The Ultimate Guide to Packaging

Packaging has become essential to running all kinds of businesses, from e-commerce companies, skincare brands, to food and beverage sold in supermarkets. Companies across the world invest significantly in packaging. According to this McKinsey report, packaging solutions is a $900 billion market. The packaging industry has enjoyed incredible growth in the past seven years, particularly with the boost in online sales in . Adobe Analytics reports that US online sales went up to $63 billion in August, while the first eight months of “generated $497 billion in online sales.” Your product’s appearance—whether on the shelf or a customer’s doorstep—helps nudge customers into repeat sales.

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Every industry, from logistics, textiles, electronic products, e-commerce, healthcare, to relocation and supplies, uses corrugated cardboard boxes. Food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, household care, cosmetics, and pet food businesses are the dominant users of custom pouches. Food products such as dairy, frozen items, and snacks use packaging sleeves. This simple, cost-efficient branding tool is also popular for personal and home care products, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals. How does one narrow down the right choice for their packaging? How does one even start vetting the process to ensure the money is well-spent?

Here’s a comprehensive guide that lays out your best choices and walks you through the entire production process for packaging:

   

How to Choose the Best Packaging Solution for Your Business Needs

Novice business owners may end up with choice paralysis when they see the expansive variety of packaging available. But it all starts with function and the needs it should serve: 

• • Labels are a staple among food and beverage products. These are required to identify the item and inform customers of the ingredients and nutrition information. 
• • Packaging sleeves can dress up everything from mailer boxes, jars, T-shirts or other apparel, to small products like soap bars. We recommend using this type of packaging for a bulk quantity of plainly wrapped items that need to be branded quickly before shipping. It’s also more affordable compared to custom boxes.  
• • Custom boxes are the staple for packages with several items shipped straight to a customer’s doorstep. These are made of sturdy material designed to protect them from external damage while in transit. You can choose from shipping, product, or mailer boxes, depending on the number and items packed inside.  
• • Pouches are reusable and resealable alternatives to boxes and plastic containers. These have bottom gussets that expand when filled, so they can fit most small to medium sized items like accessories and small gadgets. They come with resealable zippers that allow customers to close and reopen the pouch after every use, perfect for keeping food items fresh. 

Getting the Package’s Accurate Specifications

Now that you’ve narrowed down the packaging you need, it’s time to get the exact specifications for your chosen solution. First, you need to get the exact size for your printed packaging design.

How to Accurately Measure Your Packaging Dimensions

Follow this step-by-step guide to get an accurate measurement of your product label:

1. 1. 1. Go to the area where you’ll apply the label. This is most likely the flattest section of the entire container. 
      2. Standard label sizes are shown in width by height. To measure the width, start from the left to the right side of the flat area. You’ll have to measure the circumference for the width of a circular bottle or container. 
      3. Measure the length from the top until the bottom of the jar, bottle, or container. For labels that will wrap around a bottle or a similar container, there should be a 1/8” clearance between the start and end of the label measurement. 

Interior dimensions are the key to a precise measurement of custom boxes. Get the interior measurements or how the box measures from the inside. The interior measurements also refer to the whole box once it is assembled. Here’s how to properly measure the box’s interior dimensions.

1. 1. 1. Length measures the longest side from the top side of the box. 
      2. Width is the shortest side also seen from the top areas of your box. 
      3. Depth measures the length perpendicular to the box’s width and length. 

If your measurements end up with extra space, you’re likely estimating from the outside of your box. The exterior dimensions of your box determine how much space it will consume. Interior dimensions, on the other hand, will be the size of the items that can fit inside the box. 

Packaging sleeves can be measured using a piece of paper: 

1. 1. 1. Wrap the paper around the product container. Make sure the wrapped-around paper has enough space for your planned design. 
      2. Mark the ends where both sides of the paper meet.
      3. Remove or add to the first measurement if it does not fit the wrap around. 
      4. Unwrap the paper around the container. Measure the width and height based on the unwrapped sleeve.
          

Pouches are measured according to width, height, and gusset. The bottom gusset expands once you fill the pouch with your items, so it’s important to account for your product’s size. 

