8 Indicators You Need to Rethink Your Packaging

Poor packaging sends up a red flag for any customer that has an interest in what you have to offer. While it may seem as though packaging could be the least of your worries, it actually makes a world of difference. From protecting the product from damage to providing a visual representation of your brand, packaging plays a major role in the success of any business.

Learn when to change product packaging for the better by considering important factors such as size, amount of protection, appearance and more with this helpful packaging guide.

1. Your Packaging Isn’t the Right Size for Your Product

Be mindful of the sizes you are using to send out your products. There is a misunderstanding that the smaller the packaging size, the better for shipping and cost purposes. However, this is not exactly the case. A common mistake that leads to bad product packaging is putting items in boxes, wrappers or bags that are too small. This provides more of a chance for the items inside to become damaged during the shipment process or even when the consumer attempts to remove the product from the packaging.

Likewise, putting products in packaging that is too large can also have adverse effects like damage during shipment. Customers may also feel they aren’t getting their money’s worth if whatever you’re selling only fills a small portion of its packaging.

When selecting the kind of packaging that will house your products, be sure you get the ideal packaging size to prevent these issues. Ideally, packaging should be as light and as compact as the product will effectively allow. It should minimize storage requirements as well as reduce transportation costs, all while providing excellent value and visual appeal.

2. Your Products Are Frequently Damaged by the Packaging

There is perhaps nothing quite as disappointing as receiving something you ordered in the mail only to find it has been damaged by the time it reaches you. Bad product packaging is often the main culprit of such scenarios, and it can have a negative impact on your business. Your packaging should protect whatever you’re selling. Your customers want to open their purchases and be delighted by what’s inside, but a damaged product means disappointment, returns or refunds, and an impact on your profit.

When a product is not properly packaged for shipment, its condition becomes vulnerable. The chance of it getting smashed, ripped or contaminated increases greatly. Certain products that are affected by their traveling environment, such as heat, cold or moisture, can also arrive unusable to the store or customer. To prevent this, packaging must be appropriately designed to protect the product in question.

It’s upsetting for the consumer when they can not use something they already paid for. And if your products arrive at a store in rough condition, customers may not buy them, or the store may be unable to put them out for sale. Although it could cost a bit more to provide an adequate amount of protection during shipping or warehousing, it can cost less than having to issue replacements or refunds to the customer for damaged products.

Rethinking your packaging in this case involves careful consideration about what you sell. If you offer tech components to customers, consider a sturdy box with the appropriate filler and protection inside. If you’re in the food industry selling craveable snacks, consider pouches that can help cushion your products during shipment.

3. Your Packaging Doesn’t Ship Well

While you want your packaging to protect what’s inside, you also need to think about how durable the packaging itself is. Quality wrappers, boxes and pouches shouldn’t be at risk of ripping or becoming damaged during production and shipment. Labels and other packaging should feature long-lasting printing, resistant to moisture, heat and the sun’s rays. Those features ensure your items will arrive at customers’ homes in a presentable condition.

Even if you don’t ship directly to consumers, you want your product to arrive at stores in a ready-to-sell condition. Quality packaging can prevent your items from showing up damaged — from the products themselves to the packaging — before they even reach the shelves. That prevents waste and helps maintain your profits.

4. Your Packaging Does Not Reflect Your Brand Identity

Think about some of the famous brands that keep consumers coming back for more. Their packaging has become just as iconic as their brand name. The packaging you choose greatly influences the reputation of your brand. This is especially true in the age of digital influencers and bloggers that create content focusing on the unboxing experience your packaging provides.

You want to demonstrate the quality of your products to potential customers. Your packaging should always be an extension of this intention. A business with a bad packaging design can easily get lost and forgotten about amongst the competition or even gain a bad reputation.

Your product packaging should also be a direct reflection of your brand identity. Appearances make lasting impressions. If you market elegance and sophistication, sending your products out in plain packaging will not fit the bill. In fact, it can actually lead to no-repeat sales or a lack of sales in general. Select your packaging with care, and always make sure everything in your business aligns with what your brand stands for as well as what it has to offer your customers.

5. Your Packaging Is the Wrong Shape

This may seem like a minor detail, but choosing the right kind of packaging for your products requires a lot of evaluation, right down to the very shape of the materials. Packaging impacts the overall user experience, whether it is for food, beauty products or electronics. When exploring packaging options for your products, it is advised that you stick with standard sizes and shapes as much as possible. This offers a number of benefits to:

• Warehousing and storage: When products are manufactured and sent out to warehouses, some packaging designs are better for stacking and moving around than others. Product packaging such as square cartons offers the benefit of taking up less space and allowing them to be stacked more easily without the fear of damage to the product.
• Shelving in stores: Once your items move from warehousing to stores, you want your goods to display on shelves in an attractive way. Boxes that stack neatly on standard shelf dimensions or bags that stand up on displays can appeal to customers more than products that easily become disorganized.
• Customer satisfaction: Consider packaging that is functional to use and store. How easy is it for the customer to remove the item from packaging or handle the overall product? How much space does it take up in their home compared to other products they have tried? Items that are too bulky and take up too much space are less likely to impress potential buyers. These are details that may seem small but can help you make your packaging much more consumer-friendly.

