The Future of Packaging Industry: Experts Share Their Opinions

Img Source : solidprofessor

Your favorite beverage can and the packaging of those yummy snacks are likely to change in the coming years. In other words, the packaging is going through a massive transformation over the years.

And this massive transformation is owed to many factors, such as continuing pressure from the government; the inclination of consumers towards sustainable products; innovation among manufacturers to get a competitive edge; and the efforts to improve the shelve life of the product.

New packaging technologies have changed how we use products from increasing the shelf life of a fresh product to enhancing packaging and product functionality, so no wonder that packaging has an important role in ensuring the ever-increasing list of requirements is met.

In this piece of blog, we will review what product packaging might look like in the future—from the minimal use of plastic to innovative features for ensuring more functionality.

And who can tell better than these experts we have listed below.

Working over Concerns Can Redefine the Things…

David Feber is working with McKinsey and Company to help businesses with packaging solutions. His take on the future of packaging includes a concern as he says—

“Packaging is ubiquitous. It touches almost every person on the planet. It affects things that human beings need to survive: food, healthcare, personal care. All of that is packaged. Today, none of that has a lot of intelligence. But there are real concerns with a lot of those products. There are concerns of spoilage, there are concerns of authenticity (“Is this what I thought I was getting?”), and there are concerns of origin (“Where is this coming from?”). With different types of intelligence and sensing, those packages can be much more dynamic and can help in two ways. One way is, “Don’t throw this out, even though it’s past its expiry date.” Or, on the other side, “That yogurt container that you just bought that is supposed to last two weeks hit a temperature that caused it to spoil, and don’t consume it.” Those are the types of examples that we suspect we’ll see.”

(Courtesy: McKinsey.com)

Sustainability will Rule the Packaging World…

Sara Shumpert is an MD at the Packaging School. She believes that sustainability is going to be the heart and soul of the packaging industry in coming years.

“As we transition from the shelf to the doorstep – E-commerce or direct to consumer- it requires a rethinking of both product and package design. Whereas packaging for retail must command a purchase-worthy first impression, packaging for e-commerce needs to be equipped for the distribution environment, meaning it’s lightweight and durable.

Sustainable packaging is no longer a trend but an expectation of consumers. We see companies tackling sustainability in more innovative ways than just lightweight materials.”

(Courtesy: As she told GlobalVision)

Packaging Can Make or Mar Your Brand…

Startups with innovative packaging have outwitted the already established brands as opined by Dorris Brown-McNally, WW Brand Innovation, partner development manager at HP, Inc.

“Over the last decade, many incumbent/heritage brands have been consistently outmaneuvered by innovative upstarts. To join the ranks of the growth leaders, consumer-goods companies must create an agile growth environment. That starts with bringing their entire organisation, from marketing to production, into an integrated organism. The results can be impressive. In product lines where agile is used, companies have seen as much as a fourfold increase in revenues, and the time it takes to get new marketing ideas in front of customers has compressed from multiple weeks or months to less than two weeks. Advancements in packaging innovation and digital print are at the core to many of the companies who are succeeding.”

(Courtesy: Packaging-Gateway.com)

Top 4 Innovative Packaging Ideas

Innovative packaging ideas
IMG Source: Orange Creative

Here’s how you can get creative with your packaging to make your products look stand out.

Over the years, more and more businesses have invested in creative packaging. As the name suggests, creative packaging is any packaging design that helps the product look attractive and get noticed. Creative packaging also involves cost-effective and eco-friendly options.

Apart from looking attractive, these packaging forms are functional.

For example, some French fries wrappers come with a small pouch in the front for ketchup. The packaging part of some pizza boxes separates with the slice to help you avoid greasy and burnt fingers. A lid of some butter boxes can be used as a spoon.

Innovation in packaging will make your product stand out from the rest. It will help build your brand as well as provide some personality to your products. After all, the products are initially judged by your packaging.

So, how do you create creative packaging?

For your help, here we have rounded up some creative packaging ideas that will bring some innovations for your products.

Add Something to Your Packaging:

This is a great solution to make your standard packaging stand out from the crowd. The best example is a line of pasta sauces by Amy’s Kitchen. The sauce comes in a standard size jar with standard color labels. What makes them look unique is the paper and gold bow over the lid of the jar. It looks as if your grandmother has packed it.

