5 Types of Packaging Materials and Their Best Uses
Are you looking for the best packaging materials to protect your products during shipping or storage? In this case, it is very important to consider the appropriate material to be used to pack the products so that they can reach the customer in good condition. However, with the different types of packaging materials available, how does one filter them to the best fit for your needs? So, let’s discuss the five types that top the packing material list and the area of use based on the material type.
What’s the Best Way to Store and Transport Your Product?
Packaging should be primarily protective of what’s inside. Individualize the features of your product to gauge which types of packaging material would be involved. Delicate products need strong packaging; heavyweight products will need packaging that can bear extra weight.
What is the ideal size and shape of the packaging for your product?
After choosing the material, one more thing to keep in mind is the best size and shape of packaging. It should be large enough to protect the product but also flexible to fit its size. Some of them can be easily made in different shapes and sizes, while for others, the dimensions are rather fixed.
Do Your Customers Prefer Standard or Premium Packaging?
The packaging must express your branding and align with what the customers expect. The packaging sometimes speaks for the product itself; for a product that mostly wins the market by presenting many features and functionalities, very basic and plain but sturdy packaging may suffice. An example is the industrial tool producer that prefers utilitarian packaging over a fanciful design.
However, if you would like to generate some enthusiasm and commitment, pay attention to quality as well as the presentation. “Unboxing experience” could be a powerful marketing tool. For example, Apple comes up with some of the best package designs, good quality, and unforgettable—a boost to the experience for all its customers.
Importance of Choosing the Right Packaging Material
How to Choose the Right Type of Packaging Materials
Choosing the right packaging material comes with several factors, such as Packaging material type, Transport means, and environment. Anyways, it’s always useful to be able to evaluate the specific needs of your product.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Packaging Materials
When deciding on the right packaging material, consider the following:
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Durability:
To what extent can it protect your product, the material that you select?
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Cost:
Is this a cost-effective activity for your business?
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Sustainability:
Can it be considered as having an environmental impact or being not environmentally friendly to a lesser extent?
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Product Type:
What kind of products are you packaging — are they fragile products, perishable products, or bulky products?
The Five Common Types of Packaging Materials
When you get to know your options, you shall be in a position to determine the best out of different types of packaging materials and packaging materials to use. Here are five common materials that top the packing material list and their ideal uses:
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Cardboard Packaging
Cardboard is among the most used materials for packaging in different types of packaging materials, as everyone is aware of it, and it is a very flexible material. It is very light, very strong, and very easy to print; it can be used for any application, from retail cartons to shipper cartons.
Cardboard and paperboard are among the most versatile and eco-friendly materials available. They are commonly used for:
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Lightweight products:
Applicable to use to transport goods of small to medium sizes.
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Custom packaging:
Easily printed with branding and graphics.
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Recyclable and sustainable:
It is eco-friendly, and if not recyclable, it is reusable.
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Plastic Packaging
Plastic packaging takes many forms; such forms include shrink wrap, bubble wrap, plastic containers, and so on. This provides more improved protection against moisture and contamination; this has made it the most sought by many industrial sectors.
It requires high tensile strength to pack products, and flexibility is one of the reasons it is widely used across industries to pack its products. Key uses include:
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Food packaging:
The plastic foils and containers aid in the preservation of foods; this means that the harvested foods will last long before they deteriorate due to bad odour and/or bacterial action.
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Product protection:
It possesses a very high capacity to withstand any form of moisture or any other physical harm.
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Lightweight and versatile:
Easy to mould into different shapes for a variety of products.
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Glass Packaging
A large number of manufacturers use glass packaging for their products, especially luxury goods like cosmetics, drinks, and certain food items. It gives the items an elegant look and, at the same time, protects them from external contaminants.
Glass packaging is a premium choice for products that require an airtight seal and high protection, such as:
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Beverages and food jars:
Suitable for those products that need to be established in oil bases, such as sauces, jams, and other delicacies that are of high standards.
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Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals:
It protect the product at the same time, giving it that feel of luxury that the consumer is looking for.
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100% recyclable:
Glass is one of the recyclable materials that does not degrade in value once the recycling process has been conducted.
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Glass Packaging
A large number of manufacturers use glass packaging for their products, especially luxury goods like cosmetics, drinks, and certain food items. It gives the items an elegant look and, at the same time, protects them from external contaminants.
Glass packaging is a premium choice for products that require an airtight seal and high protection, such as:
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Beverages and food jars:
Suitable for those products that need to be established in oil bases, such as sauces, jams, and other delicacies that are of high standards.
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Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals:
It protect the product at the same time, giving it that feel of luxury that the consumer is looking for.
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100% recyclable:
Glass is one of the recyclable materials that does not degrade in value once the recycling process has been conducted.
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Metal Packaging
Metallic packaging materials like aluminium and tin are hard and make products difficult to injure; hence, they are used in provisions like canned goods and aerosol products. Metal packaging is significant since it covers the products and prevents them from the effects of the environment, such as heat, among others.
Specifically, this type of packaging has come into the limelight because of its high substrate, which protects the products from external forces. Common uses include:
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Canned goods:
This is particularly meant to be used for the preservation of foods, drinks, and many other consumable products for long durations.
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Aerosol products:
These are used for products such as deodorants, insecticides, and paints.
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Durable and secure:
Metal is the best material that can hinder light, oxygen, or contamination to come close to the material.
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Glass Packaging
A large number of manufacturers use glass packaging for their products, especially luxury goods like cosmetics, drinks, and certain food items. It gives the items an elegant look and, at the same time, protects them from external contaminants.
Glass packaging is a premium choice for products that require an airtight seal and high protection, such as:
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Beverages and food jars:
Suitable for those products that need to be established in oil bases, such as sauces, jams, and other delicacies that are of high standards.
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Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals:
It protect the product at the same time, giving it that feel of luxury that the consumer is looking for.
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100% recyclable:
Glass is one of the recyclable materials that does not degrade in value once the recycling process has been conducted.
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Biodegradable Packaging
This article considers the fact that as the world is now going green, more and more companies turn to using biodegradable packaging materials. It is derived from natural raw materials such as cornstarch, mushrooms, or sugarcane pulp.
Since sustainability has become important in the current society, biodegradable packaging material is slowly proving more popular. These materials are best for:
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Eco-friendly brands:
This comes in handy, especially for those organisations that are aiming at minimising their impacts on the environment.
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Compostable packaging:
More often, they’re derived from organic sources such as cornstarch, bamboo, or recycled paper.
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Single-use items:
Perfect for trays, containers, forks, spoons, knives, bags, and any ecologically disposable object.
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Quality Packaging is Now Made Possible with Crystal Media
At Crystal Media, we provide various types of packaging materials that suit your product. No matter if you need custom cardboard, plastic, or flexible packaging, we can provide tailored packaging to secure your products and amplify your brand.
Our packaging material list includes recyclable and relatively affordable options specially designed to suit different products. Crystal Media also offers you quality and durable packaging for your luxurious products and adds value to them. Choose us for high-quality, attractive, and cost-effective packaging that will set you apart in the market.
A Wrap-Up on Packaging Choices
Selecting the right packaging material is fundamental in the packaging process for the protection of the product and the image to be displayed during the packaging process. It makes sense to use cardboard for shipping, plastics to make products durable, or bags that make packaging flexible. This knowledge of different types of packaging materials and their uses will help your product be well-packed while at the same time looking good.
Are you Ready to Step Up Your Package?
As for packaging solutions, Crystal Media provides the best and guarantees the fulfillment of needs for each category. Contact us today to learn more about our print Packaging services and packing material list and avail the right packing material for your company.
