Small business owners usually struggle with finding new ways to make their products look different than the others. While managing day-to-day operations, they often underestimate the power of packaging and thus almost 60% of them settle on generic custom packaging.
Custom packaging, on the other side, is a great solution available to utilize for driving sales and building a brand. It comprises custom boxes of different shapes and sizes to provide a true fit all the way. In fact, it also solves other problems like poor branding, inefficient shipping and damaged products.
The best part is that it's great for improving your customer experience. So, trying custom packaging options to see the difference is not a bad idea at all. This blog post has everything that small businesses need to improve their packaging and generate revenue.
Why Custom Packaging is Important for Small Businesses?
The difference between custom packaging boxes and generic boxes is quite clear. Businesses that make use of plain boxes are lost in the crowd and never become successful brands. On the other side, custom packaging connects you to your customers.
In fact, custom boxes benefit both brands and customers. For brands, they work like a marketing tool that attracts more viewers and generates more sales. Similarly, they also upgrade the unboxing experience on the customer end. So, using custom packaging for your needs is helpful in either way.
Here are some key benefits:
- Building brand identity
- Protecting contents
- Efficient shipping
- Increased sales
- Effective display of retail products
It's all possible with thoughtful packaging techniques you should try to get results.
Types of Custom Packaging Boxes
Custom boxes are available in different shapes, sizes, and styles depending on the product details they are going to pack. Not just this, they also vary in terms of functionality some of these are perfect for shipping while others are true fit for display.
So, it's important to understand some common types of customized packaging and use them where needed.
Corrugated Boxes
In terms of material type, corrugated boxes are sturdy and strong all due to their thoughtful composition. They contain a wavy Kraft layer in between flat cardboard layers that absorb shocks and protect the contents inside.
They are better for transporting goods over long distances. For small businesses, they are handy for storage and shipping without affecting the products inside. It's a perfect type of tertiary packaging all the way.
Rigid Boxes
After corrugated boxes, rigid boxes are there to serve your packaging and shipping needs. As the name shows they are durable and strong having a high-quality appearance. The best part is that rigid boxes don't fold which means that they can deliver products safely to the customer doorstep.
Customization further refines rigid boxes that can easily package luxury items. As a small business owner, use them as retail packaging if you want to upgrade your customer experience.
Mailer Boxes
Similar to custom rigid packaging, mailer boxes also improve customer experience. They are easy to open and close without tape that's perfect for subscription services and online orders.
They also benefit both the brands and customers. For instance, they are convenient for customers to handle and offer a good opportunity for branding small businesses.
Tuck Top Boxes
For everyday products or accessories, tuck-top boxes are a common type of custom packaging boxes. They provide a secure closure to items that consumers often want to access quickly and easily. For example, food products or bakery goods are perfect to package within tuck-top boxes.
They are a simple but effective way for small businesses to serve customers.
Window Boxes
In terms of presentation and display, window boxes come first. These boxes feature a transparent window to showcase the product inside without opening the package.
Products like cosmetics, food, and toys are ideal for presenting in window boxes. For small businesses, it's a great way to attract customers with quality products.
Sleeves
Custom sleeves are also a common type of packaging that businesses use as branding. Their main purpose is not to protect items but to present your brand as a trusted service.
Sleeves pair up well with products like books, stationery, and other small items like these. It's a great option for small businesses that don't want to spend heavily on custom packaging but still want to improve their branding.
What is Included in Custom Product Packaging?
The packaging doesn't refer to an outer box only. Rather it involves everything that differentiates a product from the crowd. For instance, it is a combination of custom prints, labels, and types of materials that attract viewers and connect them with brands.
The most common elements of custom boxes are:
Design and Branding
It's the most important part of custom product packaging that makes products unique in all ways. Your custom design involves colors, images, or product details that enhance the product outlook. Meanwhile, branding elements like logos and advertising slogans are part of your marketing game that elevate brand image.
Product Protection
Keeping the products safe during shipping and transportation is the first main purpose of packaging. So, custom packaging boxes also take care of product safety. These include features like padding, cushions, or inserts which keep the product at its position and free from any damage.
Packaging Materials
The type of packaging material makes a big difference in presenting the product quality and sustainability. Some common material options are cardboard, paperboard, and Kraft paper, each of these varies on the basis of look, feel, and durability of custom boxes.
Informative Labels
Providing value to potential customers is a key to building brands and trust in the market and informative labels play this role effectively. Small businesses should explain the usage guide and important details of a product in the form of labels as part of the packaging. It not only engages consumers but also shows your responsibility towards your duty.
Finishing Touches
Giving a final touch to custom boxes further adds to the beauty of a product. For instance, colorful ribbons, stickers, or embossing effects provide a special feel and outlook to a product. In short, such boxes perform well in the market.
