Coffee packaging quote 27 Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees
Flexible Barrier Packaging

Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

Unquestionably, China sourcing looms large for American importers. Even if we didn't know the numbers, we can see that sourcing truth every time we shop. In fact, about one-fifth of U.S. imports are sourced in China, although it is true that several categories loom very large (electrical and other machinery, furniture, outdoor equipment, and plastic parts).

Packaging impression Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

Walmart, of course, is everyone's iconic example of a great U.S. business empire built on sourcing Chinese imports (more than three-quarters of Walmart goods) because Walmart is about volume and price—and price is the usual allure for "going to China."

 

But the "price" an American firm pays for sourcing goods made in China can be far less important than the "costs"— fully and honestly calculated. Those costs are not as easy to ascertain as a price on a sticker, but Carepac attaches real importance to calculating it. And one consequence is that at Carepac, today, we emphasize in-house production in all phases of packaging design, planning, and production.

 

Here is a look at why we do that.

Carepac production Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

Packaging is not all about price, fee, or charges

Many buyers new to packaging approach it as a kind of afterthought—something you worry about when your product is "ready."  Because innovative, distinctive packaging is our business, we know that the right packaging can make the difference in preserving quality, in packing and transportation costs, and, above all, the crucial point-of-sale impact of your product. Packaging is about your brand and the impression it makes not once but every time.

True costs Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

Some real fees of a product "going to China"

Granted the benefits of "going to China" for some companies of a given size, doing a given volume of business in certain product lines, you also must face the true costs-monetary and otherwise. From Regulatory problems, working condition, to post sales follow-up and support with ensuring your bags are done right, buying from china has several hidden costs. 

Import China Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

China sourcing fees: Lead times for products

For example, even after you locate and vet a supplier in China, there is a lead-time of 8-12 weeks (in ordinary times") between placing an order and receiving your goods if you decide to go with China sourcing. Today, though, given delays at U.S. and international ports of entry, shipping time may add 45 days, or, in the worst case, as much as 75 days. We can hope that this situation clears up, in due course, but given the long-term politics of U.S. - China relations, another crisis cannot be ruled out.

Communication barrier Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

The communication barrier (a true hidden cost)

Many Chinese are ardent businessmen, who work to accommodate their buyers, but a significant language barrier remains. You will not only deal with the sales representative who takes your order (and gives you that "price" you love) but, as questions arise about shipping, insurance, production, costs and billing, and, yes, packaging, communication becomes, as we know, the key to efficiency, quality, and a good supplier-buyer relationship. All this depends upon coping not once but over and over again with the challenge of communication.

This article is not about Walmart, of course, but in a sense Walmart's success actually reinforces this point. Walmart built a vast infrastructure and staffing in China on its road to success, and, of course, now has Walmart stores all over China. That is a solution to the communication problem that most of us do not enjoy.

Troubleshooting Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

Real-time supplier contact for troubleshooting

We all know about those times when a question must be answered right now - or a change in instructions must be communicated as soon as feasible. U.S. buyers are not in the same time zone as China, of course, so work hours do not automatically overlap—not even close. Do you have someone you can reach at your China supplier any time during your workday?

Tarrifs Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

Tariffs and shipping costs & prices

In addition to these supposed non-monetary costs, there are costs that may be hidden from the new potential buyer who is getting a rate from a Chinese supplier. For example, tariff costs of importing your goods—tariffs (typically a flat fee) substantially increased during the Trump administration—can approach one-third of their value (averaging 29% of your total cost) Obviously, this must be taken into account in any projection of your actual costs and money spent.

If you buy $10,000 worth of bags in China you will pay a rate of at least $2,900 in duties and tariffs. 

A related cost that always is involved in sourcing from abroad is shipping. Depending upon volume and weight of what you purchase in China, these costs become significant because they are repeated perhaps many times a year.

Delivered order Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

When the order arrives

When your bags are delivered from an agency in China (which is likely the first time you see the actual product), what if they are defective? Say, the printing is misaligned or blurred your bags don't close well? Are you sure that you have adequate recourse with your Chinese supplier, even given that you are willing to wait through the new lead time and shipping lag?

The Carepac commitment to in-house production

These are just some considerations that over the years have caused Carepac to put a high premium on in-house production, where we have optimal control over design, materials, manufacturing machinery and processes, quality control, and overall production scheduling to meet deadlines.

Phases of production Real Cost of China Sourcing: Hidden Costs & Fees

Your first step in discovering what the Carepac process can mean to you is to visit our website for an instant quote. Then, talk to our team of packaging experts about how Carepac can manage your packaging needs from design to manufacturing to quality control to shipping. We will discuss the real costs to you and how we guarantee quality and satisfaction.

 

Be sure to check back here regularly for information, insights, and updates and a wealth of information about creating packaging the protects your product, keeps your price down, and impresses your customer at point of sale.

 

And join us any day on Twitter for new offers and new insights into what packaging can mean to your business.

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Icons economy packaging I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?
Flexible Barrier Packaging

I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?

