From sustainability and design to manufacturing and operations, service providers, not product sellers, are the future. This means that in the coming years, consumers will be able to enjoy an all-inclusive shopping experience where, instead of offering a few branded items, it will be customary for businesses to provide a full-spectrum experience that goes beyond a company’s brand and appeals to customers mentally, emotionally and sensually.

With technological advances, mass production will shift toward innovative, specialized brand packaging to serve specific products and services. Technology is on a clear track to merge with packaging, bringing forth a new revolution in the industry. So while we all recognize the classic cardboard boxes, bags, and bottles, the future may significantly alter them. But before examining specific packaging industry trends, we must look at the broader driving factors of the future: e-commerce and sustainability.

The Rise of E-Commerce and Push for Sustainability

Source: PakFactory

Initially gaining excellent traction during the early 2010s, the arrival of COVID-19 gave e-commerce a meteoric boost. With no in-store experiences or opportunities for the customer service industry during the lockdown, e-commerce is quickly on track to overtake traditional retail as the primary form of shopping.

The emergence of e-commerce as a necessary form of shopping has created vast opportunities for the packaging industry to specialize and customize their products to an even higher degree, especially with the new, innovative technologies for packaging.

With giants like Amazon leading the charge, the e-commerce shopping experience is becoming more and more tailored to the customer from beginning to end, which is why e-commerce is a major dictating factor in the future of the packaging industry. However, as mentioned before, it is not the only driving factor.

Maintaining the Planet

Sustainability is the second driving factor for the future of the packaging industry. Beyond packaging, sustainability was already an evident trend within many industries. Consumers were already leaning towards a more eco-friendly shopping experience, and this initiative is becoming more normalized as time passes. 

And while eco-friendly options are currently less cost-effective, consumer spending on eco-friendly products is still rising. According to Survey Monkey, 1 in 3 consumers favor eco-friendly options, and 35% of respondents would purchase a product that is better for the environment over other products that may be slightly cheaper.

With more companies taking up the mantle of environment protection and savvy consumers who now expect a higher level of eco-responsibility, sustainability has already become a strong focus for the packaging industry. 

Trends like waste reduction, efficient use of box space, lower carbon footprint, and recycling have already begun rising in popularity, and this will only continue. Because of this, sustainable packaging may be the new norm that overrides traditional and still abundantly used plastic packaging.

Source: PakFactory

In envisioning the future of packaging, one undeniable shift is the fall of plastic materials. Plastic has been a popular choice for its convenience, durability, and widespread use, but it has faced increasing scrutiny due to its environmental impact. The harsh reality of plastic pollution has awakened a collective consciousness, urging consumers and businesses to seek more sustainable alternatives, leading to embracing innovative technologies and materials for a better, healthier planet.

New Tech Packaging: Innovations of the Future

So with growing consumer demands for everything to be as convenient and eco-friendly as possible, like with the popularization of e-commerce and sustainability, innovative upgrades and technological advancements are necessary to unlock new opportunities for businesses to capitalize on. 

Luckily for them, the industry is amid a technological renaissance, with new packaging designs and innovations constantly being introduced into the market. But what are some of these new packaging technologies we are referring to? Let’s dive in and find out!

Edible Alternatives

Source: Wen Wen Fan

Edible packaging is an innovative, sustainable alternative that alleviates the reliance on fossil fuels and has the potential to significantly decrease our carbon footprint by reducing our dependence on plastics. With consumers pushing for eco-friendly initiatives, this is the perfect solution to what they are asking for.

Using natural materials like algae, plant fibers, seaweed or crop, edible packaging shows a lot of potential for offering the food industry various versatile options for package colors, designs, and more. Consumers can even eat the package, which also serves as a unique experience while leaving no trace behind to end up in landfills or littered into the ocean. 

But edible packaging isn’t limited to consumer consumption. Some edible packaging options can be consumed by animals, nourishing them instead of poisoning them like traditional plastics.

Space Saving and Flexible Packaging

Source: PakFactory

Innovations aren’t just happening with how consumers dispose of packages, though. Storage and transport are changing too. The mass production, transportation and storage of packaging are also environmentally harmful, as excess stock inevitably ends up in landfills. But thankfully, with recent innovations and increased efficiency, we are seeing an increase in space-saving solutions.

This means we are trending toward flexible packaging for stacking, storage, and efficiency. Especially for the food industry, where consumers crave convenience and versatility, flexible packaging is one of the top trends.

It is lightweight, durable, and incredibly adaptable to different product types and sizes. Whether it’s a resealable stand-up pouch, a convenient bag, or a handy sachet, flexible packaging makes storage, transportation, and consumption a breeze while minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact. Its efficient use of materials and innovative features like portion control and enhanced product protection make it a win-win situation for both consumers and the planet.

Smart Tech Packaging

But if you thought edible and flexible packaging was advanced, you’d be surprised that even more advanced innovations are trending in the industry. Smart packaging, also known as intelligent and active packaging, has grown enormously in recent years. According to Grand View Research, recorded smart packaging revenues were $10.8 billion in 2015, with a projected surge to $26.7 billion by 2024.

Source: PakFactory

For brands and companies, smart packaging offers a new world of communication with the opportunity to conveniently track and record consumer behaviors to provide a more tailored experience for target markets, allowing businesses to meet consumer demands more effectively.

Technology like printed electronics in the form of near-field communication (NFC), radio-frequency identification (RFID), ambient intelligence, smart LEDs/OLEDs, and compact power sources, screens, sensors, and data storage offer consumers a level of interaction never seen before with advanced infotainment, digital sales aids, and online connection.

Nanotechnology is also seeing use to reduce packaging waste and sustainability, with bio-nano composites potentially replacing non-biodegradable, petroleum-based plastic due to its protective properties perfect for hygienic and antibacterial packaging, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical, and food products. We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg with nanotechnology, and we can expect more innovation to come.

Even augmented reality, for the longest time stuck in the realms of science fiction, is no longer out of reach. With the emergence of augmented reality (AR) technology, we’ve started to see the lasting role interactive tech will play in the future of packaging design. In the coming decade, consumers will be able to virtually test-drive products, examine packaging options, and interact with game elements as companies build brand recognition and provide new forms of entertainment through packaging and products. 

Overall, smart technology will not only enhance the engagement of your product but will provide tons of consumer data that can help deliver more measurable results and benefits to customers.

Material Trends: Sustainable, Flexible, Corrugated

So we’ve covered the design trends and the rise of smart packaging, but what about the materials? Well, just like new packaging designs, materials follow the same driving factors of e-commerce and sustainability. We’ve already examined edible and flexible packaging as design trends, but their used materials are also worth highlighting. 

Natural materials like bamboo, plant fibers and starches for edible and other sustainable packaging options are quickly rising in usage as a viable alternative to common packaging materials like plastic.

As for flexible packaging materials, though plastic is still used, these materials are experiencing strong growth. With the increasing presence of e-commerce, changing dietary habits, and abundant processed and packaged food, flexible packaging is still a viable alternative to traditional plastic packaging. This is because it utilizes fewer materials resulting in less waste, takes up less space during transport and allows an increased shelf life for food and beverage products.

Corrugated materials are the last trending material, which might not be new but is still going strong. Valued at $155 billion in 2017, the global market for corrugated box materials is expected to double by 2025. This can be attributed to the booming e-commerce industry and the fact that although corrugated materials have flaws, they are still a solid choice for their strength, cost-effectiveness, and recyclability.

3D Printing Advancements in Manufacturing

It is not just the designs and materials changing in the packaging industry. Manufacturing is changing too. With advancing technologies and the discovery of new and efficient methods, making unique packaging has never been easier.

Source: Unsplash

Additive manufacturing technology has captured our imaginations over the last few years with its ability to create complex shapes and designs on demand, which would otherwise be unattainable or wildly resource-intensive through traditional manufacturing practices. In the future, 3D printing promises to raise the bar even higher via print-to-order manufacturing.

For packaging prototypes, 3D printing will provide a vastly superior option over current methods, offering flexibility, efficiency, and cost reduction that will meld the lines between design and manufacturing.

And although 3D printing is still in its infancy, expect to see a shift from limited specialized production to scalable printing for all sorts of industries soon! As early as 2028, additive manufacturing processes will offer personalized on-demand package solutions limited only by imagination.

Smart Warehousing With AI & Machine Automation 

We mentioned smart packaging earlier in this article, but this new technology isn’t just limited to packages. With an increasingly connected world, consumers already expect made-to-order products to ship quickly. And with cognitive computing, robotic process automation (RPA), IoT connectivity, and other innovative technologies, this is possible.

All of these technologies will come together to form a comprehensive fulfillment solution to meet the increasing demands of consumers via smart warehousing, which includes:

• predictive maintenance (instead of waiting for something to break, systems will anticipate and address it accordingly)
• cobots (robots that will work in conjunction with humans),
• IoT standardization (allowing for effective network connection)
• integration of print-to-order manufacturing.

As robots begin to take on more tasks, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will become even more prominent in the future!

Blockchain Technology for Shipping and Logistics

Like the warehousing, manufacturing and packaging design sections discussed in this article, shipping and logistics are also experiencing a trend toward technological integration with their process in the form of blockchain technology. Although Bitcoin failed as a cryptocurrency, the technology behind it is primed to disrupt the packaging industry.

Source: Unsplash

Logistics costs in the United States come in at $1.5 trillion per year, and while growth continues, two significant issues are plaguing the industry: systematic inefficiency and fraud. Fortunately, we are witnessing the beginning of a revolution through blockchain technology.

