Flexible vs. Rigid Packaging: Pros and Cons

There are a lot of options that you can choose from when it comes to the packaging of your products. It seems good news, but not when you realize that you are not good at picking the right packaging options. In this article, we are going to discuss two broad categories of packaging to make it easy for you to choose what fits your requirements. Those two categories are flexible packaging and rigid packaging.

The difference between these categories may be related to sustainability, environmental impact, and other considerations.

Flexible packaging can be a great option in a lot of applications, but it is also worth talking about packaging applications that benefit more from rigid materials. So, let’s discuss both of the packaging categories briefly.

Flexible packaging

Flexible packaging comprises malleable materials in its making. That’s the reason it is called flexible. Examples of flexible packaging include shrink film, stretch film, seal bands, flexible pouches, and clamshells. Materials that build up flexible packaging include plastic, paperboard, foil, wax-coated paperboard, and many other materials.

The reason most of the companies consider flexible materials for the packaging of their products is that these materials cost less, and they do not hurt the environment. This packaging is suitable for the packaging of several products that include coffee, meat, fish, poultry, drinks, industrial powders and liquids, and many other types of products.

Pros of flexible packaging

Speaking of the advantages of flexible packaging, the first one is related to the environment. Since it uses a lesser amount of materials, there is less carbon footprint.

With a higher malleability, flexible packaging is easy to use. That means you can avoid wrap rage, which typically occurs with other types of packaging materials.

Flexible packaging, such as pouches, have edge-to-edge sides, which make it easy for the companies to do a little branding work with the help of printed graphics and texts.

Cons of flexible packaging

There are some limitations of flexible packaging that you must take into consideration. Those limitations include:

• Can affect the flavor of packed food
• Little resistance to extreme temperatures
• Not easily recyclable
• Might take more than a thousand years to degrade completely

Rigid packaging

Rigid packaging is opposite to flexible packaging. It features stronger and heavier materials. The materials used in the making of rigid packaging may include glass, hard plastic, cardboard, metal, and several other materials. Examples of rigid packaging include pickle jars, whip cream cans, yogurt containers, and hummus containers.

Pros of rigid packaging

• Materials used in the making of rigid packaging hold superior strength.
• Some of the rigid packaging materials are more suitable for luxurious packaging.
• It has a remarkable ability to preserve the food’s flavor.
• It uses easy-to-recycle materials.

Cons of rigid packaging

• More expensive than the flexible packaging
• Has a higher carbon footprint
• Increases the packaging costs
• Takes up more space in landfills if not recycled properly

Blister packaging vs. Skin packaging

Many people confuse blister packaging with skin packaging, but they are not the same thing. There may be a few similarities that both types of packaging share in terms of aesthetics and materials, both of them have their own sets of applications.

That said, we are now going to talk about both these types individually to elaborate on their purposes briefly.

Blister packaging

The materials used in the making blister packs mainly include a blister board and a blister (typically made of plastic). Most commonly, the blister board is a paperboard backing that is cut into several uniform-sized sheets, depending on the product. Companies do a little printing work on these sheets for branding purposes.

In many cases, blister packs have backers made of plastic or aluminum film. These blister packs are ideal for packaging of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals.

The term “blister” in the blister packaging refers to a preformed container that holds the product. The open side of the blister pack is covered using the blister board.

The products that benefit from blister packs include fishing lures, hardware components, toothbrushes, drugs, toys, candies, and many other types of products.

Skin packaging

Skin packs use the same materials that make blister packs. The difference, however, is that the product is uniformly sealed using a vacuum sealer after it is placed between the film and the backer.

You can get large sheets of materials that make skin packs, or you can order for pre-customized cut pieces that are going to be ready to pack the product the moment they arrive at your packing warehouse. The most significant benefit of using custom materials is that you can save time and enhance productivity.

The difference between both types of packaging

A blister-packed item uses a surlyn film shrunk around the product. The vacuum sealing process ensures further packaging safety. A blister pack, on the other hand, uses a hard plastic blister, which serves as a container to hold the product. This packaging doesn’t require any vacuum sealing.

Which packaging option is right for you?

By choosing the skin packaging option, you will necessarily need a vacuum sealer and a die cutter to keep the product separate from the master sheet. For blister packaging, you are going to need a sealer only.

To figure out which type of packaging is suitable for your products, you are going to have to look at the product types that you need to pack.