For small businesses, it's an open opportunity to win customers and build trust in the market starting from the basics of custom packaging.
Step-by-step Guide to Designing Custom Packaging for Small Businesses
Designing custom boxes becomes easy when you start from the basics. Here is a complete breakdown of all the essential steps that small businesses should follow to switch their plain packaging to customized solutions.
1. Understand Your Brand Values
Every brand comes up with a unique selling point that makes a difference. It helps the brand from getting lost in the crowd and maintain a unique identity out there. So, think about your brand values to determine what kind of custom packaging you should opt for. This way, your packaging will resonate with your consumers and connect them with your values.
2. Choose Your Brand Colors
Consistent brand appearance is important. To build your own style, choose your brand colors to look different than the others. Custom color combinations play an important role in this regard. So, choose your combination of colors and use it everywhere in your logo, website, packaging, and even products. Over time, it will be your identity that your products would be easy to spot on a shelf by customers.
3. Pick the Right Packaging Style
As you see above, custom packaging has different types that fit unique types of products. So, decide what type of packaging would be a true fit for your product lines. For that, consider your product details, their protection needs, and presentation requirements. Similarly, it goes right with additional features like inserts or premium finishes you should choose as per your product needs.
4. Make it Unique
Try to add personal notes, happy quotes, a thank you message, or well wishes to make your customer feel special. It's not only great for a personalized unboxing experience but also perfect for creating a deep connection between customers and brands. For small businesses, it's important to go the extra mile to impress their customers so that they can generate repeat purchases regularly.
5. Use Creative Cushioning
Delicate and premium products need extra protection to stay safe during handling and shipping. For your sensitive products, think of adding creative inserts to keep the contents fixed and secure. For instance, it should be colorful tissue paper, curved paper strips, or bubble wrap. Each of these protects the contents and keeps them from damage as well as enhances customer experience.
6. Include Small Surprises
Emotions are real and if you can evoke emotions, you can excel in the world of packaging. The best way to do this is to add small surprises or freebies to delight consumers. It could be your newly launched product sample, a discount coupon, or a small gift that can make customers feel special. Remember that small businesses can easily increase their loyal customers this way.
7. Choose Eco-friendly Materials
In addition to rising as a business, it's also important to care about the environment and eco-friendly materials reflect your responsibility towards this planet. So, sustainable materials like cardboard and kraft paper are important elements of custom packaging. Since many people are conscious of sustainability, small businesses have a big margin in this regard to excel in the right direction.
8. Test Your Packaging
Before considering wholesale custom boxes, test your customized packaging to see if it works the way you want. Check out if it protects your delicate products, looks good, and either easy to use or not. To decide better, get feedback from customers or friends to improve it further.
5 Custom Packaging Tips for Small Businesses
Make your custom packaging boxes shine without compromising on budget following these simple tips and tricks.
Start Small and Test First
Don't rush towards wholesale custom boxes at first. Rather start with a small order and test how it works for your brand. This way, you'll save money and effort at the same time.
Focus on Your Brand Message
Though customized packaging must be customer-oriented, it should also reflect your brand identity. So, don't forget to add your brand logo, unique colors, and brand message so that customers can instantly think of you seeing your products all the time. It helps build trust and connection.
Make it Functional and Attractive
The functionality of custom boxes is also as important as outlook. In short, it should be perfect all the way. So, don't compromise on material, style, or additional features to impress consumers.
Think About the Environment
Always prefer eco-friendly and sustainable materials to produce custom packaging. It not only keeps the planet safe but also attracts more customers who care about their actions.
Create a Memorable Unboxing Experience
The external appeal of a custom box surprises viewers. However, small businesses must do more to win their customers. So, improve your unboxing experience too either a thank you message or a sample of another product.
Consider Wholesale Custom Boxes to Save More
For small businesses, it's important to stick to the budget and plan things accordingly. However, switching plain packaging boxes to custom ones often costs more. Though it also saves your marketing and advertising budget, it's essential to keep things affordable.
Interestingly, it is possible with wholesale custom boxes that We Print Boxes offers across the USA. As a full-time service provider, We Print Boxes manages everything from creating designs to ending up with custom packaging within budget.
The best part is that we also offer a free sample delivery so that you can trust the quality. Our wholesale and bulk deals carry massive discounts that are lifesaving for small business owners.
Our clients love working with us due to our attention to detail and precise printing. So, why are you thinking? Drop your unique design and style requirements and we'll provide one-of-a-kind packaging to you.
Final Words
In conclusion, custom packaging benefits small businesses in one way or another. It helps businesses develop unique recognition and trust in the market. At the customer end, it improves the unboxing experience and makes them feel special. So, if you are using generic packaging and still trying to excel in the market, try wholesale custom boxes to see the difference.