By offering a decentralized digital ledger, blockchain will eliminate the need for intermediary shipping fees, paperwork, and other inefficient/vulnerable/wasteful practices. This will streamline the shipping processes while providing a level of tracking, security, transparency, counterfeit protection, and cost-effectiveness we’ve never seen before.

All parties involved, from shippers and carriers to brokers, vendors, and consumers, will soon witness and be directly affected by the rise of this transformative tech.

Automating Deliveries to Consumers

With all the innovations and technological advancements appearing in such a short span of years, it’s understandable to be overwhelmed. Still, technology is here to make our lives easier, and change should be welcomed with open arms. With that being said, we have reached our final destination, which is, fittingly, automatic deliveries.

Source: Unsplash

By 2028 and beyond, delivery as we know it, will change. Through innovative projects like Amazon’s drone initiative and self-driving Uber, automated home delivery is quickly becoming a reality. In 2016, self-driving startup Otto, acquired by Uber, successfully traveled 120 miles to deliver 2,000 cases of beer, marking the first-ever commercial delivery via self-driving technology.

Even other alternatives like underground transport tubes, autonomous air taxis, crewless cargo ships, river shuttles, and sidewalk delivery robots are being researched, explored and seriously considered. Engineers worldwide are developing software, sensors, artificial intelligence, vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure communication (V2I), and intelligent lockers & boxes to help pave the way for this future.

The Future is Now

We are amidst a technological revolution. So as the world rapidly advances toward this and other sustainable methods, packaging manufacturers and consumers will only benefit from efforts that will revolutionize everything from customer experience and manufacturing to shipping and environmental protection.

The future is now. Companies should anticipate and embrace the coming of new technology. Evolving alongside these innovations will only serve beneficial as you reap the rewards and stay ahead of the curve.

The post The Future of Packaging Technology and Design first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post The Future of Packaging Technology and Design appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

The future of e-commerce and e-commerce packaging has never been brighter, as smartphones and the internet are becoming more readily available to a broader audience worldwide.

Still, your business must be ready to quickly adapt and adopt innovations and trends to be successful in a rapidly growing market saturated with competitors.

As it stands now, projections for the e-commerce industry show a growing market value of $61.55 billion by 2025.

And though the market is growing and more opportunities are presenting themselves to prospecting e-commerce businesses, so are the constant changes in trends and technological evolutions that companies need to keep up with to survive.

More and more consumers are deciding who they shop from not based solely on the product but also on external factors like package eco-friendliness, interactiveness, personalization and innovation.

In e-commerce, the package is just as important as the product, and companies shouldn’t be afraid to adopt new alternatives and innovations!

So in this article, we will cover the emerging trends you need to know that are shaping the future of e-commerce packaging.

But before we get into that, what is e-commerce packaging?

Defining eCommerce Packaging

E-commerce packaging is the packaging used to ship products to the consumer after it has been purchased in an online store.

This packaging includes elements such as the outer box or mailer, infill materials, and any other inserts companies might add.

And though packaging originally came from the need to protect a product during shipping and handling, focusing solely on function is not the way to go in the current and future market of the e-commerce industry.

Marketing your brand through your packaging is crucial in e-commerce. 

If done well, it can significantly increase your consumer’s unboxing experience, creating something memorable and worth sharing with others!

But what is the unboxing experience, and why is it so vital to an e-commerce business?

Packaging for eCommerce and the Unboxing Experience

On its own, unpacking a regular box is bland; there is nothing special about opening an unmarked box with no creativity or added surprises to go along with it.

However, in the current e-commerce market, many companies are starting — and should continue — to implement creative ways to enhance this typically boring activity of unboxing a product.

Yes, a package’s primary function is to protect the product, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be used as a tool to enhance the customer’s experience too.

We mentioned earlier that packaging is just as important as the product in e-commerce, and this is why!

Safety & Brand Reputation

First and foremost, e-commerce packaging is essential for brand reputation and product safety.

Product protection is the most basic function required for all e-commerce packaging, and this fact will not change.

Customers are easily put off if receiving damaged packages, so ensuring your e-commerce packaging is strong enough to withstand shipping and arrive at your customer’s doorstep undamaged is a must.

Damaged packaging affects your brand’s reputation, so we cannot emphasize enough the importance of this point.

Product Promotion, Custom Packaging & Customer Attraction

A unique package that proficiently showcases a company’s brand image and personality will increase your product’s perceived value and the probability that prospective customers will purchase from you over other competitors.

In addition, the added experience and excitement created when unboxing a customized e-commerce package will encourage customers to share this unique experience with their family and friends on social media, further increasing your brand’s marketing reach.

Online influencers may even create social media content for your package and product by posting unboxing videos or pictures, enticing even more customers to your brand!

But if you are still not sure of the importance of the unboxing experience in the e-commerce industry, the below statistics should fully convince you:

1. 72% of American consumers say their purchasing decisions are influenced by packaging design.
2. 61% are likely to repeat a luxury product purchase if it comes in luxury packaging.
3. 35% of consumers report viewing unboxing videos; of this percentage, 55% were convinced to buy the product after watching said videos.
4. 40% of consumers will post a picture of your package on social media if it is unique or branded.
5. Finally, 50% of consumers would recommend your product if it comes in gift-like or branded packaging.

The statistics don’t lie, consumers love unique packaging, and the e-commerce market is going in a direction where plain boxes do not cut it anymore.

Customers now look for more than just a good product but also a company that shows its uniqueness and values through actions instead of written mission statements.

In the e-commerce market, shipping and fulfillment of orders are the most direct connection and touch point online retail companies have with their consumers, so it only makes sense that their e-commerce package needs to put their best face forward.

Companies must carefully consider many factors regarding their e-commerce packaging, leading us to our next topic.

Current State of eCommerce Packaging

With the market for e-commerce goods changing drastically and growing faster than ever, so too are the packaging methods and the customers’ values.

E-commerce websites have become a prevalent choice for purchasing goods due to their convenience, which includes direct-to-home delivery and easy product searching.

This factor was only amplified by the global pandemic lockdown beginning in 2019. Many countries established restrictions on gatherings and the movement of people and goods, further increasing demand for e-commerce solutions.

As of 2021, an estimate of over 2.14 billion people now shop online, and that number is only growing.

However, alongside a rapidly growing e-commerce industry comes the increased waste produced and the logistical requirements needed for the millions of packaging transported to customers regularly.

Standard Packaging Materials Used for eCommerce Packaging

Currently, there are a few options commonly used among e-commerce businesses.

Corrugated shipping boxes and padded mailers have become staples in the e-commerce market.

Corrugated boxes are the most typical e-commerce packaging used by online retailers as they are sturdy, don’t add weight to your packages, and can be thoroughly customized to enhance the unboxing experience for your customers.

Additional packaging materials, such as air pillows, tissue paper, packing peanuts and bubble wrap, are also commonly added inside the exterior packaging to fill void spaces and prevent products from shifting during transport.

Corrugated boxes are also recyclable, but whether they are correctly disposed of is another problem; more on this issue soon.

The other most common e-commerce packaging is the padded mailer.

Padded mailers are best for shipping smaller, flat or delicate items such as jewelry, books, handcraft items or electronics.

And like the corrugated box, added filler like paper and bubble wrap are also commonly used for added protection.

But though both options are great for protecting the product and customizing your package to cater to the unboxing experience for customers, the same is only partially true regarding sustainability and eco-friendliness.

Thankfully, we will discuss many new and innovative sustainable packaging options later in this article, but first, we must cover the challenges.

The Challenges with Online Shopping and Packaging

Shipping and Logistics

Before we dive more into detail about the negative environmental impact of e-commerce packaging, it is also essential to note the mounting challenges with shipping and logistics, as this section of the industry plays an irreplaceable role in e-commerce.

With the increasing demand for more and more products, shipping and logistics poses its own challenges, which also need to be addressed by e-commerce businesses.

E-commerce businesses need to take into consideration the following as the e-commerce market grows and expectations rise:

1. Tracking – Customers need to know where their package is at all times, even if there is a delay. E-commerce companies must ensure their customers can track their packages with regular updates to ensure a smooth experience.
2. Shipping Costs – Shipping accounts for massive costs when running an e-commerce business. Companies must balance pleasing the customer without affecting profit margins and raising prices, which may deter customers.
3. Product Returns – 56% of online shoppers make purchasing decisions based on return policies. Businesses need to consider a good return policy for their company to avoid missing out on potential business.
4. Scalable Logistic Operations – This factor is double true with the growing e-commerce market. Businesses need to plan dynamic scaling solutions to accommodate spikes and drops in sales without overextending their resources.
5. International Shipping – With global reach as easy to access as ever, e-commerce businesses must be aware of additional fees like customs, import fees and taxes to avoid surprise costs on international customers.
6. Warehousing – Knowing where to store your merchandise can significantly help e-commerce businesses save money. Companies must consider the size and location of their warehouses to optimize and prevent unnecessary costs.
7. Shipping Errors – Wrong shipping addresses, lost tracking numbers, and incorrect package weight can be a significant headache for e-commerce businesses and consumers. Thankfully, new technologies in packaging can help mitigate this, which we will cover later.
8. Delivery Security – Unfortunately, package theft is common. Ensuring packages get delivered to their rightful owner is challenging, but notification alerts, designated delivery points and many other options can be considered to mitigate this issue.
9. Environmental Concerns – Finally, coming back to environmental concerns, it is not only e-commerce packages that can harm the environment, but transportation as well. Companies should consider consolidated packaging and weight to mitigate the need for additional trips.

Whether you are a new or established e-commerce business, shipping and logistics will always be challenging.