Packaging Inventory Management: How to Manage a Packaging Inventory System

How many months of packaging inventory should you carry?
That is a concern for almost any business because inventory ties up money but running out of inventory can mean lost sales—especially if getting a large order is contingent on rush delivery.
A family group shot of Printed Dried Fruit Pouches Freeze Dried Fruits Flexible Plastic Doypack Packaging

In the start-up phase of your business, figuring out your packaging inventory management is tough. There are plenty of formulas for calculating packaging inventory, plenty of rules about weeding out stale inventory, but using those inventory management formulas depends upon experience--a track record. And a track record, especially with warehouse operations and inventory tracking, is what your start-up does not have, as yet. And, if you are like most starting businesses, there is too much to do with too little money, so you don't want to solve the inventory problem by "being on the safe side" (that is, overstocking raw material).

Inventory management basics

These are a few of the basic often cited for getting a handle on inventory:

business overview qbo dashboard mobile qb app quick actions us I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?

Use QuickBooks to manage vendor invoices and supply

Use an inventory-tracking system with software suitable to the size of your business. One of the best-known management systems is QuickBooks, but there are many others. Your accountant can give you a hand here. There are inventory systems designed for small businesses. You and others in the company should become expert in using whatever system you choose.

Main template 2 I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?

 Fine-tune your managed inventory 

You will want to fine-tune your forecasting once you have a track record. This way you never have too many corrugated boxes, and your vendors aren't sending you an oversupply of products. 

Pareto principle I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?

Brush up on packaging engineering terminology

There are standard measures such as "identify low-turnover stock."  The so-called Pareto principle says that about 80 percent of your sales will come from 20 percent of your sales items. That is something you can learn, and use, when you have more experience.

stock tracking packaging I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?

Track inventory systems in real-time

Today, you can quite easily track your stock in real-time with software that registers incoming inventory and sales. When this system is providing the required feedback, you can make orders for resupply automatic when inventory sells down to a certain point.

packaging delivery I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?

Slash the lead-time for your boxes

Slashing supplier lead-time, as we discuss, means that you can purchase new inventory closer to the time that you actually need it. But be sure that your supplier can deliver according to the promised schedule.

But keep in mind that whatever handle you get on ordinary inventory needs, the arrival of the holiday season probably demands a different plan and different calculations. Many businesses do a surprisingly large percentage of their entire annual business in the weeks around the holidays.  To be caught short of inventory then presents a double dilemma. You can't sell what you don't have and your suppliers are under pressure during the holiday season just as you are.


Your packaging inventory

At Carepac, where our business is designing and manufacturing bags, we see new firms struggling with these problems all the time. If your product requires packaging—then, no packaging, no sales. What is more, designing the right package not only protects the quality of your product (freshness, protection from moisture); the right package is pivotal to good marketing and especially the "point of sale" appeal of your product.

Retort Pouch Ready To Eat Flexible Food Packaging

As a start-up, simply do your best at budgeting and forecasting, but you can do it better with help from your accounting, marketing, and sales colleagues. Given your financial expectations for the first month, six months, and year, how many bags will you have to sell? Your business may not have a track-record, as yet, but other businesses of similar size with similar products in your market do have experience that you can extrapolate to your situation. There are local organizations such as your Chamber of Commerce and literally hundreds of online groups where small businesses of every kind, in every field, regularly exchange information and hash out problems they all face together.

Also, your salesmen and advertising consultants probably have goals. Are they approaching potential buyers for large orders? What do they see as the prospects?  And, if you get those accounts, will you face a long lead-time in delivering because your packaging is not ready?

Warehouse lead time

Lead-time also can be significant in other ways. If possible, when ordering your bags or other inventory, you want to avoid a premium charge for rush jobs. Most suppliers, and certainly Carepac, have a backlog to fill in the order received. Make no mistake, the supplier wants your business. At Carepac, we make every effort to accommodate deadlines on orders; but we also want to be fair to our current customers.

lead time 30 I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?

Let our highly experienced professionals discuss with you a lead-time for ordering that is neither unnecessarily long nor unrealistically short. We take packaging seriously, of course, as should you, and we advise an early consultation to leave time for innovative design that speaks to meeting your distinctive needs, care in manufacturing and quality control, shipping, and any changes you might want to discuss when you receive your order. We are there at every step in the process and when you get in touch, you talk with a real person at any time you wish.  We reserve email, online chat, and other avenues of communication for more routine matters.

The consultation is free, the online price estimate is free, and we are ready to talk whenever you are ready. The challenge of supply chains and controlling inventory for the lowest cost and greatest sales effectiveness never changes—but how you choose to deal with the challenge certainly can change. We want to discuss how we can help in your own stage of business development from start-up to maximal growth.

CarePac logo white I’m Just Starting: How Much Packaging Inventory Do I Need?

Getting in touch with Carepac

Your first step is to reach out to Carepac for a wealth of information on every aspect of packaging, for your free estimate, and for consultation with our specialists on all phases of producing the right packaging for your product—and getting it to you when you need it.


Contact us now!
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And be sure to check back here regularly for information, insights, and updates on these and many more issues.

For a quick daily "hello" and update, follow us on Twitter for new offers, reports on new developments in the field, and tip about conditions affecting the challenges we both face.

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Carepac dielens design packaging 06 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines
Packaging Design

10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

When designing a packaging dieline, there are a lot of factors to consider.  Issues with sizing, spacing, color fidelity, and regulatory compliance all play a part in your dieline packaging design process. We often see the same set of packaging design mistakes and want you to avoid those in your next project. Those custom dieline mistakes can be divided into issues with your art setup and issues with your proofing. 

