Packaging keeps the world organized. Whether it’s a packet of your favorite candies, a block of cheese, or the bottle that holds the delicious pulp of your fruit punch together, the things we put things in, are more important than we realize.
#PackagingDesign refers to the creation of the exterior of a #Product. That includes choosing the right #PackagingMaterial and form as well as graphics, colors, and fonts that are used on the wrapping, a box, a can, a bottle, or any kind of container.
#Packaging is a practical tool. How else are you going to effectively get the fruit punch into your mouth? However, it’s also more than that. Like any good design, packaging tells a story. It’s also a sensual experience, literally engaging us through sight, touch, sound, and possibly smell and taste, depending on the product. All these details help us understand what the enclosed product is for, how it should be used, who should use it, and maybe most importantly if we should buy the product or not.
Have a peek at VYNXPACK’s ultimate stepwise guide to Packaging Design, which helps you get your packaging to tell the story you want.
Selecting the Packaging Material and its Compatibility with the Product
The first step of the Packaging Development Process at #VYNXPACK is selecting the right Packaging Material for any Product.
The Product's compatibility with the #PackagingMaterial is highly significant. Multiple parameters are considered at the time of making this choice, such as:
1. The Product's #Lifecycle is studied right from its manufacturing, packaging, transit, distribution, storage, consumption, etc. Various costs associated with the Product's Lifecycle are also taken into consideration.
2. The #Physical and #Chemical properties of the #Product are studied with the help of the Product's SDS - #SafetyDataSheet. By performing various tests, we verify if the Product reacts with the selected Packaging Material over long durations of time, during transit and/or storage.
3. If the #Product needs to breathe, or does it need to be packed in a fashion that it's interactions with the outside atmosphere is minimized or eliminated.
NOTE: Modified Atmosphere Packaging is one such process where the Product's exchanges with the atmosphere are controlled by selecting the appropriate Packaging Material & Machines. MAP helps in enhancing the Product's #ShelfLife and/or retain the Product's quality/taste over time. MAP is chiefly used for Food Packaging.
A Packaging Material that is best suitable for the precise application of the Product based on the Product's Lifecycle, is finally selected that is not only compatible with the Product but also economically viable and aesthetically appealing.
The Designing of the packaging aesthetics is also a significant part of the #PackagingDevelopment process, as the right message needs to be conveyed to the targeted consumers for optimal impact.
Physical Properties of the Packaging Material (Polymer/Paper/Cardboard) and their effect on the Product's Usage & Application
The #PhysicalProperties of the selected packaging material like Plastic, Paper, or Cardboard must be suitable with the Product’s #Lifecycle, its intended usage & application.
A product is stored and transported from one location to another and oftentimes the product packs are stacked one above the other for ease of storage and transit. The top-load that the product’s packaging can withstand without compromising the quality of the packed product or its packaging needs to be scientifically calculated & verified, and it needs to be in line with the requirement.
A product’s packaging also needs to ensure that the consumer does not face any problems while using/consuming the product. Consumer packs of Liquid Glue are not packed in pouches, as that will only make it difficult for the user to apply the glue on any surface as desired.
#VYNXPACK helps you in selecting the right packaging material based on the Product’s Lifecycle, intended #Usage, and precise #Application.
Corrosion and Compatibility Consulting | Seal Strength / Bond Strength and the effectiveness of Adhesives
We check if the Product Packaging Material is compatible with the Product and that the product should not corrode or deteriorate the quality of the packaging material over time, whether in storage or transit.
If the #ProductPackaging includes any type of sealing, we check if the Seal Strength or Bond Strength of that seal is sufficient or not, as per the required parameters. We ensure that the Adhesives used in the Packaging Design are effective and perform to the optimum levels during #Transit and #Storage.
Minimizing / Eliminating the effect of natural parameters like Temperature, Humidity, Daylight Exposure, etc.
Oftentimes during #Storage or #Transit, the #Product is expected to be exposed for long durations of time, to natural parameters like:
1. Wider changes in the #Temperature
2. Large drops or sudden surges in the #Humidity levels of the #PackagingAtmosphere
3. Continuous Exposure to #Daylight
And many more…
We select the #PackagingMaterial keeping in mind all these parameters and select the best suitable one for your Product based on the Product’s precise #Application and intended #Usage.
Accelerating the Product's Shelf Life | Hazard Assessment for Storage & Transit
#PerishableProducts often have a truly short Shelf-Life and choosing the right #PackagingMaterial can effectively help in #Accelerating the product’s #ShelfLife.
We also conduct the required tests to assess if the #PackagingMaterial keeps the #Product safe during #Storage & #Transit and that no #Hazards are encountered in the field.
Packaging Material that satisfies all the required parameters to optimum levels is finally chosen for the #Product, based on the product’s precise application and intended usage.
Climatic, Vibration, Drop, Impact, Shock and Compression Testing for Primary & Secondary Packaging
Climatic, Vibration, Drop, Impact, Shock, and Compression Testing for Primary & Secondary Packaging
During the design process, the #ProductPackaging undergoes various tests to ensure optimum performance in the field.
Some of these tests are – Climatic Tests, Vibration Tests, Drop Tests from varying heights, Impact Testing on varying surfaces, Shock Tests, Positive Pressure & Negative Pressure Tests, Top-Load Testing, Compression Testing, etc.
This entire exercise is performed individually and together for the primary packaging as well as secondary packaging for optimum throughput.
The Final Product Packaging needs to perform under specific circumstances/parameters, to optimum levels when out in the field.
Virtual / 3D Prototyping | Packaging Automation
The #ProductPackaging is engineered & designed keeping in mind its suitability and adaptability with the required #PackagingAutomationSystems when #Production needs to be scaled up substantially.
Multiple prototypes are designed using the latest Design Tools & Software and the shortlisted ones are #3DPrinted to validate these designs. Design Validation is a process that involves multiple parameters including but not limited to #PackagingAutomation, #Aesthetics, #ProductLifecycle, #Storage, #Logistics, etc.
Final Product Packaging
This is the final step in the process of Packaging Design at #VYNXPACK where the Final Packaging of the product is Designed and Chosen to best suit the precise application of the product and its packaging.
The #FinalProductPackaging is not only #Sustainable for logistics & storage but is also aesthetically appealing.
If you’re interested in designing/redesigning your product's packaging or have any queries regarding Packaging Automation, get in touch with us by writing to us at info@vynxpack.com