Packaging is the process of enclosing products for storage, distribution, sale, and use. It stores, protects, preserves, transports, informs, and sells products. In essence, packaging coordinates preparing products for transportation, warehousing, logistics, sale, and final use. Packaging generally falls into three levels:
- Primary packaging (retail packaging): This packaging comes in direct contact with the product. Its main goals are to protect the product and attract or inform consumers. Examples include a soda can or a corrugated box containing a cell phone and its accessories.
- Secondary packaging: Companies use this to ship products that already have primary packaging. It protects goods during shipping and provides branding opportunities. Retail locations also display secondary packaging. Examples include a 12-pack of soda cans or the corrugated box that ships a half dozen cell phones.
- Tertiary packaging: Warehouses mostly use this level to ship secondary packaging. Its main purpose is to protect shipments in transit, and customers rarely see it. Examples include palletized unit loads that fit tightly into containers or corrugated pads used to separate layers of boxes.
Almost every product in the market requires packaging, which makes the packaging industry highly competitive. If you enter this business, you must manage its processes effectively to succeed. Custom boxes play a vital role when packing a product, sending a subscription, or shipping an item. They protect goods while also making them visually appealing to a large audience. Manufacturers focus on every detail to create perfect packaging for consumers. Whether you are new to the packaging business or have years of experience, understanding how packaging functions is essential.
Custom Coffee Boxes
The making of custom coffee boxes falls under the category of food packaging. Food packaging is the largest segment in the packaging industry, accounting for more than one-third of the global market. Its primary purpose is to protect food from spoilage caused by bacteria and environmental factors. Proper packaging helps prevent contamination from biological, chemical, and environmental hazards.
Custom coffee boxes require additional features to preserve freshness. Firstly, they should be airtight to prevent oxygen from entering and affecting the coffee. Secondly, they should include a one-way valve for carbon dioxide, allowing it to escape from roasted coffee beans without letting air in.
Now we will see how a packaging company works.
The Raw Materials
Like any manufacturing industry, the packaging companies need raw materials which are purchased in bulk. They usually make contracts with top suppliers to supply them with the raw material. Cardboard is the most common choice because it offers many packaging solutions like custom size shipping boxes or custom display boxes. It exists in various forms such as Kraft, corrugated and paperboard. Other raw materials which are used include adhesives, staples, custom tape, printing inks, filler packaging and stitching wire.
Machinery and Equipment
A packaging company needs different types of machinery and equipment to run its operations. These may include office supplies, furniture, computers, corrugators, slitting machine, gluing machine, cutting machine and custom box making machine etc. Some packaging companies provide printing services as well. For this they have to purchase high tech printers which can effectively print the custom boxes such as custom coffee boxes. Because these are expensive machines, you should purchase them from the best suppliers in the market.
Customization
A packaging company must then provide custom services to its clients. It may consider several customization options in this regard. It can work on the shape, size and the design of the boxes according to the demands of the customers. It proves beneficial for your business to design perfect sized custom coffee boxes. Other customization opens such as stylizing the boxes with windows, inserts, die-cuts and handles. In making custom coffee boxes, several options can be considered, for example making small boxes for a single person, or relatively large family packs.
Promotion
Whatever company you run, without promotion and active marketing, you are nowhere. The packaging business is no exception. You have to remain in the public eye and make a strong presence out there. You have to work out your potential buyers and target them to enhance the reach of your packaging services. For instance, if some coffee making company is your client, send them personalized emails to update them about your custom coffee boxes. This strategy is helpful in attracting potential customers. In this digital world, having an active online presence has become necessary. Make a website for your company and start selling custom boxes online. Moreover, you can showcase your packages in community events and tradeshows to attract more audience.