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Art Setup Mistakes (Top 5)

Getting your images and your packaging art just right is both an art and a science. Here are the top five issues we see with art setup during custom dieline creation. 

1. Use Adobe Illustrator

Adboe Illustrator 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

When professionally printing packaging elements you need everything you design to be in Adobe Illustrator (AI). Adobe Illustrator is the industry gold standard for artwork. Other paid and free solutions such as photoshop, Inkscape, BoxySVG, and other document file formats such as  PSD, EPS and SVG are perfectly suitable, but in order to adhere to industry best practices and standards for artwork design, AI is the preferable program. One of the main reasons for using AI is that original art developed in AI is natively vectorized.

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2. Create All Art as a Vector

Adboe Illustrator 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

Vector art or "vectorized art" is art that is created based on mathematical formulas for the exact size of the cut lines (don't worry no math is required to make vectorized art!) Vectors never loses resolution no matter what level you zoom in because a vector is not a picture. There is no pixilation with a vector.  Logos must be a vector. So do any words printed on the packaging, especially nutrition information. 


Digital photography does not produce a vector. It takes in light through the camera's lens and converts it into a digital file. That file, however, becomes pixelated when you zoom in. This is incredibly important to consider for your finished packaging. 


Here is an example of a vectorized design when viewed in the designs "outlines" mode. 

gpu preview vector 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

Vectorized Art Work as a finished 

product with color

lito vector 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

Outlines preview showing that the art is made of lines and curves


A good rule of thumb? Make sure that everything that is not an image on your packaging designs is a vector.

This makes it easy to create a PDF ahead of production. 


In order to maintain compliance with governmental regulations, the nutrition information you enter or send cannot pixelate should you adjust the dieline's size. Barcodes, which must be scannable on your finished product, are especially susceptible to pixilation. Make sure that you design your dieline's barcode as a vector rather than a picture.


qrcode without vector 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

QR Code that is not vectorized

vectorized QR code 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

A vectorized QR code

pixilation zoom 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

Zoomed in on QR code shows pixilation

vectorzied QR code zoomed 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

Even when zoomed no pixilation occurs


3. CMYK versus Pantone 

CMYK BlogPost 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

CMYK stands for "Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black," and it represents the four basic colors used when printing graphics, images, and other media. Pantone, on the other hand, is a color matching system. Pantone includes a comprehensive set of ink pigments called "color bars" which resemble paint samples from the hardware store.


CMYK takes those four color choices and blends them together in a subtractive process in order to make all the colors of the rainbow. The drawback is that every printer has slightly different output. The resulting color is a function of the blending process rather than an industry-wide standard. 


Your finished document will most likely be on some blend of plastic packaging, not on printed paper. Things don't always translate correctly, especially if you are using CMYK. This is where Pantone truly shines. Each color bar in the Pantone collection includes the exact formulation for that pigment. Any element on your dieline that is not a digital photo should be rendered in Pantone coloring rather than CMYK for the sake of continuity.  



4. If You Have To Include A Picture, Make Sure The Resolution Is Correct

Not everything can be a vector. Sometimes your packaging calls for the use of a digital picture. Make sure you use the correct print resolution to prevent your included photos from pixilation. 300 DPI is the minimum choice for high resolution prints. 300 DPI resolution includes 90,000 dots per square inch which can help stave off pixilation should your finished packaging require you to zoom in. Preferably you want the highest DPI / PPI possible, 600, 800 or more. 



5. Do Your Diligence When Including Images

Normally when you use images rather than vectors to create your own dielines, they are embedded directly into the dieline products. You can also choose to link those images to a specific file or folder. When the packaging dieline renders in AI for production, it draws the image from another source. One problem we see routinely is that people forget to properly link the image. If you choose not to embed an image on your package, make sure you've done your diligence.  



Proofing Mistakes (Top 5)

Example of a dieline proof for a plastic bags 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines

Creating graphical elements is only the first step in the design process. Every dieline requires thorough proofing before it is finalized. Here are the five most common mistakes we see with the proofing phase.


1. Proofread

One of the most commonly overlooked processes is proofreading the text on your bag. Small errors in spelling can result in huge errors in customer understanding, but beyond that, a seemingly innocuous mistake could throw your packaging out of compliance with governmental regulations. 



2. Check Your Sizing and Spacing

It begins with ensuring that the size of your products packaging is adequate and unaltered after adjustments in your design software. Too many industry professionals forget to make sure that the overall bag dimensions fit the product they're intended for. One sure fire test you can use is to measure your dieline against a competitor's product to ensure it fits. 



3. Outline Your text

Fonts can be tricky things. They are dependent on files in order to display correctly. Different devices render the same font differently depending on the file packs that are installed. Outlining is a way to ensure continuity between displays. By outlining your fonts, which is a relatively simple process via AI's editing software, you convert the font into art, much the same as a vector. That way image fidelity is maintained no matter what workspace you are using. See our how-to on outlining text. 



