In e-commerce and physical sales scenarios, packaging plays a greater role than you think. When customers browse for products online or in stores, the first thing that usually catches their attention is the product's packaging.
In just a few seconds, consumers will form a preliminary judgment about a brand through product packaging. However, this preliminary impression usually requires merchants to spend a lot of money to change.
Therefore, companies must use packaging to catch customers' attention and leave a lasting impression to avoid people's doubts before choosing to buy your product.
Selecting the appropriate packaging holds immense significance. It serves as the initial encounter for prospective customers, shaping their perception of your brand from the outset and distinguishing you from competitors. Moreover, effective packaging can sway consumers towards purchasing your product, notwithstanding its slightly higher price compared to alternatives.
However, the decision-making process regarding packaging extends beyond mere exterior aesthetics. A myriad of packaging solutions exists, ranging from mailing boxes and bags to packaging sleeves and hanging displays. In this guide, we delineate the array of packaging choices accessible to e-commerce brands and offer guidance on initiating the selection process.
4 important elements of packaging that meet consumer expectations
Consumers are full of expectations for brand packaging. In order to effectively meet these expectations and integrate with complex consumer rules and regulations, your packaging must contain at least the following four elements:
- Your logo and branding
- Artwork on the packaging
- Product documentation and extras (included inside the box)
- Barcode and country of origin markings
The latter two elements are absolutely necessary elements on the packaging box, but the first two points are the most interesting in the packaging box design, giving us a lot of room to enhance the brand impression and make our products stand out in a crowded market. And generate brand differences, enhance customers' impressions, and guide customers to choose us through high fit.
6 Popular Product Packaging Options
The choice of packaging is entirely dependent on the nature of your product. Just as you wouldn't dispatch a bottle of wine in an unpadded tote bag, you wouldn't send a pair of earrings in a large mailer box.
Fortunately, there's a plethora of packaging options suitable for various occasions. Here are some of the most popular choices:
1.Mailer Boxes
If you have ever shopped online, I believe you may have received many products in your mailbox and admired their mailer boxes.
Mailer boxes are a staple for ecommerce packaging. They offer simplicity, elegance, and extensive customization options suitable for every industry.
They tend to come in three different varieties:
- Standard mailer boxes with wings
- Mailer boxes with a sticky tear strip
- Mailer boxes without wings
Mailer boxes are versatile and can cater to a wide range of products, including food and beverages, cosmetics, jewelry, skincare, pet care, clothing, and even B2B brands. They serve not only as shipping containers but often double as primary product packaging.
2.Product Boxes
In recent years, the unboxing experience has gained immense popularity. The more layers involved, the better – ensuring the excitement extends beyond the outer packaging. Product boxes allow you to prolong the brand experience with boxes and cases tailored to individual products. They offer ample space for additional printing, ideal for conveying important product information, especially when shipping multiple items together. Available in paperboard and corrugated varieties, these boxes cater to diverse needs.
What are product boxes best for?
Product boxes are best for individually wrapping items and small products, like skincare, cosmetics, chocolate, candles, mugs, jars, or perfume.
3. Packaging Sleeves
Wrap your products in a branded packaging sleeve for an extra dose of brand recognition. They are made to be custom-fit to wrap around your mailer boxes or product boxes and offer more information about the product, additional brand content, or simply an extra layer of branded packaging to wrap your box and keep it closed.
What are packaging sleeves best for?
Packaging sleeves are great for wrapping around mailers and product boxes and giving any generic packaging a branded and informational boost.
4. Hanging Displays
Don't forget about your in-store packaging. Even if shoppers are able to touch your products in person, they are still expecting a full brand experience. Hanging displays let you hang your products in a curated retail setting.
What are hanging displays best for?
Hanging displays are most frequently used in a brick-and-mortar setting and are ideal for displaying confectionery, toys, or cosmetics.
5. Custom Paper Bags.
Custom paper bags provide an alternative way of packaging your products, whether you want an eco-friendly outer layer that's ready to be carried or you want to package individual items in a convenient-to-transport way. Consider the promotional element too – some paper bags can also be reusable, which means they can quickly become a part of everyday life for customers.
Custom paper bags can be used in a variety of different ways with options for handles, sizes, and printing designs depending on your preferences.
What are paper bags best for?
Paper bags are typically used for products like groceries, gifts, clothing, books, and small retail items but can be adapted for various purposes. Some paper bags can even be designed with reinforced handles for heavier items or with a window display for showcasing products.
6. Custom Product Packaging
If your product defies standard packaging or requires a more personalized approach, custom packaging is the solution you need. Craft boxes shaped to fit your product, design interactive packaging experiences, and deliver a brand encounter like no other. Elevate your unboxing experience with customized inserts, dividers, or unique fillers.
What is custom packaging ideal for？
Custom packaging is perfect for products that break the mold, necessitate precise positioning or presentation, or boast a unique selling proposition that can be embodied in a customized packaging style. These packages excel in creating memorable brand moments or serving as media-centric projects crafted to captivate your audience for PR opportunities. They can also be deployed to generate anticipation for a forthcoming product or service launch. Alternatively, custom packaging serves as a powerful tool for setting your products apart from competitors.
For one-off custom designs, consider Esion Packaging, our high-volume, personalized packaging concierge service.
Create your impressive packaging - a great first impression
Harness the inspiration provided here to select the perfect packaging for your product. Remember to factor in the essence of your product and the desires of your customers to craft a stellar first impression.
At Esion Packaging, a myriad of box options awaits, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences.
Ready to bring your vision to life? Embark on your journey today and explore the array of possibilities at your disposal.