However, with proper planning and implementation, these challenges can be mitigated, allowing you to focus on the next major challenge: environmental impact.

Environmental Impact of eCommerce Packaging

Yes, recycling standard e-commerce packaging is possible, but whether it is being recycled is a different matter.

To make the environmental situation worse, the future of e-commerce is on a meteoric rise, and the need for packaging is rising along with it.

Statistics show that global consumption of paper and paperboard totalled 408 million tons in 2021, and is projected to reach 476 million tons by 2032.

And of these 408 million tons of paperboard and paper consumption, packaging accounts for the majority.

Along with this massive amount of consumption of paper resources, the e-commerce industry also accounted for approximately 2.1 billion pounds of plastic packaging in 2019, with a projected growth of 4.5 billion pounds by 2025.

But while both plastic and paperboard can be recycled, the fact is that this is not always the case.

Packaging waste is often improperly disposed of and ends up in landfills or as litter on our streets or oceans.

The American Forest & Paper Association reported that corrugated recycling was 91% in 2022, but only 13.3% for plastic.

The amount of waste the e-commerce industry produces is staggeringly high, but many companies still hesitate to switch to more sustainable methods.

This hesitation stems from various factors, such as the relatively new innovations in packaging, reluctance to accept the risks of being an early adopter, and the higher setup cost and resources to adopt these innovations.

Many e-commerce businesses adopt a “wait-and-see” approach and prefer to maintain the status quo instead of taking the first step.

And though many package carriers and manufacturers are beginning to provide solutions and eco-friendly alternatives to standard packaging, consumers ultimately have the most influential voice to push for sustainability.

At the forefront of this change is the need for consumers to push for sustainable e-commerce packaging, and this is what is starting to happen!

Future Trends in eCommerce Packaging

The future of e-commerce packaging is moving in a direction that favors sustainability, personalization and technology.

Though we’ve mentioned that many companies are hesitant to move to innovative creations and sustainable options, consumers are speaking with their choices on who they do business with.

More and more consumers are looking for companies that offer sustainable, personalized and eco-friendly options, proving effective in shaping the future of the e-commerce landscape.

Businesses are taking notice of this demand and are now adopting such practices to the benefit of everybody.

Technology and innovation are not something that should be feared but embraced. Innovation is done to advance society and make everything easier for businesses and for consumers.

This notion applies to both the e-commerce industry and society.

Embracing change and innovation will only prove beneficial and make for smoother and easier operations.

With that being said, let’s now get into the future trends in the e-commerce industry.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness

Consumers are becoming more vocal about the materials and sources used when manufacturing packaging as the awareness about ecommerce waste, particularly plastic, grows.

To keep up with this trend, e-commerce businesses must dedicate time and resources to improving their processes, which may cost significant money, but the benefits are worth the price!

Starting with sustainable sourcing and manufacturing, companies can begin by changing who they source raw materials for their packaging.

Sustainable sourcing and manufacturing integrate social, ethical and environmental considerations when choosing suppliers of raw materials and manufacturers of e-commerce packaging.

By carefully selecting suppliers who ethically source renewable resources and choosing manufacturers that strive to reduce waste, energy consumption and pollution, e-commerce businesses can take the first steps in creating a more eco-friendly initiative.

The next step businesses should take to keep up with this trend is to consider sustainable materials in their packaging.

Biodegradable and compostable materials are becoming more popular in e-commerce packaging, and for a good reason.

Unlike plastic, biodegradable packaging materials are designed to break down without leaving any harmful compounds and can also break down anywhere between several days to a year.

Compared to 450 years for some plastics that will also leave behind toxic compounds, it’s a vast improvement in eco-friendliness!

And on the other hand, compostable packaging is also on the rise as a popular e-commerce packaging option. 

Like biodegradable packaging, compostable packaging can break down without leaving any toxic traces and provides valuable nutrients to the soil, but the proper conditions are required. 

Some compostable packaging can be disposed of in the home, but many compostable options currently require an industrial composting facility to achieve these environmental benefits.

Regardless of the steps businesses take to improve sustainability, eco-friendliness among consumers is becoming an increasingly important factor, and companies need to cater to this demand.

However, this does not mean being eco-friendly doesn’t benefit your business!

Dedicating your company to an eco-friendly initiative not only strengthens your brand image in the eyes of the consumer but will also lead to reduced costs and increased profits in the future.

By promoting and pushing a sustainable initiative for your business, you are protecting the planet and reaching out to the rapidly growing “conscious consumer” base.

Furthermore, finding ways to streamline your processes and reduce waste will inherently save costs in many facets like sourcing raw materials, manufacturing your e-commerce packaging and transportation.

Overall, with the positive brand image and the streamlined processes, switching to sustainable means may be costly to set up, but it is well worth the investment in the long run.

Personalization and Customization

However, sustainability and eco-friendliness isn’t the only trend growing in the e-commerce market.

We thoroughly discussed how the unboxing experience plays an essential role in customer satisfaction, which is still the trending case in the future of the e-commerce market.

In fact, the unboxing experience has become even more important than before!

With an ever-growing e-commerce market and competitors vying for the consumer’s attention, e-commerce businesses must do more than offer a good product.

To retain customer loyalty, businesses also have to engage with their audience.

And one of the best ways to do that in an online retail environment is to provide a personalized packaging experience.

Consumer expectations for e-commerce businesses are at an all-time high, and consumers expect brands to recognize them.

80% of consumers are more likely to purchase from brands offering personalized experiences, while 66% say that a lack of customized experience hampers their likeliness to buy.

To provide this customization and personalization to your e-commerce packaging, consider the demographic of the audience you are trying to reach. Think of things like their age, gender and even the product they’ve ordered.

Consider including custom inserts with your e-commerce package, like coupons, samples or gifts in line with your targeted audience and the product they ordered.

In such a saturated e-commerce landscape, personalization can mean the difference between buying from your brand or choosing another brand over yours!

Technology and Innovation

The final trend in the e-commerce market we will discuss is new and innovative technology.

Just under a decade ago, virtual reality and augmented reality were science fiction ideas. Now in the present day, it is no longer the case.

Technology has been rapidly improving, and with innovations come new trends in all markets, including e-commerce.

Smart Packaging and Internet of Things Technology

Smart packaging is one such trend that has made the e-commerce industry more transparent and interactive.

Using technology, smart packaging aims to enhance customer experience and make the challenges e-commerce businesses might encounter easier to manage.

And in a similar vein, Internet of Things (IoT) technology also aims to do this.

We’ve already discussed the importance of personalizing and customizing the consumer’s experience to make it an enjoyable and memorable one, but IoT technology and smart packaging further help with this.

We mentioned earlier that new technologies have become available to help mitigate shipping and logistics challenges, and this is it!

The Internet of Things describes devices with software, sensors and other technology able to interact with other devices over the Internet.

Devices with IoT applications and smart packaging help e-commerce companies with the following:

1. Inventory Management – RFID tag technology allows e-commerce businesses to keep track of their inventory, potential expiration dates and type of product quickly and efficiently without involving a human.
2. Supply Chain Management – RFID tags also allow businesses and consumers to keep track of their packages throughout the transportation journey and receive real-time information about package conditions, weather and arrival times to prevent wrong or missing deliveries.
3. Customized Information for Individuals – IoT technology also allows consumer data collection to further enhance personalized online shopping experiences.
4. Customer Experience – Similar to customized information for individuals, IoT allows e-commerce businesses to stand out from competitors. IoT can track social media and shopping trends so companies can tailor advertisements specifically for the consumer.
5. Troubleshooting – IoT can also discover potential issues like cart abandonment, missing shipments, low engagement and return rates and implement changes through data collection, strengthening the supply chain and improving customer experience.
6. Performance Analytics – In a similar vein to troubleshooting issues, IoT can also do performance analytics to allow e-commerce businesses to determine key areas that require improvement.
7. Warranty and Maintenance – Finally, devices integrated with IoT allow businesses to assess, forecast maintenance and examine performance remotely. If a product is malfunctioning, companies can pre-emptively contact the consumer to offer repairs or replacements.

Smart packaging and IoT have significantly improved the experience for consumers and e-commerce businesses by creating more transparency and connecting us more than we ever have been connected before.

But the innovation doesn’t end there!

Augmented and Virtual Reality

We also briefly mentioned augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR).

AR and VR are still relatively new technology but have been progressing and evolving at a breathtaking pace.

Just a couple of years ago, VR was limited to expensive headsets and shoddy interfaces, but no longer.

Now, there is no shortage of AR or VR application e-commerce businesses can use to enhance a customer’s online shopping experience!

Some applications include the following:

1. Virtual Try-Ons (VTOs) – Currently, the most well-known AR usage is with VTOs, where consumers can utilize their phones or other devices to try on products virtually. This allows consumers to make more informed decisions before making purchases.
2. Recreating the In-Store Experience – Creating a VR store to showcase your products is another fun and interactive way to engage consumers.
3. Building Brand Awareness – AR and VR don’t solely have to be about sales. Combining IoT technology like QR codes and a fun interactive AR or VR experience for the customer is a great way to build brand awareness and improve customer experience.
4. Interactive User Manual – If businesses are looking for more reserved methods to utilize AR and VR, interactive manuals are also an option. Consumers can scan the product and get an interactive tutorial on the product’s features and functions.

The Future of eCommerce is Technology and Innovation

With new technologies and innovations, the possibilities for growth in the e-commerce industry are endless.

Though e-commerce businesses might be hesitant about these changes, implementing and adopting these innovations early will only prove beneficial for your business.

The world is changing, and e-commerce is at the forefront, so businesses need to adapt and evolve alongside the industry.