4. Ensure Compliance

We've mentioned it before, but compliance is an important part of the dieline process. Far too many people fail to check that the barcode they've included serves its intended function. Rather than interacting with the merchant's POS system, a barcode that hasn't been properly vetted may spit back gibberish. 

compliance icons 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Packaging Dielines


In the same vein, there is a virtual cavalcade of regulations from entities like the FDA and the USDA which impact the icons and images on your finished packaging. When proofing, make sure to take the necessary time to ensure that your packing meets all regulatory compliance. 



5. Don't Cram Too Much Into Your Dieline

Along the same lines as sizing and spacing, make sure you don't place visual elements like logos, verbiage, and graphics jammed into the edges of your bag. Not only does it make the packing incredibly difficult to read, it may also violate the above-stated compliance issue. 



Designing a High-Quality Dieline

Graphical design is as much an art form as it is an exact science. There are dozens of exact specifications that need to be met in terms of color, spacing, typeset, and overall resolution. With so many variables to keep track of, it is all too easy to make a mistake. 


The dieline design tips and specific dieline requirements listed above are in on way comprehensive, but they are a good starting point to make sure that your finished dieline truly shines. 



Check Out Our Wide Selection of Dielines Below

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Non Food Items Packaging

Re-closable vs Single Use Child Resistant Stand-Up Pouches

Re-closable vs Single Use Child

Resistant Stand-Up Pouches

As the legal use of cannabis becomes rampant in different US states, child safety concerns are rising, forcing businesses to keep in step with safety meexistasures put in place by the authorities.

Packaging companies have also gone out of their way to create safer pouches to prevent child access to cannabis content.


The American Society for Testing and Materials describes a child-resistant bag as one that makes it hard for children below 5 to open or access its contents within a specified timeframe.

Child-resistant stand-up pouches are categorized into single-use and re-closable variants.  single-use child resistant pouches are only child resistant until they are opened by the consumer. while the re-closable can be re-closed by the consumer and retain their child resistance. 


In this article, we will compare re-closeable and single-use stand-up pouches to help you choose which one is fit for you.



Re-closable Pouches

Re-closable pouches are also loosely called Lifetime Child Resistant Pouches because they can be used multiple times and retain the same level of safety they had before they were opened. The idea behind “Lifetime” is that the pouch will remain child resistant during the “lifetime” of the consumption of the product inside the pouch.


So for example, if a pouch containers 4 servings of cannabis edibles the “lifetime” of the pouch is being opened and closed 4 times.  A child below 5 cannot multitask. Manufacturers of re-closable bags use this knowledge to create pouches that a child finds hard to open before they get tired and give up. Lifetime pouches typically have a two-step opening process.


Push and turn, a two-piece molding with the benefit of providing the child with false interactivity is one of the three most common child-resistant mechanisms.


Secondly, there are squeeze and turn packs, which are typically single-piece moldings, and are very common in homes. Finally, there's the 'line up the arrows' closing method where two fixed points on the package and the closure must be matched to open the pouch.


Sophisticated lifetime bags such as the pharmacy zipper bags only open with two hands. They are easy for adults, including those weakened by medical conditions to open but a child has a very hard time trying to open them. The child-guard push-pin zipper bag works by inserting a pin to open the sliding zipper. These pouches have tons of other benefits.



Single-use Pouches

Common single-use pouches are designed to not have an easy open feature, and so require the use of a scissor or knife to open it.  They are popular for packaging single servings of drugs including medical cannabis.  Blister packs have polymer trays whose opening is sealed to aluminum lidding foil. 


A single-use package only maintains the approved standard of child resistance as long as it has not been opened.


To make these packs child-resistant, packaging manufacturers use a two-step opening process and add a paper label that children can't easily peel off.


Typical single-use pouches include sample packs, fold-overs, stand-up, and pillow pouches. While they are not built to maintain their child resistance after opening, they do provide a single use child resistance and they still offer all the great barrier properties needed to keep the contents at optimal freshness until  the pack is opened.


There's been growing concern over the contribution of single-use packs in filling landfills and pollution. In this case, your company has to emphasize the need to dispose of the pack safely after use.



Child-Resistant Exit Bags

Some Child Resistant Exit Bags used by dispensaries for cannabis are made from a combination of child psychology and modern technology.  These pouches only open when an adult inserts their fingers under the flaps to access the closing. The closing opens with upward and rolling movements.


This opening method is incomprehensible to children under five. When a child uses this pouch, they still pull at the flaps and expect it to open which does not work.


These pouches are also odor-proof, bar UV light from interfering with content quality, and are moisture-resistant. They are perfect for storing powder and granules too.


Why are they called Exit Bags? In most states cannabis regulation is a subset of the state’s liquor control laws. Often the same agency that regulates the sale of alcohol also regulates cannabis. Many states require that any product sold by a dispensary be placed in Child Resistant outer packaging before it leaves the dispensary, also called “Exit Packaging.” 


Cannabis brands love flexible barrier packaging for child-resistant exit bags because in addition to the child resistant properties the flexible barrier pouches preserve the product's scent and structure. They also make an ideal storage choice because they are flexible, lightweight, include recyclable structural materials, safety features, and preserve the environment.



