#packaging for ecommerce

[arka-packaging]

How to Create a Great Packaging Design

Good packaging remains one of the most successful marketing tools worldwide. Imagine an attractive and memorable design for packaging and what it can offer you as a company and the customer. It will not only hugely boost your sales, but will also help your customers know the brand and its product.

Designing packaging involves creating a balance between the aesthetic and the eco-friendly. Most importantly, it ascertains the protection of your products. The major tenet of a good packaging design is more than just adding an aesthetic look for the consumer. 

It also aims for the package to effectively deliver the values of the brand. The right packaging design differentiates your brand from other sellers such as Amazon. According to Forbes, 89% of consumers prefer to purchase their products from Amazon than other business sites.

Does your packaging meet these criteria? Below are some guidelines on designing your perfect custom packaging for the best of delivery.

Elements of a Great Packaging Design

Very few rules are drawn when it comes to graphic design. Note that e-commerce and retail packaging have slightly different rules for good packaging design. 

E-commerce packaging is designed in such a way that it discourages theft and puts away unnecessary attention. While the retail packaging is eye-catchy for the public to take note of and is perfectly sized for the display shelf. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a study carried out by West rock showed that 82% of consumers agreed that it is vital to create a healthy balance between brands and their environs when designing the right packaging. 

On that note, here are some important things you need to know when designing custom packaging.

1. Less can be More

Stop trying to fit too many details into small spaces. Great and sustainable brands should not accept excessive packaging. This affects both the physical and aesthetic features.  

To design a package, you have to consider the size, prints, font, and necessary amount of inserts. The best packaging company is one that understands and applies this simple rule. 

The use of foils and flash should be avoided because anything shiny and slick is a bit too much. They also make the packaging unrecyclable for you and your customer. To avoid clutter, be sure to plan for the use of white space.

2. The Right Color

Your packaging design needs the right color to attract customers and for easy identification of your brand. Brand colors should be soft and appealing to the eyes of the public. Be careful when it comes to using colors that can evoke emotions or pictures. 

About the material used for packaging, be cautious of the type of ink used. This can affect the image of the brand, as you intend to give it a mature and exquisite look.

Toxic-ink printing should be avoided as much as possible. Ensure that your printing process is one that allows for sustainable packaging. 

Product packaging companies like Arka give value for your money while ensuring that your printing is eco-friendly.

3. Material Type

Every product has its level of packaging. Not all of them need an A-top level of packaging. Assuming you're giving or selling out simple products of low quality, there are specific custom packaging designed for you that may not be useful for a product of higher quality. 

Custom box packaging for presentation should display a rich and comfortable touch, which is best for an expensive product. Even boxes for subscriptions are not left out. They should be able to protect your products while looking visually appealing.

84% of consumers say packaging that can keep their products safe is product satisfactory for them.

On the other hand, custom paper mailers are good for reducing the cost price placed for the shipping process. 

Custom packaging is not about fancy colors and papers only. It also deals with making sure that the product package can easily move from one hand to another without being destroyed.

For a more high-quality feel, another custom option could be an eco-friendly poly mailer that is intensely versatile. No 'one fit' packaging solution is available for all products, but there is always a go option for your every need. 

4. Brand

Be sure that the design is suitable for the company, its product, and the right customers. The brand goes beyond the logo. What story do you want to tell the public or your target customers about the brand? The packaging should tell that story.  

The information you want to send should take place throughout the unboxing of the product. Let it convey the values of the brand to make your customers feel great about the purchase. 52% of consumers have switched to different brands because of packaging. A shipping box has various surfaces that anyone can use as a canvas.

With mailers, customized messages, written or in sticker forms can be slipped in to encourage your target customers to remain with the brand. Avoid the use of styrofoam in packaging consumables like peanuts etc. 

5. Sustainability

Purchasing your custom and sustainable packaging from Arka is a great path to achieving a better future. Anyone could be cynical about keeping a sustainable brand even when gaining from a child-like and eco-sensitive consumer.

As important as safety is for your consumers, they are not ready to get sustainability out of the picture. A survey by West rock showed that 65% of consumers are of the view that packaging that can be easily repurposed gives a better product satisfaction.

Everyone desires a better world, but to acquire that, we all need to come together to change even the smallest thing about shipping packaging. 

