Even when the customer knows what is inside the box arriving from their online order, there is still an element of excitement that makes the unboxing experience unforgettable. Small business owners can add unique and thoughtfully designed packaging materials – such as layers of tissue paper printed with the brand logo or colorful wrapping tape that aligns with the brand – to build brand awareness. The type of cardboard, lines, and add-ons chosen by the business can provide important packing information, affect sales, and serve as a marketing tool.
Unique Small Business Packaging Ideas
Unique small business packaging ideas can have a significant impact on the brand. Here are 10 creative ideas for packaging your products:
1. Personalized Bags and Boxes
Even if you know your product will safely arrive in a simple envelope, you can still add a personal touch with custom bags and boxes. Whether you choose to showcase your brand logo, a slogan, or your company name on your shipping materials, your packaging will instantly stand out from the rest. Check out Hero for ways to design, customize, and implement custom packaging for your small business.
2. Eco-Friendly Additions
While having custom stickers, samples, coupons, or other bright packaging add-ons can be fun, some customers may find those products not easily recyclable, depending on their composition. Look into biodegradable or recyclable add-ons made from natural materials that will help protect the planet and inform your customers about your brand.
3. Minimal Packaging
Have you ever wondered when you receive a box inside a box – and sometimes, another box? One packaging idea you can implement is to eliminate any extra layers of packaging and ship your product only inside a single layer of cardboard box.
4. Special Instructions
When your product requires specific steps, make the customer experience as convenient as possible by providing any special instructions to teach your customers how to apply it. Inkbox sells a semi-permanent tattoo. Each package includes the print you chose and instructions on how to apply it to the skin. As part of Inkbox’s unique packaging, the company has switched to more recyclable materials in its packaging.
5. Community-Centered Art
If you know you want to highlight the visual aspects of your package design, look around you. Are there ways to leverage artistic talents connected to your brand cleverly? You can incorporate multi-faceted art created and presented by people within your business network.
6. Print Newsletters
You may have already created an online newsletter for your business, but are there any behind-the-scenes stories worth sharing? If so, your packaging may be an opportunity to include exclusive content like a printed newsletter or cards featuring recent photoshoot campaigns and other materials available only in limited-time packages.
7. Ribbon Options
The wrapping tape may seem simple and boring at first, but there are no rules dictating what type of tape you can use – the choice is yours! Whether you want to wrap packages with neon-colored glowing tape or logo imagery, or use stickers instead, the added color or image can help reinforce your brand identity. Additionally, you can align the wrapping tape or stickers with the other materials inside the package, such as the add-ons and tissue paper.
8.Custom Notes
Adding a handwritten note is a personal touch that can be included when a customer purchases a product from you. Personalized packaging along with extras goes a long way in building a positive brand experience.
9. Focus on Artisans and Creatives
Sometimes, who makes your products and why is a cornerstone of your brand identity. Part of your business may focus on artisans and global stewardship. You might consider incorporating sketches, images, or notes that explain how people create your products. This can help deepen human connections with your brand as people feel that their purchases are doing social or environmental good.
10. Tissue Paper
When a customer opens the package, one of the first things they may see is the tissue paper. It’s a key way to incorporate your brand colors into your packaging concept. You might consider custom or bold tissue paper colors to create a positive color experience that represents your brand. Unbranded craft paper is another option for packaging and helps ensure the safety of products during shipping. Digiwrap is a digital printing resource to help with that.
3 Types of Packaging
For your e-commerce business, the primary purpose of packaging is to protect products during shipping. There are three types of packaging options when mailing your products:
1. Corrugated Cardboard Boxes
Thicker than regular paper boxes, corrugated cardboard boxes have layered fluted paper for extra protection. There are different types of corrugated boxes, which are sturdy, reusable, and safe for transporting a variety of products, including glass, precious items, heavy objects, or anything fragile that needs extra durability or stability during transport. These boxes are usually lightweight, so they won’t add unnecessary shipping costs. For an eco-friendly option, look for cardboard boxes made entirely – or partially – from recycled paper. Ecoenclose is a company that offers completely sustainable paper options.
2. Padded Mailers
Padded mailers are ideal for smaller products that can be protected by an inner layer of bubble wrap or biodegradable paper. Think of books or handmade jewelry within branded custom packaging or a small box inside the mailer. Since padded mailers are relatively compact, they don’t have to be left on the customer’s doorstep, where they could be stolen. Instead, they can slip into a mailbox for safety and security. Ecopackables offers biodegradable padded mailers to help reduce plastic use as well.
3. Bags and Pouches
Bags and plastic pouches may seem similar to padded mailers, but they are different. They lack bubble protection or a protective lining. Bags and pouches are generally larger, extremely lightweight, and water-resistant to protect contents from the elements. Because these options lack cushioning, this packaging is best for soft items, such as clothing. Grounded Sustainable Packaging offers reusable mailers made from biodegradable plastic.
Introduction to Packaging Your Products
Your packaging is a billboard for you – it works hard for you and is the first physical touchpoint for your customer. Therefore, you should take the time to think about how to package your products; whether you’re shipping clothing, beauty products, furniture, food and beverages, remote healthcare, or cannabis, it can affect future sales.
What
What is the first step in choosing product packaging?
There are various options for custom packaging depending on the type of product you are selling. Before narrowing down your packaging options, the first step is to think about your business and identify your brand values and the messages you want to convey. Among the values that may help guide your custom packaging decisions are:
Sustainability
If your company uses sustainable packaging and shipping solutions, you may consider the environmental impact of packaging as a key brand value. Recycled, organic, or handmade materials can be used as ways to do this and reflect those eco-friendly values.
Social Responsibility
Your company’s social impact efforts can influence the products you offer or how they are made and packaged. Perhaps your mission is to support independent artists, uplift artisans, or dedicate a portion of your sales to a social cause. If so, examples of brand responsibility can apply to packaging that tells a broader story through graphics, embellishments, colors, and other design elements.
Cost Efficiency
Your primary goal as a business owner might simply be to keep your costs as low as possible to pass those savings on to existing and new customers. This might mean your business focuses on providing better value for your products than your competitors. If so, your goal may be to use as few embellishments as possible to keep your packaging design simple and affordable.
Most Common Small Business Packaging Ideas
What do customers look for in packaging?
Many customers are looking for branded packaging that feels like an experience. For example, if your brand supports sustainability in natural beauty products, you might use simple, earthy packaging, or use color science to incorporate browns and greens that represent nature.
What is the cheapest product packaging?
One of the cheapest types of product packaging is plastic bags, which are less expensive than padded bags or cardboard boxes. However, their cost per bag can be higher if you customize them.
How can small businesses ensure packaging safety during shipping?
Small businesses can hire a packaging designer to help them determine which type of packaging elements will keep the product safest during shipping. Another option is to choose the product packaging – whether it’s a box, bag, or pouch – that is most suitable for your product. Fragile items should not be shipped in packaging without padding or other protection to prevent breakage or damage during shipping.
Source: https://www.shopify.com/blog/small-business-packaging-ideas
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