When to Ask for Customized Child-Resistant Pouches

The key reason to invest in customized child-resistant pouches it to beat the competition! Sell more cannabis, and improve your brand’s appearance to the consumer. Now more than ever it is hard to stand out on the dispensary shelf, or keep your brand fresh in the customer’s mind after their purchase. Amazing custom packaging helps 


  • Improve brand awareness
  • Increase sales
  • Protect your protect

While the market is teeming with different stand-up pouches, there's always a chance that you'd like a combination of some of the features, want an addition or removal of some of them.

Additionally, you may have changed or added a new target market.


More importantly, the face of the pack has to appeal to your new demographic. This may call for a change in material or color combos.


Additionally, your customers may ask for a child guard that's not too hard for an adult but is difficult for children over the age of five. You may also need differently shaped spouts to prevent the likelihood of liquid squirts when pouring.


People respond better to advertising campaigns that address their safety concerns. This goes further than just children's safety.  When medicine is kept in poor conditions, it loses its potency. It all depends on what you're packing and the concerns that people have about the product.



Find Packaging that Sells

At Carepac, we understand that packaging either attracts customers or throws them off. We have tons of attractive packaging options to suit your needs. Contact us to get the right packaging for all your needs.
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eco 10 Tips When Considering Eco-Friendly Packaging
Sustainable Packaging

10 Tips When Considering Eco-Friendly Packaging

More than 70% of customer purchasing decisions are made at the shelf because the packaging is what a customer first sees when shopping.  As brands move towards eco-friendly solutions, they are bound to attract more customers since 70% of customers say they would not mind paying more for sustainable packaging.  Therefore, it is imperative to consider making a shift towards a more environmentally-friendly solution, and here are the ten tips you should consider when making your decision.



1. Printing Needs

Since the package is what the customers see first, it helps to convey the brand's message. Having a package that offers lots of printable space facilitates this because the manufacturer can label the product and still be left with enough room to list the attributes that differentiate it from competitors. Square bottom pouches come in handy in such instances because they are fully printable on the front, back, bottom and sides. Custom eco-friendly poly mailers are also great options, as they are strong enough to hold up in the mail, won't take up unnecessary space in landfills and can be custom printed with the company's branding.  



2. Is It Recyclable?

The essence of making packaging eco-friendly is to reduce the impact on the environment, and recycling is among the best ways to do so. Kraft paper, derived from the German word "Kraft," is recyclable and compostable. Alternatively, PET plastic provides an excellent barrier in preserving the freshness of food products and other consumables. However, before settling on using recyclable materials, ensure that the packaged products are a good fit. Recyclable plastic bags are ideal when packing, nuts and seeds, crackers and chips, pasta, and dried food. Recyclable bag materials lack the strength of other materials, and are not often a good choice for products that can transfer a lot of load to the bag, causing it to burst. 



3. Are Big Retailers Looking for It?

You have to dream big even if you are only a startup. One significant way to grow more quickly is by partnering with leading retailers. Walmart released a Sustainable Packaging Playbook to help companies improve their packaging methods. One of the nine metrics they consider for their eco-friendly packages is the recycled content. Amazon, on the other hand, wants packaging that is frustration-free and eco-friendly. If you can adhere to the guidelines that such leading retailers are looking for, your eco-friendly packaged products will boost your startup in no time.



4. Strength 

The packaging material should be strong enough not to tear at the slightest tension. Tensile strength ensures it can resist a direct pull which is very instrumental in child food packaging. You have to be sure that the little angels do not ingest dangerous items by making it hard for them to access the contents. The tearing resistance, puncture resistance, impact strength, and bursting strength should also be very high to prevent spillage of contents during transportation.



5. The Maximum Temperature It Can Withstand

There is a reason why the current generation is referred to as the "microwave generation." Our hectic lives have seen us look for more convenience; therefore, customers want food products they can throw in the microwave and consume. Time for washing dishes is no longer available as we concentrate on climbing the corporate ladder. So if you can make your customers' lives more comfortable by packaging their food in microwave-safe containers, you will be doing them a huge favor, translating to more sales. Plastic has been proven to release BPA and phthalates in food when microwaved; BPA can disrupt the natural hormonal system since it mimics estrogen.



6. Will It Keep Products in Good Use?

You don't want to lose customers because your packaging has them throwing out food due to a short shelf-life. Times are hard and every dollar saved goes a long way into securing your customer's future. Your packaging should, therefore, not only increase food safety by preventing food contamination, but it should also extend the shelf life. A European Union-funded project, YPACK, discovered that integrating oregano essential oils and zinc oxide enhances bio-papers protection against bacterial contamination, which increases the shelf life of food products.



7. Does It Facilitate Storage in a Controlled Environment?

It is common to read "keep product away from direct sunlight, in a cool, dry place," which is not hard to do, but what about the moisture levels needed to preserve freshness? It is up to you to facilitate a controlled environment through your packaging material. Cannabis users want their stash to hit the right spot every time they open the package. Therefore, humidity control is essential as cannabis should not be stored in an environment above 65% RH lest it risks developing mold. Your packaging should not promote evaporation because then the cannabis will lose its potency, and imagine the damage it can cause, primarily if being used for medicinal purposes.



8. Is it Compostable?

Eco-friendly packaging material may be recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable, and most people use the terms interchangeably, which is wrong. Biodegradable materials must completely break down, decompose into natural elements and return to nature; some of these materials include corrugated cardboard. On the other hand, compostable materials provide nutrients to the earth thus can be added to compost piles. Since they require special composting conditions, ensure that the packaging materials meet those standards to make decomposing at home attainable.



