Packaging is an overall term for design and technology that goes into enclosing and protecting products designed for storage, shipping, and sale. The packaging includes the marketing efforts of the product's manufacturer as well.
Leading manufacturers identify their brands through the
packaging of their goods. They see packaging as a critical component of their
business strategy.
Every industry has changing trends. That means the positioning
and marketing of producer's products are affected by broad changes in the
market.
A clear shift in how every product is packaged, labeled, and
offered for sale is at the forefront of today's market. Here are some of the
current trends in packaging that the packaging business needs to adopt:
Internet of Packaging
Internet of packaging allows consumers to better connect with
brands. This packaging makes use of technologies, including near-field
communication (NFC), smart labels, RFID, and QR codes. Using Package design software helps to
design a package that can adopt the latest tech.
These cutting-edge technologies provide connectivity, security,
and authentication as value-added features. It turns the product packaging into
a data carrier and digital tool. Augmented Reality packaging gives businesses
the chance to better engage with their customers.
It is done by providing clients with a variety of product
content, discount codes, and video instructions. IoT gadgets also enable firms
to incorporate indicator features in their packaging, giving clients access to
real-time product conditions.
Recycled and Sustainable Materials
Recycled materials and the green movement have been more
popular, despite the fact that they were first introduced a generation ago. The
worries about climate change and global sustainability were on everyone's
minds.
Compared to previous generations, today's consumers are more
deliberate about lowering their environmental impact, and businesses are taking
note. More biodegradable materials are being used by brands, and the amount of
packaging for each product is being decreased.
This reduces waste, helps to keep prices low, and lowers
shipping costs due to the lighter packaging.
Digital Printing
Lack of accuracy, poor color quality, and expensive labor are
just a few of the difficulties faced during the packaging printing process.
This presents the chance to use digital printing to revolutionize the process,
making it one of the trends of packaging sectors.
In contrast to conventional offset or flexo printing methods, it
does not require multiple plates for various prints. Digital printing is less
time-consuming because all the content is printed in one go.
Due to the lack of prepress processes or supplementary labeling,
modern digital printing has a minimal environmental impact. Digital printing
helps firms to create customized packaging to appeal to various customer
subgroups with a faster turnaround time.
Labels and flexible packaging can be printed using direct
thermal printing, which is another printing method that uses thermal imaging.
Personalized Packaging
Customizing packaging and personalizing items are much simpler
with digital printing. This pattern, which has been developing for a while,
will significantly affect the industry.
Numerous leading product firms have looked into customized
packaging and discovered a sizable return on their unique marketing
expenditure.
According to research, 70% of marketers believe that
customization has a significant or very significant impact on their clients.
Personalized packaging is not a one-size-fits-all proposition.
In fact, that is the fundamental idea driving this trend. Personalization
enables a business to aggressively market its name and brand while
differentiating itself from competitors.
Packaging Automation
Productivity, accuracy, and quality control are the three main
problems that packaging faces. Depanning, filling, packing, and palletizing
procedures can all be automated. This is a major trend in the packaging sector.
Robotic grippers and arms used in packaging provide safe
handling of delicate goods while also removing human mistakes. Startups also
create AI-powered vision systems that capture images of the final products and
assess the quality of the packaging.
These vision-assisted robots automate procedures like product
sorting, quality assurance, and inspection to boost productivity.
Clean labels and transparency
Another significant packaging industry trend is the clear and
transparent presentation of product information. This fashion is centered on
honesty and trust.
Consumers can better educate themselves about product choices in
the modern environment as they have so much access to information. What their
product choices contain and the packaging techniques are at the top of the list
of concerns for informed consumers.
Transparency refers to a manufacturer being completely open and
truthful about the ingredients in their products. It fosters trust in the
company's brand name when it packages its goods with transparent,
straightforward, and easy-to-understand information.
Recycled packaging products in use
The 3-R principle of reducing, reusing, and recycling was the
movement started a century ago. Today, the 3-R model establishes a circular
economy where it serves as the foundation for effective product packaging.
The majority of packaging waste has been going to landfills for
years. Even worse is the quantity of non-perishable plastics that are currently
adrift in the oceans.
Many consumers wish to take all reasonable precautions to stop
this pollution because it cannot be ignored. So, they favor packaging for
recyclable goods.
3D Printing
3D printing is a developing trend in the packaging sector. It
enables businesses to build various prototypes and innovate their packaging
line in almost real time.
Brands frequently experiment with packaging layouts, which are
expensive, time-consuming, and wasteful. With no impact on plastic waste, 3D
printing technology eliminates these problems and makes customized packaging
possible.
Engineers and designers now have more creative freedom because
of technology, which enables them to create high-quality goods. Manufacturers
also employ additive manufacturing technology to print robotic arms for
specific packing.
E-commerce packaging
It's no wonder that the presentation of online purchases and
packaging have become more important, given the rise in online shopping. Online
orders are subject to many of the same fundamental rules as in the brick and
mortar store purchases.
Packaging that is very resilient to shipping difficulties and
maintains product freshness throughout transport are other factors for
e-commerce packaging(in the case of perishable food products).
Many products typically bought in brick-and-mortar stores are
also now being purchased online. So the packaging should adjust to the latest
e-commerce trends.
How to make packaging relevant?
These new trends in packaging are not mutually exclusive. You
can combine the use of connected packaging on biodegradables or sustainability
with an art fair.
It's also important to understand that these trends are a result
of significant changes in society and people's attitudes toward products. In
order to appeal to these consumers, brands must think carefully about their
packaging choices and use Package design software for designs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a startup or an established business, product packaging is crucial to the development of your brand. Think about implementing one or more of these packaging trends to update your brand's image and establish relationships with your audience.