9 Tips You Need To Consider When Packaging Products
If a product isn’t packaged in a way that’s safe and visually appealing, then the recipient will probably complain. If they don’t complain openly, then at the very least they will tell their family and friends, which could prevent your business from getting new customers.
As a business owner, it’s your responsibility to make sure that every package sent out and handled by your company is packaged to a very high standard. This post will explain nine things that you need to consider if you want to improve the quality of your product packaging:
Correct Weight
One of the most important things for you to ensure is proper product weight. You can use a checkweigher system for this. One of these systems will help you to ensure that all of your product packages are the correct weight. Products that are overweight will cost more in shipping and can get you in trouble with the courier that you are working with. Also, it’s required by law to package goods at the correct, listed weight. Again, a checkweigher can help you with this.
Brand Experience
It’s very important that your products conform to your brand’s image and fit in with your broader brand experience. You need to make sure that your products reflect your brand’s personality and values, and that they are consistent with your other branded marketing tools. Packaging should be more than packaging; it should be something that captivates your audience and that is instantly identifiable as being yours. It’s also a very good idea to design your product’s packaging in a way that stands out and appeals to your target audience. A marketing specialist will help you to do all of this.
Product Safety
When packaging products, you need to make sure that you do so safely. It’s not uncommon for brands to package their products in a way that results in the contents of the package being damaged during transit. The best way to prevent damage from occurring inside packages is to include bubble wrap and protective foam inside parcels. This kind of equipment doesn’t cost a lot of money but offers superior protection. It is especially important to include protective packaging inside parcels if there are free objects inside, that isn’t attached to anything and can be knocked about.
Staff Handling
You need to train your staff in how to handle and process parcels. More often than not, damaged parcels are caused by staff who haven’t been trained properly. Training your staff in how to handle parcels will save your business a lot of money in the long run, and also protect them. If you don’t give your staff proper training on how to handle and lift heavy objects, then they could end up injuring themselves. If your staff injure themselves, then they could actually take you to court and sue you for not giving them proper lifting training.
Courier Efficiency
Another aspect of the parcel delivery process that you need to give a lot of thought to is the courier that you are going to use. If you don’t hire a courier who is professional and experienced, then your products could end up not arriving on time or could end up arriving damaged. The best way to prevent this from happening is to stick with leading courier companies, rather than trying to cut costs and trying out lesser-known ones. Most large courier companies will charge you per month, rather than per each delivery that’s got to be made. You can also of course send parcels with your postal service if you aren’t sending many.
Functional Requirements
You need to consider each package’s functional requirements when you are planning out your business’s packaging process. If your packages need to communicate important information (such as nutritional information), then how are you going to incorporate that into the package’s design? Additionally, is any protective sealant going to be used, and if so, will that affect the parcel’s design? If you are going to be using tape for example, then consider using clear tape so that it doesn’t obscure any elements of your package. Also, will the package be discarded or used on opening? These are things that you need to consider carefully.
Simple Message
When you are designing your brand’s packaging, keep the message simple. The worst thing that you can do is to overload your audience and include lots of information. Minimalism is a very popular trend in professional packaging nowadays. Make sure to include your company’s name, logo, and any important information. Other than that, don’t include anything. Only the bare minimum should be included. If you do decide to include any extra messaging, then incorporate it into the package’s design in a way that’s seamless and doesn’t appear incongruous.
Attractive Packaging
Each package you send out to customers should look professionally done and attractive. This comes down even to the way that the tape has been applied to the parcel. If you do not strive to produce attractive packaging, then your brand can develop a reputation of being lazy and uncaring. Aesthetic design means a lot to customers. You should also make sure that both exterior and interior boxes are designed well. If you are going to include any internal packaging like paper, for example, make sure that it features your brand’s logo and looks professionally done.
Zero-waste
Finally, when you are designing your product packaging, try to adopt a zero-waste policy. The best way to do this is to use recycled materials, reduce each package’s weight and size by as much as possible, and encourage your customers to reuse packaging. The best way to get them to reuse packaging is to offer them packaging that’s made from high-quality materials, like glass and wood, rather than plastic and cardboard. You can charge an extra premium for products that have been packaged in high-quality materials. A zero-waste policy will appeal to people who are concerned with the environment.
You need to carefully plan out and consider your brand’s packaging. If you don’t then your product sales could be stunted. While the packaging isn’t as important as the actual products themselves, it’s still a very big thing that customers will take into consideration when they are buying products from your business.