1. 1. 1. To measure the width, start from the left side edge until the edge on the right side. 
      2. For the height, measure from the edge of the pouch’s bottom until the top area. 
      3. The bottom gusset dimension refers to when the pouch is opened and filled with your item. It is approximately two times the measurement from the outside bottom edge until the maximum depth of the pouch

How to Select the Best Material for Your Packaging 

Each packaging type offers several materials that have their advantages over one another. Before you choose cardstock over corrugated cardboard for appearance’s sake, prioritize the safety of your items. Most items are shipped and will be exposed to external impact. For online businesses, the packaging is the first tactile experience of your brand. It will determine the impression you make and justify why they made that purchase. Other packaging solutions, like labels or sleeves, will be exposed to outdoor elements. The table below helps narrow down the best material for your chosen packaging type:

Packaging Type Material  Best Used For Custom Boxes Corrugated cardboard Made of 3 layers and built for long-distance travel  Cardstock Available only for products housing solo items; recommended for lightweight or medium-sized items like skincare, makeup, and small gadgets Labels 70 lb. Label Withstands exposure indoors; comes in gloss, matte, or high gloss coating for additional protection from scratches and scuffs. 4 mil. white vinyl high gloss (UV) The best material for product labels exposed outdoors; waterproof and protects designs from UV light. All label orders above 250 pcs. are hot water-resistant. BOPP Best for food and beverage items stored in a refrigerator; waterproof and oil- and chemical- resistant. Texture Estate The popular choice for wine bottles and gourmet food items; stays water-resistant for up to 4 hours. Works best on food and beverage items that are temporarily refrigerated. White Premium Sticker Paper The best choice for roll labels applied on items that aren’t refrigerated. Best for products or food items in room temperature displays. Packaging Sleeves 100 lb. Paper Gloss The thickest paper stock available; recommended for packages with multiple handling. The gloss finish makes the label fingerprint-resistant. 100 lb. Paper Matte Offers the least glare and makes lengthy lines of text more readable. Recommended for items that will have minimal handling in transit. Pouches White Barrier Film Protects against oxygen and moisture; recommended for food and other perishable items that will be reopened and resealed. Clear Barrier Film Provides oxygen and moisture protection. Recommended for perishable items that are not sensitive to light. Metalized Barrier Film Protects against moisture, light, and oxygen; your best choice for edible items that have an extended shelf life.

Invest in a Design That Sustains a Memorable Customer Experience

Once you’ve settled the foundation of your packaging’s function and material, you can fully focus on how the design will achieve the final form. All materials come with protective laminations that elevate the overall look.

• • Matte adds an elegant, subdued touch that suits pastel or neutral colors. The best choice for product labels with long ingredient lists and other details as this coating makes the text easy to read. 
• • Gloss gives that extra shine and a pop of color to bright designs. Recommended for product packages that need to stand out from afar and are perfect for highlighting important details like your product name or logo. 
• • High gloss offers the brightest shine and highest reflection under a light. Your best bet for bold designs and daring color palettes. 
  
  

You can also add other small but significant touches to enhance or highlight specific design elements. Check out the available options for each packaging solution:

• • Mailer boxes primarily used for subscription and gift box services can be fitted with custom inserts. The inserts are built to maintain the shape and provide extra protection for more fragile items like skincare products in bottles or jars. 
• • Product boxes come with premium printing options such as spot UV, embossing, foil stamping, and soft touch. Use these to emphasize specific areas like your logo, product name, or product details.  Foil gives text or images a metallic shine, spot gives images that extra shine, embossing elevates details from the background, while soft-touch adds a luxurious texture. 
• • Stand-up pouches include additional functional features such as resealable zipper, tear notch, or hang hole. Add any of these features if you are displaying the pouch on a hanger or are packaging an edible item. Child-resistant stand-up pouches are also available for products that are hazardous to kids.

It also helps to add a subtle, personal touch to your packaging. Something as simple as a thank you note or a personalized greeting on the mailer box. You can also wrap the items in elegant wrapping paper to make the items feel like a gift they gave to themselves. The customer may love these little touches so much that they record and share the experience as an unboxing video. Your brand gains free advertising without having to pay for the exposure. 

Preparing Your Packaging Design for Production 

There are other technical points to review and check before submitting your package design for production. Use the checklist below when double-checking the files submitted for pouches, packaging sleeves, and labels:

1. 1. 1. Set the color mode to CMYK. 
      2. All elements, especially visual ones, should be in 300 dpi. 
      3. Submit the file in the following preferred formats: PDF, AI, PSD, PUB, or JPEG/JPG. 
      4. Follow the bleed and other printing guidelines. The bleed is the edge of the entire design and until where you need to extend the background. It measures 1/8” from your actual artwork. Check out this blog for more information on printing guidelines.

While UPrinting doesn’t accept files for custom boxes, a 3D online design tool can be accessed via the product page. The intuitive tool shows the flat layout of your box, the correct panels, and how each area will appear in 3D. It gives a complete picture of how the design will appear once manufactured.  

If you have a print-ready file ready for production, you can request a dieline on the custom box page. You will receive a file showing the flat PDF layout of your box specifications by . Use this as a reference for correctly applying the design on the corresponding box sections.

Customize Your Packaging Solution Today

Bring your design to life on any of our packaging solution pages. Choose from three kinds of custom boxes, indicate a custom size, or download a print-ready template for accurate production. 

