Packaging 102: The Basics

Everything You Need to Know About Packaging

Part I- Packaging 101: The Basics

Oftentimes distributors need packaging, and don't know where to start. You get some vague direction from your client, who does not have really have an idea of what they want and you have to present something really quick. Either that, or your client needs a cheap aluminum box (almost an oxymoron) or a very high-end box with all the bells and whistles that you never knew existed! This time-consuming research and quoting process

can be sidestepped if you know exactly what to ask for.

This is a quick and dirty guide that will give you enough knowledge about the back end of packaging so you will have an idea of price range, imprint capabilities and materials without having to waste time calling different suppliers and asking around.

1. Recycled Chipboard- Comes in Black or Natural. Least expensive and most versatile- mount a croco, faux leather or silver paper onto one side to jazz it up. If you have a logo with 6 colors, we can mount a digitally printed sheet onto the chip (seamless) as an alternative to the more expensive silkscreen. Looks best with a foil stamp. Be careful with silkscreening bright colors onto black chip- it does not come out very bright.
Range- $
Plus setups for silkscreen, foil stamp/deboss, custom die (varies)

2. Polypropelene- This plasticky material is flexible and available in thin to medium thickness. Slightly more expensive than chipboard, it is also less versatile. Mostly used for metal edging or the old-school tuck boxes where the seams are tabs that tuck into the other edge. Good for snap and slit closures, and looks best with silkscreen and foil stamps. This is durable and will last with normal wear and tear. Most popular for its transparency- frost or clear poly is great if you are packing some colorful products and literature.

Range: $
Plus setups for silkscreen, foil stamp/deboss, custom die (varies)

3. Digital Printing - This is a printed stock that we can mount onto your chipboard containers. It's great because there are no setup fees, and your client can have their 10-color logo with gradient without breaking the bank. The best thing is, if we mount onto a white box, you cannot tell where the digital print ends and the box begins. The downside- this is not recycled material, and the box sizes we can do with digital printing are fairly small.

Range: $-$$
Setups: Custom Die ( if we don't already have a similar size here)

4. Aluminum Boxes- Depending on the size and quantity, this may not be as expensive as you think- our aluminum boxes do not require a die since it is cut from our routing machine. If you are doing 10 custom- sized boxes, aluminum is the way to go. Sometimes the client is set on aluminum- must have it-but has a small budget. You can do an aluminum top and a metal edge chipboard base for a less expensive alternative. Looks great with a silkscreen. Can be nicely stamped depending on the weight of aluminum used. ( Deboss / Emboss not recommended for thicker aluminum)

Range: $$$
Plus setups for silkscreen, foil stamp/deboss, custom die (varies)

Stick around for next week's Packaging 101: The Basics. I'll get a little more in-depth with other aspects of packaging and provide a checklist of what to ask when before going to your suppliers.

More questions? Email me if you have questions or need to know if something is even possible, I'm the packaging expert! Visit our showroom in LA and I can show you the different types of packaging that we've done ( stuff I can't even post on the web)

Judy@trafficworks.us

Visit Traffic Works at Booth #2209!

Yes, folks, we are making the two hour drive with our car loaded to the nines with brand new custom stuff to exhibit at the show! Come visit us at booth # 2209 and check out our unique journals, new packaging, presentation products, and our brand new product- the Mobi Grip!

Here's a sneak peek of some of the items you'll be seeing at our booth this week...

The Mobi Grip- an innovative new way to protect your phone, IPod or camera! It's a device leash that you attach to your phone- peel the sticker, attach to your device, and loop the bungee over your finger. Custom imprint your logo in full color onto the face, choose a bezel color ( red, blue, silver, gold, white or black), pick your bungee color and you've got a functional, easy to design and easy to ship product that fits right in your hands!

The Light Up Journal- Okay, we had this last year as well, but it's been a hit and we are continously in awe of the cool designs and ideas that our clients have. Here's the scoop- it's a poly cover with a full color wire journal tucked into the back pocket- so when you're done with the journal, just replace with another one! It runs on two standard Lithium Ion batteries, so after 700 cycles ( yes, you can press it 700 times before it runs out) you can replace the batteries for hours of fun. There is a 3x3 window ( custom shaped available) that the light shines through. The window itself has a film that is imprinted in full color, so anything you want printed will shine through.

That's it for now, don't want to give away the show- come visit and say hi to Judy and Steve!