Contract Packaging: The Greatest Challenges with Co-Packing

We all know that nailing down a concrete definition of contract packaging is considered almost impossible. The phrase often means different things to different people, especially depending on whether you are in the business of contract packaging, rely on it for streamlining, or are a participant in the process. However, no matter how you define it, whether you set out to combine offers through packaging complimentary products together, or rely on a company for filler, or to facilitate the entire process, there are challenges inherent in the process.

-        Time is often considered the biggest challenge when it comes to co-packing. When you rely on a partner company to coordinate the process of packaging similar products together, the process necessitates the ability to adapt to fulfilling rush orders. Tight deadlines can sometimes mean a rush to get all required materials, on time, from a number of different suppliers. Having trained staff available at the drop of a hat to meet a rush order can also be a problem.

-        What about design? For your package to be the most effective, it should be appealing as well as effective. Are the right materials being used that equal strength but not added weight? Are those materials eco-friendly? These can be other challenges that need to be overcome.

For many companies, streamlining operations through contract packaging is a necessity. Contract packaging allows for a much more efficient completion of a process, one that does not interrupt your business or take away from regular day-to-day tasks.

So, with the above challenges in mind, as well as the fact that most of the time you can’t go without, why not work with a packaging company that can help you attack these head-on, and develop a solution that meets your specific needs, whether ongoing or a one-time occurrence?

At PTI, we can solve the problem. Not only do we offer innovative custom product packaging, created to your specific ideas and requirements, we can also work with our partners to organize and facilitate contract packaging that goes off without a hitch. By creating a campaign in consultation with you, or just taking your campaign and running with it, we can ensure that the entire process, from package manufacturing to fill to shipping is done in a way that overcomes common co-packing challenges. We even offer inventory management to help you store and keep track of your surplus inventory, offsite and out of the way.

For more about dealing with the issues of contract packaging, contact Packaging Technologies Inc. to find out how our partnerships can help you. Call 1-800-303-5883 today. We’ve got you covered.

How Do Canadians Shop? 2014 Purchasing Trends

Over the last few years, the way that people shop has changed significantly, largely due in part to the rise of the internet, both in its ability to provide information as well as its ability to provide purchasing options at the click of a button.

Recently, hubba.com released a great article, “How do Canadians Shop Online and Offline? They Do Their Product Research.” Check out the infographic included with the article below or read the article here: http://www.hubba.com/how-do-canadians-shop-online-and-offline.

 

According to the infographic, there are some definite trends emerging when it comes to how Canadians shop!

Key findings:

-        49% of Canadians use a smartphone to research a product before they purchase.

-        After researching a product online, most customers make the purchase offline (69%).

-        Most consumers rely on the in-store experience to influence a purchase.

So, what can you take from this information? A lot! Canadian shoppers are clearly taking advantage of all that the internet has to offer as far as information, but not as many are jumping at the chance to buy online. That being said, the trend does seem to be climbing, and is still much higher today than ever before.

What does this mean? Armed with the knowledge that Canadians are still shopping in-store, make sure that your product packaging helps to effectively strengthen your brand image and attract consumers. After all, if they are still heading to the shelf, why not let your product stand out and speak for itself?

Packaging Technologies Inc. can help you design custom product packaging that gets real results in the retail arena. Contact us today for more on this and other Canadian purchasing trends. Call 1-800-303-5883.

Creative Packaging: The Psychology of Colour

It is no secret that colour is about far more than just what looks great – although of course this is important. In the retail industry, colour means a great deal as far as attracting customers, and your custom creative packaging should reflect this in order to be effective.

The psychology of colour plays a major role is garnering the attention of your targeted consumer. But how do you determine which colours will be the most effective, and how can you use them to their greatest advantage?

Check out this great infographic from Fast Company that can help you better understand what each colour means when it comes to colour psychology and purchasing behaviour!

When it comes to colour, make sure that your creative packaging not only looks great, but that it has meaning that customers can connect with. And when you decide to take advantage of the psychology of colour, make sure that you go with a packaging company that can offer you the highest quality printing that will not dilute or dull the colours you have carefully chosen. Go with pre-print rather than post, as it is more vibrant, brighter. Colour means something, so your colour needs to be the best it can!

When it comes to colourful creative packaging, Packaging Technologies Inc. has you covered. Contact us today to get a design started that will garner real results: 1-800-303-5883.

Custom Packaging: Retail Design Trends for 2014

The custom packaging industry is constantly changing and evolving and so keeping up with the current trends is really important. In an effort to keep you up to date, we have compiled a list of the latest and greatest trends in the industry. Check them out!

Custom Packaging Trends for 2014:

1.     The psychology of colour. Colour has always been important, but now it is more than just what looks good. Think instead about what each colour means. For example, blue usually translates as trust, honesty, reliability, and strength, whereas red symbolizes energy, action, passion, and excitement. Think about who you are targeting and how colour psychology can help you attract those customers.

2.     Minimalist design. Simplicity is making a huge comeback. Simple, clean designs that work to showcase and highlight your product, without all of the background noise. Keeping things simple, not busy, is a highly effective way of emphasizing your branding. Just make sure that your packaging is high quality, because simplicity done poorly just looks boring.  

3.     Eco-friendly. Both packaging materials and packaging design can benefit greatly from a focus on the environment. Now more than ever, customers are increasingly aware of what is good for the earth and what is not – and this greatly influences their purchasing behaviour. Highlighting the fact that your packaging is created at a facility committed to sustainability goes a long way, as does the fact that it is recyclable. 

