Many companies consider the packaging of their products to be a form of communication with their customers. Besides protecting the item inside the packaging, it is a marketing tool that gives information on the product as well as promotes it. The more visually pleasing a package, the more customers it attracts.
Several different materials are used for packaging as well as packing, the most common being plastics, paper boards, and aluminum. These materials have to be sturdy and durable. There are two important aspects to packaging and packing – the technical aspects and the promotional aspects.
Packaging forms a key aspect of logistics to ensure that a product moves safely through the supply chain. Custom packaging solutions have significance because the type of packaging depends on multiple factors such as the products to be packaged, the shipping distance and the shipping mode. In the case of international shipping, the packaging should also comply with the regulations in the destination country.
Packaging solutions may be tailor-made or standardized based on customer needs and product specifications. Some of the common packaging solutions include:
Corrugated board
Flexible packaging
Folding carton
Bag-in-box packaging
Skin packaging boards
Child-resistant packaging
Shipping or transport cartons
Corrugated stationery boxes
Pallets
Skids
Inner packaging solutions such as blocking and filling, bubble wraps, foams, cushioning, fibre flute and thermoformed trays are also essential to ensure the protection of products.
Product dimensions, transport specifications, as well as the risks that a product may face within the supply chain such as vibrations, shocks and climatic conditions, should be considered when designing and choosing a packaging solution.