9. Is It Cutting Edge?

Eco-friendly packaging should also be cutting edge to make your product competitive. Imagine being able to tell how ripe an avocado is or if the product is expired by just looking at the package. Yet such smart technology can play a critical role in minimizing cases of food poisoning considering that in the US, 48 million get sick and 3,000 die from food borne diseases every year. 



10. Blow-outs

The eco-friendly package should also facilitate consumer health by blowing up when the contents have toxic bacterial growth. Since your customers cannot smell the product while it is still packed, it is crucial to have a package that inflates. This is especially useful when handling meat products.


Now that you know the most important factors to consider when choosing your eco-friendly packaging, ensure you have a reliable provider. At CarePac, we provide you with high-quality pouches at affordable rates. With our 5% price match guarantee you’ll always get the best deal. We also have a low minimum order quantity and offer you the best customer service. Contact us today and learn more about our extensive range of pouches available in different materials and with varied features to suit your needs.


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beef flat or stand up 18 Stand Up Pouch Manufacturing 101: How Stand-Up Pouches are Made
Flexible Barrier Packaging

Stand Up Pouch Manufacturing 101: How Stand-Up Pouches are Made

Stand Up Pouch Manufacturing 

101: How Stand-Up Pouches are

Made

The first stand-up pouch was manufactured via stand up pouch manufacturing in 1963. Originally two flat sheets were sealed together, but that basic design has gone through a series of improvements as companies pursue durability and aesthetics that make the packaging attractive to consumers.


Stand up pouches use fewer resources than conventional packaging such as boxes and cartons. They can also be highly personalized making them the truly modern way to package products.


These bags are air and watertight which makes them ideal for packaging food, chemicals, some types of clothing, etc. They also give companies an avenue to market their brands. That's why packaging suppliers are always coming up with new features to accommodate branding needs.


The latest features on these bags include zippers, spouts, and top holes that make pouring liquid or powder content less messy.


So how is a stand up pouch manufactured to achieve durability, functionality, and even preserve the environment? Read on to find out and email us to get started! Continue to learn more about what to expect from stand up pouch manufacturers. 



The Process

Continue to read to learn more about the pouch manufacturing process. Stand up packaging bags are built from plastic composed of a resin of granular polyethylene. This composition makes it easy to melt and flatten into different shapes.


This material is then used to create a long polyethylene tube. This tube can be over a mile long, but the cloth used to make it has a width of less than a tenth of a millimeter. This tube is allowed to cool before being flattened by a series of rollers into a long strip of plastic. The strip is wound on a cylinder to form a sheet.


Each bag has several films with each one made with materials that play into the water-proof and airtight features of the bag. Manufacturers select the materials carefully to ensure the packs are also durable.


The innermost layer keeps the content quality intact. It also comes into direct contact with the pack's content. Therefore, it is made of the polymer LLDPE which is FDA-approved.


The outermost layer often bears the company name and other branding messages. Manufacturers use alcohol-based ink to print words and images on these packs.


When the middle layer material is not made of clear material, it serves as a protective and branding layer. To achieve this, manufacturers opt for aluminum or films infused with metal or resin.  Some companies choose kraft paper material for the outermost layer because it looks natural. Kraft material is also durable and has a texture designed to make branding easy.


These layers are then cut into different sizes and shapes then stuck together through sealing by applying heat. A large conversion machine receives the finished film roll. The film is cut into various parts as it goes through the system, forming the top part, rear, and underside of the stand up pouch. 


Gussets are the bottom part and the reason a stand up pouch can stand. Part of the material used to make the rest of the bag goes through a machine that folds a perfect W-shaped gusset.

Functionality features are added separately depending on the pack. For example, spaces for handles are created through cutting with stamps. Zip locks are bound to the pack through heat.  Perforations indicating where to cut are also added at the last bit in the process.


The layers must be cured in a special high-temperature drying chamber after the lamination process. If laminated films are not properly cured, they can peel apart days or weeks after the bags are completed. Drying takes 2–4 days, and regardless of the deadline, this part cannot be rushed.


However, not all stand up packs are of good quality. Like with every other products, the cheaper they are, the poorer their quality.


In the United States, stand up bags use is rapidly on the rise. Traditional packaging techniques, which are bulkier, more expensive to manufacture, less consumer-friendly, and consume a lot of resources, are rapidly being replaced by these bags.



Printing Pouches

There are many kinds of stand-up bags such as, shaped, spouted, liquid, printed, box, retort, foil barrier, inverted, wicket, frangible seal, multi-compartment, EZ-stand and reclosable pouch which breaks into the zipper, hook & loop, slider, and press-to-close categories.


All of them go through different kinds of printing depending on market needs. The following printing methods are widely used to print logos, names, and other aesthetics on stand-up bags.



Plate Printing

The most economic and versatile way to print stand up pouches is with Rotogravure plate printing. Thus, most stand-up bags go through plate printing to add the desired look and information of the top part. The printer has different cylinders which contain different colors that make up the entire design.


Plate printing offers a very wide color range. Digital printing uses direct surface printing ink  which only uses cyan, magenta, and yellow, black and white. Moreover, with plate printing, you can play around with a mixture of gloss and matte.