We aim at giving a wide array of perfect recycled packaging, as well as eco-friendly boxes for packaging supplies. Your customers need to know your sustainability story as you're trying to make a change for the environment.

Feel free to contact us to begin a sustainable packaging plan or get motivated with our custom packaging samples.

6. Shape and Structural Feature

One easy rule for packaging shapes and sizes is to utilize the smallest package that can complete the work. Imagine a pack of chips that suddenly becomes small at its bottom when opened.

The extra space in the pack was a result of a miscalculation on shape and structure. Anyone can be disappointed with such an experience. Try as much as possible to avoid disappointing and frustrating your customers. 

They easily get frustrated with empty packaging, and you do not want to fill the space with plastic airbags, too. This act is an offense and has a low-quality output that is most suitable for something very simple, something that needs the application of a good packaging system. 

When shipping products that are almost of the same size, the use of a custom insert is one distinctive way to save and reveal your product in a shipping package.

Not every product deserves to be in an insert, but in cases where you have to distribute a wide range of products to your customers, you could go broke trying to produce a singular insert for each product option available.

You can always use a possible eco-friendly option like the corrugated bubble or GreenWrap in case you see yourself in that situation.

Factors that Make a Good Packaging Design

The same way books are judged by their covers, products are also judged by their outward look, packaging.  When buying decisions depend so much on the ability of the package to influence purchasing and shopping activities, it is important to sufficiently utilize the power of a good packaging design. 

Factors to ensure that your packaging design hits a purchase rise are:

1. Uniqueness 

Study has shown that 40% of consumers tend to post their packaged products on an online platform because of their uniqueness. Your packaging should offer something unique to customers to keep drawing them in. The right packaging design will get the attention of your customers and bring them in, but what can you do to keep their interest standing? 

Different structures work hand in hand to ensure that they catch attention, especially when standard square boxes are introduced. Your brand can decide to be different in several unique ways.

2. Attractiveness

The first role of good packaging is to engage the eyes of the customers. This is a very vital feature to take account of before making corrections to any packaging plan you decide to launch. 

A packaging design of high-quality draws the customer to the shelf from a far location. Design logos that can help improve the look of the brand. You can always involve different packaging styles and effects to be prominent from the majority. This also depends on your fixed audience.

3. Effectiveness

Yes. Uniqueness and appearance are very important parts of a great packaging design, but it is also important that your plan works with a high level of effectiveness. To get an effective packaging design, you have to look beyond visuals.

72% of American consumers agree that their decisions on buying a product were influenced by the packaging design. It works well with your producing and distribution systems, as it increases the rate of sales at the warehouse. Every brand leader such as the manager, supervisors, engineers, etc, all need effective packaging for high speed and progress. 

Packaging for brands is done with a purpose, so your packaging design should not be based on what you like, but what works.

Product packaging designs must reflect the brand's objective as much as possible. If this objective is to build customer loyalty, your design must have a strong personal touch.

Avoid packaging designs that leave a narrow margin for error during production. This may affect the overall impact of your product package, increasing cost to somewhere above normal.

4  Be responsible

I'm sure you are wondering what being responsible has got to do with your packaging design. Well, you are not alone. I didn't understand it until I became directly involved in product packaging.

There are lots of regulatory requirements that determine your packaging design. These requirements may vary depending on your industry. Custom packaging companies understand this, that is why they review and approve your packaging design.

For instance, Arka ensures that your packaging design meets all the requirements in your industry to eliminate delays in the design verification stage.

Some packaging designs are suitable for corrugated boxes, while others are not. Packaging accessories that are used in one industry may also be rejected in another. You have to know what applies to your industry.

Good Collaboration Equals Great Packaging Design

If you are yet to start your product packaging, you probably think it's a stroll in the pack. But it is not. You can not complete all your product packaging stages on your own.

Collaboration is simply getting the help of a designer or other individuals during product packaging. Getting advice, and help from experts will prevent your product packaging from performing below expectation.

Collaboration helps you to streamline the intent of the packaging and the overall budget needed to make it happen. It also provides you with different ideas on how to maximize the limited available resources.

You may also determine whether the design requires machinery or not. Collaboration also makes it easier for your product packaging to adhere to federal and industry standards.