E-commerce is mainly an online experience and, therefore, is very susceptible to innovations and new technologies, but it’s not something to be wary about!

The challenges to running a successful e-commerce business will only lessen as technology advances!

And as more smart packaging, IoT technology, and sustainable options become available, consumers will continue to lean into these innovations, so companies should follow suit.

Ultimately, technology and innovation are here to make life easier, more efficient and hassle-free; it is not something to be wary about and hesitant to adopt.

So instead of a “wait-and-see” approach, e-commerce businesses should embrace technology and innovation.

After all, evolution is the process of adapting and changing to accommodate the environment. So if the environment call for sustainable packaging, personalized customer experiences and integrated technology, then so be it!

The post The Future of eCommerce Packaging first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post The Future of eCommerce Packaging appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

With e-commerce continuing to be a consumer preference, technological advancement and sustainability continuing to be a priority, the packaging industry has implemented and adapted to various industry trends worldwide. 

Let’s dive deeper into what the packaging industry has experienced so far and what 2023 has in store for the industry, below!

1. Melding Technology and Packaging Solutions

Smart packaging does not refer to only one type of packaging; it’s actually an umbrella term for different types of technologically advanced packaging solutions.

Smart packaging offers valuable benefits of security, connectivity and authentication that businesses can easily monitor. 

Especially with the pandemic leaving lingering effects worldwide, customers are looking for brands who can monitor and ensure the product they are purchasing and consuming are sanitary and haven’t been tampered with. 

Active packaging: designed to interact with the contents inside the packaging to improve its shelf life and/or quality while being stored. Most common in food packaging to enhance shelf life of food. 

Intelligent packaging: designed to provide more accuracy in communicating the quality of a product, product safety, and provide more valuable information about the product. Again, becoming more common in food packaging to communicate accurate ‘best by’ dates. 

Connected packaging: designed for customer and logistics purposes. Things like QR codes and concealed URLs give customers the opportunity to actively interact with brands more conveniently. For example, Hershey’s was an early adopter of the transparency initiative with Smart Label. 

Read more on Smart Packaging.

Why are Businesses opting for Smart Packaging Solutions? 

Smart Packaging is Gaining Market Share: Smart packaging is gaining market share fast, so being one of the early adopters will set your business apart from competitors. Smart packaging adds functionality, durability and convenience to not only your packaging but products too.

Enhanced Brand Transparency: Customers thrive to make authentic connections with brands that practice transparency. Connected packaging is the perfect way to give customers more insight into products while also keeping them safe and protected through QR codes and quality control processes using Intelligent packaging – a win-win.

Counterfeit-proof Products: With fakes and knockoffs causing concerns on the market, smart packaging can weed it all out and deepen trust between brands and customers by monitoring their packaging and products with RFID sensors.This allows businesses to ensure no counterfeit products will weave their way to customers. 

Quality Control: Advanced sensors and other technologies can do constant Quality Control check ups on products from warehouses to the end destination, reducing worries and chances of missed revenue and damaged products.

2. E-Commerce and Digital Printing

While digital printing has been around for a while, the popularity of using this printing method for e-commerce packaging has started to gain much more popularity in 2023.

The reliance on e-commerce businesses has resulted in brands opting for more cost effective solutions in financially difficult times following the effects of COVID-19.

With brick and mortar stores seeing little business throughout 2020 and 2021, spending on high quality printing methods, like offset printing, have proven to be less effective with the exterior of boxes being damaged during shipping. 

In 2023, digital printing has become an affordable way to create impactful unboxing experiences and create some brand differentiation in a world of brown boxes. 

While packaging still runs the risk of damage to the exterior, the cost efficiency of this printing method makes it worth the risk.

It can be extremely difficult to create an experience with customers who are only interacting with your product through a screen.

The unboxing experience and brand differentiation are the main driver to maintaining a strong brand narrative that customers remember.

Digital printing is also much more time efficient giving brands the opportunity to create custom packaging in tighter time frames.

Although digital printing may have a reputation of being lower quality in comparison to offset printing, smaller designs like logos, patterns or shapes can benefit from digital printing as the quality difference is not exceptionally noticeable.

Furthermore, with sustainability initiatives on the rise, modern digital printing also has a limited impact on the environment as it eliminates the need for prepress procedures or additional labeling which, in turn, reduces waste and lowers inventory requirements. 

3. Adopting Packaging Automation

The main challenges the packaging industry has faced are in relation with productivity, precision and quality control. 

A large number of companies are still actively using manual packaging inspection processes, leaving plenty of room for errors in the quality of the packaging. 

Manual packaging inspection is ineffective, risky and the result is often complete packaging recalls, costing businesses a huge portion of their budget. 

The consequences of such mistakes has moved the packaging industry to automated production processes for more accurate results.  

Especially in the ‘renaissance’ of e-commerce we currently live in, packaging needs to be structurally sound and durable in order to withstand any potentially harsh shipping and handling conditions. 

In order for businesses to protect themselves and, above all, consumers, manufacturers have been investing a lot more in packaging quality control automation.

Apart from the separate control of each stage of product production, automated technology enables manufacturers to implement an all-in-one quality control platform that can be integrated with other systems and hardware.

The advantages of such a production system include a maximum return on investment, time efficiency, and increased customer loyalty.

4. Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging is becoming increasingly popular in the packaging industry due to its numerous advantages over traditional packaging materials.

One of the key benefits of flexible packaging is its lightweight nature. Compared to heavier packaging materials like glass or metal, flexible packaging made from plastic, paper, or aluminum is much lighter, which translates into lower shipping costs and reduced environmental impact.

Additionally, flexible packaging can be designed to fit the product’s shape and size, providing a customized fit that helps to reduce the amount of excess material required, further lowering costs.

Another reason for the rise of flexible packaging is the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable packaging solutions.

Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious and are looking for packaging options that are recyclable, compostable, or made from renewable materials.

Flexible packaging meets these criteria, as it can be easily recycled, reused, or repurposed, and can help reduce waste and minimize the carbon footprint.

Furthermore, flexible packaging offers superior protection and preservation of the product. It provides a barrier against moisture, oxygen, and light, which helps to maintain the product’s freshness and quality, extending its shelf life.

Flexible packaging can also be designed with additional features such as resealable zippers or spouts, making it more convenient for consumers to use and store the product.

As consumers continue to demand more convenient and sustainable packaging solutions, the trend towards flexible packaging is expected to grow.

The packaging industry is investing in new materials and technology to improve the properties of flexible packaging, making it even more attractive for a wider range of products.

With its cost-effectiveness, versatility, and sustainability benefits, flexible packaging is set to be a major player in the packaging industry for years to come.

5. Sustainability Initiatives

The packaging industry in particular, has seen many shifts over the years, especially as customer’s environmental awareness has increased. 

With more scrutiny over sustainability and regulation, the packaging industry has had to quickly evolve to assuage consumer concerns and ensure that they are operating in an environmentally friendly way. 

However, doing so has also caused a lot of confusion for businesses and corporations, as they try to balance their own interests with sustainability and public demand. 

In addition, sustainability regulations around packaging have also become increasingly ambitious, adding another challenge for businesses trying to improve on their environmental impacts.

While there are many measures in place to support sustainability initiatives, it still cannot upend the dependence on plastics. 

In order for sustainability in packaging to take off, waste collection, recycling systems, and technology would need more improvement to support the changes in materials and disposal methods needed.

2023 has brought the future of packaging into question and has started to push companies to begin incorporating sustainability into their strategies, especially in packaging.

6. Replacing Plastics with Bio-Plastics and Paper

Despite the long-standing dependence on plastics, alternatives are gaining popularity and challenging this dependence.

Bioplastics have emerged as a promising alternative, but research has shown that they still pose environmental risks similar to plastics, including difficulty in recycling and high resource consumption during production.

Similarly, while paper has long been considered an eco-friendly option, increased usage may lead to deforestation and other environmental issues.

The use of non-sustainable coatings on paper-based products has also raised concerns about their recyclability.

These insights have led to increased innovation in the sustainable packaging industry to find fully sustainable solutions.

Businesses need to consider the materials and coatings used, how they are derived, and their end-of-life to fully understand the environmental impact of packaging materials.

7. Designing for Reuse

The conversation around reuse tends to be much more difficult to initiate versus recycling because it requires a behavior shift. 

The concept of reusing packaging hasn’t come up as often, and it’s likely very unfamiliar to most consumers.

However, there has been a huge shift in consumer behavior in 2023 with many looking for reusable solutions for the products they purchase.

While the idea of sustainability through reuse has been around for a while, this consumer trend is definitely getting much more attention now than it ever has.

This consumer trend has pushed many businesses to design their packaging and products with the purpose of reusing it after purchase.

While this is in fact beneficial for both customers and businesses, many smaller businesses have found it difficult to serve this demand, as reusable packaging tends to be more expensive to maintain. 

Creating packaging designed for reuse requires thoughtful consideration of materials and structure that can withstand repeated washing and use – without damaging the environment.

It has recently become clear that products designed for reuse today tend to be bulky and actually incur a high environmental cost when created.

For example, remember when metal straws were a huge hit to save the turtles?

Well, it has come to light that the environmental cost of creating metal straws was just as harmful to the environment as disposing of plastic ones. 

Although reuse plays a huge role in the future of sustainable packaging, it has experienced similar scrutiny in 2023 as consumers become more aware of the impacts of reusable products. 

Customers now need to see much more value in the reuse of products and packaging in order to buy into the sustainability initiative behind it. 

