The right choice when it comes to product packaging is one of wisest decisions that you can do. This is required to ensure your product safety and integrity and obtain client experience. The ideal box must intriguingly protect and present the product. It should also address your corporate and marketing objectives.

What Should You Consider When Choosing a Custom Box?

When selecting an appropriate box for your goods, take into consideration a couple of things. Keep the product size and weight in mind. Consider material, box style and durability requirements. Printing and finishing options add to the quantity but you must have a budget for it. The correct combination will create a function of your packaging, aesthetically convenient and suitable for use with your product. Now let’s move into details.

Understand Your Product First

First know your product. You should know about its size, shape, weight and obviously, the level of fragility. This helps you understand any inserts or dividers or trays or cushioning needed for this product. For example in the case of fragile products you may need inserts to protect them.

Why Product Dimensions Matter?

It is extremely important to take into account the dimensions of your product. This is because a perfect fit eliminates empty space and decreases movement. It enhances the level of protection. So it’s wise to measure the length, width and height of your item before creating its packaging.

When You Need Inserts, Dividers or Cushioning

Especially when your product is sensitive and requires an extra level of protection, inserts, partitions, compartments or cushions may be of great use. They keep your product in place and prevent any type of breakage and impact.

Choose the Right Packaging Material

The packaging material has a great deal to do with both protection and presentation. Most common packaging materials include cardboard, Kraft, corrugated board and rigid board.

Paperboard/Cardboard

Cardboard/paperboard is lightweight and easily printed, which makes it a good option for most retail products, cosmetics, food products and general consumer products.

Kraft

Kraft produces a natural look and feel and is often used for soap, candles, food and gift items. In addition, Kraft is a popular choice for companies that want eco friendly packaging.

Corrugated

Corrugated board is the strongest form of cardboard due to its inner layers of flutes. Because of its strength and cushioning abilities, corrugated is typically used for shipping and e-commerce packaging.

Rigid Board

Rigid board generates a premium looking and highly solid structure.

Choose a Perfect Box Size

The box needs to fit the product in a perfect way. Too small a box could potentially damage your product. On the other hand, too big a box could lead to empty spaces. It causes your products to shift around, resulting in wasted packaging materials.

Measure your product before purchasing your packaging. So this will give you precise measurements of the size of the box you have to order.

Consider Product Weight and Shipping Conditions

Shipping is a key factor that must be taken into account in the production of a custom-made packaging solution for your product. Apart from choosing the appropriate packaging method, you will want to choose the correct type, and the weight of the product is important. While lighter items can be packaged with less costly and light materials, for example, heavier items are better packaged with sturdier materials.

Select the Right Custom Box Style

Each type of product requires a unique type of box. Your selection should depend upon how the product will be presented, transported and stored.

Popular box styles include:

Tuck-End Boxes

Tuck end boxes for retail and consumer products

Mailer Boxes

Mailer Boxes are perfect for e-commerce and direct shipping

Sleeve Boxes

Sleeve boxes for products that require an inner tray and outer sleeve

Rigid Boxes

Rigid boxes are a perfect choice for premium products.

Two-Piece Boxes

Two piece boxes with separate lids and bases for luxury appeal.

Display Boxes

Display boxes are suitable for retail store presentations.

Die-Cut Boxes

Die-cut boxes to create custom shapes and structures

Gable Boxes

Gable boxes create a convenient carrying for the products due to build in handle that features convenience.

Make Sure Your Packaging Protects the Product

Packaging should protect your product all along the way and even during storage. Consider all of the potential risks your product may encounter such as impact, compression, moisture, vibration and movement etc.

Some foods require packaging made from approved food contact compliant materials. Products that are going to ship require a more durable box as compared to one used for retail use.

Customize Your Box with Printing and Branding

Depending on the nature of the product the box can contain any detail such as product name, description, ingredients, instructions, barcode and other branding information.

Digital Printing vs. Offset Printing

When you go for digital printing, it is ideal for small orders and rapid turnaround. It offers variable design services with lower setup costs. On the other hand, offset printing is better for large quantities of orders, provides consistent color, sharp detail, and cost savings at higher volume levels.

CMYK vs. Pantone

CMYK printing uses four inks and magenta, yellow and black to create a wide range of colors and can provide detailed images. Contrarily, Pantone printing is using special pre-mix colors to achieve a more accurate and consistent color matching, particularly for important branding colors.

Choose the Right Packaging Finish

Finishing techniques enhances the display and feel of the packaging. The appropriate finish depends upon the type of product and the overall desired look of the final package. For example:

Glossy finish offers a gleaming reflective appearance.

Spot UV adds selective gloss to areas of the design creating contrast between different elements within the design.

Foil stamp adds metallic or specialty accents to text patterns or decorative items on the package through heat application.

Balance Packaging Cost and Performance

There are numerous variables that affect the package's cost and the overall performance of the packaging. It includes the material used, size of the box, order size and printing. Despite of choosing the most affordable option, opt for maintaining a balance between cost and functional preferences.

Go for Sustainable Packaging Options

When it comes to selecting your boxes, your ecological concerns also matter. Materials like cardstock, paperboard, Kraft, rigid and corrugated are all green options to consider, as they consist of paper. Also, you will be able to minimize the amount of excess packaging by using a box that is just the ideal size for your products.

Test Your Custom Packaging Before Ordering in Bulk

Test your packaging with the actual product prior to starting the volume production. Assess the product's fit in packaging. In addition to creating a packaging that secures your product, you need to ensure that will it withstand hardships of shipping. You can test a single sample before mass production. This helps you address the issues at the start.

FAQS

Q: What box material is best for custom packaging?

A: The best material is dependent on your product and the requirements for shipping. Cardboard is suitable for lightweight products while corrugated board offers more stiffness and higher protection for heavier or delicate products.

Q: Why is choosing a proper box size for my product essential?

A: Choosing a proper box guarantees your product safety. It reduces movement and keeps the product in place.

Q: What printing choices are most suitable for custom packaging boxes?

A: Depending on your size and design requirements, custom boxes may employ digital or offset printing.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best box for your product is a top concern of businesses. Some key considerations concern the identification of your product characteristics and the introduction of packaging. The next step will be to identify the protective properties of the box, as well as considerations on labeling and printing, on finishing and on possible environmental aspects.

Ultimately, good packaging must be used for more purposes than just wrapping your product. It should protect them, improve their appearance by presenting and creating a positive experience from receiving the shipment to unpacking its contents.

Choose the Right Product Packaging with Custom Printed Boxes

Ready to deliver the packaging your products deserve? Custom Printed Boxes Canada helps you to create custom packaging boxes corresponding to the size, materials, protection and presentation needs of your product. Select the right box, print and finish options to manufacture packaging that matches your product and supports a better customer experience. Contact us today to discuss and begin with your custom packaging requirements.