• If your products have sharp or pointed edges, you need to go with the blister packing.
• You may find skin packing a better choice if you want to pack the food that can perish quickly.
• If both of the packaging options are equally suitable for you, but you have budget limitations, you can consider blister packaging, because it doesn’t use a vacuum sealer, which can be an expensive tool.
• If you need to pack more of your products in less time, you can consider blister packs.

Not sure what packaging option is right for you? You can contact a packaging consultant for guidance.

Five Ideas for a Seamless Branding and Packing of Your Product

Happy customers can lead your business up to the sky. However, companies are using customization tools for attracting people. This can create a smooth experience for customers. Well, the bad experiences of consumers can break your business. Well, the appealing design and patterns of the packaging can be beneficial for your business. Here are some top ideas for incorporating the simple brand into the product packing.

1. Keep the Objective of your Packaging on Priority

When you are going to decide on the packaging for your products, you need to consider the purpose. Either you are making these packs for an e-commerce business or it is for the shelves of stores. When you are doing online trading, you need to choose a bit sturdier element. It should not allow your primary product to toss around and get broken. Well, while selecting the pattern focus on these features. When a package goes through transportation, it has to face rain, moisture, heat, cold, and some other harsh weather elements. Therefore, you should have a packaging material that can bear all these components that can damage your primary object. So, keep the customers’ experience on priority and use a material that can deliver the product safely.

2. Choose Appropriate Color Scheme

After choosing the primary material for the packaging of the products, the second step is to finalize the color scheme. While choosing color patterns for your packing, keep the logo, monogram, and colors of your brand in mind. Always try to synchronize your main theme to the packaging’s color scheme. Do not go irrelevant in the sketching and patterns of the packing. Give your brand identity with the linkage of the logo’s color and packaging scheme. For design, it is necessary to always bring the logo on the primary page. You can add a small icon on the corner of the packaging. But, still, you need to choose the same colors and patterns.

3. Happy Unboxing Experience

After choosing the packaging and color scheme for your products. There is one more necessary thing, unboxing. Well, no doubt a package should look aesthetic and attractive for better sales. However, if it has the worst and hard unboxing procedure, then you might face a huge loss and severe backlash from the customers. They always want a memorable and easy unboxing. Many food items that are packaged in glass jars, usually lost their sales and weightage due to rigid opening and reclosing. Therefore, always choose a packaging lid that is easy to seal and unseal. Moreover, corrugated boxes and online products, make the unboxing exciting and adorable.

4. Give your Packaging a Separate Identity

Well, as I said earlier, you need to synchronize your logo and color scheme. Therefore, it will get a place and identity in the market. It will have its own recognition. When you choose a special pattern and sync it with the logo or monogram of the company. Then, you do not need to give it your name again and again. People start recognizing your brand through its monogram and color. Therefore, choose a unique strategy can get you recognition among other brands. Apart from the color, it could be the shape and style of the packaging.

5. Use Holidays Marketing Campaigns as a Strategy

When there is any special event, you can use it for branding and marketing of your packaging. Well, if you have any special order for an anniversary, birthday, or any other thing, you can use these elements on your packaging. This can hike up your sales unexpectedly. Well, for Christmas and New Year parties, you can have so many ideas for the packaging patterns. Therefore, use these campaigns for your packing designs and create a happy customer moment.

Five Beautiful Tips for Friendly E-commerce Packaging

E-commerce trading is growing with time. However, they need unique and sturdy packaging. Moreover, customization plays a paramount important role in giving recognition to online brands. As many people are doing their own online business and startups; thus, they need some strategies to get recognized. Well, for this objective, all e-commerce companies should use their packaging. You can custom them and make your brand recognized among other brands. Well, here are some tips that could be helpful for your e-commerce packaging.  

1. The Packaging Should Be Lightweight

When you are choosing the material of the packaging, do select the light options. Heavy materials can cost you more than the price of the object. Moreover, weighty objects are always difficult to manage and deliver. Usually, they get damaged during rough handling. Also, you need to pay more for their heaviness. Therefore, try to select a lightweight material like paper bags, bubble wraps, cardboard, and corrugated boxes. Even you can consult a logistic company that will guide you about the appropriate packaging material. Choose the one that has the lowest duty charges and taxes.

2. Choose the Right Box for E-Commerce Shipping

Online shipping and transporting can be hectic and tough. Therefore, you will have to select a packaging box with an appropriate size. A big package can damage your product. Moreover, it will be expensive due to the oversize. Try to use an appropriate or small box. When you have an oversized box for a product, it will toss and turn during transit. Thus, there are almost high chances that it will not reach the final destination in the full-fledged condition. Suitable dimensions and measurements can save you extra money on shipping as well. Also, it will safeguard the product. For example, by chance your packaging gets extra space after putting the item, you should use liners and cushions to fill that area. When your product does not move inside the box, it reaches the perfect condition to the destination.