Businesses are now investing more in innovations in reusable packaging designs that do more good than bad for the environment, to better serve consumer demands in long term sustainability initiatives. 

8. Designing for Recycling

While recycling has been the main topic of discussion in the emergence of environmentally conscious consumers, there has been an overwhelming increase in awareness of recycling, which is always a good thing. 

However, the truth is, businesses will attempt to make environmentally friendly changes to their packaging materials like opting for kraft paper boxes rather than plastic yet use coatings and inks which completely change the material’s recyclability.

Designing for recycling includes looking at aspects such as inks, coatings and labeling for separation.

Although most customers report wanting easily recyclable packaging, there is less data on whether consumers actually follow through after receiving the packaging. 

Like with reuse, there is a certain shift in mindset needed which is slowly becoming more common in consumers. 

Therefore, fully recyclable packaging is being pushed by consumer demands and many businesses are already taking steps to implement new designs around recyclability. 

9. Using Mono Packaging materials

When we think about packaging, it’s likely that there are many different components in place. 

Most packaging has multiple elements, including plastics, laminate, and other composite materials, making it difficult to recycle or reuse. 

While some materials can be easily recycled, others cannot, making it challenging to create truly sustainable packaging. 

In 2023, manufacturers have found a way around this by creating sustainable packaging materials that consist of just one single substrate.

However, this industry trend is likely short lived because without adding additional materials such as paper or plastic, the packaging becomes heavier and bulkier and may require other additives or materials to maintain its shape. 

Doing so negates the potential positive effect on the environment, so it may not be the most realistic long term shift in the industry. 

For mono-material sustainable packaging design to be successful, alternatives need to be looked at on a small and large scale to understand whether packaging quality is impacted and the net environmental impact before switching over completely.

10. Educating Customers

As alluded to earlier, a large part of sustainable packaging design is actually in customers’ hands rather than businesses. 

Businesses can make drastic changes in sustainability, but they will not be truly successful if customers are not educated about impacts and their role. 

Doing so can include education around recycling, disposal, awareness of sustainable packaging design in general, and general education around sustainability. 

Consumers are becoming much more aware of the sustainability of packaging. However, with so much noise and information being spread online, things can become a little blurry.

This is why businesses are trying to take more ownership over the steps that need to be taken for sustainability to become an attainable attribute for their packaging. 

The best way to balance sustainable packaging and consumer demands is to think about different informational needs and have something that caters to each type of person. 

For example, some may just want a simple paragraph, while others may want more in-depth information around specific aspects.

Creating different channels such as websites, inserts, leaflets, and other materials can go a long way in helping customers understand their role in the process.

With the help of QR codes, businesses now have the capability of informing and educating their customers in much more depth.

Overall, it’s clear that there is considerable work going into improving sustainable packaging design and that packaging trends are heading in a more eco-friendly direction. 

While there are still barriers in place around infrastructure and education, there is no doubt that strides are being made by both businesses and consumers. 

With so much innovation in the packaging industry it’s difficult to say which ones will have the more long term impact on our current landscape. However, it is safe to say that the packaging industry is taking some pretty big steps in 2023 to serve consumer demands and increase packaging efficiency.

PakFactory has a variety of eco-friendly packaging options and services and are dedicated to tailoring packaging to your branding and business initiatives.

The post Packaging Industry Trends 2023 first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post Packaging Industry Trends 2023 appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

This year is no different!

While 2021 and 2o22 saw an emergence of minimalist product packaging designs, 2023 will further build on this concept through a variety of design considerations.

Typically when you think of high-value luxury packaging, the first thing that comes to mind is a rigid gift box. This article is not limited to that one type of box.

By utilizing these packaging design trends, you can create a premium experience whether you are producing a folding carton or corrugated box for your e-commerce business.

Remember, these are suggestions.

Be creative and take risks with your designs. It may be the impetus for success your company has been looking for!

Throwing it Back 

Bringing The 60’s Back

Have the 60’s ever really gone out of style? 

Some design trends are simply timeless. 

1960’s psychedelic designs have made a huge comeback over the last few months of 2022, so expect to see many more designs inspired by this time period in 2023!

1960’s designs remind us of a more care-free and fun loving time, which is just what consumers are looking for. 

With symbols of peace and vibrant colors, brands have the opportunity to shed new light on their products and address current social issues in a high spirited way. 

Wavy typefaces, funky designs and pops of color are being used to enhance contemporary products such as clean beauty and vegan foods, making this design trend incredibly versatile across many different industries! 

Carrying on the Y2K Trend

Although most of us remember the 2000s quite vividly, the Y2K aesthetic has once again weaved its way into pop culture, and the same goes for packaging design in 2023. 

The 2000s were obsessed with the future and technology and this was heavily reflected across nearly every industry during this time. 

So, it’s no surprise that the Y2K aesthetic has made an emergence in the 2020s, where once again the focus on innovation and the future of technological advancement is prominent. 

We are now slowly turning our attention to more nostalgic designs that remind us of care-free and easier times. 

With the use of metallic and holographic finishes paired with kitschy artwork designs, brands are capturing the controversial (and often laughable) essence of Y2K and sparking lots of nostalgia in all of our 90’s babies. 

Repopularizing the 1920s

Playing further into the trends of nostalgia, the 1920s make a huge emergence with Betty Boop and Popeye inspired characters (rubber hose characters). 

Rubber hose characters gained popularity in the USA during the 1920s thanks to the emergence of Walt Disney and have since evolved into more modern characters and illustrations that are gaining popularity in 2023. 

With the character’s playful and mischievous smiles and elevated artwork designs, rubber hose characters once again bring a sense of lightheartedness during a time that feels quite heavy. 

This trend extends beyond packaging into fashion and apparel with many designs featuring Mickey Mouse and other original disney characters! 

Exciting Typography Designs

Typography can define a design on its own, and this concept is not something to be looked over in 2023!

Text centric packaging designs have been an emerging trend over the last few years, but it’s safe to say it has made its way into the mainstream for 2023. 

With the majority of shopping being done online nowadays, consumer behaviour has shifted to much more fast paced decision making. 

Initially popularized by brands like no name, text is used to communicate the product’s intent without decorating it with unnecessary elements. 

This meets consumer fast paced demands in quite a simple and effective way. 

Rather than focusing on eccentric artwork, brands are utilizing contrasting colors to bring text to the forefront of their designs. 

Typography is a delicate and refreshing way to reinvent packaging on oversaturated shelves featuring abstract and complex designs. 

Minimalism Stays Strong

Further playing into simplicity, minimalism has been a key trend for custom packaging design. 

Let’s face it, minimalism is classy and timeless. 

Muted and monochromatic color schemes continue to dominate in 2023.

It adds a sense of luxury and peace to your branding while offering customers a high end unboxing experience. 

Minimalist typefaces paired with matte finishes emulate a timeless feel, which consumers enjoy time and time again across any and all industries. 

Flexible Packaging Design

Flexible custom packaging design is expected to be a key trend in the packaging industry for 2023.

This type of custom packaging design offers several benefits over traditional rigid packaging, including improved sustainability, product protection, and convenience for consumers.

One of the primary advantages of flexible packaging is its reduced waste.

Flexible packaging typically uses less material than rigid packaging, resulting in fewer resources required for production and transportation.

Flexible packaging is also often a more easily recyclable packaging type, and can be made from renewable materials such as paper or bioplastics.

This makes flexible packaging design an attractive option for brands looking to improve their sustainability practices.

Flexible packaging is also known for its superior product protection, which is especially important for food and beverage products.

Flexible packaging can help to extend product shelf life, reduce spoilage, and prevent contamination.

Additionally, it can be designed to offer a wide range of features, such as reclosable seals, tear notches, and easy-open options, which can increase convenience and improve the overall user experience.

Moreover, flexible packaging can be more efficient in terms of logistics and transportation.

The lightweight and compact nature of flexible packaging reduces the overall weight and volume of shipments, which can result in lower transportation costs and reduced carbon emissions.

Overall, flexible packaging design is a trend that offers many benefits for brands and consumers alike.

By reducing waste, improving product protection, and increasing convenience, flexible product packaging can improve sustainability practices while also improving the user experience.

As such, it is expected that this trend will continue to gain popularity in 2023 and beyond as brands increasingly seek to prioritize sustainability and enhance their packaging designs.

Bringing Artwork To Life

3D illustrations adding depth to designs is an innovative trend we can expect to see more of this year. 

This innovative trend brings your packaging design to life and adds extra shelf appeal. 

It’s definitely eye catching and will easily turn consumer’s heads when passing by. All in all, 3D designs may only be effective for certain industries. 

Drinks and beverage product packaging has been the most dominant industry to encounter packaging design trends in the past, with many wineries using 3D illustrations on their bottle labels. 

However, the need to differentiate on shelf as well as online now a days will likely push packaging design trends across the food, beauty and apparel industries. 

Interactive Packaging

Interactive packaging is a trend that leverages technology to offer consumers a more immersive and engaging experience through packaging design.

With the help of features such as augmented reality or QR codes, interactive packaging allows brands to communicate with their audience in a more interactive and dynamic way.

By scanning a QR code or using an app to access augmented reality content, consumers can unlock additional information about the product or brand.

This type of engagement can help to create a stronger emotional connection between the consumer and the brand by providing a unique and memorable experience.

Moreover, interactive packaging also enables brands to collect valuable data on consumer behavior and preferences.

With the help of tracking tools, brands can learn more about how consumers are interacting with their products, which features they are most interested in, and how they are responding to marketing messages.

This data can be used to improve packaging design and marketing strategies, resulting in more effective campaigns and better product development.