6. Your Packaging Is Wasteful

More and more people are becoming more conscious about the products they use and how they impact the ecosystem. And if you choose the wrong sizes for certain products, it leads your business to spend more when it doesn’t have to. That is why one of the biggest packaging problems is wastefulness.

An abundance of consumers wish to see companies using more eco-friendly options. They know that reducing plastic packaging helps minimize waste, conserve resources and decrease pollution and are willing to go the extra mile to seek out companies that try to reduce their carbon footprint.

As you explore various packaging options for your products, consider sustainable materials. You should also keep size in mind to help reduce the amount of packaging your company is sending out. Consider using recyclable and compostable packaging, such as mailers made from plant-based materials instead of virgin plastic.

7. You Use Too Much Filler

It is not uncommon for consumers to come across packaging that has too much filler inside. Their products become lost in a sea of styrofoam peanuts, and there are tons of air pocket pouches to throw in the trash. When a product is improperly packaged for shipment or purchase in a vessel that is simply too large, these supplies are often used to help protect the items inside. It sounds like a great idea, but when it comes down to it, this strategy is working against your business.

If you’re using an abundance of filler, it is time to evaluate the packaging overall. Fillers contribute to the cost of sending out your items, and it’s costly for the environment. Filler is wasteful and sometimes unnecessary, especially if you find the right packaging that will eliminate your need for it completely. Seek out resources that specialize in helping businesses create the perfect packaging for their needs, such as custom-sized boxes.

8. Your Packaging Isn’t Eye-Catching

To catch the attention of the consumer, the packaging of your product must truly be eye-catching. With so many different products and brands on the market today, competition is quite fierce. Your packaging choices will either allow your product to stand out from all of the rest or simply fade in with everything else.

You should also focus on your target market. This means knowing the type of consumer your product is most ideal for and aiming to gain that particular group’s interest. Factors such as the purpose of the product, age, gender and more will all need to be considered as a starting point for finding the ideal packaging solutions. For instance, the packaging design you use for children will likely not be the same design you should choose for adults.

If your budget allows for it, consulting with a branding agency can help you overcome the hurdles of trying to decide what your product should look like. This is an investment that will prove to be invaluable to your business, brand and everything your company stands for. Selecting the right design means identifying and capturing the very core of your business and bringing it into a visual representation. The experts within a branding agency can help you figure this out and guide you toward the ideal packaging for your needs.

How to Improve Your Packaging

There is a wide range of packaging solutions available to explore. Learn about some of the most popular options and find out how they can help you improve your product packaging for overall customer satisfaction.

Corrugated Display Boxes

These display boxes are extremely popular for being lightweight, sturdy and recyclable. They also come in a wide range of sizes and designs, helping your individually wrapped products stand out on shelves. Your items will draw customers’ attention at points of purchase (POPs), where your branding and packaging design will encourage them to buy.

Wrappers

Shrink wrap packaging is ideal for individually wrapped food and other goods. Quality wrappers should preserve your product’s freshness while also strengthening your brand, whether you sell items individually or packaged in another container.

Product Boxes

Packaging your products in well-designed, sturdy boxes demonstrates your level of care to customers. Show buyers you focus on everything from your item’s quality and protection to consumers’ unboxing experiences with custom boxes.

Labels

If your product already comes in its own packaging, like a bottled beverage, you need a way to convey what it is you’re selling as well as your brand. That’s where labels come in. Quality product labels should be printed well to help clearly convey your messages and be the perfect size for your product.

Bags and Pouches

High-quality product bags should protect your goods from moisture and UV rays. Improve your packaging by selecting the right options for your business, like pouches made with recyclable materials or stand-up ones that will proudly display your products on store shelves.

Packaging With Phase 1 Prototypes

At Phase 1 Prototypes, we know how important it is to find the perfect packaging for your business. That is why we are dedicated to combining innovative technology with packaging solutions that are sure to leave a positive, lasting impression.

We offer packaging solutions for a wide range of industries such as:

• Food and beverage
• Spirits
• Housewares
• Home improvement
• Toys
• Candy
• Sporting equipment

No two prototype, mock-up or sales sample requests are ever alike. All of our solutions are completely custom for your brand. Find a wide range of packaging solutions including:

• Custom shrink wrap
• Boxes
• Wrappers
• Custom bags
• Labels
• Pouches
• Metallic materials
• Foils
• Embossing

Contact Phase 1 Prototypes for Improved Product Packaging

When you need to find the best packaging solutions for your business, you can trust the experts at Phase 1 Prototypes. Since 2006, we have been providing our clients with packaging solutions that will help their businesses grow and enhance their reputations. If you feel like your packaging could use an upgrade, contact us at Phase 1 today to request a quote.

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