Packaging forms the backbone of a product-based business. It guards a product and is part of branding aside from adding extra value to the customer experience. Sometimes, though, it presents problems in workflow, drives up costs, and diminishes customer satisfaction.
Moreover, to tackle these problems and find effective solutions, let’s identify the potential that comes along the way. We’ve discussed here five common packaging problems and some effective solutions to help streamline your packaging process.
Problem 1: Inadequate Transit Protection
The most critical role for packaging is ensuring that, when the item reaches the destination, the product is without damage.
Without adequate protection on the package, products can easily get damaged while reaching their destination, and people are not contented, a costly return by all means.
Solution:
Choose sturdy packaging materials. Use corrugated cardboard for outer packaging and plastic inserts like bubble wrap or foam inserts to add extra protection.
- Test Packaging: Do a drop test and compression test to determine if your packaging can withstand some rough handling.
- Optimize Packaging Design: Make sure the product fits tightly in the packaging, so in transport, there will be less movement, and chances of damage will be even less. In case there are dividers or padding, there will be even lesser damage.
Problem 2: Over-Packaging Costs
It shoots up the prices for a simple package because a good material, designer, and manufacturing of a product account for much of its packaging costs.
The investments in the more attractive packaging lessened the profit that otherwise goes with being associated with a competitive advantage relating to the final product.
Recommended Solution:
- Cost reduction analysis: Tare the cost of paper cost, manpower cost, and production costs so that the actual amount on which cut is needed without hampering the quality has to be known accurately.
- Bulking of the buy: Buying usually causes the cost per piece to come down due to this.
- Right-Sizing: Do not over-package by designing the packaging to exactly fit your product. This will save on materials and shipping.
- Eco-Friendly Alternatives: Recyclable and biodegradable materials can be cheaper and attract a green consumer.
Problem 3: Unsustainable Packaging Practices
The environmental concern wakes up customers and businesses. Steer clear of those businesses that do not go with sustainable packaging. This will cause adverse perceptions and loss of potential business in the process of not embracing sustainable packaging.
Solution:
- Use Recyclable Materials: These include paper, cardboard, and bioplastics.
- Reduce Waste: Design packaging so that less material is utilized without sacrificing sufficient protection and functionality.
- Emphasize Sustainability: Include the sustainability features of your product on your box, such as “100% Recyclable” or “Manufactured from Sustainable Materials.”
- Partner with Green Suppliers: Work with suppliers who care about the same sustainability.
Problem 4: Inefficient Packaging Processes
Delays and hikes in labor tend to be associated with packaging inefficiencies and your pack, which will, therefore, be of non-uniform quality. This tends to result in a deteriorating effect on your ability to meet customer expectations.
Solution:
- Standardization: Have standard packaging, which can result from the implementation of standard operation procedures (SOPs) in packaging processes.
- Automation: Invest in automatic sealers, applicators of labels, and automatic case packers to speed the process.
- Employee Training: Train employees in the best practices of packaging so there will be a decrease in error and an efficiency increase.
- Monitor and Optimize: Monitor your packaging process and see where improvement is needed and where the bottlenecks are.
Problem 5: Unattractive or Unclear Packaging
Packaging is often the first contact of a customer with your product. When it is unattractive or unclear, then the perception of the customer may be affected and so would be their experience.
Solution:
- Invest in Design: Hire professional designers to design the packaging to represent your brand identity and appeal to your target market.
- Clear Labeling: Make sure all information regarding the product name, instructions, and safety precautions is readable and visible.
- Enhance Unboxing Experience: Add a thank-you note, branded tissue paper, or a QR code linking to a product tutorial. Such small gestures make a huge difference.
- Use Quality Printing: Poor quality printing makes your packages look cheap. Make use of quality printing, with clear printouts and precise coloring, and make the writing legible.
More Tips for Packaging Process Simplification
Aside from solving these major problems mentioned above, here are general tips on how to generally simplify your packaging process:
- All materials you’re to use in packaging, the entire process, and all cost factors need audit procedures.
- Keep abreast of innovations and the latest trends in packaging: new smart packaging innovations and the quest for alternative sources of green-friendly packaging.
- Underline and listen to customer feedback and understand which particular areas work out and what one needs to work out.
- Partner with reliable suppliers who can provide high-quality materials, meet deadlines, and offer valuable insights.
Adopt Technology: Use packaging design software or logistics tools to optimize your process and reduce errors. Wholesale Custom Corrugated Box Manufacturer at Best Pro Pack is available to assist your requirements for perfect packaging solutions.
Conclusion:
Packaging problems can disturb your business, but the right strategy will help you overcome these challenges and establish a seamless flow for packaging. Focusing on protection, cost-efficiency, sustainability, efficiency, and design will help you in delivering packaging that meets your business’s as well as your customers’ expectations.
This is the reason why a package isn’t just a box-it’s the showcase for the brand, the protector of the product, and hence, how it enhances customer experience. Turning packaging into an edge for a business is possible when planning is smart and continuous improvements are actually made in the process.
Get in touch with our suppliers at Best Pro Pack and don’t delay! We have the best quality options for packaging and wrapping requirements for businesses. We deal in bulk businesses as well.
