Types of Packaging and Which One Suits Your Business Best

You can have a great product, but the wrong packaging can lead to damaged goods, higher shipping costs, or poor shelf presentation. There are many packaging types, and it will depend on what product you are packaging, how you are shipping it, and how you want your customers to receive your product. This guide will discuss the different types of packaging, their uses, and what to consider when selecting the right packaging for your product. You can also read how to choose the right packaging for your product for more tips.

What Are the Three Levels of Packaging?

Packaging isn’t just the outside box that surrounds a product. It encompasses all items employed to contain, collect, secure, and carry goods to the customer. The packaging types are categorized differently at three levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary; each serves a different purpose.

Depending on the type of business and the way the product reaches the customer, all three levels, one, or two may be required. For instance, a cosmetics company could employ a bottle to store its formula, a printed carton to display it on shelves, and a larger corrugated box to transport several bottles of cosmetics.

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Packaging

1. Primary Packaging

Primary packaging is the most direct contact with the product, or it is the immediate container of the product. It is primarily used to store and to assist in preserving the quality of the contents.

Common examples include:

• Beverage bottles and jars, sauces, and skin care bottles and jars.
• Snack and other packaged item pouches.
• Paperboard cartons designed for suitable food or consumer products.
• Single item blister packs.

The material should be suitable with regard to the physical and chemical properties of the product. Specific requirements may apply to contact, labelling, or safety of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Check the relevant requirements before selecting a material.

2. Secondary Packaging

Secondary packaging comes after the primary packaging. It will protect products while marketing your brand from the outside. A printed carton can, for instance, wrap around a lotion bottle to enable identification and space for ingredients and other required information. Several products can be placed in an organized way in a custom gift box.

In this stage, a custom packaging box is typically used to align with the product size, art print, and retail needs of businesses. Read why branded packaging matters to see how it supports your brand.

3. Tertiary Packaging

Tertiary packaging is used to ease bulk handling, storage, and transportation. It maintains several products in proximity throughout the entire warehousing, distribution centre, and delivery system.

It can include custom corrugated boxes, stretch wrap, protective dividers, and more.

A retail company may fill 50 retail cartons in a larger corrugated box. The ultimate goal is to keep the shipment orderly and reduce damage due to handling.

Common Packaging Materials and Box Types

The most common packaging materials and box types are listed below. The support a package affords the product depends on the material and structure of the package. Let’s take a look at 5 common options and the times they are effective.

1. Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated packaging material that is made with a fluted inner layer between flat outer liner sheets. This makes corrugated boxes a popular option for packaging, shipping, and storage, not just e-commerce.

They are ideal for larger items, breakables, subscription shipments, and multi-handling orders. Use dividers and inserts to help keep several items separated within the box.

Not all corrugated boxes are equally protective, though. Custom corrugated boxes need to be made based on different factors like board strength, flute construction, box dimensions, and contents weight.

2. Paperboard Cartons

Paperboard packaging is made from a solid sheet of paper-based board which can be folded into boxes or cartons. Lightweight, easy to print, ideal for a wide range of retail items.

Typical applications are light consumer products, personal care products, custom cosmetic boxes, and small accessories. Retail requirements can be met by printing graphics, product information, and finishes. Learn more about print options in CMYK vs. PMS vs. digital printing.

Paperboard is not the same as corrugated board. Typically, it has no fluted structure that is used to add additional cushioning and strength. Therefore, it can be necessary to pack a product in a paperboard carton with an external shipping carton when it is shipped through parcel delivery networks. Our custom cardboard boxes are a popular choice here.

3. Rigid Boxes

Non-flexible boxes are made of a rigid and sturdy board. Boxes made from this material give a luxurious appearance. The main consideration is storage and shipping efficiency. Most rigid boxes are bigger than folding boxes, so companies need to take it into consideration when buying inventory or shipping. This material is mostly used as custom rigid boxes and gift boxes since it offers protection and a high-end appearance side by side.

4. Kraft Packaging

Kraft packaging is known for the natural look of the paper, which may be brown or unbleached. It is utilized in retail cartons, mailer boxes, bags, and gift boxes.

It works well for handmade goods, clothing, subscription products, and brands that favor a paper look. Logos, product information, and other brand details can be printed to add to the design. Browse our custom kraft boxes or read the complete guide to kraft packaging.

Not all Kraft packages are recyclable or compostable. These depend on the complete build-up of the product, any coatings, adhesives and other aspects, and local recycling facilities.

Any businesses that have environmental objectives need to review the material properties before making sustainability claims. With us, you can get eco-friendly packaging options to meet your brand’s sustainability goals.

5. Mailer Boxes and Paper Bags

Custom mailer boxes are used for packing and shipping orders, especially orders placed online and orders on subscription. They offer a well-defined space for products, and the movement in transit can be minimized with inserts or paper cushioning.

They’re great for items such as stationery, clothing accessories, skin care packages, and more that require a structured package. A more substantial outside carton or extra padding for fragile items may be necessary.

Paper bags work best for retail carry-out, take-away items, and light products. They do not offer the same protection against crushing or impact and are convenient for customers when they are leaving a store. Explore our custom shopping bags for more options.

Which Packaging Suits Different Businesses?

There are so many factors that depend on the best packaging, such as the nature of the product being packaged, how it is delivered to the customer, and how it should be protected.

For specific industries, you can explore our food and beverage boxes, custom bakery boxes, custom apparel boxes, custom medicine boxes, and custom display boxes. If you sell jewelry, read custom jewelry boxes: how to make your products stand out.

How to Choose the Right Packaging for Your Product

Prior to ordering, consider the following practical considerations:

• Consider the size and weight of the product to be packaged.
• Choose a structure which can support the product with minimal amounts of empty space.
• Think of ways the product can get damaged during storage or delivery.
• For products being sold in store, shelf-ready cartons may be necessary, and for products being sold online, packaging suitable for parcel handling may be required.
• Calculate space requirements for logos, product details, instructions, barcodes, and other requirements.
• Consider sustainability goals such as materials, type of coatings, inks, etc.
• Work out the packaging cost and also factor in cushioning, labour, storage, and damage. See custom boxes vs. stock boxes to compare costs.

Find the Right Packaging for Your Business

There are many aspects you will need to consider when looking for the right packaging for your business.

Packaging selection begins with considering what it’s required to accomplish. Proper material and design can help protect products, facilitate usage, and provide information for the consumer. The right option will take storage, shipping, and the overall expense of each order to the destination into consideration.

Packaging Eagle offers custom packaging options for different products and business needs. We have a wide range of options for all your business needs. Get a custom quote with your choice of materials, design, and printing.