Digital Printing

The ink used in digital printing does not permeate the substrate being printed on in many cases. It instead forms a thin layer on the substrate, which it adheres to further with UV curing or laser heating.


The main disadvantage of digital printing is that it is a more expensive method of printing on a basic level; as a result, digital printing is not recommended for long runs. Another significant limitation is its inability to match PMS colors. You can't have a mix of gloss and matte either. You can only go all matte or all gloss.


The digital printing method is not economically viable for big runs of up more than 5000 pieces. Multimillion-dollar firms may afford it but smaller firms are left to choose between the cost of buying raw materials and ordering attractive packaging.


If you're planning a high-color-count, a short-run project like trial runs, digitally printed stand-up bags are a good option. They are useful too when dealing with a constantly changing regulatory climate or have a lot of SKUs.



Flexography Printing

Loosely called flexo, flexography is a printing technique that employs a flexible (rather than a solid) plate. It's a more recent version of relief printing. Flexo printing is a popular method also used to print graphics, text, and images on stand-up pouches. Flexo printing is often used by a manufacturer on compostable bags to print directly on an outermost paper layer. 



Get Your Custom Printed Stand Up Pouch Design Made Here

Now, you know more about the pouch manufacturing process. In a world where first impressions are everything, we'll help you step it up and get custom pouches for your products regardless of your industry. Contact us today to order samples and get an quick online quote. Email today! We're a top manufacturer in the country. 
How Stand Up Pouches are Made - Bags 101 (1)
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pic3 3 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags
Packaging Design

15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

Packaging Design Mistakes to Avoid | Packaging Design Errors

Have you outgrown stock packaging and stickers? 

Are you considering custom-printed creative packaging? Congratulations on the new move

Flexible Packaging Design File Setup 04 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

Custom packaging is a great and effective way to increase brand awareness, attain competitiveness, and attract new customers with a creative design, whether through unique holiday packaging, e-commerce packaging, or a stylish type of gift packaging.


Custom printed bags, for example, allow you to tailor-make your paper packaging based on your needs and align it to your customers or brand identity. Also, they serve as walking advertisements for your business.

 

Although custom printed bags are beneficial to your customers and business, they can be costly and actually damage your brand if you don’t nail the design. To avoid this, we have compiled 15 common mistakes when designing custom printed packaging for your customers and their shopping needs. Learn more below.


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#1.  

Ignoring Customer Needs on Packaging

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Many companies make the mistake of designing printed bags that appeal to their tastes rather than their customers. Customers are the end-users of your customized bags. As such, you must consider their needs, expectations, and preferences for packaging and design printed bags that appeal to them. 

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#2.

Lack of Differentiation on Custom Packaging

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Any paper product packaging, including custom printed bags should catch a potential customer’s eye. Also, it should differentiate your brand from competitors and other similar businesses. Consequently, your printed bags should not look like your competitors – even though you are trying to outshine them. Instead, design your packaging and boxes in a way that stands out from rivals and conveys your unique brand identity.

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#3.

Disregarding Errors in Print or Graphics

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A typing or graphic error creates a wrong impression about your products and company as a whole. It shows that your company is careless, and customers may think that your products are full of errors too. Therefore, never disregard any errors in your printed bags. They may be costly to correct but are worth every dollar.

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#4.

Using Outdated Printing Designs

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Today's customers want the latest designs of everything, including packaging. Therefore, do not make the mistake of using outdated packaging designs — it will not appeal to them. Consider updating your packaging design to stay ahead of the competition and position yourself as a leader in the sector. Investing in seasonal packaging instead of mass-producing one design is an excellent place to start. Also, consider playing with new packaging and printing designs.

Stick Pack 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#5.

Ignoring the Weight of Items the Bag Will Carry

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When designing a custom printed bag or boxes, do not ignore the weight of the items that go into the bag. The bag should be strong enough to accommodate these items and withstand long-term use. The weight of these items will determine the bag's thickness. The Carepac team can help you figure out the right material for your bag. Our team is available by phone (to talk to a REAL person) about these kinds of questions. 

8 Seal Square Bottom 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#6.

Using Printing Materials that are Not Eco-friendly

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The modern consumer is eco-conscious and expects businesses to adopt business practices that are environmentally sound, especially if your product appeals to the environmentally conscious crowd. However, many businesses may not realize how many eco-friendly options exist and therefore end up with traditional packaging. If your product is in the health food space, or appeals to high end buyers, it is time to make the move to eco-friendly printing materials and design packaging.

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#7.  

Not Keeping it Simple

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Less is more when designing a custom printed bag, so don't incorporate every type of packaging inspiration into your bag. Do not try to complicate the design of your bag. Do not use jargon or cutesy sayings unless it aligns with your brand. A simple, straightforward, and easy-to-understand design will grab your audience's attention. As they say, a confused lead never buys.  

Quad Seal 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#8.

Wrong Packaging Materials

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A good custom printed bag is not only attractive but also functional and practical. Using the wrong packaging materials mean that the bag will not be useful. Remarkably, while some materials may be cheap, they may not be ideal for packaging specific products. Ensure that you choose the right packaging material to make printing much more effortless, meet customer expectations, and reduce waste. We offer sustainable packaging, too! 

