requires you to have some packaging that can withstand these extreme temperatures, and provide reliable tracking. You can do just that with this type of packaging, which is overall, pretty cool.

Finally, companies that use smart labels that are self-powered, giving everyone the full gamut of information about the packaging, will also use this. That's because, giving them some extra bits of energy will improve the efficiency, and way that this works. 

The benefits 

This type of packaging has a wealth of benefits, many of which are worthwhile to use. One of the biggest ones is that it extends the battery life of many tracking devices, and also reduces the reliance on disposable batteries that are there. Many times, adding more tracking to the item is good, because customers want to see where the shipment has ended up.

Disposable batteries are also not eco friendly, so it’s important to also consider this as its own unique aspects, so definitely factor this in.

Finally, it’s a godsend for shipment monitoring, because you’ll be able to see in real-time just where the item is going. Over time, you’ll see as well how efficient your shipping methods are, so it’s worth looking into.



These types of new ways to power your devices are the ultimate in energy efficiency, and some companies would do well having this type of energy output. 

The future of This Type of Packaging 

A lot of energy efficiency is starting to catch on, with more companies offering more sustainable methods of energy that are better than the others they had before.

However, some are also calling on AI to help with powering things. 



AI-driven allocation based on the package handling and transit conditions is something that’s also very common as well. With more companies taking advantage of the use of AI, having it handle some of the messy parts of tracking and shipping out items is really good. Consider this today, and see for yourself just what kinds of amazing things that you can offer, and the benefits that are too bad. 

With more and more companies looking into energy ways to sustain long-term shipping, this is a good way. If you have the funds and resources, consider using this, it offers a gamut of unique benefits that you will enjoy.


Friday, 17 March 2017

Shipping Supplies 3

There isn’t much in this world that I hate. I mean I can think of a few things. Wet shoes, hairless cats, anchovies on pizza, you know… the normal stuff. But there is one thing in particular that can really cream my corn, so to speak, when it happens. And that is when I order something from a company and I’m all excited about it, but then when it finally arrives, it’s damaged. And the reason it’s damaged is because the box got damaged. Now, I know sometimes accidents happen. I’m not saying they don’t.  But when your box that used to be a square is not a lopsided rectangle, it’s not a huge stress to realize a problem had to occur. Now, where that problem happened, that’s the mystery. One I may never solve. But I do have a few recommendations for any other business owner, like myself, who would like to avoid these types of situations with their own customers.

 


First things first, we need to have an honest conversation about your shipping supplies and the quality of materials you are using. Of course, a lot of this will depend on the products you are selling, but it is always a good idea to splurge where you can on quality boxes and envelopes in order to ensure your products arrive to your customers in the same way they left your store or warehouse. And contrary to popular belief, not all packaging supplies are made the same. Unfortunately, figuring out which are superior is a matter of trial and error. 

 

Another important aspect to making sure your customers have a good experience with shipping, is the carrier you choose to use. And I won’t name specific names, but just like packaging materials, not all shipping carries are the same either. In fact, you will find that there are some that are far superior to the others, but again, some of this is dependent upon your shipping needs and what the carrier can accomplish for the best price possible.


 

All that to say, you can be as careful as a whisper in a china shop and have the best quality shipping supplies and the best mail carries, and things can still go wrong. It happens. But thankfully there’s shipping insurance for that, you just need to make sure that you have the customer service covered on your end, because you can surely expect an angry phone call or two from a customer who is less than pleased with how their package arrived. 

 

Now of course, you can always get those crazies who see one little nick or dent and want a refund because they’re convinced that their package is now ruined. And as a good business owner I recommend catering to them, because one bad review can spread like wildfire, whereas a happy customer rarely says anything. (But as the saying goes, sometimes no news is good news.) Just make sure you have them send the original package back. (Maybe at their expense…just kidding…but not really.)

 


In summation, if you want an all-around good experience from start to finish with your ecommerce customers, no detail is too small to go unnoticed, especially when it comes to your packaging and shipping quality. Because you can have the best products in the world, but if it never reaches your customers intact, well, that’s really not good for business.  


Sunday, 18 September 2016

How to Buy Tape and Boxes

The topic of purchasing has come up way too many times this year.  That is because the entire United States Economy has moved into more E-commerce oriented shopping.  This was simply because of the economic shutdowns.  The regulations from each state have been different but they are unanimously showing that people are ordering online more than almost anything else.  This has caused the need to end up purchasing shipping supplies at a great and vast amount.  The change from brick and mortar stores is consistent and many stores are expanding their warehouses and using boxes to expand and store their items. So many stores are purchasing these items in vast quantity and the problem is that they are not shopping around enough and are losing thousands of dollars every month and year on products.

 


So what are your options and the things that are good and not good in the purchasing realm?  Well there are many and the stores that have opened up in this area are consistently growing.  This means that people are a little lost when it comes to purchasing these items.  If you need to purchase 1000 boxes a month and are not sure where to go then most people go through this process.

 

The first place people go to is Amazon.  They get the quantity they need per day, week, and month and start searching on how much it will cost to get them prime shipped to their location.  In some ways, this is just fine and in lower quantities, this may actually be a great idea.  The companies generally don't ship prime for vast quantities and which have any discounts.  But the reason people go here is that it is simple.  You can find your boxes fast and get them shipped in low quantities without working too hard to do it.  The issue is that the price is not perfect and it may take from 2 days to 2 weeks to get the items delivered.  The other issue is that when purchasing on Amazon you really do not have the professional options.  What people post are general items and not specialized ones. So in order to overcome this one person in the office will say to go to the office big-box store right down the road to double-check.

 


When you get into the big box store you will see items very similar to amazon.  The reality is that they will likely have fewer options and the cost will be a little bit higher.  Their bulk discounts are generally the same price as Amazon.  The benefit of this is that if you need an extra item they usually have it in stock and you can go to the store that day and maybe that same hour you need it and be able to get it. So convenience is what you are paying for in a way for the cost.  But the reality is that the cost is higher and their stock of items is not vast.  If you need a thousand boxes they will not have it in stock in the store.

 


We found the best place to shop is shipping supplies stores online.  They are direct makers of the products and have vast bulk discounts.  If you need 1000 boxes then you can get big discounts and custom sizes and looks. So give those stores a look and save yourself some time.