Your business’s brand can provide a strategic advantage in the marketplace. It’s how people recognize your company and products and recall them when they’re ready to purchase. Many companies don’t realize that your packaging can actually play a part in creating a strong brand. In fact, the packaging of a product could be one of the most recognizable elements of your brand!
Apple is an oft-used company when discussing branding and marketing. But just think about the experience of unboxing a brand new iPhone for the first time. So clean, simple and yet unique to Apple products. Before you even touch the phone, you’re excited—and the unique packaging plays a huge part in creating that feeling.
And that’s what branded packaging is all about; creating an emotional connection between your customers and your brand.
To succeed and differentiate your product, you have to start long before the purchase is even made. You’ve got to grab their attention from the moment customers first see your product. An Ipsos survey found that 7 in 10 customers agree that packaging design can influence their purchasing decision.
Consider this stat for a moment. Now, consider these factors also:
- Packaging is the last interaction shoppers have with your brand before using your product.
- How your product is packaged can set the tone and provide a tangible experience for consumers.
- It showcases a brand and its unique identity.
Top 3 Factors To Consider for Brand Packaging
It is clear as day that businesses simply cannot ignore the potential of their packaging. The challenge to address is what factors should be taken into account for your branded packaging. Here are three of the main factors to consider while deciding on your brand’s packaging.
Design: Size, Color & Shape
Naturally, color is what catches the eye of the customer first. That’s where you want to aim for the ‘love at first sight’ type relationship between them and your brand. Keep the colors relevant - for example, don’t package hunting gear in bright pink! And depending where you’re selling goods, be sure and use culturally appropriate colors. Take China for example, colors here are deeply symbolic. Your choice of color here can make or break your commercial offering in the Chinese marketplace.
But, while color may seem like the most important aspect of your packaging, the design and messaging is also a top priority.
It’s always a good idea to use standard sizes and shapes for product packaging - for several reasons. If you have a standard design that is unique to your brand, it helps improve flexibility and convenience during storage, handling and transportation, and also reduces production costs for bespoke packaging.
Not only this, but having a unique shape and design can play a huge role in differentiating your brand from competitors. Smart design choices can be used to enhance both visual impact and brand recognition, such as bold colors or patterns that stand out on a retailer’s shelves.
Companies regularly come to use to use our custom design tools to build their own packaging, unique to their brand and its messaging. Arka also offers eco-friendly materials, ideal for shipping to environmentally conscious customers.
The Supply Chain – Distribution and Storage
As we mentioned above, have a unique standard design helps improve convenience during storage, handling and transportation. But, it’s also so important to consider how your product makes it from production to a storage and distribution facility, retail outlet or customer. This helps you select the right protective packaging.
Always consider the distance your shipments need to travel and the modes of transportation that will be used. It’s so important to ensure your product remains undamaged throughout the shipping and handling process.
Even if it’s not your fault, one bad experience can make a customer give up on you. Being delivered a damaged product is a major turn off, and can ruin your reputation.
Cost Effectiveness
Obviously a business can’t afford to spend more on the packaging of a product than on the product cost itself. But, the cost-effectiveness of your packaging material depends on more than just the price.
We can tie this in to our two previous points. We’ve already mentioned that standard sizing can help simplify storage and shipping. We’ve also mentioned that you must use the right protective packaging.
Now consider the benefits of different materials to see which one really helps you save. For instance, some packaging types are lighter than others, which can reduce transportation costs with couriers. while others are easier to handle and help boost production efficiency.
However, if they are too light, they will be more easily damaged. If goods are damaged, you will have to deal with the cost of sending a replacement or refunding customers. So again, remember to choose the right packaging for the right transport - it can really save you money in the long run.
To do this, you need a good packaging supplier. One that sells quality materials at good prices. If somewhere seems incredibly cheap, it’s probably too good to be true - buying dirt cheap materials now may seem like a great way to save, but it’s going to burn you when you’re replacing damaged goods in the future!
Conclusion
At Arka, we pride ourselves on being able to offer customers the choice of custom boxes that are eco-friendly, durable and inexpensive. Check our premium custom shipper boxes or custom folding cartons today and contact us to start your special box design today!
It is clear that utilising brand packaging can work wonders for your company. However, with the above points in mind, it is crucial that you choose a reliable, high quality supplier for your packaging that can meet all of your needs.
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