Last month I had this meeting with a business owner that wanted to develop the packaging project for his new product. He first asked me about the types of packaging he can choose from. At first, I was surprised he didn’t know about them. But later on, I realized it is my job to inform people about the characteristics of the packaging industry. Since then, I spread details about the types of packaging available, so companies can take a decision informed and be more profitable.
This is exactly what this article will be about: types of packaging, also list their pros and cons . So…
What are the types of packaging?
The most popular types of packaging are corrugated boxes, paperboard packaging, rigid boxes, plastic container, glass containers, wooden boxes, foil sealed bags, paper shopping bag, non-woven bags, cotton bags and inflatable air bags. Many of them can be used in multiple industries, but there are certain options which may be the best for you.
Packaging can be divided into multiple categories, based on the used criteria. We can talk about its material, the level of possible personalization and even its shape. All these characteristics should be taken into account when you develop or choose a packaging solution. Keep reading for the next 2-3 minutes and you will find out everything you’ll ever need to know.
What are the most popular types of packaging?
Like any other industry, this one has its favorite and most used products. We will discuss about the 10 most popular ones and we will find out what are their pros and cons.
Corrugated boxes
Corrugated boxes are the most popular type of packaging. Pizza boxes, shoes packaging or the big package you receive when you order something online are most likely corrugated boxes. You may refer to them simply as cardboard. However, you should know that, depending on durability and the level of protection, there are multiple options of such boxes.
Corrugated boxes are made of up to 9 layers, but minimum 3: the outside liner, the inside liner and the most important part, the corrugated medium. This part is the one that gives the box durability and strength, depending on its thickness. For example, if you want to ship a fragile product, you should choose a box with thick corrugated medium.
Advantages and disadvantages of corrugated packaging
Among the advantages of such a popular packaging solution, we can mention the low price per unit, the small amount of space required for storing and the sustainability.
Usually, manufacturers put them in flat stacks, so you can store them easily in your warehouse. This type of boxes is usually made from recycled materials, so you can point out that your business pays attention to the environment. Because of that, the price you have to pay is actually small and affordable even for the smaller businesses. The process of assembling the boxes can be pretty time-consuming, but there are dedicated machines that can help you with that.
The downside is the low level of protection they can provide. They are not really the safest option to transport your products, and other complementary accessories for protection (such as lots of tape, foam, bubble-wrap, etc.) may drive up your costs. Also, most of the time you can’t reuse them because they get damaged easily.
Paperboard packaging
Paperboard packaging is one of the types of packaging you interact a lot with. It’s heavily used in the cereal industry, but you may have also seen it in tissue boxes, for example.
Basically, it’s what companies often use to pack lightweight items. If corrugated boxes were durable because of their thickness, the durability of paperboard packaging comes from the direction and length of fiber used, the weight of the material(grams/m2) and its density in China, American and other countries will use thickness.
Advantages and disadvantages of paperboard box
This type of packaging is very cost-effective and the characteristics of the final solution are highly customizable. Companies that work with big amounts of lightweight products often choose this option because of those 2 advantages.
However, a big disadvantage is the reduced durability. Paperboard boxes are easily be teared and can be damaged irreparably.
The storage environment is also very important. Little to no humidity is required, as this type of boxes are highly sensible and interaction with water will bring damage to them.
Rigid boxes
This type of boxes is part of the premium category. Luxury brands use rigid boxes because of their superior quality and high-end look. If you’ve ever bought an expensive watch or an expensive phone, you surely interacted with a rigid box. You probably remember the unique experience you had when you opened that luxury product.
Rigid boxes are made out of condensed paperboard that can be up to 4 times thicker than the average paperboard used in the packaging industry.
Advantages and disadvantages of rigid packaging
The main advantage of rigid boxes is the premium look and quality they have. If you want your brand to be a luxury one, you surely should choose to pack your products in rigid boxes. But there are more advantages, such as the high level of protection these boxes offer, thanks to their thickness or the smooth experience the end-user has.
