14 July 2023
Box packaging is not a rare sight in department stores, supermarkets and high street shops. Sometimes the material is flimsy, sometimes it’s coated, sometimes it feels thick, sometimes there are colors, sometimes it’s just ‘natural’.
No matter the type of business you are, there’s a material and a finish out there that not only suits your brand but also appeals to your audience. The question is: which one is right for you? In this article we’re going to outline each material, what they’re good for and where – maybe – they might have a few failings.
Materials:
When it comes to materials, you really have to get the right thing. Getting the wrong material will not only change the tone of your brand, but potentially have a serious impact on your sales.
Mycelium
Mycelium is the vegetative part of fungus that acts like a root system taking in nutrients etc – however the product mycelium that is used as packaging is a bio-engineered form of hyphae. If you want to know more about it you can find out everything you need to know in the BPAK blog article Fungi: The Art of Mycelium
Fiber
Fiber packaging is made from wood fiber, wood fiber packaging is so effective because it is derived from trees that have cellulose in them – this element makes the material flexible and easier to use for packaging. It is also easily recyclable, often leading to the molded pieces being recycled up to 7 times.
If you want to know more about it you can find out everything you need to know in the BPAK blog article Barking Up The Wrong Tree: Fiber Packaging
Seaweed
Seaweed packaging is a biodegradable, renewable and entirely sustainable material option for companies that want something which is a little bit different, ethically sound and aligned with their environmental goals.
It’s worth noting that while there are so many positives to this material, it is much more expensive than oil-based packaging – just because it is such a new player on the market and facilities are few and far between.
If you want to know more about it you can find out everything you need to know in the BPAK blog article In An Octopus’s Garden: Seaweed Packaging
Ocean Plastic
The issues relating to plastic in the sea could be reversed by using marine plastic as a material for your company’s business packaging – not to mention your brand’s products. Ocean plastic is already being used for products such as the Got Bag backpack, Norton Point sunglasses, 4ocean bracelets, Sea Bags. Ocean plastic can be used to make your primary and secondary packaging100% sustainable without compromising on the quality. The creation process takes time, but it’s worth it and the result is not only ethical but also good for your brand’s products.
Finishes:
Just like the material, the finish which you put on a product is majorly important. Not only does the finish change the way that a material might look, it also changes the way it feels. This has a direct impact on how your customer views your brand and your product.
Soft Touch
Soft-touch provides a premium look and feel. However, softer coatings tend to have reduced chemical and abrasion resistance. They are also more expensive to produce, since they take a more complicated and skilled process to achieve. Usually matter, the material does actually feel softer, which in turn makes the entire product seem more luxurious.
Uncoated
Uncoated paper is exactly what it sounds like – paper that has no extra coating or paper finishing which also means there’s no glare. This is the most porous paper, which is the best for smudge-less writing with the widest range of pens and pencils when compared to the other finishes. It is also the lowest costing finish.
Gloss
A glossy finish is a characteristic of laminate or varnish that has a high shine effect. This finish leaves a glossy sheen on product labels that stand out to customers because of the way they reflect light.
Satin
A satin finish falls somewhere on the spectrum between a matte and gloss, giving you the best of both worlds. It offers just the slightest sheen. It isn’t completely matte, as it does reflect light a bit, but isn’t a particularly reflective surface either. In many cases, any light bouncing off of the finish is barely noticeable, if you see it at all.
Interested in getting the right box for your brand? Get in touch with the BPAK team today to find out how we can help you get your brand’s perfect match.