3. Tight Packaging and Appropriate Dimensions

For the packing of a product, everything matters a lot. When you are about to pack the product, be careful in sealing. Loose adhesive can damage the product. Many companies choose an appropriate size of the box; however, they fail to close it tightly. Thus, on the way, the package gets unopened and the primary item gets damaged. Well, for this you need to take the right measurements of the product. Create the dimensions of the box accordingly. Then, seal it tightly.

4. Choose Sturdy Material

This could be one of the most crucial steps for e-commerce businesses. Well, choosing the right material for the packaging of your products can be tough. Well, do not for inexpensive stuff only. Also, watch the quality of the material. If you will choose a high-quality material for the packing of items, it will save you lots of cost and time. Always go for the products that can save your money, satisfy customers, and increase profit. Some of the best materials are cardboard boxes, corrugated boxes, bubble wraps, and paper bags. Well, I would suggest that if you are doing an online trade, they always use corrugated boxes. As they are sturdy and reliable. They can carry your heavy, lightweight, expensive, and fragile items. Well, your agenda is to get the satisfaction of customers by providing them undamaged products. For this purpose, corrugated and card boxes are the best.

5. Unboxing Experience of Customers

Apart from delivering undamaged products, customers always want unforgettable unboxing moments. Sometimes, these are very special for them on their birthdays, anniversaries, or receiving gifts. Therefore, make it easy and incredible. So they want to buy again from you. Do not use rigid taping that will be unable to open.

Importance of Biohazard Specimen Bags

Many plastics bags have printed a symbol of biohazard on them. Such types of prints and logos have become necessary for a healthy world. However, you might have seen such plastic pouches with the biohazard print. They are used in the medical industries and the bio labs to carry the formulas and other medicated material from one lab to another for testing.

Moreover, the result of the tests of a patient printed on these plastic bags to prevent mishandling and any misuse; thus, they use such pouches to pass the information. Moreover, every lab center and test facility use their own colors and codes to represent the result’s details. Moreover, the printed words and specimens clear everything about a particular patient, so it does not mix with any other person’s data. Thus, many people can handle these bags, as everyone shows specific names, codes, and information about the patient and test.

Difference Between Biohazard bags and Plastic Bags

The biohazard bags are almost similar to the plastic pouches in looks. However, these are a bit thicker and have a tighter sealing than them. Moreover, they have a printed sign of biohazard on them. It notifies the public about the attributes of the sack and material. Moreover, it presents a lot of information about the patient’s test or any other medical data. The biohazard bags have built-in pouches, various codes, and particular colors. A simple plastic bag cannot pass or exhibit any type of information about the content; however, the biohazard is totally different. So, these are a few best qualities of the biohazard specimen pouches. Moreover, they have a sign of warning or harmful content printed on the outer side of the sacks. They can prevent mishandling and misuse of the bags.  So, the environment feels protected due to the material and the written codes. It is able to dispose of sharp medical tools and regulate the waste fiasco that medical practitioners usually face legal consequences.

Is it Legally Fine to Use a Bag Without Written Biohazard on Them?

The primary purpose of the biohazard bags is to save wildlife, plants, trees, air, and marine life. They can be recyclable and cause no injury to the environment. Moreover, they can prevent the transmitting of any kind of disease to social animals. However, the law is strict to save the other breathable creatures. So, you should abide by the laws made to protect the environment. The violation of the regulations can be problematic for you. As they are available at affordable prices and everywhere, so there is almost no reason not to follow the rules. Merely, you cannot violate the law. Moreover, a sensible and responsible company and person will not use anything g which is harmful to wildlife and marine life. Being a graceful citizen, you should care about the other natural creature and the environment.

As these are inexpensive and easily available in the market, so there is no reason to not use them. So, the violation of the set law can be awful for the companies. You need to treat them carefully, otherwise, they can cause some serious health issues to the animals and plants. The severe cases can result in the death of wildlife and marine creature. Thus, when it comes to the violation of the law, then the punishment is uncompromising. You can face a hefty amount of fine or long imprisonment.

So, it is better to take care of the environment and other living organisms. Being a layman or a business, it is our primary duty to abide by the laws and regulations set by the government. It is for the betterment of all of us and the upcoming generation.