8 Types of Custom Packaging for E-commerce

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8 Types of Custom Packaging for E-commerce Business

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How important is your product’s packaging to your customers?

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Think about it.

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The e-commerce sector is incredibly competitive, and packaging is now more than ever a physical element of your brand. With the rise in popularity of unboxing videos, the unboxing experience has transitioned from a holiday treat to an internet buzz and a potent marketing tool to help your company stand out even further.

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Creating your product packaging may be exciting and challenging, especially if you have never done it.

It might take a long time to investigate all of the possibilities and topics to think about.

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Also daunting is the many packaging options available; deciding what to utilize for your business may also be problematic.

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Fortunately, we have some recommendations that you can consider.

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E-commerce packaging: why does it matter?

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E-commerce packaging is the packaging used to ship products to consumers who ordered online. There is a wide range of retail-ready packaging, depending on the type of goods or products being shipped. A company can influence the first impression that they portray by choosing the correct types of packaging boxes for their specific products. While packaging supplies serve a primary function as protection during transit and storage, they also serve a dual purpose as a sales and marketing tool.

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Marketing your brand and product is another purpose of your packaging and can be a real differentiator in the mind of consumers. You can create a sense of excitement during the unboxing experience that results in the retention of loyal customers. It is important to find a balance between the crucial role your packaging plays in the first impression of your product with the sustainability of your packaging cost.

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E-commerce packaging types

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1. Dunnage

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Before we start with the outer packaging that contains your material, let's start first with what's inside it keeping and protecting the product. The durable padding that's used to protect the product during shipping is called dunnage. They come in different forms like Air Bags, Styrofoam, Kraft Paper, Plastic Blisters, Bubble Wrap, and Tissue Paper.

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Your packages might be exposed to harsh conditions when they are in sorting facilities, trucks, ships, or other vehicles while they are being transported to their final destination. The usage of dunnage is beneficial because it keeps things from moving about and helps absorb shock.

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2. Envelopes & Bubble Mailers

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If your products are small and can be sent through the post, better make use of envelopes and bubble mailers.

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This low-cost packaging option may be personalized with your brand's colors and logo, and it comes in a wide variety of combinations to accommodate your specific requirements. In addition, bubble mailers offer protection for fragile objects without the requirement of using bulky shipping boxes and dunnage.

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3. Corrugated Boxes or Cardboard Boxes

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Corrugated packaging is ideal for products that must be transported from a warehouse to a processing center and then onto a delivery vehicle. With so many people and machines handling the package, it must be able to withstand being shuffled, slid, tossed, and even dropped. If you want to add an extra layer of protection, you can wrap the interior product in additional cushioning for added safety and peace of mind.

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The corrugated box market is being driven by the increased use of online shopping in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as environmental concerns.  

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Corrugated box packaging in Central and Eastern Europe incorporates a sustainable approach and eco-friendly material, which is appreciated by nearly 80% of the population.

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In 77% of cases, consumers use sustainable corrugated packaging solutions when shopping online. This is the most used form of transport packaging, with about 95% of North American consumer goods being shipped inside of them.

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Corrugated boxes are also a good option if you want complete control over your packaging design. You get all of the benefits of a large design area, but with added strength and durability.

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Custom opening folds, flaps, die-cuts, and embossing or debossing are just a few of the many options available to create a one-of-a-kind design without fear of damaging the product within.

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4. Caps & Closures

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Caps & closures are a safe and secure packaging solution commonly used for packing and sealing different types of bottles, tubes, containers, and jars. They are made using different materials such as metal, plastic, or composite material.

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Caps and closures serve the primary purpose of protecting products and extending their shelf life. Caps and closures help to keep contents closed and fresh for a specific shelf life with proper content dispense.

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Furthermore, the caps and closures protect against dirt, moisture, and other unwanted premature openings. A cap provides advantages such as stress crack and creep resistance, impact performance, scalability, and exceptional taste and odor-restraining properties.

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Plastic caps and closures are primarily driven by factors such as the desire for comfort and improved operability. A plastic cap is essential for protecting the product from dust and other microbes. Note that metal caps and closures are more expensive than plastic caps and closures.

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5. Foil-Sealed Bags

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There is more to foil-sealed bags, also known as metalized bags, than just the fact that they are bright and sparkling containers. These metallic bags offer excellent barrier capabilities and are made of a material that is both lightweight and robust. These qualities combine to make these bags an appealing flexible packaging solution for a range of applications.

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It has been proven that foil pouches reduce the amount of food contamination, and at the same time, they are recyclable and beneficial to the environment. This has led to an increase in their popularity.

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6. Paperboard Boxes

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Paperboard (also known as folding cartons) is an excellent low-cost and consumer-friendly option for product packaging. Folding carton boxes are adaptable and compatible with a wide range of printing methods and new processes. They can be built with a variety of virgin and/or recycled board types (SUS, SBS, CUK, CRB, FBB, etc.).

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Although folding cartons are not as strong or durable as rigid boxes, they can be fluted for added protection and cushioning. These "mini flute" cartons have a small E, F, G, or N-fluted (wavy) substrate sandwiched between two liner boards.

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Because folding cartons fold flat and take up little space, they are inexpensive to ship. Folding cartons have lower per-unit costs and faster production speeds because they are printed in sheets containing many carton flats. They also have aseptic and direct food contact applications, as well as excellent print quality (color registration, consistency, and fine detailing).

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7. Plastic

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Next to paperboard, plastics would naturally be the popular choice among eCommerce retailers. They are stronger, more rigid, and more capable of preserving the quality of food or the like. Flexible, waterproof, and lightweight, often they come with a more color-proof coating that enhances the appeal to customers.

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Popular types of plastic packaging used by suppliers and shippers are the following:

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1. PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) - glossy, transparent, and tough, commonly used in drinking bottles
2. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) – hard and tough with a waxy exterior.
3. LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) – is a relatively tough packaging material.
4. PP (Polypropylene) – This hard yet light plastic is used to make bottle caps, drink cups, and even auto parts.
5. PS (Polystyrene) – used for single-use food containers

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8. Textile packaging

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Textiles are used to make bags and sacks, which are traditionally made of cotton, flax, and jute but are increasingly made of polypropylene. It is made up of synthetic bags used for industrial packaging and jute sacks used for food grain packaging.

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Polyolefin woven sacks, flexible intermediate bulk containers, leno bags, wrapping fabric, jute hessian, and jute sacks are the different types of textile packaging. This market is expanding due to increased demand for textile packaging over plastic packaging; however, the high price limits market growth.

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Cotton bags, for example, are much chosen because it is biodegradable. However, they cost much more energy to make than a traditional plastic bag, which can be damaging to the environment.

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Packaging is clearly a key part of your e-commerce brand. Your packaging should be professional looking and fit the overall style of your brand. It should also be functional, protecting your products during shipping and making them easy to store and display.

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Your packaging can also be used as a marketing tool, with your logo and branding prominently displayed. Creating custom packaging that reflects your brand can be a great way to make a lasting impression on your customers.

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