Overall, interactive product packaging is an innovative way for brands to stand out in a crowded marketplace and connect with consumers in a meaningful way.

By offering interactive experiences and collecting valuable data, brands can strengthen their relationship with customers and increase the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

As a result, interactive packaging is expected to become more prevalent in 2023 as more brands seek to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

Interior Packaging Designs

With product packaging, it’s really what’s inside that counts. 

Designs in 2023 will likely embrace this concept in a more literal way and feature the bulk of their artwork designs on the interior of their product packaging. 

This is especially true for the e-commerce industry. 

While it is true that we’re seeing more exterior printing on mailer boxes and regular slotted boxes, this is not a maintainable expense for many businesses as artwork designs are often compromised in transit. 

Beautifully crafted interiors provide customers with a sense of anticipation during the unboxing experience, adding to the impact of your branding. 

Shopping for many, has meant picking up that boring brown box from your shared mailroom or front porch. 

With interior artwork designs, businesses offer an element of surprise which becomes sharable content for their brand.  

Unboxing videos have gained a lot of attention over the years and continues to boom on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Brands will take more advantage of their unboxing experience to create sharable and unique packaging designs featuring interior printing. 

Sustainable Packaging

Sustainability and eco-friendly shopping has been a major focal point for a while now, but this concept will get taken to the next level in 2023. 

The use of raw materials has made an appearance in 2023, but we can expect this to be more dominant as product packaging design trends in 2023. 

Textured materials lets consumers know more about what materials are being used and how they are being sourced. 

With the great shift of consumer behavior to eco-friendly products, brands are working hard to meet sustainable packaging demands in their industry niche. 

It’s becoming pretty clear that sustainable packaging is a must in almost every industry, and what better way to showcase your initiative by offering customers an eco-friendly feel right from the beginning. 

Coatings and laminations were used in the past on otherwise eco-friendly packaging materials. However, this compromised the recyclability/compostability of far too many packaging solutions. 

Consumers are becoming more educated on the subject of eco-friendly materials, and the issue of coatings and laminations quickly gained traction forcing many businesses to re-evaluate their sustainable packaging. 

With raw materials, coatings are not required, in fact, it is encouraged not to use coatings or laminations at all in order to preserve the natural textures of sustainable kraft packaging solutions! 

Mono Material Product Packaging

Mono materials have become increasingly popular in recent years as more consumers and brands prioritize sustainability.

These packaging design trends are expected to continue to gain momentum in 2023 as brands continue to look for ways to reduce their environmental footprint.

Mono materials are often made from a single type of material, such as paper or plastic packaging, that can be easily recycled or disposed of.

This approach to packaging design offers several benefits over traditional multi-material packaging, including reduced waste and increased recycling rates.

In addition to being more environmentally friendly, mono materials can also offer a simpler and more cost-effective solution for packaging design.

By using a single material, brands can streamline their production processes, reduce their product packaging costs, and simplify their supply chain.

This can result in more efficient and sustainable packaging operations, which can be beneficial for both the brand and the environment.

Overall, mono materials are a trend to watch in 2023 as brands continue to prioritize sustainability and look for ways to reduce their impact on the environment.

By adopting mono material product packaging designs, brands can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability while also reaping the benefits of simpler and more cost-effective packaging solutions.

While 2023 continues to bring uncertainty, we can look forward to some fun loving and entertaining packaging designs across a wide range of industries. 

With nostalgic caricatures, bursts of colors and strong influences by easier and more fun time period, designs will progress into exciting and innovative packaging solutions for maximal shelf impact and minimal environmental impact. 

Looking for the perfect packaging solution to hold your products this year? We’ve got your back!

Browse our website and request a quote today to make an impact in 2023!

The post Packaging Design Trends to Look Out for in 2023 first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post Packaging Design Trends to Look Out for in 2023 appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on the packaging industry and many others, with people spending more time at home and relying on online shopping for pretty much anything. 

This has led to a significant increase in the demand for packaging, and it seems like this trend has continued even after the pandemic has subsided. 

Here are four ways COVID-19 has changed packaging:

Contactless Delivery and Safety Precautions

With social distancing becoming the new norm, contactless delivery has become essential for businesses to continue to operate. 

To minimize contact between delivery personnel and customers, many businesses have switched to tamper-evident packaging, which ensures that the product has not been opened or tampered with during delivery. 

In addition, many businesses have added safety information to their packaging to inform customers of any precautions they need to take when handling the product.

Increased Demand for eCommerce Packaging

As more people are staying at home, e-commerce has become the primary mode of shopping for many consumers. 

This has led to an increase in demand for e-commerce packaging, which needs to be durable enough to protect the product during shipping while also being easy to open for the customer.

Sustainability Concerns

The pandemic has also brought sustainability concerns to the forefront of packaging design. 

With an increase in packaging waste due to online shopping, many businesses are exploring sustainable packaging options that are eco-friendly, biodegradable, or made from recycled materials. 

Consumers are also becoming more conscious of their environmental impact and are choosing products with sustainable packaging.

Changes in Consumer Behavior

The pandemic has brought about significant changes in consumer behavior, including a shift towards hygiene-conscious products. 

Packaging design has had to adapt to this change by incorporating hygiene-related information, such as instructions on how to properly sanitize the product before use. 

In addition, the pandemic has also led to an increase in the demand for single-use packagings, such as disposable masks and gloves, which has further emphasized the need for sustainable packaging options.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the packaging industry, from safety concerns to sustainability issues. 

As the world continues to adapt to the new normal, the packaging industry will need to continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of consumers while also addressing sustainability concerns.

Ready to make a difference? 

Start by choosing sustainable packaging options for your business or personal use. By doing so, you’ll be contributing to a cleaner environment and a more sustainable future. Don’t know where to start? 

Explore eco-friendly, biodegradable, or recycled packaging options that will help reduce waste and promote sustainability. Take action now and make a positive impact on the world around you.

The post 4 Ways Covid-19 Has Changed Packaging first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post 4 Ways Covid-19 Has Changed Packaging appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

With an influx of orders and the increased reliance on online shopping, shipping is a key consideration when planning for the holiday season. 

Supply chain disruptions and logistics complications over the last few years, are here to stay, so it’s best to plan in advance and ensure enough time for shipping your seasonal products and packaging. 

With so many shipping options, routes and prices, it can be difficult for businesses to make a decision on the right shipping method for their packaging supply.  

However, here you’ll be able to discover all shipping methods and get a better understanding of your options during the holiday seasons for 2022 and 2023. 

Shipping Options

To put it simply, you have 3 main shipping methods to choose from:

• Sea
• Air
• Ground

In essence, your business will likely be using a combination of these methods to ensure on-time and safe deliveries of your packaging supply.

For example, you may choose sea shipping as your primary method, but this will still include ground shipping to get your supply from facility to port and port to you!

Let’s break down these 3 shipping methods even further to get a deeper understanding of your options as a business. 

Express Air Shipping

The most time-efficient shipping option available is express air shipping. 

Orders are shipped on a day-to-day basis and only take 3 – 7 days to be delivered. 

Using DHL as a shipping partner, the orders get fast customs clearance and ensure legal compliance to avoid any issues for businesses and customers. 

While Express Air shipping is the most time-efficient shipping method, it is also the most expensive. 

It’s the perfect solution if you are in a time crunch to get your packaging supply to your fulfillment centers.

However, if you are looking to be budget-friendly, express air may be out of your price range depending on the cost of your custom packaging design.  

Standard Air Shipping 

Standard air shipping is a popular shipping method. It is extremely reliable and benefits from fast custom clearance. 

Shipments happen on a week-to-week basis, with a 12 – 18 day delivery time frame. 

While delivery takes longer than express air shipping, it is slightly more cost effective while still being reasonably time efficient.

Express Sea Shipping

Sea shipping in general takes the most amount of time. However, it is also the most cost-effective, and if planned right, is extremely reliable. 

Delivery times range from 35-40 days and are especially cost-effective for large orders as pallets are more space efficient. 

Sea shipping can be an incredibly economical shipping method. However, it requires a lot of logistics planning to ensure on-time deliveries, especially during the holiday season. 

It’s best to get your orders for seasonal packaging in early to ensure enough time for sea shipping and to account for any delays that may occur. 

Standard Sea Shipping

Standard sea shipping takes the longest with a 40-50 day delivery time. However, it is also the most cost effective option available, especially for large-run packaging orders. 

Large shipments can also benefit from pallets. However, this can add an extra 7-day delivery time due to space capacity for standard shipping on a week-to-week basis. 

Standard sea shipping is reliable, however, requires a lot of preparation to ensure on-time deliveries, especially during peak times of the year, like the holidays. 

Production and Shipping Times

It can be difficult to estimate deadlines for businesses to order packaging based on approvals, production times, and shipping times. 

Here we clearly lay out the turnaround times including shipping for different packaging styles to ensure you have enough time to approve your packaging design and get it delivered. 

Air Shipping 

• Folding Carton: 30 – 45 days
• Corrugated: 30 – 45 days
• Rigid: 40 – 55 days
• Countertop displays: 25 – 40 days
• Floor displays: 25 – 40 days days
• Labels and Stickers: 20 – 35 days
• Paper retail bags: 30 – 45 days
• Reusable bags: 30 – 45 days
• Polymailers and bubble mailers: 15 – 30 days
• Pouches (digital print): 15 – 30 days
• Foam box inserts: 25 – 40 days
• Tin boxes: 40 – 55 days

Sea Shipping 

• Folding Carton: 65 – 75 days
• Corrugated: 65 – 75 days
• Rigid: 75 – 85 days
• Countertop displays: 55 – 65 days
• Floor displays: 55 – 65 days
• Labels and Stickers: 45 – 55 days
• Paper retail bags: 65 – 75 days
• Reusable bags: 65 – 75 days
• Polymailers and bubble mailers: 45 – 55 days
• Pouches (digital print): 45 – 55 days
• Foam box inserts: 60 days
• Tin boxes: 80 – 90 days

Planning for 2023

The pandemic continues to have an effect on shipping and supply chains worldwide, that’s why it’s so important to start planning well in advance of product launches, especially for seasonal occasions. 

