Packaging is one of the most important decisions of a business. Not only does packaging affect supply costs and productivity, but it also affects safety, durability, and functionality. In fact, a business can ultimately fail or succeed, with their packaging distributor being one of the most important components. A good package includes the following aspects.
Safety
Packaging needs to be safe, both for assembly workers and consumers. Although a consumer might not identify a package on the shelf as being unsafe, a single incident that involves safety could damage the businesses reputation. Safety includes having packaging products that are both safe and that include warnings about any safety features that cannot be manipulated. For example, if the packaging distributor cannot come up with a way to safely package for small children, warning labels need to accompany the package for parents to keep it away from small children.
In addition to safe packaging, the package needs to also keep exterior contaminants away from the interior product. Each year, roughly 1 out of 6 Americans (or 48 million people) get sick, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die from foodborne illnesses. While food inspections and sanitized form fill seal machines are a part of this, the packaging also needs to be safe and secure.
Durability
Durability is also very important. Without a durable package, consumers are unable to open the product and the packaging does not efficiently keep exterior items out. Durability also means that the product has to hold up among numerous transporting trips. Products are often shipped for long periods of time. If the packaging cannot hold up to these travel conditions, the product can spoil or the packaging is ruined by the time it ever makes it to the store shelf. Some stores choose to use vacuum sealers, as they preserve food 3 to 5 times longer than food stored in plastic bags or containers.
Functionality
A good package is secure and durable, but it is also functional. Designing an airtight container that keeps exterior contaminants out, but makes it difficult for consumers to reseal and reuse can be a problem. Consumers have many choices when it comes to choosing products they keep in their households. Functionality is just one of the factors that they base their decision on, but it is also an important one. Functionality means that consumers can easily get into the product and they can also reseal it or keep it fresh for long periods of time.
Affordability
Affordability is where packaging often gets tricky. Many of the best products from packaging distributors are extremely durable, safe, and functional, but this comes at a price. Choosing a packaging product that is too expensive can really affect food and supply costs, eventually cutting into your profits. In many cases, you cannot pass these costs to the customer, because this can reduce your competitiveness among other similar brands.
Recyclability
Recyclability is a newer component but is one that more and more consumers are valuing. About 52% of people around the world make purchase decisions partially due to packaging that shows a brand making a positive social and environmental impact. Recyclable products mean reusing plastics and other materials to create product packaging. Fortunately, many packaging distributors are moving toward environmentally friendly warehouses.
Packaging decisions can make or break your business success. Choosing a material that is durable and functional might be useful, but if it does not fit in with your cost budget, it can ruin the bottom line. Skimping on a product to stick to your budget can get you more profit, but can put you at risk of customer lawsuits or poorly handled foods. It is a careful balance that needs to be explored and carefully decided.