A big disadvantage that you’ve probably thought of is the high cost of production. Obviously, a premium packaging comes with a higher cost, but that should be no problem if you represent a luxury brand. Most of these boxes are non-collapsible, but there are some collapsible options that will save you money invested in shipping.
Plastic containers
Plastic containers have been gaining a lot of popularity recently, and businesses have many reasons to choose them. A lot of industries have replaced conventional packaging materials, like wood or aluminum with plastic, because of its properties.
There are many types of packaging solutions made out of plastic. You can pack drinks in plastic bottles, electronic products in plastic boxes, foods in airtight plastic containers or even cosmetics. Most of the time the product will preserve its core characteristics.
Advantages and disadvantages of plastic packaging
The main advantages of plastic packaging are the low price, the high protection it guarantees to the product, the flexibility of shape and the ability to reuse. Another advantage is the ability to showcase the product’s consistency and color through the packaging. This could be a serious advantage for some industries.
The downside of using plastic containers is the impact it has on the environment. With the sustainability trend nowadays, you may want to stay away from it.
I know it looks appealing to you, it doesn’t cost much, it does a good job protecting your product and it looks cool. But, depending on your field and target market, it might drive away the customers looking for environmentally friendly products.
Glass containers
Glass containers are the third most popular option for business owners. Especially with the new trends, it’s been gaining awareness.
Glass container are used for liquid packaging, like wine, beer, sauce, vinegar, honey and so on. You will see there all around you.
Advantages and disadvantages of glass packaging
The upside of glass containers is the premium aspect of the product. A glass container offers a great view of your product’s true colors and consistency, and you can place that in a good light. It is environmentally friendly, because it can be reused multiple times, without losing its capacity. Some of your customers may appreciate that.
Also its chemical stability of glassware is very good, and it will not chemically react with the product to cause the product to deteriorate. So you should not worry about your products. You can refer to primary packaging to get more information about this.
However, you can encounter many problems with glass containers, especially during transit. Because it is so fragile, you need to pack it carefully and this will cost you more. Otherwise, you will lose a lot of products and it will negatively impact your business.
Wooden boxes
If you want to protect a fragile, expensive product, wooden boxes may be the right choice for you. They come in different shapes and companies in multiple industries choose them for delivery.
Heavy things, like machines, screws or metal products are usually packed in wooden crates, but smaller fragile products can be shipped in these too! For example, glass containers require a lot of protection, and combined with the right shock-reducing materials for the inside of the box, wooden crates can do the best job.
Advantages and disadvantages of wooden packaging
An important advantage of a wooden box is the level of protection it can bring to your product. As it is a strong material, it will keep your products safe from external hits.
However, you should pack your products in a soft material as inner packaging, so they don’t suffer any damage if they hit the internal walls of the box. For machines or other heavier metal products, these complementary products (such as air-inflated bags) can be placed on the internal walls of the box, and the product will be perfectly safe.
The main disadvantage of wooden boxes is the space required for storage. Still, you can choose to store them vertically and this could partially solve this problem. Wooden boxes resist well to pressure applied vertically, so you can stack a few, one on top of another.
Another specific disadvantage is the transportation of microorganisms that wood facilitates. You may say this is not such a big problem, but while doing international shipping, damaging the ecological chain is something you should be concerned about.
Foil sealed bags
You have probably interacted more than once with a foil sealed bag! That is because many companies choose this type of packaging to protect their products that we use in our daily life. Coffee, tea, food, detergents, cereal are just few things that you can find inside of such a bag.
Advantages and disadvantages of foil bags
The main advantage of foil packaging is its capacity of protecting the product from various factors. Because of their opaque nature, they are the perfect solution for light sensitive products. They can also provide a waterproof and airtight environment that is mandatory for some type of products, such as food that will be oxidized quickly.
One disadvantage of foil sealed bags is that the customers are not able to see what is inside of them. This can be important for certain food products. Moreover, you can find these bags for a pretty high price for the amount of product they can store, but there are also cheaper options.