Ultimately, businesses should place packaging orders at least 2 months in advance, this does not include the approval process of your designs. 

Here are some popular holidays you may want to consider the ordering deadlines for in 2023: 

Valentine’s Day

Order deadline: December 1, 2022

St. Patrick’s Day

Order deadline: January 2, 2023

Easter

Order deadline: January 16, 2023

Mother’s Day

Order deadline: March 2, 2023

Father’s Day

Order deadline: April 5, 2023

Halloween

Order deadline: August, 2, 2023

Thanksgiving

Order deadline: September 12, 2023

Start planning your seasonal packaging for the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. 

Make sure to check back on the holiday season deadlines of 2022. 

The post Holiday Shipping Guide for Packaging Supplies 2022 first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post Holiday Shipping Guide for Packaging Supplies 2022 appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

The holiday season is quickly approaching and businesses need to start considering their packaging supply for this busy time of the year. 

Businesses, established and new, know that the holidays hold a ton of potential in boosting sales and revenue. 

Matched with holiday-themed packaging, businesses also have the opportunity to expand their reach and rebrand their products as the perfect gift for their customers. 

It’s best to strategize your holiday packaging in advance to account for any delays in shipping and leave enough leeway to restock if needed. 

Here we outline all the important dates and considerations your business needs to ensure any holiday packaging designs can be ready in time for the gift-buying extravaganza. 

When Is the Latest Day to Order Holiday Packaging?

Let’s cover the most important facet of planning your holiday packaging first — deadlines.

As seen in the chart above, holiday packaging should be purchased a minimum of 6 weeks in advance to account for any shipping delays and leave enough time for distribution during the holidays. 

However, the earlier you order, the better!

As you probably know, shipping times and costs leading up to the holiday season are always more unpredictable due to a rise in demand across almost any industry. 

It’s best to be prepared to keep up to date with shipping times and options to ensure your packaging supply arrives on time. 

Here we outline the production times (excluding shipping) for different packaging methods to give you a better idea of the time frames you should expect: 

• Folding Carton: 20 – 25 days
• Corrugated: 20 – 25 days
• Rigid: 20 – 35 days
• Countertop displays: 10 – 12 days
• Floor displays: 13 – 15 days
• Labels and Stickers: 10 days
• Paper retail bags: 25 – 30 days
• Reusable bags: 25 – 35 days
• Polymailers and bubble mailers: 12 – 15 days
• Pouches (digital print): 10 – 12 days
• Foam box inserts: 20 days
• Tin boxes: 30 – 35 days

Based on this, we recommended approving and ordering your packaging by mid-October at the latest to ensure your holiday packaging arrives in time to get ready for the gift-giving season. 

Don’t forget that even after your packaging is delivered to you, fulfillment and delivery centers may add an extra week or two pushing the customer timeline for your products.

What Is Holiday Packaging and Do You Need It?

For many businesses sales generated from holidays can account for more than 50% of their annual sales volumes, so it’s safe to say that the holidays are kind of a big deal, and the packaging plays an integral role in it.

Let’s not forget that consumers love convenience, when consumers are shopping for holiday gifts, you can be sure they are looking for products that are already packaged in a gift-like parcel. 

Whether it’s for Christmas or Valentine’s Day, specialized holiday packaging can add value to your product and customer experience. 

Change up your packaging to turn your everyday product into a precious, ready-to-deliver gift by just altering the packaging design to fit the holiday you want to serve or opting for limited edition, high-quality solutions like rigid boxes to complement the themed unboxing experience.

Take Hershey’s kisses for example, by marketing their product as a valentine’s day gift, kisses have now become the face of this international holiday.

What better way to capture customer attention than festive packaging?

Holiday Packaging and Volume Planning

Not sure how much packaging you need for the holidays?

Depending on the history of your product’s success during the holidays, packaging needs during this time frame can spike by nearly 80% higher than your regular day-to-day sales. 

Forecasted numbers can be hypothesized through historical data or by adding a multiplier to your regular sales volumes.

For example, if you anticipate spending 30% more in marketing dollars to get 50% more customer engagement and are releasing a limited edition product expected to drive a 30% higher demand, you can multiply these increases by your regular sales volumes to get an anticipated holiday sales expectancy.

We recommend ordering at least 20% more than your sales expectancy. This way, if you overachieve, you’re covered and if you don’t — that’s okay too. 

You have some packaging ready for the year to come.

Breakdown Your Budgets

We briefly touched on your marketing spend, but what about product costs, fulfillment costs, and shipping premiums during the holiday times?

Budgeting correctly is key to having a successful holiday turnout.

Expect to increase your marketing spend for a higher-than-normal sales conversion rate during holidays.

Product parts and labor may have higher costs during times of demand, especially over the last few years, so anticipate higher costs in this department as well.

Fulfillment and shipping centers are both busier during this time too, with so much gift-giving happening through deliveries.

In fact, shipping rates can increase by over 80% when compared to rates during non-holiday seasons. 

This is caused by increased demand and less availability. 

When budgeting for your packaging, consider the per-unit margin over your total product cost including all aforementioned expenses. 

Keep in mind that your packaging can add value to your product and may very well pay for itself in that regard.

Get Inspiration

Never stop learning and improving your products.

Learn and get inspired by businesses that have had tremendous success in their holiday packaging. 

The truth is that packaged products can have a significant impact on your holiday sales.

Consumers often begin purchasing products in order to collect the special edition packaging or share it on social media.

This is especially true for businesses that utilize packaging as part of their overall experience as a brand.

Stressed about ordering your holiday packaging?

Don’t worry, PakFactory is here to help!

The post Holiday Packaging Guide 2022 – Ordering Deadlines For The Year first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post Holiday Packaging Guide 2022 – Ordering Deadlines For The Year appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

With the help of Pacdora, the design process is now easy, time efficient and fun! 

Pacdora has engineered a simple interface that allows businesses to generate custom dielines and 3D mockups from within a browser. 

Real Time 3D Previews and Mockups

Avoid the endless back and forth of digital previews and get real time 3D mockups that you can generate yourself. 

Pacdora displays your design with a real-time 3D preview, giving businesses the opportunity to visualize artwork and structural designs based on required dimensions. 

Mockups can be easily generated with one click, so you can share realistic renderings with your team, colleagues and PakFactory when you’re ready for your sample or production orders. 

Accurate dielines are automatically created based on the dimensions you enter with industry standard precision for large scale printing and manufacturing.

Save Time on the Design Process

This simple, yet effective tool, allows businesses to save up to 80% of time on the design process for their packaging without sacrificing quality. 

76% of Pacdora users acknowledge their time spent on packaging design was drastically reduced thanks to this innovative tool. 

The templates and user friendly interface makes the design process easy, convenient and, let’s face it, more fun. 

Pacdora offers a large range of packaging models and design templates that are popular industry standards to save you time on creating custom dielines from scratch. 

Simply adjust the dimensions based on your product size, and voila, a 3D rendering is ready for your artwork design to be placed. 

How Pacdora Works

Pacdora is a free tool for businesses to use. 

However, they also provide businesses with the opportunity to enter a membership program that allows access to a range of other capabilities. 

Pacdora free provides hundreds of packaging models and design templates to choose from, while Pacdora Pro levels up this offering with 4k renderings and dieline exports for only $29 a month.

4k renderings and dieline exports gives businesses more opportunity in customizing and visualizing their finished products. 

Dieline exports allow you to create unique dielines from scratch and share accurate visualizations of your packaging design with your team and packaging company.

Uploading your artwork files to the Pacdora tool allows you to position, place and tweak your artwork design according to your 3D model. 

This tool supports most popular file formats including: 

• PDF
• AI
• DXF

All in all, Pacdora makes the packaging design process more convenient, affordable and time efficient for businesses of all sizes. 

PakFactory is proud to be working collaboratively with Pacdora to bring businesses a seamless experience from concept to production. 

Contact us today for more information and get started on your own personalized packaging solutions.

The post Introducing Pacdora: Taking Dieline and Mockup Generation to the Next Level first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post Introducing Pacdora: Taking Dieline and Mockup Generation to the Next Level appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

With continuing supply chain issues and disruptions, large and small businesses have had to weather significant changes. 

Balancing business issues with customer expectations isn’t always easy, but that’s why planning ahead is so crucial. 

For retailers looking ahead, one of the key things that needs extra attention is packaging supply. 

Shipping and packaging supplies have been running out quicker than ever as more customers shop online, and that is likely here to stay. 

We’ll look ahead to some of the key packaging trends to look out for in 2022 to help your planning efforts and stay ahead of competition.

Considerations for the New Year

One of the major considerations for 2022 is packaging optimization across the supply chain. 

So as you plan for the year ahead, here is what you should be focusing on:

How Your Brand Is Reflected in Packaging

New year, new brand? 

While that might not quite be it for some, it’s still important to think about. 

Branding and packaging go hand in hand, and does your packaging truly still reflect what your brand is about? 

If not, this might be the perfect time to look at packaging trends and see how you can refresh yours to be more reflective of the direction of your product. 

Custom packaging can have an instant “wow” effect on customers, existing and new. 