Collaboration makes it easier for you to look for packaging materials that soothe your design. You have to reach out to any verified sustainable packaging companies or a custom packaging company.

In whatever you do, be able to seek help when you need it. It saves you time, and money.

Conclusion

Trying to hit the balance between uniqueness, attractiveness, and effectiveness can be a bit of a challenge, especially for the longest and most experienced companies. 

All you need is a partnership with us that can help you go beyond the limits of what can or can't be done with the right packaging design.

[arka-packaging]

Important Aspects of Custom Packaging

First impressions matter, that you may already know. Even in relationships, first impressions determine a whole lot for the future. So why should the first impression of your product be bland and unsustainable?

According to Forbes, Amazon ships approximately 2.5 billion packages each year. With custom packaging, the distinct values of their brands and products are properly announced and showcased for customers to view and purchase from. 

Arka experts will give you the right custom design, shipping plans, and total protection you desire for a product. This will give your customer an idea of the different commodities your company offers. 

A company without custom packaging will find it difficult to stand on its own and without a clear difference from the competition. If the package is not interesting and captivating, the turnout and positive responses from customers will decrease. 

We will be taking a detailed look into how to get started on custom packaging and its relevance to your product and business. 

What is Custom Packaging?

Custom packaging simply involves the use of a box specifically designed for the shipping of products in your company. This box is meant to be a perfect fit for the product to fully protect it more than the usual standard of packaging. 

Sometimes, the packaging system needs to be specially engineered and designed under specific prototypes and testing. It could take a lot of effort and may cost a bit too much to use custom packaging because of its intensive process.

The physical features of the package and its design are made sustainable and perfect with the application of an engineering process. Packagings used for the product can be styled and customized with the help of logos, patterns, pictures, or anything that can make it look attractive. 

The company may also decide to add any other feature that gives value and beauty to the brand. 

Features of a Good Custom Packaging

We will all agree that custom packaging has an important role to play in a business. Apart from the fact that it protects your customer's product, it also aids in the promotion of sales in your company.

Tools used in custom packaging, like the design, color, and cover, must be suitable enough for the nature of the product to be shipped. It must also be interesting, desirable, and convenient for the customer. 

You can only effectively protect and package products with the right custom packaging. The quality of the product, increase in sales, and the image of your brand can only be sustained with it. How can you identify a good custom packaging?

1. Attractive

A customized package has to be very attractive and interesting. Packages that are not attractive enough will never get the attention of your customers. 

The attraction should be strong enough to create a memorable experience otherwise the customer will move on as soon as they are done unboxing the product.

Its attractiveness is what draws them, inducing their interest and making them realize the value of your products. A need suddenly arises for it. 

It will interest you to know that most customers demand a product mainly because of its beautiful packaging. 67% of American consumers prefer paper-based packaging because it makes the product more attractive.

Tools like the design, size, color, patterns, etc. of a package, create a sudden sense of need for the product. Remember, to stand out as much as possible. Unique packaging is one way to tell the world you are different.

Most brands understand the significance of creativity in product packaging. Creativity and attractiveness are indispensable in packaging. Nobody wants to look exactly like their competitors.

2. Convenient

Every good custom packaging should be convenient. Your customer would love and appreciate a product designed in such a way that it can be easily moved from one location to another without stress. Any middle man in a business would desire such convenience. 

Even the shape and size of the package should be produced in a bid to help retailers easily store these products in their shop or at home. 

Who wouldn't love a package design that can be reused? I will tell you what is more important, your customer will! 

3. Very Protective

One of the major purposes of custom packaging is its ability to protect products from possible risks. A survey by Westrock showed that 78% of customers prefer their products to be packaged with materials that keep their family safe to give way for brand trust.

No customer wants to receive his or her product in a damaged state. All products are to be packaged appropriately in such a way that the quality of the product does not reduce. 

Factors like rain, sun, dust, etc. can be a source of damage to the products, if not rightly packaged. They could get spoilt or rotten while moving them from one location to another. 

Proper packaging is what you need to save and protect your product from any risk. You need the right custom packaging. 

4. Quite Economical

Your packaging should not be expensive. A good custom packaging is always economical for customers. Most customers will not be interested in buying a product if its packaging is expensive.

This is because the price of the product also increases. The company will also find it difficult to make sales. In other words, no customers, no sales.  