Another disadvantage is the damage they bring to the environment. The material they are made from can take years to decompose! This is certainly not good for your brand’s image; if that is important to you, please consider some eco-friendly options, such as corrugated boxes or paperboard packaging.
Paper shopping bag
Luxury shopping bag are commonly used in retail market like shopping mall, many medium and upper grade cosmetics and garments shops or jewelry boutique. These kind of bag will use thicker paperboard and with beautiful printing.
Basic shopping bag are used in bakery and coffee shops. These kind of basic bag always with thinner thickness and simple printing.
Advantages and disadvantages of paper bags
Paper shopping bag are environmentally friendly packaging, they will be break down within 3 months. The best advantage is they are not expensive and they can be highly customized with many processing progress, sizes and styles. I guess you can imagine its beauty in your mind now.
Disadvantage is they only can afford light things, also they can not touch with water cause of material. But if your products are with light weight and dry, it is the best solution.
Non-woven bags
Most of the supermarkets offer non-woven bags, so you probably know the product, but maybe not the name. Non-woven bags have gained popularity in the retail and supermarket industry.
They are the new alternative to plastic bags. Made out of propylene, they will replace the old poly bags that were harming the environment. Non-woven bags can be customized: you can choose its color, dimensions, shape, and even the handle type!
Advantages and disadvantages of these nonwoven bag
One reason why companies choose these products is their practicability. They are strong and reusable and customers buy and use them because of that. Non-woven bags can also offer brand visibility, because they have an amazing printing surface.
The disadvantage of using such bags is their high price comparing poly bag. This is explained by the amount of labor and time that goes in the production process, much more than in the production of plastic bags, for example. They won’t protect the products at all, but will be a good way to transport small quantities over small distances. For example, imagine you’ve just finished your day-to-day shopping at your favorite supermarket. You need to transport a lot of different products that are usually bulky and heavy, right? Then, a strong, non-woven bag would be the perfect option to bring your groceries to the car.
Cotton bags
Cotton bags are also among the most popular packaging solutions nowadays. Along with the sustainability trends, people tend to choose reusable items made out of certain materials. This means they will choose cotton bags over plastic ones.
Advantages and disadvantages of garment bag
Similar to non-woven bags, they are made of a resistant material and can be reused multiple times. They will contribute to your brands image, as being environmentally friendly, but will also display beautifully your logo.
The main disadvantage is the price. As they can reuse them multiple times, customers will pay more for them. Yet, the initial price you have to pay is also higher, because of the production process that generates more costs.
Inflatable air bags
If you deliver fragile products, you surely know how much transportation damage costs. However, there is a solution for that and this is… an inflatable air bag! They are an innovation meant to protect the products from shocks inside the big package. They can be used for wrapping the products or to fill the empty space in the shipping container.
Advantages and disadvantages of air bags
The main advantage of inflatable air bags is the enhanced protection they offer. Full, 360 degree-protection is granted for your products. The impacts and pressure are reduced to 0 thanks to the properties of these bags.
There are not many disadvantages when it comes to air inflatable bags. They will occupy some space in your shipping containers and therefore a smaller number of products will probably fit. This can drive up your costs, because more shipping carton will be needed. But at the end of the day, delivering the products undamaged is what matters.
How can I choose the packaging type for my solution?
With such a wide variety of materials, each with its advantages and disadvantages, choosing the right option is a tough decision. You may get confused and make some mistakes that can cost you thousands of dollars.
But we have a solution for that! Yes, I am talking about working with a packaging broker. They are people specialized in this industry and will get you better packaging at better prices, because of their expertise. If you donot have one, contact us to get free packaging solution.
Conclusion
As you can see, this industry is complex enough to develop its own experts. But choosing the right option can be easier than you think, if you know your products. Analyze them well, think about scenarios that can happen.
Then, choose what suits you best and what will keep your product safe. Or, if you want a simple life, hire a broker. This way, you can focus on your core activity, knowing you will get the best solution possible and will save good amounts of money.