It’s becoming more and more important to keep up to date with constantly changing consumer demands.

Let’s face it, sometimes a packaging redesign is the most straightforward way to address new purchasing behaviors. 

Allocating Resources for Packaging

Budget and quantity is always an important aspect to consider, but this is especially true for 2022. 

The major packaging trend emerging now is stockpiling shipping and packaging supplies when possible. 

Whether you decide to update your custom packaging or not, having ample supply is crucial as you move into the new year. 

With more supply chain problems expected, setting aside the budget for the capability of storing packaging will help you manage your growth effectively amongst unpredictable supply chain changes. 

Think About Your Timing

Another major consideration for the new year is timing. 

Designing, ordering, and receiving packaging aren’t quick processes anymore. 

With so many disruptions for suppliers and manufacturers, you must give yourself enough time to build up supplies and manage growth. 

That means ordering ahead whenever possible and keeping a strategic eye on packaging trends to ensure you always have the materials you need to supply your customers with products.

Maneuvering the Supply Chain

Be Flexible About Your Needs

The main advice for this year when it comes to supply chain? 

Plan ahead as much as possible.

While it might sound redundant, it’s just that important as we move into the new year. 

Many businesses have started entering into multi-year contracts to have some assurance of steady packaging supplies, and others are following suit to ensure their production needs are prioritized. 

That also means being flexible about needs and being able to handle drastic fluctuations as needed. 

Businesses that can be nimble and connect services together will see better results across the supply chain issues. 

Rethink Your Focus

A lot of businesses have used this time to rethink their current supply chain and manufacturing, as well as their packaging. 

For example, businesses are opting for closer warehouses and packaging partners to help mitigate delays while gaining more control over lead times. 

Similarly, other businesses have now shifted their focus to diversifying packaging partners, manufacturers, and other parts of the supply chain to guarantee items. 

While it might mean short-term pricing issues as buying orders are split up across partners, it does mean more flexibility and time efficiency in production.

Packaging Industry Trends

So where is the packaging industry heading now, when there’s so much demand and new needs emerging? 

Let’s look at some of the emerging trends as we move into 2022.

Pandemic Prepared Certification for Packaging Lines and Supply Chains

It’s becoming increasingly clear that COVID-19 is not going anyway any time soon. 

With resurgences and lockdowns predicted for next year, businesses need to think about how to protect their products and supply chain. 

One way to do this is through pandemic prepared certification to give facilities more leverage against COVID-19 related issues in the future. 

Protective and Tamper Proof Packaging

With the threat of COVID-19 lingering, another concern has been health and safety in packaging. 

Protective packaging, tamper-proof packaging, and other types of safety measures are becoming a major packaging focus as we head into 2022. 

Measures that help consumers confirm the safety of the products they purchase, will be absolutely crucial for businesses moving forward. 

Businesses that can get creative with protective custom packaging, will be able to provide a more comforting experience for customers in the world of coronavirus. 

New Ways to Look at Packaging

It’s not just the supply chain that has been disrupted, but there has also been a major increase in worker resignations as well. 

For many businesses, that has meant lean teams and fewer boots on the ground. 

To deal with this, the future of flexible packaging may be especially notable in 2022 with smaller work forces having to be more time efficient. 

That’s why many businesses have outsourced packaging lines and supply chains to refocus on keeping the business running. 

Temporary workforces and automation, such as packaging machinery, are becoming a key industry trend within this space, and we’re likely to see more of that in 2022 too.

Furthermore, AR/VR packaging is becoming much more a part of the mainstream. 

Read more about smart packaging.

It’s an incredibly new idea gaining ground as businesses try to stay ahead of the competition.

It’s safe to say digitally augmented packaging will likely take more hold in the new year as businesses create more interactive experiences for their customers in a world of smartphones. 

Packaging Design Trends

In the current competitive landscape businesses look to create a more distinctive visual identity for themselves. 

Let’s take a look at some of packaging design trends to look out for in the new year. 

Eccentric Text-Centric Designs

Text and lettering are becoming standalone art in newer packaging designs. 

Rather than illustrative and graphic elements, companies are focusing more on creating one-of-a-kind text designs for their packaging. 

This helps increase brand name awareness while taking a minimalist approach that customers might not have seen before. 

Color Mists

Color mists have been the latest trend on social media, and companies are now trying to recreate digital trends in the physical world.

Color mists are all about creating a mesmerizing effect that brings calm and clarity, and that’s what businesses are looking to do for their packaging. 

Overblurring, adding more texture and noise to packaging colors might be the way to do it, but many designers are still working out this latest packaging design trend. 

Maximal Inside, Minimal Outside

Another new trend is all about creating a minimal look on the exterior of the packaging and contrast it with decadent and beautiful designs inside. 

It’s all about creating surprise and delight for customers as they open the packaging and creating a truly unique unboxing experience. 

Many companies are creating simple external packaging and keeping the inside bright and colorful to bring up the visual appeal of the packaging and give customers an element of surprise. 

Imperfect Raw Materials and Sustainability

Sustainability has become a crucial part of packaging in the last few years, and that trend is here to stay. 

But as the sustainability trend evolves, there is also a renowned focus on using imperfect raw materials, environmentally friendly inks, and water-based protective coatings to keep packaging looking more rustic and eco-friendly. 

That might mean using more earthly textures in packaging and using neutral materials to create unique textures and color contrasts in the world of eco-friendly packaging solutions. 

Looking to get in an order for your 2022 packaging supply? 

Contact our product specialists for expert advice on packaging, design and printing solutions for your custom product packaging. 

The post Product Packaging Trends to Consider in 2022 first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post Product Packaging Trends to Consider in 2022 appeared first on PakFactory Blog.

Learn how the global supply chain disruption is affecting custom packaging orders.

• Labor Shortages
• Resource Issues
• Unpredictable Production Output

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has disrupted much of what we know.

Constant lockdowns, border requirements, and more have left much of the world scrambling to figure out a new kind of normal – and the packaging industry is no different. 

There has been a lot of coverage around disruptions to the global supply chain in the wake of the pandemic. 

In addition, global workforce shortages have led to immense pressure on supply chains especially considering how demand has skyrocketed over the lockdown periods. 

As a result, manufacturers and distributors are struggling to keep up, particularly e-commerce businesses. 

In turn, this has meant that crucial packaging materials such as cardboard have been in short supply.

But why is this happening? We’ll explore some of the key reasons why the global supply chain is disrupted and what you can do to get ahead of it.

Labor Shortages

The pandemic isn’t the only cause of custom packaging shortages, especially in the last year. 

While yes, the pandemic started, other events have since exacerbated the issue. 

The first example of this would be Brexit. With the EU and UK cutting ties, it has meant a major disruption across major transport routes, and a shortage of truck drivers has led to further issues. 

Key transport routes such as the ones between France and England have seen the most disruption, leading to the most delays. 

While the US may not have the same political issues as the rest of the world, there are still issues around labor shortages that are causing delays. 

For example, a lack of truck drivers and trucks has led to blockages across the supply chain and driving up delivery time. 

Resource Issues

Manufacturing delays can also be traced back to significant resource issues that hit major producers such as Europe and China. 

Energy crises in the country have affected production output in the last few months, leading to problems. 

Coupled with port blockages due to localized infections and a lack of trucks and drivers, and you start to see how it all connects. 

The supply chain is exactly that – a chain. 

When one link falls apart, the others are naturally affected. 

When a high production country such as China is affected, it inevitably trickles down the rest of the supply chain. 

This ends up causing a lot of issues for industries such as custom packaging.

Unpredictable Production Output

With the energy crises and other problems in place, it’s no surprise that production output has been difficult to predict. 

That means that manufacturers and businesses have had to make faster decisions and problem-solve. 

For some, this has meant rising costs to get products shipped and packaged and shorter timeframes to ensure customers receive the items. 

Other businesses have been more precautionary, ordering ahead of time and extra quantities, which means that production resources are imbalanced. 

Furthermore, with so many different factors at play, companies have to scramble with new strategies quickly, which means that demand has had to shift alongside, leading to unpredictability.

Demand for packaging materials

Cardboard is a fundamental part of custom packaging, and it has also been severely affected due to global supply chain issues. 

Paper pulp is one of the most needed materials for custom packaging, with demand skyrocketing like no other. 

As more people stay at home and order online, cardboard boxes have seen immense demand – and with that, an immense price hike. Similar to other materials such as wood containers and pallets, the supply chain issues have cascaded down and impacted demand and pricing. 

These issues have led to inequitable demand and supply at a crucial time – the holiday season. 

While some companies may afford to stockpile and buy in advance, this has led to significant issues for small businesses that cannot afford to do the same. 

As a result, small and medium businesses have struggled to keep up with demand while ensuring shorter fulfillment times as we get closer to the holiday season, leading to more pressure. 

In turn, this means that courier services are also delayed in reaching packages to customers. 

With all of these issues in place – one thing is clear: Order now, and order ahead. 

Unfortunately, supply chain issues are predicted to worsen before they get better, which means acting quickly. 

With the holiday season approaching, and customers starting gift-giving earlier than usual, it’s more important than ever to plan ahead. 

By placing custom packaging orders now, you can ensure that products are fulfilled and shipped in a timely manner (while accounting for delays) and that they reach customers in time for the best experience possible. 

Get in touch with us today and get a head start on your packaging supply orders for the new year!

The post How The Global Supply Chain Disruption Is Affecting Custom Packaging first appeared on PakFactory Blog.

The post How The Global Supply Chain Disruption Is Affecting Custom Packaging appeared first on PakFactory Blog.