Your packaging solutions need to scream BUY ME!

Well-conceived packaging solutions help increase sales

Good product packaging solutions equal good sales. Why not?  Packaging is the first point of contact your product has with consumers. The right package and the right design can mean the difference between success and failure. To be right, the product packaging solution you choose must keep a proper balance between design and function.

Good product packaging solutions have many jobs. They must provide protection, allow for easy storage and distribution, offer the right information to customers, and catch the eyes of consumers who are blinded by an ocean of competing products.

Now it’s time to choose materials for your package

Just as consumers are overwhelmed with product choices, so are businesses swimming in a sea of materials to consider for their product packaging solutions.

Here are just some of the things to keep in mind when designing a product packaging solution:

• Durability
• Temperature resistance
• Water resistance
• Flame retardancy
• Paper coating
• Packaging alternatives
• Sizing requirements
• And many, many more…

Product packaging solutions serve many purposes and needs

• Promotional packaging
• Bottle labels
• Retail packaging
• Corrugated protective packaging
• Food Packaging
• Carton packaging and converting
• Medical packaging
• Toy and game manufacturing

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Knowing the packaging options available for your individual needs can be very difficult. There are many questions to be answered, such as what is the best material, and what printing method works best for your needs.

Basic materials-

Bleached paperboard, or solid bleached sulfates (SBS)

Bleached paperboard, or solid bleached sulfates (SBS), is premium grade paperboard produced from a minimum of 80% virgin bleached wood pulp. Most SBS is coated with a thin layer of kaolin clay to improve the printing surface or can also be coated with polyethylene (PE) resin to strengthen wet food packaging. SBS comes in different strengths and thicknesses with the versatility to add finishes for regulated items or other packaging requirements.

Corrugated fiberboard

Corrugated fiberboard has two main components: linerboard and the medium. Linerboard is the flat surface of the box and fluting is the wavy medium attached to the linerboard.

There are four types of corrugated structure:

• Single face: One flute and one linerboard
• Single wall: One flute between two linerboards
• Double wall: Two flutes within three linerboards
• Triple wall: Three flutes within four linerboards

Flutes

Flutes are arches of containerboard that, when affixed to the linerboard, resist bending and pressure from all directions. The flutes form rigid columns capable of supporting great weight and act as cushions that protect the container contents. Flutes come in several standard shapes. Different sizes of flutes can be used within the same project. This technique is used to manipulate the strength, cushioning and thickness of a package, depending on the specific product.

Printing your product packaging solution

There are two ways to apply printed graphics to a box or package: direct or sheet. Direct printing is when the box is printed on directly from the press, whereas sheet printing is the act of printing on paper and using an adhesive to affix the sheet to the box.

There are five printing processes to consider when printing on packaging.  Each process has parameters that help you identify the right process for your project-

Offset Lithography– best used for complicated graphics and four-color photography

Flexography– depends on the absorbency of the material printed upon

Letterpress– best for simple markings and strong color

Screen Printing– works well for combined board printing and does not crush flutes

Digital– cost-effective for short runs and variable data printing

Another way to help you decide which process is right for you is to examine the line screen. The higher the line screen, the more polished the graphics.

Have a Great Day

Audrey Ferrante
Ferrante & Associates, Inc.