Food businesses have to reduce overhead costs, meet customer demands, and stay ahead of the competition to grow. One game-changer aspect in this regard is custom packaging that makes or breaks a business. In general, traditional rigid packaging is giving way to flexible food packaging for a good reason. It's convenient, protective, and sustainable and also addresses concerns of food waste, product freshness, and consumer safety.
Interestingly, over 75% of food businesses are now using one or other forms of flexible packaging which is a big sign of industry shifting and trend-setting. For businesses that are struggling with getting noticed, flexible wrapping offers a lifeline. Top players like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle also practiced this flexibility and reported cost savings as well.
However, it's challenging for smaller businesses to adopt this technology because of high upfront costs and lack of expertise. Yet, We Print Boxes offers expertise at the best possible rates to help businesses of all levels excel in the food industry. So, let's read ahead and learn about flexible food wrapping in detail.
Understanding Flexible Food Packaging
Custom packaging delivers quality and convenience that both consumers and businesses appreciate. The term flexible wrapping indicates the adaptability of materials that can easily bend or compress into any shape such as a pouch, bag, or film. Opposite to rigid food boxes, flexible packing adapts to the product and uses fewer resources which ultimately reduces the total weight and bulk of packages.
For businesses, it's easier to store and manage, while it's portable and convenient for consumers in the same place. Food products are good to go with flexible casing as it keeps food fresh and intact.
As a brand, you can do creative branding as the packaging surface is friendly to printing with eye-catching designs that pop up on shelves. Not just this, it's a sustainable choice that uses less material and is easier to store in bulk.
Want to know the best uses of custom food packaging? The following guide is for you.
Common Types of Flexible Packaging
Roll stock
The most common type of flexible wrapping is roll stock which comes as a large roll of film material. Feeding this roll into a packaging machine cuts, forms, and seals the roll into custom shapes to package a product. Sometimes, it's helpful in labeling rigid food boxes. While many other times, it acts as a packaging itself, especially when made from layers of foil or paper.
The smooth shiny appearance adds to the product presentation that looks different. As its main purpose is to add graphics and branding, roll stock material always features bold designs and patterns. It can also turn a plain food box into custom food packaging, thanks to its flexible nature.
Food products like chips, snacks, granola bars, frozen items, coffee, and even sachet items are good to go with roll stock packaging. It's cost-effective, efficient, and multifunctional, making roll stock a one-of-a-kind solution for food businesses.
Shrink wraps
As the name indicates, shrink wrap is a material that fits any product or a group of products to form a clear and protective layer. After wrapping a product, applying heat shrinks the wrap, adapting that particular shape. In contrast to roll stock, shrink wrap is a flexible food packaging that's transparent without any custom design or print. After all, its main purpose is to package two or more products in place.
The clear layering makes unit packaging and branding visible to customers which is great when it comes to food products. This way, consumers can see the appearance and freshness of the food. Products like beverages, bottled drinks, canned goods, frozen items, and multipacks are good to go with shrink wraps.
Their lightweight, tight seal and cost-effective nature make shrink wrap a considerable option for businesses of all levels.
Stand up Pouches
Standing upright on shelves is important for products to attract more customers and flexible packaging performs well, thanks to its stable bottom design. A stand-up pouch uses durable materials that block moisture keeping food fresh for longer.
The best feature is their resealable tops like zippers or tear notches to ensure consumer convenience in any case. It's the perfect type of custom food packaging for snacks, coffee, dry fruits, sauces, and pet food items. For liquid items, the stand-up Pouches called spouts are ideal for products like juices or oils.
As it's a unit packaging that deals with individual products, brands can print them accordingly adding their logo at the top.
What Should You Look for in Custom Food Packaging?
The list of flexible packaging is increasing with increasing types in the food industry as per the evolving needs of consumers. So, how can you choose the right type of package for your business? It becomes even more challenging when you want to combine protection and ease of use in one place.
At We Print Boxes, we offer quality flexible packaging that preserves food in terms of texture, flavor, and stability. Here are some factors you should consider before opting for a packaging shift:
Protection and Preservation
Make sure that you choose the packaging type with strong barrier properties to protect food items. Delivering intact food items in perfect condition should be your priority to create a lasting impression. Materials like multilayer films and sturdy wraps can preserve food for longer while keeping it from rough handling.
