How a product is packed is just as important as what elements are used to make up the actual packaging materials. Every piece of the packaging matters, from the primary packaging components (the packaging that is touching the product), to the void fill (the material make-up of the packaging used to insulate the product during shipping).
There are many benefits to restructuring your packaging techniques around using paper-based packaging versus other common packaging materials.
1. Void Fill
Using paper as void fill in your packing can provide just as much insulation from breakage as other materials. Paper packaging designed and packed strategically is just as strong of a barrier as corrugated materials. The outdated methods of using packing peanuts and other products that are harmful to the environment do not work anymore. Paper can serve the same purpose of protecting the product, possibly even a more secure way. Paper is versatile and can easily fit the product and fill the space.
2. Protection
Paper, when constructed and designed strategically and effectively, can withhold weight and pressure just as well as a plastic box. When designing your packaging solutions, incorporating paper-based packaging in ways that protect the products from breakage and shift during shipping is possible. And it can be highly effective and cost saving as well, for both the packaging distributor and the end-consumer.
Paper cushioning, for instance, like the ones that we at Hughes Enterprises use from Pregis, is simple paper-based tissue paper that allows for customization of the graphics and color, while also providing protection during shipping.
3. Design Flexibility
Using paper-based packaging affords for true flexibility in the layout, shape, and style of a product’s distinct packaging. This also provides the ability to better display a package’s signature graphics that help tell a brand’s story and offer more brand recognition when stacked on the shelves in stores. Design flexibility and fluidity also give way for easier retail display, putting your customers’ products in view and reach of their consumers.
There aren’t many limits to the design ingenuity that can be done with paper-based packaging. This includes designing the packaging in such a way that the boxing the products are shipped in magically transforms into the store’s purchase display. In addition, designs that include the ability to ship with cooling materials inside while not compromising the integrity of the packaging are desirable. Paper-based materials have the ability now to be designed and constructed in such a fashion that they are practically waterproof and even able to be used as coolers that last several uses.
Flexibility like this makes paper-based packaging materials easy to utilize for all of a company’s packing, shipping, and display needs.
4. Affordability
Choosing to offer paper-based packaging solutions to your customers has a truly cost saving impact on your packaging distribution operations. Paper-based product materials cost less for the manufacturer, and those savings are passed on to your packaging distribution operations.
5. Sustainability
Paper packaging is a renewable resource. Recycling occurs in most major areas, and even rural ones across the country allow for a large percentage of paper-based packaging to be reused. These recycled materials are used in creating new boxes and other paper-based packaging products. Most consumers prefer to have their products packaged in materials that are better for the environment. Rather than using single use plastics for your packaging needs, this preference of the end consumer is one of the major benefits to make the switch to paper-based packaging production. There are many end consumers that will research and only buy from companies that use sustainable packing for their products.
Using older forms of packaging materials, like packing peanuts, doesn’t have the support it used to. Packing peanuts aren’t a sustainable product being made of materials like Styrofoam, which doesn’t biodegrade like paper. While paper-based void fill can serve just as well as a cushion that packing peanuts do, they are far more environmentally friendly than their predecessors.
6. Consumer Satisfaction
Consumers have consistently made their preferences clear through their buying habits by choosing paper-based packaging materials over other types of packaging materials. Using paper-based materials for your packaging operations continues to provide that same customer satisfaction that they’re looking for.
7. Social Media Presence
Nothing is better than word-of-mouth press for your client’s products, and things like unboxing videos can help spread awareness to even things as simple as the choice of packaging materials. There are some social media accounts that will take special note to the packaging materials used and will feature the design and graphics. Instances like this that occur for your packaging production only increase value to your company’s brand and outreach.
At Hughes Enterprises, we are ready to fulfill all of your paper packaging needs. Talk with a Hughes packaging expert today.