Nowadays everyone is looking for a way to reduce their outgoing costs. And the marketing world is no different. However, there needs to be some careful consideration when it comes to saving money on product packaging, as this type of marketing is still an essential factor in presenting products professionally and adding value to the customers overall experience with your brand. It can be the difference between choosing your product over someone else’s. So, how can you look to reduce costs, without reducing the customers experience? Let’s take a look:
Cut costs, not quality
There are a number of ways to be cost effective when it comes to packaging, without running the risk of ruining your brand. Custom packaging is still one of the best ways to gain brand exposure and boost sales; and many businesses are integrating their custom packaging into their marketing campaigns to increase brand recognition.
Save on size
The easiest way to reduce costs without compromising on quality is to minimise your packaging dimensions where possible. It’s also much safer for your products to come in packaging that is better suited to its size. Extra space simply allows for room for damage. This reduction is size will reduce your costs, but not alter the quality of your brand.
Consider different materials and structures
Corrugated fibreboard is one of the most cost-effective materials to use for product packaging. It offers a stable cushioning for any product that requires extra support or protection during shipping and handling. It comes in a range of standard structures to keep costs down, and it can also be easily manipulated and assembled into your desired shape, as a reduced time and cost in comparison to other materials. It also offers a variety of branding opportunities through printing and finishing, at affordable prices.
Folding Carton is available in a variety of paperboard options, and offers the highest quality printing and finishing options to achieve premium packaging at a cost-effective price. Because of this, it is extremely popular across a range of industries. They are a flexible material allowing for more unique shapes, as well as the standard structure for a reduced cost.
Paper/plastic gusset bags are ideal for edible products or items that need little protection. They ensure your product doesn’t more around and provide a great opportunity for some branded imagery on the packing. Available in both paper and plastic materials, customers like the easy access and functionality of a gusset bag.
Optional extra packaging materials
Other ways to make affordable packaging look more premium is to add small personal touches. So, if you can’t afford to personalise your box, you can add something else that might just do the trick!
Tissue paper and paper inserts are excellent alternatives to adding padding which is affordable and eco-friendly. It’s particularly effective for multiple items within a box as you can wrap up or pad the individual items and display them more attractively to make the unboxing experience more special.
Custom sleeves may seem a costly option but they are actually very affordable and may be just what you need to give your product a boost. It shows attention to detail and gives an air of luxury, while also adding a layer of functionality with extra sealing options.
Stickers and labels are one of the simplest and cheapest ways to add some extra character to your packaging. They also provide direct communication with your customers, whether it’s with a simple thank you, or some instructions, you are attempting to make an authentic connection. And the more stickers you buy, the cheaper they become, making them the ideal choice for cost saving packaging.
Cost effective volume planning
Another way to cut costs is to effectively plan the volumes of products you are producing. Larger print runs tend to have smaller unit prices than smaller print runs. This is because of the initial set-up cost. So, the more you print, the cheaper it will be as you won’t need to set the printer up every time. Therefore, careful volume planning can help to reduce costs significantly. Of course, this isn’t always a viable option, but worth considering. Volume planning is also extremely dependent on shipping, as different shipping methods will be most costly depending on the overall weight of your packaging.
Printing on a budget
Offset and digital printing are great options for custom packaging, and depending on your quantity will depend on which option is more cost-effective. Offset printing offers superior image quality and cost efficiency for large-volume print runs. Digital printing offers a quicker turnaround and makes low-volume jobs affordable. It is ideal for more simple and minimalist designs. Some people opt for a digitally printed prototype to proof the packaging before then produce larger volumes with offset printing – as this keeps costs lower and offers a proofing opportunity before investing in a higher quality version.
Cost effective logistic planning
As well as effectively planning the volume of products, you want to give some serious thought to the shipping of the items as well. Your timeline, due dates and location will have a big influence on the mode of transport used as well as the cost. The best way to estimate shipping costs is to consider how much it will cost to ship the custom product packaging based on its weight and dimensions.