Think about Handmade Look:

Customers are attracted to packaging that feels personalized. And the handmade packaging is close to this notion. This is because they look different than their machine-made counterparts. They offer much higher quality as well as details. Another reason that makes them favorite among customers is that they are eco-friendly and consume less energy. Handmade packaging goes well with botanical or natural products.

Add a Fun Element:

Adding fun to your packaging won’t seem odd. After all, they are attractive to all age groups other than kids. The bright colors and unusual shapes also work in products for adults, although it requires a more subtle approach.

Take a cue from the wine industry and look at how their labels feature animals in a fun way. You can get quirky, creative, funny and artistic with your packaging. Make sure that the color or style you choose can resonate with your brand.

Consider Your Target Audience:

Getting creative with your packaging doesn’t mean to forget about your target buyers. Make sure your packaging remains functional and attractive to your demographic. For example, a range of Axe’s grooming product aims at young men aged between 18 and 35. So their packaging is built to this specific audience. For example, Axe Shower Gel’s comes in a rugged black plastic container. It looks as if the container contains motor oil. What to say about Tiffany’s robin’s egg blue box?

Bottom Line:

So these are some innovative packaging ideas that can attract the customers towards your products, thereby boosting the sale. Keep in mind that your packaging not only contains your product but also delivers a final marketing message to the buyers. Again, make sure your packaging goes well with your products as well as your target audience.

Take one or two of these ideas and think you can incorporate them with your products.

What do you think? Please let us know by commenting below.

How Colors Impact Your Food Packaging

How Colors Impact Your Food Packaging
Img Source colorpsychology

Learn here how colors make your products look like to the customers.

Some colors make us feel relaxed and clam. Some colors unleash positivity. And certain colors have been associated with increased metabolism, eyestrain and blood pressure.

The point is here that color impacts our mood and feelings.

No wonder why they are a vital part of marketing for decades. Using them strategically can make your products look appealing to the customers. Given that packaging is the most tangible representation of a product, introducing them in the right colors can make or break the sale.

According to one report, 60-90% of consumers judge the products on the base of the color. This is because color appeals quicker than text and graphics. Over 80% of customers admitted that color is a key factor when buying a product.

Color schemes eventually become a brand identity and are consistently maintained. For example, red with a white swirl makes us think about Coca Cola. The color purple is associated with the Cadbury brand.

Why You Should Be Careful with Careful Scheme of Your Packaging

Colors stand for emotions and feelings.

Therefore, be careful while choosing a color scheme for your target audience. For example, bright colors are appealing to children while softer shades are great for older consumers. Colors like green or blue represent eco-friendly and health.

Here we have outlined some colors and their impact on the mind.

 Red:

Red is a powerful color that stimulates and excites. It can raise the nerve impulses as well as increase the heart rate. This color enhances the appetite and stimulates a physical response. No wonder why it is a popular choice in food marketing and found on the many food product packaging. Red is associated with the images of ripe or sweet things like candy, tomatoes, and strawberries.  

Yellow:

Yellow is quickly processed by the brain, making it a good one for grabbing attention. It is also an appetite stimulant and stands for happiness, optimism, and vibrancy. When you look at the color yellow, the brain releases a feel-good chemical known as Serotonin according to some studies. Using red and yellow together not only makes people feel good about your products but also triggers their appetite. Look at the logos of Burger King, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and KFC and you will understand this thing better.

 Orange:

Orange is a combination of red and yellow. It generates similar effects and has established itself as an appetizing color. It promotes senses and emotions which can trigger impulse buying, making it a great choice for takeaway foods and snacks. Orange also represents citrus flavor like in Fanta.  

Blue:

Blue is not an appetizing color. However, it stands for honesty and truth. The color is associated with water and freshness; therefore, it can be used for products like bottled water, seafood, and milk.  

Green:

Green is also a popular packaging color. It is mainly associated with healthy, natural, organic, vegetarian and fresh. The color is also the symbol of well-being and health. The color is a choice of many organic and herbal products.  

White:

White stands for purity and simplicity. People think that the product doesn’t contain many ingredients when used in packaging. It is generally used for white color products such as yogurt, cream, milk, and cheese.  

Black:

Black is the least used color in food packaging. However, food experts are experimenting with this color to see some positive outcomes. Black is the color of luxury and can be used to give your products an air of sophistication. Brands who are seeing benefits with black are Jack Daniels and Monster Energy.

So you must have understood how colors can impact your food packaging. What do you think? Please let us know by commenting below.