Printing Revolution Series #2: Printing Electronics

We have all seen them, those flexible, lightweight, printed electronics – and it is clear that they are taking the printing industry to a whole new level. This week in part 2 of our Printing Revolution Series we are taking a look at these mini masterpieces and how they will make a major impact.

Firstly, what exactly is printing electronics and how is it done? Essentially printing electronics refers to the process of printing electronic circuits using a printer. Until very recently, the ability to achieve large-scale, economical printing electronics was more of a dream than reality, due in large part to issues with unstable inks or the high temperatures, but recent innovations have made it that much easier.

Check out this video that talks about the innovations with this revolutionary new type of printing and how it is done:

Printing electronics in packaging is soon to become a huge trend in the packaging industry. The ability to combine unique packaging with the interaction created by an electronic additive will easily make a package more attractive and more effective in garnering consumer attention.

At Packaging Technologies Inc. we strive to be up-to-date and informed, and that means keeping up with the latest printing trends, including printing electronics. For more about this or any of the other innovation changes in the printing industry, please contact us by calling 1-800-303-5883.

Printing Revolution Series #1: 3D Printing

Keeping up with the latest trends in the printing industry is a big part of what makes a company an industry leader. Staying on top of changes and innovation is an important part of being able to offer the best services and processes, and to adapt to the changing needs of society. This week in part 1 of our Printing Revolution Series we look at 3D printing and how it is making waves in the printing industry.

One of the latest and greatest printing trends is the continued evolution of 3D printing. By no means new (this type of printing was first established in the 1980s), 3D printing has nonetheless come leaps and bounds over the last few years.

First of all, what is 3D printing exactly? Also known as, or technically called, additive manufacturing, is the process of making 3 dimensional objects from a digital file. The 3D printing process is significantly different from traditional 2D printing in that it is an additive process, meaning that successive layers of are put down until a solid object is created.

Check out this great video from Time, “How 3D Printers Work.” It explains the development and printing process and shows just how 3D printing is set to take the world by storm! http://time.com/92503/how-3d-printers-work/

At Packaging Technologies Inc. we strive to be up-to-date and informed, and that means keeping up with the latest printing trends, including 3D printing. For more about this or any of the other innovation changes in the printing industry, please contact us by calling 1-800-303-5883.

Who is Generation Z and How Do You Market to Them?

It is common knowledge in the retail packaging world that your brand image and product packaging caters to a specific target group, or groups. Whether you cater to boomers, millenials, or generation x, your packaging campaign likely strives to grab the attention of potential consumers and boost sales. But what about the newest recruits to the team: generation z? Who are they and how do you market to them?

Firstly, who is generation z? Like any other generational segment, it seems that exacts are hard to pin down, but it is generally accepted that anyone born between the mid to late 1990s to the present is part of this cohort. As youngsters, this group was often marketed to in a way that greatly mirrored the way children have been marketed to over the ages. However, with many of them coming of age, they now represent huge buying power, as well as a really crucial marketing group that requires some careful consideration.

This generation seems to share a number of common characteristics, including their adeptness with technology and their desire for constant innovation. As a result, traditional marketing tactics may need a boost when it comes to attracting generation z-ers. Here are some of those common characteristics and how you can use these trends to market to the group.

They are similar to their predecessors (generation x-ers) in that value seems to trump brand loyalty, but this can represent a great opportunity to catch their attention. The trend seems to be trying new things rather than sticking with the same old, same old. As a result, your opportunities to attract new consumers here is big – especially if your packaging caters to the other common characteristics of this group.

Fresh first. When it comes to consumables, the trend with this group seems to be to go fresh or go home. But it isn’t just the food that needs to be fresh – the packaging needs to be as well. Design campaigns that catered to the same age demographic several years ago may miss the mark completely. Instead, think about working with a company to develop a design that hits that mark.

Sustainability. Since this group has grown up in the eco-friendly age, their needs are such that sustainable packaging makes a major difference when it comes to purchasing decisions. Give these buyers the option to buy paper or plastic and they will go paper every time – and packaging is no different. If you can claim sustainable packaging, you are ahead of the game.

Convenience is big. As much as members of generation z are big on fresh foods, they also like convenience. If you offer a product that can hit both of these, you are running strong. Pre-packaged foods that make quick consumption on-the-go easy are a big hit with the ‘z’ crowd, so perhaps it is time to think about how your packaging can accomplish this.

As with marketing to any other generation, generation z takes some work – but the payouts can be huge.  Contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today to find out how to get a campaign going to attract this growing segment of the population: 1-800-303-5883.

Excellent Customer Service on the End of the Line

It is no secret that bad customer service has a direct impact on your bottom line. If you can’t offer the level of dedication to your clients that they expect, or are inconsistent in the delivery of this, people quickly take notice and may just determine that what you offer may be better obtained from a company whose service levels mirror the quality of their product.

When it comes to customer service, automated reception seems to be a big pain point. Calling a company and having to go through automated response after automated response, pushing #1 repeatedly rather than having an actual person answer the phone, can quickly cause customers to become frustrated, and more often than not results in irritation by the time they reach a voice at the other end the line. By this point, not only does that employee need to deal with the issue at hand, they are already behind the line because of the customer’s annoyance as a result of the time it took to get to them.

On the other hand, when a customer calls in and is able to actually talk to someone with very little automated go-between, the relationship between client and company is inevitably strengthened. The ability to explain a problem, or to receive real problem-solving advice easily has a very positive impact on overall satisfaction. It also saves time because no one is stuck dealing with the escalated resentment that results with the previous scenario!

Sure, it is easy to understand why automated phone systems are so popular with so many companies, and it has become all too easy to write off those customer service complaints in exchange for the cost-savings typically caused by the switch to automation. However, in most cases this is also a case of short-term gain for long-term pain; it is never a good idea to agitate your customers, and if there isn’t a pulse at the end of the line, those short-term profits can actually mean a drop in overall customer satisfaction and an increase in your competitor’s customer base.

In the end, if a customer is calling in to speak with a representative of your company, they don’t want to speak to a machine – they want to speak with a representative of your company. Unless you offer the most basic service in the world, a machine is not likely to have the answer your customer is looking for, and as a result they may just go where they can speak to a human being rather than a recording.

At Packaging Technologies Inc. we take customer service seriously. We are committed to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction, and when you need to speak to us, we are here to speak to you! Contact us today at 1-800-303-5883.