Modest changes to your packaging can have a big impact on how people perceive your brand and how it affects the environment. Learn five easy yet effective changes you can make to your packaging design strategy that will benefit both the environment and your company.
With the rise of custom packaging, customers are constantly being impressed by creative and innovative designs. However, creating that perfect packaging takes a lot of time, money, and resources. Many brands prefer to place regular orders for their boxes and stick to designs that have been tried, tested, and proven to resonate with their customers.
Maintaining consistency in packaging design and routines is a great practice. It helps keep your brand identity strong, ensuring that your customers always know what to expect when they place an order. However, there are times when small tweaks in your packaging design or how you pack your products can benefit your budget, timeline, and overall brand image.
Here are 5 simple changes you can make to your design, packaging, storage, and disposal processes that can have a big impact on your packaging strategy and brand vision.
Go for packaging box types that have multiple uses.
If your boxes are displayed in retail stores or you want your customers to be able to use the packaging without needing to transfer the product into a different container, design your packaging to meet these needs. Making your customers’ lives easier not only adds value to your brand image but also encourages repeat business.
A great example of this is SETBAR's nutrition bar packaging. Some retailers prefer buying the bars in bulk for store display. To cater to this, SETBAR provides display box packaging that serves a dual purpose: it ships the nutrition bars and transforms them into an attractive display on the shelves. This thoughtful packaging design saves retailers time and enhances the shopping experience for customers.
This approach helps SETBAR maintain a consistent brand image, as the packaging prominently displays the SETBAR logo, making it easily recognizable on store shelves. Additionally, it simplifies the process for retailers, as they don't have to remove the bars from the box and place them individually on the shelf.
A similar philosophy is adopted by Six Realms with their foldable magnetic rigid boxes. These boxes are not only easy for the company to assemble and store during the packaging process, but they also offer convenience for the consumer. When not in use, the boxes can be flattened for easy storage, ensuring that both the brand and the customer benefit from the practical design.
Reduce the use of void fillers
Reducing the use of void fillers is a smart move for both cost and environmental reasons. Void fillers, such as foam pellets and bubble wrap, not only add to packaging costs but also contribute to excessive waste. Customers may not appreciate having to dispose of all that extra material, so it's important to keep packaging compact and efficient.
A better alternative is to use custom box inserts. These inserts are designed to securely hold your products in place during shipping, ensuring they arrive intact without the need for excessive packing materials. For example, Nail Deck uses inserts for their lacquer kits, which contain glass bottles. By using custom inserts, they avoid the need for bulky tissue or bubble wrap, saving time for customers who would otherwise have to unwrap and dispose of the materials. This method keeps packaging minimal and eco-friendly while protecting the product during transit.
Another option is to package your goods in reusable containers or bags before putting them in the box. GratiTea places their tea bags in a container before packaging them in their foldable, rigid box. In addition to providing an additional layer of protection, this eliminates the need for void fillers.
Personalize the packaging
Personalizing your packaging can create a stronger emotional connection with your customers. Including a small, personalized thank-you note or message in your custom-designed boxes goes a long way in making your customers feel valued. It adds a human touch to an otherwise impersonal electronic transaction, showing that you appreciate their purchase.
This thoughtful gesture not only enhances the customer experience but also fosters loyalty. When customers feel connected to your brand on a personal level, they’re more likely to return for future purchases, ultimately increasing their lifetime value to your business. It's a simple yet effective way to elevate your packaging and strengthen customer relationships.
Additionally, thank-you notes and messages are excellent for sharing on social media, which is exactly what your customers may do. In the long run, this type of word-of-mouth advertising can help your brand.
Be creative with your stickers
Be creative with your stickers! If constantly redesigning your packaging for sales or festive seasons feels overwhelming and costly, custom-printed stickers are a great solution. They allow you to update your packaging design without needing to go through the lengthy and expensive process of creating new box designs each time.
Stickers are a simple way to add a personalized touch or seasonal flair to your boxes while maintaining the core design. They can easily reflect your brand’s identity, promotional messages, or seasonal themes, all without the hassle of redesigning your entire packaging. This not only saves time but also reduces costs, making it a smart and cost-effective option for frequent design updates.
For instance, without having to make Christmas packaging from scratch, you can use Christmas-themed stickers, like the one in the above image, to increase the holiday spirit and get your customers excited about your products.
Tell your customers about green initiatives
This is probably the easiest change to implement in your journey towards sustainable packaging. Inform your customers about your green initiatives and provide them with tips on safe and environmentally friendly ways to dispose of packaging. This shows your commitment to the planet while also educating your audience on best practices.
You can also promote your sustainability efforts through social media or create a 'how-to' guide on your website, offering more detailed information. By sharing these practices, you not only strengthen your brand’s environmental responsibility but also encourage your customers to participate in sustainable practices, creating a positive impact together.
Another effective way to draw their attention to these implementations is to alter the design of your shipping boxes to incorporate signs and symbols. This is a comprehensive list of symbols for sustainable packaging that you may want to use.
These small but impactful changes not only help in promoting sustainability but also increase customer loyalty by showcasing your efforts to be environmentally responsible. While they may seem subtle, they add tremendous value to your brand and can significantly enhance your company’s reputation in the long run.
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