Author
Packaging Technician
Published
August 13th, 2020
Length
6 Minutes
Brands are experiencing budget cuts and need their packaging to do more for less, but they also need their partners to supplement their in-house teams.
The unfortunate reality today is that brands and agencies are downsizing design and marketing staff. At the same time, they are ramping up marketing efforts and trying to save money on packaging. So how do you choose the right packaging manufacturer to get you through the rest of the year?
Now more than ever brands need the right packaging partner.
Hiring someone to develop structural packaging, someone else to manage file production, and then finding a packaging supplier to source packaging manufacturers to produce your packaging no longer makes sense. If the goal is cost reduction, streamlined processes, and managing fewer links in your supply chain it’s time to consider something new.
Here are three examples to reconsider your packaging partnerships.
Example #1, Structural Packaging Design
Your brand is launching a new product and needs a custom packaging designed. You want someone that is experienced in structural design, understands manufacturing and is familiar with your industry.
With many skilled industrial designers and product designers out there, getting new structural packaging isn’t a challenge these days. How that design will translate to packaging manufacturing and affect your COGs is anyone’s guess.
Find the right partner by using a partner that knows structural design that can be produced and understands material, production, and transportation costs.
Example #2, Creative File Production
Maybe your brand has current packaging designs that need to be applied to new structures and sizes. You can Youtube how to use photoshop videos all night long, but you’re going to want someone that can work closely with the factory manufacturing your packaging.
To create dielines and prepare artwork for new constructions or new sizes a good production house will need to know many things. They’ll need to understand substrates as each material will impact color and light refraction. A production person will need to understand the different types of processes involved and the tolerances required to deliver a successful file to manufacturing. You also want someone that will share their decision-making with your team so you can learn for future projects.
Packaging is an endless education, there is always more to learn.
The right partner for file production can communicate with the factory in their language. They also need to have hands-on knowledge of manufacturing processes beyond what google says.
Example #3, Finding the Right Packaging Supplier
Imagine you need to order packaging for the upcoming season or a new product launch that’s within budget. You email packaging suppliers and issue an RFP and state your packaging budget. You’re ultimately looking for quality packaging at a discounted rate.
Now is when the work begins, packaging suppliers and resellers begin sourcing factories globally to find the cheapest manufacturer. Suppliers have to make a profit too. You’ll see examples of materials and production processes that are similar to what you designed. Changing your request is a way to reduce costs to increase profits and keep you within your price point.
Your other option is to eliminate the middleman and order your packaging factory-direct. This new option allows you to invest more in the actual finished goods while communicating directly with the factory from the start.
At International Direct Packaging, we support our clientele with everything from packaging concept development and sampling, custom materials and manufacturing, to warehousing and distribution.
Packaging design and innovation are at the core of our company. Our patented package designs were created to speed assembly, eliminate magnets, and elevate sustainable design. Beyond our patented designs already produce many of the standard constructions you are used to and can show you how to adjust them further to make them your own.
Structural packaging design for product, retail, and e-commerce packaging is developed to fit your brand, engage consumers, and be manufacturable 100% of the time. By partnering with your in-house design and purchasing teams we’re able to bridge the gap between art and finance.
By having factories in China and Indonesia we’re able to support brands globally while potentially saving you China/US import tariffs.
Picture the challenges brands encounter by having too many links in their supply chain. It’s not easy to recover from the time wasted creating packaging structures that can’t be manufactured.
This is why it’s essential to understand that the right packaging manufacturer will make your life easier. Go Factory-Direct.