5. Very Communicative

Imagine packaging that effectively communicates the mind of a brand. A good custom packaging is very communicative. According to a survey by Westrock, 57% said packaging that always communicates the main values of the brand gives product satisfaction.

It ensures the customer knows all there is to know about the brand and quality of the product.

This will eventually stimulate an increase in demand. Good packaging works as an additional salesman to your business. Make the right choice.

What to Consider When Choosing the Right Custom Packaging

We earlier discussed the various features that help you identify good custom packaging. Now, you are ready to choose one. But before you place the order for your product packaging, put these factors into consideration.

1. Material of Package

The choice of material for your packaging is very important. In the midst of different options, your decision wholly depends on the style of the brand and on the product itself. Most importantly, your customers' preferences should be duly noted before making a decision. 

61% of customers are more selective in purchasing some products because of the high quality of the packaging materials. Be sure to purchase high-quality materials for your packaging to keep your products safe till they get to the hands of the customer. 

Remember that the price to replace spoiled goods is far more expensive than the price invested in getting durable and suitable packaging for your products. 

Don't forget to go for eco-friendly materials. It helps you build a strong bond between your business and the community.

2. Product Distribution

Distributing your product from the production unit to a distribution house, wholesalers, and your customer will need a comfortable and suitable, and protective packaging.

The right packaging is equivalent to durability as it contributes to easing the transportation of your products. No customer wants a packaging that loses its look and shape before it gets to them. 

Always put into account the travel distance, type of transportation, and storage requirements of your product to avoid any risk of damage during shipping.

You may have to consider how many times the product will stop before reaching the customer as it will give a clearer picture of what your supply chain looks like.

3. Customers Desire

This particular factor is very important as it goes way into fulfilling the desires of the customer in the area of packaging. 40% of consumers sort to upload pictures of their packaged product online, especially if branded. 

A customer's needs may run from the materials to the designs and other areas of packaging that can demand a finishing touch. Each area of your packaging must be perfected to attract and appeal to the true needs of its customers.

4. Budget

In most marketing plans, budget is one of the factors that deliver a big impact on what can be achieved and otherwise.

While preparing how to manage income for your business, be sure to allocate a budget for your packaging, as well as the work you will be doing for the packaging design. 

Custom packaging does not have to cost a fortune. Instead of full-scale branding, you can choose a few simple custom packaging ideas. When executed well, these ideas can work magic.

So, you need to cut your overall cost. Here are some simple ways to make custom packaging less expensive.

1. Reduce the Size

The usual sizing is one way that can help you cut down on your packaging costs, but be sure to put into account the advantages of the various materials, to ascertain which one will help you well.

You can learn how to design a package from the scratch or contact some of the best packaging companies near you. Both options are great, but the latter helps you focus on other aspects of your business.

2. Custom Tape

Many packaging companies near me have benefited from this. Amazon, which happens to be among the leading e-commerce businesses often brands her shipments with custom tape. It saves you more money than printing and that's not all.

By showing your brand's logo in a repeating, unending stripe, you'll be leaving a lasting impression on customers. It will stick to the memory, and that way, you'll have built a strong brand identity.

3. Custom Insert

Packaging for e-commerce is incomplete without a personal touch. A simple thank you handwritten note can ignite the recipient's passion for your brand. And the good thing is that you don't have to spend.

Custom packaging inserts can include a postcard, some coupons, or a sample product. They are economical and very effective. 

4. Custom Labels

Labels are very easy to spot on the packaging. A great custom label can carry all the information you need to create an impression. The good thing is, they are usually not as expensive compared to other options.

Labels can be used on blank packaging boxes or printed boxes. You just have to make sure they are not abused. Most e-commerce custom box packaging uses labels.

5. Custom Tissue

Do you know that a unique tissue paper can add something extra to your packaging. Custom tissue papers are great and very effective to cut down cost. Instead of paying so much for fillers, you can use tissue.

5. Long Term Sustainability

In making your choice, be sure to select materials and other tools that obey the company's regulations and systems, as this will eventually increase sustainable production in the company. Using recycled packages and continually emphasizing will give way to a better and eco-friendly view for your trademark.

Sustainability is not just about the materials you use. It often reveals itself in the method with which you create your final packaging. You have to incorporate the policy in every stage of packaging.

