What is Frustration Free Packaging? Simplifying Product Unboxing

The Advantages of Frustration-Free Packaging

The positive side of frustration-free packaging will probably be your approach toward this opportunity. There really are many benefits, but the main ones are:

Better customer experience: Frustration-free packaging can ensure a better buying experience. After consumers get the order to their address, they won’t need additional items to open the package. They also will not have to deal with wrap rage or any other sort of mess that usually appears when we open product boxes.
Reduced product return rate: It may seem impossible, but the latest survey tells us that 30% of the sold products end up returned. The frustration-free packaging is optimized for different sorts of products. They are neither too big nor small. That guarantees the potential number of damaged products would be reduced. Automatically, that can positively influence your product return rate.
Environmental-friendly approach: Manufacturing this form of packaging requires less usage of materials. That automatically means you are doing something great for the planet Earth. Apart from that, as we said, there is no big amount of waste you will have to deal with. Best of all, frustration-free packaging is recyclable, which allows you to support sustainability. That will boost customer experience, satisfaction with your product, and reputation.
Simple and pleasing design: Today’s customers expect simplicity by any means. These packages are pretty simple, and their design is eye-pleasing.

Challenges and Considerations of Frustration-Free Packaging

The purpose of this article is not to represent frustration-free packaging as something perfect. Just like anything else in the business world, this solution comes with certain challenges. To be precise, there are two of them, and they are:

• Balancing between product protection, simplicity, and minimal waste: It can sometimes be challenging to match these three things perfectly. However, with a good packaging manufacturer, you can easily pass this obstacle. You may want to check out what Arka has to offer!

• Switching completely to frustration-free packaging methods: We believe most readers have used traditional packages for many years. It can be quite challenging to switch to a new packaging method instantly. We invite all entrepreneurs to follow the guides on this page and educate themselves before making such a decision.

7 Tips for Implementing Frustration-Free Packaging

As we said, we do understand that switching from traditional to frustration-free packaging isn’t easy. Yet, that doesn’t mean you should give up immediately on this change. There are 7 steps you should take to reach your goal. Each one is equally important, so read them carefully!

Assess Current Packaging

We do not want to say this is an ideal opportunity for you. That is the reason why you should primarily analyze the current packaging type you are using. Determine its biggest advantages and disadvantages regarding protection, design, and other factors. After you gather all the necessary information, beginning with the entire switching procedure will be much easier.

Collaborate with Packaging Designers

Having a talent for design isn’t mandatory. You can become an eCommerce entrepreneur even without it. Yet, to reach your goals with frustration-free packages, you will have to hire packaging designers. They will give you guides on how exactly your new packages should look. The assistance of the experts should always be welcomed! At Arka, we help create top-notch custom packaging for any niche. For example, you can check out custom pizza boxes or toy boxes!

Credits: Amazon

Simplify and Streamline

More than 90% of consumers would rather buy products with minimalistic, simple, and biodegradable packages. Designers and manufacturing experts can help you a lot thanks to their expertise. Unfortunately, the way frustration-free packages will look depends only on your decisions. That’s why you should keep things simple. Don’t forget these packages are simple themselves. Why would you ruin something like that?

Focus on Product Protection

The meaning of protection and design is equal. With an appropriate strategy, both of them can bring you business success. Ensure that the frustration-free boxes keep their simplicity and durability/strength at the same time. They need to keep the quality of the product until it reaches the consumer’s address. In other words, choose the packaging materials wisely!

Test and Gather Feedback

It is no point in ordering huge quantities of frustration-free packages immediately. Instead, you should first do some sort of testing and ask for feedback related to the design. Don’t hesitate to ask your customers directly what they think about the newest changes. Their opinion matters a lot!

Credits: Andrew Measham

Communicate The Change to Customers

Despite talking about designs, you should also properly explain why you want to decide on such a change. A certain dose of education will be necessary here. You need to explain to people why these boxes are more beneficial for them. Also, don’t hesitate to talk about potential challenges as well. It is important that they fully understand the concept of frustration-free packaging.

Collaborate with Logistics Providers

Distribution, warehousing, and other services will be more effective if you collaborate with logistics providers. They can be very good assistance until you get used to the newest changes. Apart from that, you also allow your employees to learn how to handle new packages. Their education is mandatory!

Successful Frustration-Free Packaging Examples

As we said, frustration-free packaging isn’t something new. On the contrary, some of the biggest brands in the world are using it. Their story may serve as an inspiration for you and convince you to switch to new packages. The best examples are:

Amazon’s frustration-free packaging: Without any doubt, Amazon is the pioneer of frustration-free packaging. Their innovation appeared on the market in 2009 for the first time. Their only goal was to make all the packages easier for all consumers to open and handle. That’s why they dismayed ties and plastic clamshells completely.

Credits: Amazon

Apple’s packaging: Apple is very famous for its effort to offer only minimalist product packages. If you have bought their MacBook or iPhone, then you know their packages often contain pull tabs or flaps. That makes their packages really simple.

Credits: Julian O'hayon

Lush Cosmetics: Despite minimalism, this company invests a lot of effort in sustainable packages. That’s why their packages are minimalistic and made of different recyclable materials.

Credits: emilydriscolldesign.org

Samsung’s TV Packaging: Not long ago, all Samsung TVs were packed in huge, bulky boxes. That’s no longer the case! Despite using packages made of eco-friendly materials, their boxes are completely frustration-free. Plus, they regularly promote the reuse of packages, a strategy small entrepreneurs could also use.

Credits: ifdesign.com

Future Trends in Frustration-Free Packaging

The concept of frustration-free packages will continue to evolve in the future. We believe many companies will switch to this method dues to the benefits both sellers and buyers can get. Based on the industry's current situation, we expect certain innovations soon. They are:

• Smart packaging,

• Integration of advantages technology;

• Sustainable innovations, etc.

Credits: Youtube, Veritiv Corporation

Final Thoughts

Now that you have all the answers to the “what is frustration free packaging” questions, you see, frustration free packaging can be good for sellers and buyers. eCommerce stores can boost their reputation, reduce packaging costs and make their products more interesting.

On the other hand, consumers will get an improved customer and unboxing experience. We are yet to see how modern trends like smart packaging will impact the entire industry. But we are sure some amazing things are waiting for us!

FAQs on Frustration-Free Packaging

Are there any industry standards or certifications for frustration-free packaging?

Yes, all the frustration-free packages use the industry standard 1STA-3A. Thanks to that standard, the chances of damage to the product are significantly decreased.

Can any product be packed in a frustration-free manner?

In theory, the answer to that question is YES. It is possible to customize these packages in a way that will suit any product. But, before that, it is essential to make a plan regarding design, size, shape, and other factors.

Why is frustration-free packaging cheaper?

The main reason is the usage of few materials. Yet, the frustration-free packages are also made of cheap yet powerful eco-friendly materials. The price of each box of this type can ensure better profit margins for entrepreneurs.

Does frustration-free packaging apply only to E-commerce businesses?

Although these packages are most beneficial for eCommerce stores, they can be used in the “offline world” as well.