Sustainable packaging is a hot trend in the retail industry today. Corrugated retail packaging options have emerged as a breakthrough, providing consumers with newer and memorable unboxing experiences and allowing retailers to experiment with different packaging styles.
Let’s explore the different types of corrugated boxes and how they benefit retailers and help them establish different brand identities.
Corrugated Types
Retailers must understand the making and use of different corrugated types. This ensures you select the appropriate packaging solution for your products. The common types include:
- Single-Wall Corrugated Material
- Made by compressing two liner boards and one layer of corrugated medium.
- Is ideal to hold medium and lightweight objects.
- Is strong and durable enough to protect the items.
- Double-Wall Corrugated Material
- Made of three liner boards and one layer of corrugated medium.
- Offer double the strength of single-wall corrugated materials.
- Is ideal for shipping heavy or fragile items.
- Triple-Wall Corrugated Material
- Made of four liner boards and three layers of corrugated medium.
- Offers a thick shield to protect heavy or delicate items when shipping.
- It is the strongest corrugated packaging material.
- Solid Bleached Sulfate (SBS) and Coated Unbleached Kraft (CUK)
- SBS and CUK are types of liner boards used to make corrugated materials.
- CUK offers more strength and is suitable to maintain the product’s original shape.
- SBS is smoother and ideal if you want high-quality printing on your packaging.
Benefits of Corrugated Packaging
- Durability and Protection
Corrugated packaging is known for its protection and durability. Its fluted layer absorbs shock, reducing damage risk during transit and handling. It also guarantees the delivery of products to customers in their original form to ensure customer satisfaction and brand reputation.
- Cost-Effectiveness
It is usually less expensive than plastic or metal packaging materials. Its lightweight nature also reduces shipping costs, making it a practical and economical option for retailers of any size.
- Customizability
Corrugated packaging can be customized to fit different product dimensions and branding requirements. Retailers can get custom boxes with intricate designs that match their products and reflect brand identity.
- Sustainability
Corrugated packaging is an eco-friendly option in an era where environmental responsibility counts. It is made from recycled materials, making these boxes recyclable and ensuring your packaging does not contribute to an increased environmental footprint.
Design Considerations
- Structural Design
Choose the type of corrugated packaging depending on your product’s size, shape and weight.
- Branding and Aesthetics
Brand colors, logos and designs in your packaging help customers easily identify your product on a crowded shelf.
- Functionality
Consumers are more likely to buy products with convenient features like resealable flaps and are more attracted to the unboxing experience your brand delivers.
- Sustainability
Packaging that supports sustainability attracts customers as people realize the importance of environmental preservation. By including designs that indicate sustainability, using recycled materials in packaging or avoiding excess packaging materials, brands can appeal to a massive audience.
Printing and Finishing Options
- Printing Techniques
To make your branding strategy work, high-quality printing is essential. Some common printing techniques include:
- Flexography: The vibrant colors and sharp imagery make them perfect for large-quantity printing.
- Digital Printing: The flexible designs are more appropriate for printing tailored designs for seasonal offers.
- Offset Printing: It is ideal for packaging that requires graphics and complex designs.
- Finishing Options
Different types of finishing improve how your packaging looks. The various options include:
- Varnishes and Coatings: These add a glossy finish and a protective layer to the packaging, making it attractive.
- Embossing and Debossing: The packaging’s textured finishes look premium and visually appealing.
- Foil Stamping: The metallic finish on the packaging makes them look expensive.
Eco-friendly Corrugated Packaging
Modern retail packaging includes materials and elements that are sustainable. Corrugated packaging comes as a breakthrough innovation, providing several benefits:
- Recyclability
Corrugated materials are completely recyclable, avoiding waste production of any kind. You can attract more eco-conscious customers by using clear, indicative signs or steps to recycle your packaging.
- Renewable Resources
The fluted medium in corrugated materials is made of recycled materials, making most corrugated retail packaging a renewable resource.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint
Corrugated retail packaging is easy to carry because of its lightweight. It consumes less energy and reduces the carbon footprint.
- Minimal Environmental Impact
Unlike plastic or metal packaging, the making of corrugated boards generally causes less harm to the environment.
Cost Factors
Several factors must be considered when calculating the budget for corrugated retail packaging.
- Material Quality
Corrugated boxes made of high-quality material usually has higher upfront costs. However, it offers better protection and is more appealing to customers.
- Customization and Design Complexity
Making packaging in specific sizes, using exclusive design or modern printing techniques, can increase the cost of customization. A balance of budget and customization is necessary to make the packaging affordable.
- Order Volume
Packaging orders placed in bulk are more beneficial because of their low per-unit costs. Planning your requirements can help you take advantage of economies of scale.
- Sustainability Features
Packaging made of recycled, sustainable materials may seem costly initially but has significant value in creating a brand identity and a loyal customer base.
Trends in Corrugated Retail Packaging
Retailers must be aware of the current trends to stand out when attracting new customers. Some recent trends include:
- Minimalist Design
Packaging with clean, simple designs and minimal graphics is in demand. It provides a modern yet sophisticated look.
- Interactive Packaging
Packaging that keeps people engaged and entertained is on the rise. QR codes, augmented reality, or other interactive materials make the product attractive and share information with the customer.
- Bold Colors and Graphics
Customers are most attracted to packaging that uses bold colors and graphics and looks unique on the shelves. It creates a memorable experience, allowing customers to recall brands easily.
- Sustainable Innovations
Newer innovations like printing with water-based inks and coating corrugated boxes with biodegradable layers are rising.
Choosing the Right Supplier
Selecting a reliable supplier is necessary to maintain consistency in the quality of your retail packaging. Some facts to consider include:
- Experience and Expertise
Find suppliers with prior experience in corrugated packaging and someone who understands retailers’ needs. - Customization Capabilities
Ask your supplier whether they provide customization options. - Sustainability Practices
Select a supplier who uses eco-friendly materials in creating their packaging. - Quality Assurance
Ensure your suppliers provide extensive quality assurance to maintain high standards in your packaging. - Customer Service
Suppliers who provide end-to-end customer support can make the packaging process smooth and efficient.
Implementing Corrugated Packaging in Your Retail Strategy
Planning is essential for successfully implementing corrugated packaging into your retail strategy. Consider the following to ensure a successful implementation:
- Assess Your Needs
Identifying your needs by evaluating the range of products, shipping options, and brand goals will help you determine the right type and design of packaging.
- Design Prototyping
Create prototypes to test the performance of your packaging. Consider feedback and make necessary changes before the final launch.
- Collaborate with Designers
Partnering with experienced designers helps you create an effective packaging design that reflects your brand image.
- Optimize Supply Chain
Ensure your operations are organized by accommodating the production and distribution of your new packaging into your supply chain.
- Monitor and Iterate
Performance monitoring of your packaging, depending on the protection it provides, customer feedback and brand impact, is essential. It helps retailers to focus on specific sectors that can be improved and create more attractive packaging.
Conclusion
Corrugated retail packaging offers various advantages, helping retailers align with industry standards and consumer requirements. The packaging must appropriately represent the brand, making it essential that retailers understand the different packaging types.
At StandFast, we create custom-made packaging designs that make your brand stand out on the shelves. Whether you are planning a seasonal theme or recreating your brand identity, we provide various options to provide a memorable experience.
