What packaging is right for my product?

In the modern business world where globalisation and world markets are a part of every business model, it can be hard to get quality solutions for basic problems. One of the most common problems companies face is how to find the right packaging solutions for their products.

Whether you have sophisticated electronics to transport from one country to another, or food supplies to move from a distribution centre to your shopfront, this guide is designed to give you an idea of the kind of packaging options available to you in the modern market and some suggestions for what is appropriate for different product types.

Packaging Products- What are the options?

Generally speaking, packaging of consumer grade products can be sorted into five categories, within which lie any number of sub-categories and combinations. These categories are; plastic, metal and aluminium, cardboard, glass, and foam.

Plastic Packaging- By far the most prevalent packaging in the global economy du jour. Plastic packaging can be used for just about any packaging concerns you have. From solid plastic boxes to plastic air bags for cushioning and shrink wrapped bags for specialist items; plastic is the all-round all-star when it comes to packaging goods.

Metal or Aluminium Packaging- You may have seen bubbly, sugary drinks wrapped in red aluminium cans, or tins of fish on your supermarket shelves, metallic packaging, including the ever popular aluminium variety has been around for years, it’s tough, allows food to stay fresher for longer, and is easily moulded into any shape you desire for branding or shelf stacking possibilities.

Cardboard Packaging- Cardboard is great for not only creating the ubiquitous cardboard box but also for the inside of the box where you can place corrugated cardboard inside bigger boxes to protect your goods, slash cards so nothing gets damaged when being opened, and let’s not forget; cardboard makes for an amazing design template to make your product jump off the shelf!

Glass Packaging- Before polymers there was glass for every kind of drink, sauce, and condiment. Nowadays glass is reserved for specialty items more often than not. Glass is still a great looking product that is great to handle and gives your product innate value.

Foam Packaging- Normally reserved for padding out other packaging goods, foam has great impact resistance and is often used as a cushioning device in packaging for delicate goods.

So what packaging is right for my product?

The simple answer is that unless you have a product that is easily contained within one of the above categories, chances are you are going to have combination of a number of the above. Just think about all the consumer products you have bought over the years; many big ticket items like televisions come with a combination of foam, plastic and cardboard components, while something like soft drink or condiments require glass or aluminium for on shelf storage and cardboard or plastic for transportation, few items will only require only one source of packaging to ensure that your product looks great and arrives in store in a safe condition.

Hoxton Industries is an Australian Disability Enterprise that has been providing businesses with superior packaging manufacture and design for over 40 years. If you need help figuring out how to best market your products then get in touch with the friendly and knowledgeable team at Hoxton Industries today and we will work with you to ensure your products have the best protection and packaging on the shelves.