9 Considerations When Choosing Packaging Materials For Your Business

Selling a product requires you to have good packaging material. This helps you present your products to the customers in their best condition. It can also extend the longevity of your products as they’re secured and tight. However, choosing the best packaging material can be tricky. You may not figure out which to pick with the number of options available. 

You can easily use a flexible intermediate bulk container or FIBC when shipping your products. After all, flexible packaging comes with many benefits aside from protecting the products. Nonetheless, you need to factor in plenty of things when choosing the material for individual packaging. You should take into account its purpose and aesthetics, among others. 

To help you decide, below are some considerations when choosing packaging materials:

• Durability

One of the biggest frustrations of customers is poor-quality packaging. This is most evident in the food business as it can affect the quality of the product. 

Flimsy product packaging cannot hold the product well, causing damage. If you’re selling the products on the shelves, people may not grab your item because they look of low quality. And when your products are not bought, it leads to spoilage and business loss. 

Using durable packaging material can ensure the quality of your product. It can also help maximize your presentation as you can keep it secure. 

To ensure its quality, you should do a durability test. This is where you put your packaging in the most intense environment and situation. You can see whether it can hold the product well.

• Cost

Apart from the product production cost, you also need to consider the packaging cost. When choosing your packaging material, you should check if the price fits your budget. There may be instances when the packaging is too expensive, affecting your profit. While it can help present the item better, there’s still a chance that customers will just throw the packaging away. There’s no shame in using a cheaper packaging material that serves its purpose. 

Your product packaging should not cost more than the production of your item. Unless you’re going with something luxurious to match a marketing campaign, you can make it plain and simple. 

To also save cost, you can contact with packaging supplier and ask for a bulk discount. In most cases, they can offer a discount if you order hundreds of packaging materials. But before you invest in one, buy a sample product first and see if they meet your standards.

• Availability

It’s frustrating to have plenty of product stocks but lack packaging materials. Even with your products on hand, you cannot sell them, as they’re not in their proper containers. This can reduce sales and may even hurt the image of your business. 

Having a sold-out product can make you feel like you’re in demand. However, it may annoy your customers if you cannot replenish quickly. 

You should look for a packaging supplier that can guarantee their product availability. Of course, you still need to inform the supplier ahead of time. 

• Eco-Friendliness

There’s already too much harm happening in the environment. As a business owner, it’s best to use eco-friendly packaging. Product packaging usually goes to waste as customers just throw them out. To minimize your carbon footprint, try to look for biodegradable materials. 

You may want to consider using boxes or biodegradable plastics for your packaging. This way, they can quickly decompose. Alternatively, you can use reusable packaging. This allows your customers to reuse your packaging and prevent them from immediately throwing it out.

• Tamper-Evident

Security is a vital feature of your packaging material. A great way to add that is by having a tamper-evident piece on your packaging. 

This lets the consumers immediately see if someone has tried to open the product before them. A tamper-evident feature can also help prevent people from trying to take a peek, as small movements can still be detected. 

You can use packaging materials with container seals, poly straps, shrink wrap, or tape. They can keep everything secure. You can also inform your customers to expect a seal on their packaging.

• Branding

Like every part of your business, branding is essential to your packaging. Your packaging design and material can reflect what your business represents. So, the design of your packaging should match your company’s branding.

If you’re promoting organic or eco-friendly products, it’ll be best to use biodegradable packaging. If you want your customers to associate your brand with luxury, use a packaging material that can depict grandeur. 

• Transportation

Your products should arrive to your customers or on the shelf safe and sound. Ideally, there should be no spills or breakage during transport. You should prioritize how your packaging will fare during transportation. Will it be able to keep everything in place or cause damage to your goods?

Choosing the sturdiest material is essential. It can affect your customer’s impression of your product. Mishandled products can turn them off, as they want to purchase the best product for their money.

• Product Expansion

Over time, your product may expand to new flavors or varieties. It’s best if the packaging design can accommodate expansion. This allows for a more accessible addition rather than redesigning your packaging. 

The packaging material should be adaptable so that it can be used for multiple purposes. It should carry a standard shape or size to accommodate your new products easily. 

Using different packaging styles and materials with your products may confuse your customers. You may not be able to establish proper branding and practice consistency.

• Shape And Size

Being creative with your product packaging can be fun. However, it may not look too appealing if you try to make it too fun. Being too experimental can either make or break your product. 

To be safe, you should use a standard shape and size for your product packaging. You can use square, rectangle, or round for your packaging shape. 

Trying out odd shapes may cause difficulties in shipping, transportation, and display. It can be extra challenging if you cannot stack them together. 

Takeaway

Choosing the best packaging materials requires plenty of considerations. You have to be mindful of the durability, cost, availability, eco-friendliness, and design, among others. Although you have to think of several factors, finding the perfect material can help your business in terms of sales and growth. The packaging material creates your customers’ first impression of your company. It can carry your branding and make your vision clear to your customers.