Learn Pros & Cons Of Packaging

Author:

Elizabeth Max

The packaging has an equally important part in the overall structure of a product and its selling. It is vital to consider the elements one faces during shipment.

There is an endless list of packaging solutions, and each caters to different purposes. We will appraise our readers of the pros and cons of packaging and what type of packaging material is excellent for certain reasons.

Advantages & Disadvantages

We shall start with the general pros and cons of the packaging before moving to its material.

Following are the benefits of the packaging:

• Protection: The packaging provides both retailer and buyer with excellent protection to keep the product safe. It will not succumb to mishandling and misuse package experiences during shipment.
• Eco-Friendly: The packaging also comes with environmental-friendly material that reduces the carbon footprint. People can play their role in saving the Earth by opting for Nature Friendly Boxes.
• Customization: Custom packaging allows people with absolute freedom in the designing and printing processes. Retailers can have anything they require on the packaging in order to acquire prominence in the market.

Following are the disadvantages of the packaging:

• Cost: The packaging is often cheap, but embellishing them with personalization and coating could burden the wallet. It would require more money for extra design and printing.
• Plastic: A few packaging solutions use plastic or exhaust natural resources for preparation. It could be hazardous to both health and nature.
• Cardboard: Mainly used material, cardboard, is not so great against moisture or to carry heavy item. Eventually, everything leads to extra money when it will be enhanced with additional material.

These are the general pros and cons; however, each packaging material comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. We have listed them to make their understanding easier for our readers.

Different Types of Packaging Material

We shall now look at the benefits and disadvantages of a few packaging material types to know what is the best material for the retailer.

Branded v. Non-Branded

Branded Packaging: Branded packaging is particularly made with a company’s name, logo, and different essentials for promotion and branding. These are mostly custom-made to cater to the product’s specifications. For example, if a person deals in gifts or cosmetics, his/her boxes will be crafted keeping the product in mind.

Pros Cons It is remarkable for instant brand recognition It requires additional cost for designing and order It gives a professional appearance It consumes time in ordering the material It is great for trust-building It requires proper knowledge by the trainers for packaging It provides an excellence unboxing experience It is not too great for safe shipments It also supports freebies (optional)

Non-Branded Packaging: In contrast, non-branded packaging shows a plain look with no-frills service. It is a choice for those who have started the venture and does not contain much budget. Simple cardboard boxes and plain, brown envelopes are outstanding and the most common examples.

Pros Cons It is probably the cheapest option Its plain look will not give a good look for unboxing videos It is readily available It will not be great for gift shopping because of its simple design You can also outsource this packaging It does not leave a great brand impact It is a preferrable option for those who require privacy and subtle appearance

Strengths & Weaknesses of Cardboard Boxes

It is understood that not every product is the same and demands different types of packaging to use its full potential. Shipping cannot be ignored and require safety for a satisfactory delivery. You should test the packaging with rough handling, heavyweights, and tear and wear elements.

Please consider the following points for an effective packaging solution for shipping:

Cardboard boxes should be your top priority when it comes to shipping.

Pros Cons It is easily accessible. The small versions are not easy to keep safe and printing It is eco-friendly and supports reusability It does not support heavy products It offers flexibility in sizes and shapes It is not a great choice for weatherproofing It is a suitable option for shipment protection It is not too great for safe shipments It is easily disposable It is a lightweight packaging solution

They are quite robust and roomy and will protect the item against several harmful factors. It is also great because freight companies formulate rates on the packaging’s dimensions and weight. You can avail yourself of the double-walled box to safeguard the delicate products.

Conclusion

The safety of the product is the main thing in each and every packaging solution. You have to be wary of its planning and adequately organize it to keep the products safe.

The packaging is relatively cost-effective, supports personalization, durable and robust. Keep the aforementioned pros and cons in mind when going to purchase the packaging solution for your products.

You are welcome to leave a suggestion or feedback to help us improve in our field of expertise.

FAQs

What makes branded packaging effective?

You need to print the name of your brand, its logo, taglines, and other essential information to create its identity in the market. Use creative finishing and inserts to leave a lasting impression on customers.

What is the most preferred packaging material for both types?

It does not matter how you customize them as long as you are using robust and durable packaging, such as corrugated boxes.

How do you design cool branded packaging?

• Customize the box in line with your brand’s theme
• Work on the unboxing experience of your boxes
• Select the perfect colors
• Choose an apt stock style
• Package your product line neatly

Many businesses are looking to make the switch from plastic to paper packaging to pledge their commitment to the environment. Before giving up plastic for good, businesses will weigh up the pros and cons of each material to determine which will provide a more eco-friendly packaging solution.

To help you decide, we’ve compiled some of the advantages and disadvantages of plastic and paper packaging below.

Advantages of plastic packaging

The main advantage of plastic packaging is its price. Plastic can be produced quickly and cheaply, which is why it has become such a popular material for packaging across the globe. Other benefits of plastic packaging include its durable and lightweight qualities, making it ideal for transporting goods safely.

However, from April 2022, the UK Government is introducing a Plastic Tax on all packaging manufactured in, or imported into, the UK. This means that businesses using packaging that contains less that 30 per cent recycled material will have to pay a tax, so plastic packaging may no longer be the cheaper option.

Disadvantages of plastic packaging

Plastic packaging is becoming increasingly recognised for its damaging environmental qualities. Plastic can take thousands of years to biodegrade, so single-use plastic packaging is highly polluting. Even plastic packaging that claims to be recyclable often ends up in landfill – especially with recycling capabilities varying from council to council in the UK.

When plastic does degrade, small plastic molecules release toxins which can poison soil, rendering local land infertile. These molecules can also infiltrate waterways and damage delicate ecosystems.

The plastic production process is also damaging to the environment. Most plastic is produced as cheaply as possible in factories based in developing countries where there are limited laws on pollution. These factories release copious amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and many also discharge toxic waste and manufacturing by-products into local bodies of water.

Plastic packaging can be known for its lack of protection as well, air bags for instance are transmitting shock within the package as opposed to absorbing it. Along with being pushed down to the bottom of a package through transit and then bursting on impact, deeming it useless. A similar effect can be seen when using bubblewrap, the bubbles burst and then provide little to no protection for the product inside.