Even if customers know what’s in the box that arrives with their online order, the element of excitement remains. A memorable unboxing experience.
That’s because small business owners can increase brand recognition by adding unique, carefully designed packaging materials, like layers of tissue paper with their logo or brand-colored packing tape applied to the seams of cardboard boxes.
The type of cardboard, typeface and inserts a company chooses all provide important packaging information, influence sales and act as marketing tools.
Proper packaging enhances the value of your product. Encourage retailers Use it to display your products on the shelves. If you’re wondering what kind of packaging to use to introduce your small business to customers, here are some ideas.
10 Packaging Ideas for Small Businesses
Unique and interesting small business packaging ideas can have a big impact on your brand. Here are 10 creative ideas that can work for your business. E-commerce Package:
- Personalized Bags and Boxes
- Eco-Friendly Inserts
- Minimal packaging
- Special Instructions
- Community-centered artworks
- Paper Newsletter
- Tape Options
- Custom Note
- Putting the spotlight on artisans and creators
- tissue
1. Personalized bags and boxes
Even if you know your products can be safely shipped via simple mail, you can still add a personal touch with personalized bags and boxes. Choosing to display your brand logo, slogan, or company name on your shipping materials will instantly make your packaging stand out from the rest.
check out Hero Learn how to design, customize, and deploy custom packages for small and medium-sized businesses.
2. Eco-friendly inserts
It’s a lot of fun to get custom stickers, samples, coupons, and other cool stuff, Packaging InsertHowever, some customers may view these items as items that cannot be easily recycled, depending on their composition.
Consider inserts made from natural materials that are compostable or recyclable. Protecting the Earth Let your customers know about your brand.
3. Minimal packaging
Have you ever been left scratching your head when you received a box inside a box? Sometimes, even another box inside. One packaging idea that works right out of the box is to remove the extra layers of packaging and ship your product in just one layer of cardboard box.
for example, Rothy’s is a shoe brand that only ships its own products. Products in a shoeboxDepending on the type of product you sell, this same packaging strategy may be suitable for your small business, supporting sustainability and improving your bottom line.
4. Special Instructions
If your product requires specific steps, walk your customers through any special pressing instructions to make their experience as stress-free as possible.
Retail company Ink Box We sell semi-permanent tattoos. Each package contains your chosen print and instructions on how to apply it to your skin. As part of Inkbox’s unique packaging, Increasing recyclable materials It comes in a package.
5. Community-centered artworks
If you’re looking to make your packaging design visually eye-catching, look around you. Is there a way to effectively leverage the artistic talent associated with your brand? You could even incorporate crowdsourced art created and contributed by people within your business network.
For example, if your product has a bold and beautiful art theme, use social media to run an online contest and offer a cash prize for the best image that will inspire your season’s worth of packaging. This is a creative way to build deeper connections with your customer base and highlight your talent.
6. Physical Newsletter
You may already know this. Created an online newsletter Does your business have any other behind-the-scenes stories worth sharing? If so, your package may have the opportunity to include exclusive content such as a printed newsletter, postcards from a recent photography campaign, and other materials that are only available within the package for a limited time.
for example, Goodbye Francis The company supports its brand image by including postcards from a recent photography campaign in its packaging for customers to enjoy at home, a unique addition to the branded packaging experience.
7. Tape Options
Packing tape may seem plain and unassuming at first glance, but there are no rules for what kind of packing tape you should use. The choice is yours. Whether you wrap your packaging in fluorescent neon stripes or logo images, or use stickers instead, adding distinctive colors and images can help solidify your brand identity. What’s more, packing tape and Stickers Along with other materials in the package (such as inserts and tissue paper).
8. Custom Notes
Including a handwritten note is a personal touch that customers will attach when purchasing a product from you. Personalizing your packaging with inserts goes a long way in building a positive brand experience.
First, write a small thank you note like a cosmetics manufacturer would and enclose it in the package. journal You can add personalized information, like the customer’s name and how they felt about your product, and thank them for their support. Over time, this kind of thoughtful communication will become a touchstone of your brand identity and keep customers coming back.
The downside to this idea, however, is that once production reaches a certain level, it can become difficult to implement.
