Packaging costs are estimated to account for 10% of the total cost of all retail products. Companies spend millions of dollars on packaging as a form of marketing to attract customers while their products are on the shelf. As a result, packaging can be made from a wide range of materials and containers. So, let’s dive into the most common ones!
Corrugated Boxes
Once you have explored your options, you should choose the best packaging materials for your packaging needs. In doing so, you may want to consider corrugated boxes, the staple of the packaging industry. Corrugated boxes have been a popular packaging material for generations.
They are used on packaging lines worldwide to pack thousands of products. These packaging supplies are frequently purchased preformed into the standard rectangular box shape. Alternatively, they may arrive in flat stacks, in which case the boxes must be assembled by hand.
Corrugated boxes are frequently used in packaging applications in conjunction with case erectors. Case erectors are another type of packaging equipment. These machines are used to shape flat cardboard into traditional box shapes. The boxes are then used to package and ship goods.
Corrugated cardboard is a type of fibreboard packaging. It is typically made from one or more types of fibreboard while using a technique known as fluted lamination. Electronics, DVDs, consumer goods, and pre-packaged food items such as cereal, chips, and cookies are all commonly packaged in corrugated boxes. Moreover, corrugated boxes can be one of the most cost-effective pieces of equipment for a hassle-free move you can benefit from if you ever need it!
Stretch Film
Stretch film is one of the most widely used packaging materials by companies with a shipping department. They use it to keep their products contained on pallets before shipping.
Stretch film is the best packaging material for keeping products from collapsing or becoming damaged during the shipping process. It achieves this goal through a process known as “load containment.” Simply put, load containment ensures that your load is adequately secured in place to arrive at its destination safely.
There are several types of stretch wrap material available today. Each one is designed for a specific purpose. Stretch film is commonly used for multi-pack packaging and unitization. Multi-packs of toilet paper, paper towels, and bottled water are some examples.
Shrink Film
Shrink film is currently one of the most popular materials on the market. It is used to package a dizzying variety of products. Although shrink film formulations come in various forms, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethene (PE), and polyolefin are the most common ones. Each formulation has been developed for a specific application.
Polyolefin, for example, is the best shrink film for wrapping food. On the other hand, when the wrong shrink film is used for the wrong product, it can lead to poor packaging, causing safety hazards and machinery issues.
Shrink film is used in conjunction with shrink tunnels and sealers to package products. These are the two types of packaging machinery needed to run shrink film on your packaging line. The product is first run through the sealer, which places it in a shrink film bag. Heat is then used to seal each side of the bag.
The product is pushed down the line and into the shrink tunnel. The shrink film bag then contracts uniformly around the product contained within. This is the most commonly used packaging material for board games, frozen pizza boxes, and small consumer goods.
Polybags
Polybags are transparent plastic bags that are commonly used for packaging and shipping specific consumer products. They are generally made of polyethene, which is one of the most popular types of plastic packaging formulations today. Polybags range in thickness from 1-6 mils.
However, there are unique poly bags available in a variety of thicknesses, both thinner and thicker. On request, some speciality plastic formulations are also available. Due to their slim body shape, smooth hand-feel, reflectivity, and versatility, polybags are most commonly used in the packaging of t-shirts, industry magazines, various mailers, bed sheets, pillows, and many other items.
Flexible Pouches
Generally, flexible pouches are made of foil or plastic, although they can be made of other materials. They are used in a variety of packaging applications. Food and beverage packaging and industrial liquid packaging are the most common examples of these applications.
Flexible pouches have become extremely popular for food packaging in recent years. This is because the majority of these pouches are resealable. They have a lower environmental impact and are less expensive to manufacture than alternatives such as glass, paperboard, metal, and cardboard. These packaging materials are commonly used for granola, energy drinks, coffee, soups, snacks, nuts, and a variety of other food products.
Carded Packaging
Carded packaging is a type of packaging that is divided into three subcategories: skin packaging, blister packaging, and clamshell packaging. These materials are widely used in many products as their applications are limitless, ranging from fishing lures, tools and OTC pharmaceuticals, to craft supplies. Nonetheless, each has its subtle differences and applications.
Skin packaging is carded packaging that completely encases the product contained on a piece of skin board. A thin sheet of skin poly or surlyn film is usually used to cover the product and is vacuum sealed to the skin board, making it ideal for seafood, pork, poultry, bison, hand tools, hardware, and other consumer goods.
Blister pack refers to a variety of preformed plastic containers with blister-board backers that are commonly used for packaging products such as chewing gum, fishing lures, and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Fishing supplies, art and craft materials, toys, and other small consumer products are also found inside blister packs. If you have batteries in your home, they are most likely in a well-branded blister pack with a paperboard backer as well.
Clamshells are yet another type of carded packaging. The majority of clamshells are made of plastic. They are, however, occasionally made of styrofoam, cardboard, recycled paper, or paperboard. Clamshell packaging is commonly used for grab-and-go items, grinders, breakfast sandwiches, salads, chicken wings, and other similar items.
