In a world where the consumer is empowered by choice, how do you decide which type of packaging is best? There are a few important factors to consider, including protection, attractiveness, and tamper-proofing. These factors all affect the cost of packaging, and they depend on the needs of the producer. Let’s consider some factors to keep your packaging costs down. Here are a few tips:
Protection
The protective packaging market is expected to witness tremendous growth over the next few years. The rapid growth of e-commerce and improvement in manufacturing industry are the main factors driving the global protective packaging market. Other factors that are contributing to the growth of this market include the use of recyclable materials and investments in R&D. Many entrepreneurs use protective mailers to fill the void material. Increasing usage of bio plastics and paper based packaging is another factor boosting the global protective packaging market.
Biological protection: Biological barriers prevent the passage of harmful microorganisms and animals through the package. These barrier materials also maintain the internal environment of the package. They also control ripening and aging. Plastic packaging, for example, is usually air-tight to preserve its freshness and preserve its essential properties. Besides, tamper-evident features can prevent unauthorized access to the product. Biological protection can be achieved by combining various methods.
Attractiveness
Consumers are largely attracted to products and services by their appearance. In fact, attractive packaging has been proven to trigger impulsive buying and increase purchase intention. It also stimulates the reward response in the brain. Compared to an unattractive product, an attractive packaging encourages consumers to buy impulsively and bypass reflective thought, leaving them feeling satisfied and rewarded. But what does this mean for packaging? What factors should you consider when creating packaging for your products?
A recent survey focused on the importance of packaging and labeling techniques found that consumers prefer products with attractive packaging. It also showed that peel-off labels, recognizable logo, and bright colors attract the eyes of passersby. These features should not only grab the eye of consumers, but should also hold their interest. For example, bright colors attract passersby’s attention and must be remembered. However, packaging that is easy to open and read can increase the likelihood that consumers will buy the product.
Protection from tampering
To protect the integrity of a product, manufacturers and retailers use tamper-evident packaging. These products are designed so that the tampering window is small, so that unauthorized people cannot open the package. Typical examples of this protection are cash, confidential documents, and valuables. A tamper-evident package makes it impossible to open the packaging without a tool or knife.
In addition to protecting a product against tampering, tamper-evident packaging is necessary to ensure the safety of consumers. Product tampering can affect a person’s health or physical reaction to a particular product. Therefore, tamper-evident packaging is a necessity in many industries. For example, the FDA requires all over-the-counter medications, including insulin and dermatological products, to be packaged in tamper-evident packaging. Additionally, tamper-evident packaging is required for most food and beverage containers. Other industries that may use tamper-evident packaging include tech companies that ship sensitive documents.
Environmental impact
Aside from the obvious environmental impacts, there are other factors that contribute to the overall environmental impact of packaging. In the US, for example, plastics and containers are responsible for nearly a third of the waste generated. Other types of waste include nondurable goods, such as paper, tissues and other office supplies. Durable goods, on the other hand, include items such as furniture, carpeting, rubber tires, batteries, and electronics. According to the EPA, the average rate of individual MSW generation has remained constant since the 1990s, except for the years 2000 and 2004 when it reached a high of 4.6 pounds per person/day.
Food waste is an important contributor to overall environmental impact. In the case of packaged food, the use phase reflects the energy and water use of private households during distribution, consumption, and disposal. These are the main components of life cycle assessments. Packaging also indirectly influences food choices among consumers. But unlike other kinds of waste, food packaging can have a significant negative impact on the environment. Fortunately, there are some solutions. One way to reduce food waste is to recycle it instead of dumping it.
Functions
A product’s packaging plays two primary functions. First, it protects the product and preserves it for future use. Second, it functions as a communication device. Various packages have different weights and dimensions, and they can even communicate with the consumer. These messages stay on the package and can be read at a later time. Lastly, they may promote sales. Listed below are some of the most common packaging functions and how they impact a product’s design.
First, packaging serves a practical purpose. It protects products from the elements of the environment, while also enhancing their use and convenience. Third, it helps consumers recognize a brand and is safer to handle in super markets. Fourth, packaging protects the product from damage that could occur due to environmental factors. Physical protection can occur during transportation, reducing damage caused by friction, vibration, snagging, and heat. Finally, packaging facilitates the sale of the product by making it more appealing to consumers.