9. Highlight artisans and creatives
Sometimes it’s who makes your product and why. Brand IdentitySo part of your ecommerce business may need to focus on artisans and global stewardship. Consider incorporating graphics, photos, or notes that show how creators make your products. People will feel like their purchases are doing social or environmental good, which will deepen their human connection with your brand.
take Sustainable clothing brands Public mythmanufactures its ethically made apparel on-site or just a few blocks from its headquarters in Vancouver, Canada.
10. Tissue Paper
When customers open your package, tissue paper is one of the first things they see. This is a key way to incorporate your brand’s signature colors into your packaging concept. Consider customized or bold colored tissue paper to create a positive color experience that represents your brand. Unusual craft paper is another option to wrap your products and ensure their safety during delivery. Digiwrap Here are some digital printing resources to help you with that.
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Three types of packages
For e-commerce businesses, the main purpose of packaging is to protect your products during delivery. There are three types of packaging options available for shipping your products by mail:
1. Cardboard boxes
Thicker than regular cardboard boxes, cardboard boxes have a layer of corrugated paper for extra protection. There are many different types of cardboard boxes, which are strong, reusable, and can safely transport a variety of products, including glass, valuables, heavy or fragile items, or anything that needs extra durability or stability during transport. These boxes are usually lightweight, so they won’t incur unnecessary shipping costs.
For an eco-friendly version, look for cardboard boxes made entirely or in part from recycled cardboard. Eco Enclosed A vendor that offers completely sustainable cardboard options.
2. Padded envelopes
Padded envelopes are great for smaller products that can be protected with plastic bubble wrap or recycled paper inside the envelope. Consider custom branded packaging inside the envelope or items like books or handmade jewelry in small boxes.
Padded envelopes are relatively compact and can be slipped into letterboxes for safety and security, rather than having to be left on customers’ doorsteps where they could be stolen. Eco-packable To help reduce plastic usage, we also offer compostable padded mailing envelopes.
3. Bags and envelopes
Poly bags and envelopes may look the same as padded envelopes, but they are different. They don’t have any protective bubble wrap or liner. The bags and envelopes are usually larger, super lightweight, and waterproof to protect the contents from the weather.
These options have no filling, making this packaging ideal for soft items such as clothing. Sustainable Packaging Companies ground We provide renewable mailing envelopes made from compostable bioplastic.
What is the first step in choosing your product packaging?
Depending on the type of product you sell, you have a variety of custom packaging options. Before you narrow down your packaging choices, think about your business. Brand Value The message you want to convey. Values that can help inform your custom packaging decisions include:
sustainability
Your business Sustainable Packaging and Shipping SolutionsYou can also consider the environmental impact of your packaging as a key brand value – using recycled, organic and handcrafted materials is a way to achieve this and reflect eco-friendly values.
Other eco-friendly options small business owners can consider to make their packaging stand out include using compostable materials, shipping smaller packages to reduce waste, and purchasing carbon-neutral credits to offset the carbon footprint of shipping.
Social Responsibility
Your business’s social impact commitment could influence the products you offer and how they are made and packaged. Maybe your mission is to support independent artists, develop artisans, or dedicate a portion of your sales to social causes. If so, Brand Social Responsibility It’s great for packaging that tells a broader story through graphics, inserts, colors and other design elements.
Cost-effective
Maybe your main goal as a business owner is to keep costs as low as possible and pass those savings on to existing and new customers. That means your business is focused on offering more value for your product than your competitors. If so, your goal might be to keep your packaging streamlined, simple, and low-cost, eliminating as much waste as possible.
Frequently asked questions about packaging ideas for small businesses
What do customers want from their packaging?
Many customers want brand packaging that feels like an experience. For example, if your brand is promoting the sustainability of natural cosmetics, you might want to go for simple, rustic packaging. Color Psychology Incorporate browns and greens to represent nature.
What is the cheapest product package?
One of the cheapest product packaging options is plastic polybags, which tend to be cheaper than padded envelopes or cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxHowever, customization can increase the cost per bag.
How can small businesses ensure their packaging is safe during delivery?
Small businesses can hire a packaging designer to determine the type of packaging elements that will keep their products safest during shipping. Another option is to choose the best packaging for your product, such as a box, bag, or mailing envelope. Delicate items should not be packaged and mailed without padding or other protective materials to prevent breakage or damage during shipping.
