It's crucial to get the packaging right in a highly competitive environment like the food sector. This is done to maintain a competitive edge on crowded grocery shelves, in addition to being practical. This blog describes what kinds of packaging makers should seek out, what kinds to avoid, and how to stay one step ahead of the competition in this article.
Whether it's your favourite chocolate or those munchies for when you're not working, the packaging always catches your eye first. Food products are shielded from contaminants by their packaging, which also helps them stand out on the shelf and keeps them safe from physical, chemical, and environmental hazards. To remain competitive, it is crucial to understand the appropriate package options and to keep up with current packaging trends.
Why is food packaging so important?
Food quality is maintained via packaging, which also draws customers. The majority of clients probably evaluate the food's quality based on the package. While containing food is the main purpose of food packing, there are some additional significant advantages as well:
Protection: Packaging businesses create a special package that can be perfect for the kind of food. Companies invest a lot of time and money in research to find the finest packaging solutions that can shield products from dust, light, and chemical reactions. Poor food packing degrades a product's flavour and quality.
Foods that are packaged are uncontaminated and can extend a food product's shelf life.
Food packaging comes in a variety of forms around us, including bottles, cans, bags, and cartons. These containers are used to pack food items so that they can travel safely.
Consumer purchase patterns are influenced by a variety of factors, including the colours and design of your food packaging. After all, different colours cause different reactions in the brain, so pick your packaging colours carefully. White packaging, for instance, exudes simplicity and purity and is ideal for dairy products. Orange packaging symbolises fun and vigour, making it perfect for summer drinks and sports drinks. Match flavours and colours as well, for example, yellow for bananas and red for apples. Fonts play a significant role as well. Make sure your intended audience can read them.
Creating a unique brand: The attention of a buyer must be drawn to your goods among the hundreds of other items that are available on store shelves. This is made easier by packaging, which sets your brand apart from competing products on the same shelf.
Another effective marketing tool is product packaging. Customers will be able to recall your brand the next time they visit the store thanks to the label, logo, and shape of the food's packaging. Packaging increases brand recognition in this manner.
How to choose the right food packaging
Which packaging matches your food goods best? There are a variety of options available, including glass, paper, corrugated, and plastic. But not every food package is the same. Each has advantages as well as drawbacks.
When choosing the appropriate food packing, you should consider these two crucial factors:
Your particular food product's packaging should keep it secure.
It ought to draw the customer's attention.
Being a smart business, you want your food packaging to be suitable for waste management procedures and the environment, but the harsh reality is that a packaging material doesn't meet all of these requirements.
In other words, each material used to package food has certain characteristics. Some packaging types and specific foods are prone to interact. Here are some essential characteristics of popular food packing items:
Glass:
ProsConsMoisture and heat resistantBrittle and breakable-reactive not easy to carry transparent (lets consumers see products)Heavy and bulky to transport reusable/recyclable
Aluminium:
ProsConsResistant to moisture, heat, gases, and corrosion table to be weldedLightweightLess strengthRecyclableLimited shapes Expensive
Tinplate:
ProsConsWater and heat resistant acts with foodsDurableRequiring a can openerRecyclable and easy to separate from waste (as it is magnetic)Heavier than aluminium cheaper alternative to aluminium
Tin-free steel:
ProsConsStrong and durable table to be weldedResistant to heat phone to corrosionRecyclableRequires a can openerCheaper than tinplateHeavier than aluminium
Paper and paperboard:
ProsConsLightweightProne to moisture and humidityGood strength poor barrier to light low costars or damages easily made from renewable resources Recyclable
Polyesters:
ProsConsStrongMay pose an environmental threat in debrisIdeal for hot filling Excellent barrier characteristics High clarity Shatter and tear-resistant Easy to recycle in rigid form
And if you use plastic packaging…
Plastic is widely used. Despite the objections of environmentalists, they are the backbone of food packaging. No packaging is as adaptable, inexpensive, or appealing as plastic, whether you love it or detest it for those qualities. Again, selecting the appropriate plastic packaging for your food products is crucial. The following plastics and how they interact with your food products are listed:
PET or PETE (Polyethylene Terephthalate) (Code: 1): Plastic that is both lightweight and very impact resistant. Recycling is secure and simple. PETE is a well-liked material for packaging drinks, oils, water, salad dressing, and jams & jellies.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) (Code: 2): This low-risk plastic is perfect for cereal, milk, water, and juice packaging.
Low-DensityPolyethylene is ideal for making grocery bags but it is not recyclable so should be repurposed.
PVC, also known as polyvinyl chloride, is a plastic substance that is used to package OTC medications, oil, food wrap, and bottles. It is resistant to chemicals and biological agents because chlorine is one of its main ingredients. However, it cannot be used for heating or cooking, and recycling services typically do not take it.
Low-Density Polyethylene, also known as LDPE (Code: 4), is perfect for manufacturing bread bags, squeezable bottles, food wraps, and grocery bags. Despite having a great heat-resistance capability, it is not thicker than the majority of resins. It is safe, however it cannot be recycled and could be bad for the environment. It is therefore advised to reuse or repurpose it.
PP or Polypropylene (Code: 5): Used frequently to manufacture the packaging for ketchup, yoghurt, and medications. It is safe to microwave because of its heat resistance.
Plastic flatware, disposable cups, bowls, and take-out containers are all excellent examples of food packaging made of polystyrene or Styrofoam (Code: 6). However, it is unsafe because when exposed to heat, it releases compounds that could be hazardous. It should also be recycled and reused because recycling it is difficult.
Other or O (Code 7): Either polycarbonate, the bioplastic polylactide, or a combination of more than one plastic were used to create the packaging.
The latest trends in food packaging
Given how competitive and dynamic the food packaging market is, it is crucial to be aware of current developments. By adopting these trends into your packaging, you can give your product a competitive edge:
Simple patterns: Everything follows this fashion, including book covers and highway signs. Give your large typography and crowded designs a break.
Bright colours: Food packaging has become popular with bright colours. They complement the design layout effectively in addition to drawing the customer's attention. The best example of this trend is protein bars.
Small print gets larger: Why not write the ingredients down in large font? It looks excellent and gives customers confidence in you.
Following food packaging trends can help manufacturers ensure they have the right branding and design for their food products.
Using form in a creative way: Picture a watermelon slice with a juice container inside it. Why not sell aloe vera in a container shaped like an aloe leaf if you sell herbal products like that? You get it now? With their packaging, several food firms are getting inventive.
Functional packaging: Dunkin Donuts has introduced a coffee cup top that's made to hold some extra coffee, sugar, and cream. In order to make it easier for their consumers to carry the meal, more businesses are adopting this approach.
All food products must be packaged in order to be sold on the market. However, picking the appropriate food packing is just as crucial. After all, packaging not only houses and safeguards your product, but also helps customers recognise your brand.
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