4.     Nostalgia. There is a lot to be said for tradition, and creating that connection with shoppers can be a fantastic way to increase sales. Old-fashioned graphics and designs can help to establish those connections. Vintage packaging can help create a feeling of authenticity.

5.     Customization and personalization. Although taking advantage of the benefits of the latest trends is a great way to get noticed, you also can’t deny the importance of a unique design. Attracting attention can be easily achieved with a design that is rare and distinctive. Think outside the box. Your packaging needs to differentiate you from your competitors, and a unique design that is complimented by the newest custom packaging trends is a great way to achieve this!

Custom packaging has become a very specialized industry, and taking note of and utilizing the latest trends is crucial.

Packaging Technologies Inc. can help you come up with a design that takes into account these newest trends – getting you the attention you want and need to stay ahead of the competition. For more about the latest custom packaging trends, please call 1-800-303-5883. 

Excellence in Flexography – PTI Wins Awards Again in 2014

At the end of April, Packaging Technologies Inc. attended the Flexographic Technical Association’s annual awards banquet which recognizes excellence in printing. This industry-wide forum and awards ceremony celebrates distinction in the printing world, and Packaging Technologies Inc. is very excited to announce that we were once again awarded both gold and bronze in preprint flexography!

This is the industry’s most prestigious print competition today, and the awards come about after four days of intense judging in great detail. Check out the images below for more about both of our awards!

The entire team at Packaging Technologies Inc. is very proud of this achievement. We are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality printing – and these awards just highlight that commitment. For more about how to get the best flexography printing please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. at 1-800-303-5883. 

Product Packaging: Driving Profits for Customers

No matter what industry you are in, when you offer a product, you know how important product packaging is. Not only does your packaging need to protect your product both during transport and on the shelf, the packaging design itself needs to make an impact and attract the customer, enticing them to purchase. Furthermore, all of this needs to be done efficiently and effectively, while maintaining high standards of quality and functionality.

Your entire process, from design, to manufacturing, to shipping, to storage, can be fraught with different challenges. Meeting and overcoming these challenges without decreasing profit can be difficult, but with the right product packaging company behind you, you can be sure that the process is one that is cost-effective and well-organized.

Many of the problems you are likely to encounter can actually be overcome at the design/manufacturing stage. When your product packaging is done in a way that takes all of the potential issues into consideration, you benefit across the board. Your bottom line can never be ignored, and so cost reduction should always be on your to-do list. This can be realized a number of ways.

Firstly, think about the materials being used. Is your product packaging company offering you the highest-quality materials that can decrease waste and damages? What about shipping – are you using the lightest-weight materials that don’t compromise on strength? Lighter weight paper choices and designs that optimize cube utilization can reduce inventory and freight costs.

Additionally, secondary packaging designs such as pallet packaging and retail ready shipper/ display packaging can reduce primary packaging, further reducing overall packaging costs, waste and material handling.

Furthermore, at the design stage, does your packaging company consider the latest trends, utilizing the science of colour or recognizing the importance of sustainability? If not, your bottom line may suffer.

Another issue many companies face that can be overcome with the right packaging company is inventory control. No matter the size of your warehouse or stockroom, it may always seem as though you just don’t have enough room, so keeping overstock on hand can amplify that issue. Beat this by working with a company that offers a vendor managed inventory system to keep your excess packaging on hand, out of sight, but there when you need it.

When costs increase in other areas of your business such as raw materials or labour, often packaging is the most immediate area where you can realize cost reductions.

For more about how your product packaging company can help you achieve real cost reductions throughout your entire process, please contact Packaging Technologies Inc. today by calling 1-800-303-5883.  

Breaking New Ground: FTA’s 2014 Annual Forum

It is an exciting time of year for the packaging industry. FTA’s 2014 Annual Forum has wrapped up, and the four day event brought together some of the greatest minds in the industry and brought forth some exiting new ideas and trends for the upcoming year. The Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) was established in 1958 in an effort to bring members of the flexographic printing community together and to develop and maintain quality standards within the industry, and this year’s Forum, aptly named “Breaking New Ground 2014” was no exception.

The 2014 Forum was held in Baltimore, and hosted over 1800 delegates. The four day event included a number of fantastic information sessions, including “Managing Your Pressroom Efficiencies,” “Emerging Flexo Markets,” and even one called “Flexo Mythbusters,” which set out to debunk some of those falsities that seem to persist within the industry.

Participants also had the opportunity to check out the latest trends and newest techniques on display throughout the showroom, participate in the pre-forum J.P. Buckley Golf Tournament and network and relax at the annual awards banquet.

Packaging Technologies Inc. was excited to attend this event. The constant flow of knowledge within our industry is crucial to be able to offer the best services possible to our clients, and to keep up with the most recent changes and industry standards being adopted. We were also very proud to be the recipients of two excellence in flexography awards!

PTI is committed to providing the best in pre-print flexography, using the highest-quality inks and materials, to deliver clear, first-class designs, the most vibrant colours, and sustainability. For more about the FTA Forum or how PTI’s excellence can get real results for you, please contact us at 1-800-303-5883.   

Image courtesy of FLEXO Magazine/Flexographic Technical Association (FTA): https://www.robly.com/archive?id=4973c70f3e5921a2b90a0e49edf0259e