As a business owner, you likely consistently search for ways to make your products more appealing while cutting costs. However, you also want packaging that protects your products. Have you investigated flexible packaging? This innovative packaging solution can help distinguish yourself. This is what you should know about these customizable solutions.
What Is Flexible Packaging Exactly?
Flexible packaging uses materials that are not rigid. Rigid packaging materials include cardboard or paperboard, aluminum, glass and thick plastic to create boxes or bottles. However, flexible packaging uses thinner paper plastic, film, paper, aluminum foil, etc. Flexible packaging is more versatile and compact.
Several industries, including foods and beverages, pharmaceuticals and personal care industries, use flexible packaging. You may have seen individual servings of protein powered in flexible sachets from sachet packaging services or stand-up packages of granola sitting on grocery store shelves.
What Are Different Types of Flexible Packaging?
Flexible packaging comes in several different varieties. Probably the most recognizable type of flexible option is stand-up pouches. You have seen these on grocery store shelves. They stand on their own, and you can find branding and product information on the front and back, easily readable without taking the product off the shelves.
You can also purchase a roll of printed film that is ready to laminate into a package. Often, candy bar wrappers come in rolls, and you can seal them once the candy is inside. Single-serve cookies and other products that go through large-scale production use this type of packaging due to its cost and adaptability to the product specifications.
Some pouches also lay flat. These pouches save space during shipping and storage. You may have seen these packaging options when you purchased spices or single-serve items like sweeteners or powders. They may have notches you can use to tear open the package or zippers so you can reseal them.
What Are the Key Benefits of Flexible Packaging?
Flexible packaging is a sustainable option. Therefore, many of the materials used to produce this product are recyclable. In fact, they often have compostable films you can put right into your garden. They are also biodegradable. Therefore, this packaging option is easier on the environment than some other options. In addition, packaging manufacturers use fewer raw materials to manufacture these packages.
Flexible packaging also saves you money because it is lightweight, reducing your shipping costs. Because it is compact, you use only a fraction of the storage other options require, and you can pack more in shipping boxes than you would otherwise.
Sustainable packaging also gives your products an extended shelf life because it provides superior protection and sealing capabilities that preserve product freshness.
What Should Manufacturers Consider When Designing Packaging?
When you create your product packaging, consider the product type and its compatibility with the package. For example, custom coffee bags preserve freshness, hold in scents and reduce moisture leakage into the package. Some packages even reduce the amount of light and oxygen that get into them.
Consider your branding and what you want printed on the package. Do you need products that accept high-quality printing to create effective messaging and visual appeal?
If you seek a unique packaging option that can save you money and help you stand out, consider investigating flexible packaging.