For instance, a packaging company that uses the non-toxic ink process for corrugated boxes commits to sustainability than one that does not use non-toxic ink.

You should be able to inculcate your sustainable packaging policy into your employees as much as possible.

Sustainable packaging companies like Arka can provide all you need for long term sustainability. Most of her packaging can be repurposed and the company has one of the best SIOC policies. Arka eliminates the stress and cost of using a different primary and secondary packaging.

Conclusion

Making sure you choose the right custom packaging for your product can be quite challenging. Thankfully, you have lots of options to choose from. With these few suggestions we have given you, we are sure you will have great ideas for your product packaging.

[arka-packaging]

Get Packaging for Ecommerce in Canada & USA. Arka is one of the best Packaging Experts Canada. Have the perfect package for your brand!

[dcgpac-blog]

Everything You Need to Know About Packing Supplies When Moving House

When you make the crucial decision of moving your family, one of the primary things you think of doing is making a list of packing supplies. You will start searching what you actually need to pack and move to a new location or a new residence. This includes information regarding various types of boxes required according to your things, where you can find those boxes and what to do exactly with the supplies after you will be finished moving. The best part is in today's e-commerce age; there is an availability of packaging materials and packing box online. Packaging products are getting easier day by day with their online from various suppliers.

Which Supplies You Need and How Much?

Nothing can be more painstaking than when you begin to pack your household and suddenly out of the blue you realize that you have exhausted your packing tape and you are out of old newspapers or to top the list your bubble wrap was destroyed by your dog during his playtime which has left the sheer mess of plastic shreds all over your living room floor. Post taking a deep breath, you barge into the supply store to find out that they no longer sell the box sizes you actually require and their packing tape is only on back-order. What Kind of Boxes Do You Need?

Boxes differ as per the purpose. Buying the right moving box is not the only thing that is going to make or break your move, but in fact it will help you to make sure that your stuff will reach your new chosen destination all in one piece and it might also save you some extra time, maybe some money and avoid a scenario where you will be restricted on your couch with a sore back or strained muscles due to lifting boxes that are very heavy or extremely cumbersome to manage. So first find out what type of boxes are actually available, what you may require to move your stuff and only then get packing.

Is It Okay to Move With Used Boxes?

While packing and moving with used boxes is a great idea, however, using those used boxes does depend on the type of stuff that you are planning to move. If you are able to find good used boxes, then not only are you actually saving yourself some money (and who doesn't practically need more of that these days?). But the best part is you are thinking of the environment and minimizing waste by recycling and saving the planet from even more waste which is very environmentally friendly. It can also be a win-win situation for everyone. What to Do with Boxes After You Move?

If you have just moved, you are probably exhausted from moving boxes. As a matter of fact, you're probably so tired of packing boxes that the only thought or mention of birthday or Christmas presents makes you literally shudder.

Do not be disappointed yet! While boxes have ruled your life for the past certain period of time owing to moving and packing, there are certain ways of cleaning your home of all that cardboard while, at the same time making sure to restrict any negative impact on the environment. Recycle Packing Peanuts

Packing peanuts are a sheer nightmare. They are harmful to the environment and get all over the place. Try to avoid them as much as possible, but sometimes they do get into your home through online purchases or because they are known to be useful to pack wine glasses safely. So, if you somehow find yourself left with this packaging alternative of pesky peanuts, try to use as less of it as possible or recycle it.

Here's a very important tip and thing to bear in mind. Packing should always be finished prior to your moving day. Not everybody can hire a packers and movers company that is going to provide them with a full-time service. Some especially those who have their new residence only a few blocks away don't need such a service in the first place. Make sure to request the extra service of professional packing. Also, ensure you pack on time because your movers will expect you to be finished with the task of having your stuff packed up well in time for safe transportation.

If the benefits require you to wait to wrap up a few extra boxes or if it looks like that they might need to help you to do it for them, then the time which is lost and the extra efforts on their part will indicate more money out of your pocket.

In the best case scenario, all of your stuff will be packed up on time and with safety, ready to be loaded into the moving truck by the moving team. But how can you ensure you don't fall behind and deviate from your packing schedule? It’s highly simple: follow a specific, personal and customized moving and packing timetable to make sure that you wouldn’t have to make your movers wait on you!