Portion Control and Ease of Use
Check out for custom features that help control portions and ensure easy access to the product. Choose resealable bags with tearing sides or zippers for easy opening and closing to reduce food waste. It's convenient for consumers to use needed portions at a time which ensures a hassle-free experience.
Transparency and Branding
Flexible food packaging options like shrink wraps are clear for customers to see the product before purchase. In the food industry, this transparency matters, so make sure you have it. Similarly, look for customizable options for adding brand elements of custom prints to look different on the shelf. It not only drives sales but also creates brand awareness in the long run.
BPA-free Material and Cost Effectiveness
Avoid BPA materials that are harmful to consumers. Prioritize consumer safety in the first place to see the difference. Although flexible packing is affordable, make sure that custom food packaging also remains in your budget to be profitable always.
Ideal Use Cases of Custom Packaging in the Food Industry
The versatile and practical nature of flexible boxes finds wide applications in the food industry. Here is a complete classification of food products and their suitable type of packaging to choose as per your packaging needs.
| Food Category | Examples of Products | Type of Flexible Packaging | Key Benefits |
| Snacks | Chips, nuts, cookies, candy | Single-serving bags, resealable pouches | Freshness, portability |
| Frozen Foods | Vegetables, fruits, ready meals | Freezer-safe bags, pouches | Freezer burn prevention, easy storage |
| Pet Food | Dry food, pet treats | Stand-up pouches, resealable bags | Freshness, convenient access |
| Beverages | Juice, coffee, drink powders | Pouches, sachets, coffee bags | Portability, portion control |
| Bakery Items | Bread, tortillas, baked goods | Flexible bags, wraps | Moisture protection, softness retention |
| Dairy Products | Cheese, yogurt, butter spreads | Pouches, wraps | Freshness, easy handling |
| Ready-to-Eat Meals | Microwaveable soups, sauces, pasta | Microwave-safe pouches, easy-tear packaging | Quick heating, convenience |
| Condiments and Sauces | Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise | Squeeze pouches, tear notches | Portion control, easy dispensing |
| Cereals and Grains | Cereal, rice, pasta, quinoa | Resealable pouches, bags | Easy storage, freshness |
| Coffee and Tea | Coffee beans, tea leaves | Airtight pouches, bags | Aroma and freshness preservation |
Top 5 Creative Ideas for Designing Flexible Food Boxes
Since many food businesses are using flexible packaging to serve customers, you need to stand out not only with your food quality but also with the presentation. Here are a few unique design ideas to add value to your packaging.
Add Seasonal Variations
Design your flexible boxes to match specific seasons or holidays to create a lasting impact. This includes particular color combinations and patterns to engage the target audience instantly.
For example, you can introduce different packaging during Halloween, Christmas, or Valentine's Day to appeal customers buying your products again and again without even thinking twice.
Create Peel-away Layers with Recipes
Introduce flexible food packaging with two or more thin layers that customers can peel off one by one. Include either quick recipes, cooking tips, or fun facts about your product under each revealing layer. The overall idea is to make the packaging interactive and useful every time customers buy it.
Include a Built-in Sauce Pocket
Offer a complete meal in one package by adding a separate pocket within the packaging. It can hold a sauce, seasoning, or dressing while keeping the main course intact.
For example, a ready-to-eat rice or noodle meal can have a built-in pocket containing sauce which is a convenient way to enjoy a meal on the go.
Offer Transformable Flexible Packaging for Reuse
Give your food boxes a second life by making them reusable. So, design your packaging in a way that customers can transform it into something useful like a plant holder, a bookmark, or a small storage box instead of wasting it.
The idea is to add extra value to your customers while reducing waste and giving an interesting eco-friendly twist to the packaging experience.
Use Color-changing Ink for Temperature Indicators
If you are involved in selling drinks, beverages, or soups, this packaging design idea is a game-changer for you. Use color-changing inks on your flexible food boxes that can change color based on the temperature of the product inside. This not only makes the packaging interactive but also helps customers know the ideal temperature of a product to drink or eat.
Final Words
In the cosmetic industry, packaging design is equally important as the product. It reflects the quality of a product and the values of a brand. Uniquely colorful and minimal design ideas are trending nowadays. But you must test what type of idea will help you in the long run. So, work on your product presentation and visual style to engage customers at first sight.