         E-Commerce Shipping and Packaging                                           Label Printing                                                                            Custom Boxes

Complete Buying Guide: Mesh Bag Packaging

When it comes to packaging your product, there are a variety of options available. And, as with everything, the right packaging is the right packaging for the right product and for the right customers.

Have you ever considered using the mesh bag packaging option for your business?

If you are planning to incorporate it, we will help you know the essentials of this kind of packaging.

What is Mesh Bag Packaging?

Mesh bag packaging is a kind of packaging that uses mesh material to store and transport products efficiently.

Mesh bags are also known as net bags or produce bags.

When you want to use the mesh bag packaging option, it is essential to know how this option works.

Mesh bag packaging is used when you want to protect your product from external damage, keep it safe during transit, and ensure it remains intact.

It also allows you to save space in your storage area and make sure the product stays in good condition throughout the shipping process.

Know Your Target Customers

It is essential that you know the type of customers who will be using your product.

With the mesh bag packaging option, you can use different types of bag materials depending on the customer’s needs and preferences.

For example, if you are planning to sell agricultural products, then you will use mesh bags designed specifically for produce such as fruits, vegetables, or onions.

On the other hand, if your product is in high demand for industrial use, you can consider using a more robust and durable type of mesh bag to meet the specific requirements of the industry.

You can also get laminated mesh bags for enhanced moisture resistance.

These materials are usually chosen by businesses that prioritize product safety and visibility.

Choose a Good Quality Mesh Bag

When choosing a good-quality mesh bag for your packaging needs, it is essential to know what kind of quality you want from the product.

For example, if it is important for your customers to know that they are buying a reliable product, then you need to choose a mesh bag with high tensile strength and tear resistance.

When choosing a mesh bag, it is also important to consider the cost of the product and the convenience for your customers.

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For example, if you are selling heavy-duty products, then you will need to choose a mesh bag with reinforced stitching and a high weight-bearing capacity.

Choose an Appropriate Size of Mesh Bags

When choosing the right size of a mesh bag, it is essential to know how much space your customer needs in order to store their products.

This is because different types of items have different sizes and shapes.

Mesh bag packaging comes in different sizes.

You can choose large mesh bags, medium-sized mesh bags, and small mesh bags.

It is up to you to decide the perfect size that will work for your market segment.

Choose an Appropriate Printing Method

When choosing a printing method for your mesh bags, it is essential to know what kind of design you want from your packaging.

This is because different types of designs have different requirements when it comes to the quality and durability of the print.

For example, if you need clear and strong branding, you should choose a printing technique such as screen print or flexographic printing.

This ensures that your customers can easily recognize your brand and product details.

This will also ensure that they are getting the best quality mesh bags at a reasonable price.

Choose an Appropriate Mesh Bag Packaging Design

When you are choosing the design for your mesh bags, it is essential to consider what look and feel you want your bags to have.

You can choose a basic style of design, or you can also opt for a more modern and customized design.

You should also choose the right type of mesh bag that will complement your products.

For example, if you are planning to use drawstring bags, then you should select a design with convenient closures for better usability.

On the other hand, if you are planning to use flat mesh bags, then you should select a standard flat design.

Still, on the design aspect, you may consider getting mesh bags with handles for easy transportation.

What Are the Uses of Mesh Bags for Packaging?

There are a plethora of mesh bag packaging ideas that can be implemented in different industries.

You can use the bags in different applications and for packaging different types of products.

Mesh Bag Packaging for Agriculture: Do you run an agricultural business?

If so, you can use mesh bags for packaging fruits, vegetables, and other produce.

You should choose a bag that allows good airflow to keep the produce fresh and durable enough to hold bulk quantities without tearing.

Mesh Bags for Industrial Packaging: Mesh bags are widely used in the industrial sector as well.

You can use them to package firewood, building materials, and other industrial products.

The best thing about using mesh bags for industrial products is their durability and resistance to wear and tear.

Mesh Bags for Food Packaging: Mesh bags are also used in the food industry.

You can use them to package potatoes, onions, garlic, and other bulk food items.

The mesh material allows excellent ventilation, ensuring the freshness of the products.

Mesh Bags for Retail Packaging: If you are packaging retail items such as promotional products, then you can use customized mesh bags.

You should choose a mesh bag that is visually appealing and can be reused by the customers.

Mesh Bag Packaging Price

You should consider the price of mesh bag packaging. You have to make sure that the price is reasonable and affordable.

The good news is you can easily find high-quality mesh bags at competitive prices from reliable suppliers in China.

Conclusion

Now you have all the essentials regarding mesh bag packaging.

Whether you want laminated mesh bags, drawstring mesh bags, or customized mesh bags, you can go ahead and implement your ideas.

Simply use the information we have shared here, and you will never go wrong. This is your ultimate guide to mesh bag packaging.

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