8 Seal Square Bottom 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#9.

Using Ordinary Ink for Your Packaging Design

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Ordinary inks produce ordinary printed bags (aka bad packaging!). However, special inks, including metallic, neon colors, reflective, and glow-in-the-dark inks, create standout bags with attention-grabbing details and content. Adding this kind of pizazz to your bag may be perfect in some industries like cannabis where competition is stiff. 

Stand Up Pouch black 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#10.

Illegible Printing

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Do not entertain illegible printing in the name of fancy images or fonts. The name, logo, and other specifics on your bag should be clear, visible, and easy to read.

Stick Pack 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#11.

No White Space

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Avoid cluttering your backgrounds with too many colors. It will give your customers a headache. Color experts recommend allowing white space for your background and allowing your designs to breath. Remember, negative space is a design element! 

8 Seal Square Bottom 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#12.

Failure to Test Your Product  for Mistakes

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The same way you must test drive a car before buying it, test your bags before printing in bulk. Your designers should test them for durability, strength, and practicality. This way, you ensure that a bag is the proper fit and gather feedback from customers

Side Gusseted 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#13.  

Incorrect Design Dimensions

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Imagine designing a bag that is too small or too big for your product? If the bag is too small, it can't fit your product and hence unusable. On the other hand, a bag that is too big is a waste of material. As such, it is best to actually put your product in the same size bag you plan to use when printing a custom bag and see if it fits as expected.


We can’t tell you how many times people forget to account for the seams in a bag and end up with a bag that’s too small.  Using a bag with the correct dimensions ensures the security of your product, reduces waste, and cuts costs. Double-check your measurements to get the right size of your printed bag.  

Quad Seal 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#14.

Too Big of a Logo on Your Package

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While you want your logo to be front and center in your custom printed bag, you should not make it too big. A giant logo can make your brand seem aggressive, and can also be off-putting. Keep your logo in proportion to the size of the bag. A good designer will be able to help you with this. If you need help with artwork give our team a call. We can help! 

8 Seal Square Bottom 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

#15.

Not Ordering Enough Bags (One of Our Top Packaging Tips!)

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After finishing designing your bags, it is time to order them. You must decide how many bags you would like to order. While this may depend on your budget and storage space, it is advisable to order in bulk to take advantage of bulk buying discounts and ensure you don't run out of stock quickly.

 

Designing custom printed bags can be fun and have positive business outcomes but is vulnerable to mistakes. You can make mistakes in the dimensions, material, and graphics of the bag, which can hurt your business.

Follow our tips so you don't make these mistakes when designing custom printed bags.

Getting in touch with Carepac

CarePac logo white 15 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Custom Printed Bags

Carepac helps with custom packaging to eliminate the possibility of costly errors. You can contact a REAL packaging expert to answer any questions you may have about the manufacturing process, designing and more.


Our CareDesignTM process is our signature process where our team works with you to ensure your design and art is perfect.    


Contact us now!
Click Here
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bag15 DSC00357 1 scaled Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
Packaging Design

Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design

Boost Profit with Custom Printed Sales Packaging

great packaging design 3 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design

Running a business is full of as many downs as it is ups. But one area where your brand doesn't have to struggle in order to succeed is with custom printed packaging design. No matter what you're selling — whether it's coffee, cosmetics, or dog treats — it's possible to design custom packaging for your product that practically sells itself.

But how can your brand create your very own custom packaging that stands a cut above the rest? Read on to learn the top 10 tips about how to create a great design and to see how nailing the perfect packaging can help boost the sale of your product.

10 tips packaging 19 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design

Test Your Packaging Design

Don't forget to be patient! Before you bring your packaging to market, it's always a good idea to test it out on friends, family, and clients. This is not only a great way to find anything you may have overlooked (i.e., typos, missing information) but also the perfect way to see if your packaging actually speaks to the target audience of your brand.


Remember that customers buy with their eyes first, so if your design isn't wowing people the way you want it to, don't be afraid to return to the drawing board.

tin tie bag coffee 5 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
pull tab zipper pouches 1 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
vacuum sealer bags 4 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design


10 tips packaging 20 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design

Think Outside The "Sales" Box (Literally)

A cardboard box can feel old-school — not to mention that it's just not a great fit for certain products (liquids, anyone?). In contrast, die-cut pouches are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They look sleek and modern and even have the added benefit of keeping your products safe from moisture and oxygen contamination.


When planning out your brand packaging, don't forget about die-cut pouches. They might just add the touch of flair that your product needs to fly off the shelves.

supplement resealable bags 5 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
pull tab zipper pouches 1 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
electronic component packaging 5 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design


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Use The Right Packaging Colors for Your Brand

When it comes to packaging design for your brand, perhaps nothing affects consumers as strongly as color. If you're hoping to sell a product that promises relaxation, serenity, and reminds buyers of the environment (such as cannabis), green is a safe choice; in contrast, if you're trying to get buyers excited and passionate about a high-energy product (such as coffee), a bold color like red may be ideal.


Being mindful of how different colors look to your customers and what emotions they evoke is necessary for creating a strong packaging design.

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Make The Right Font Choice on Your Packaging

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Just as with color, the font you choose for your product's packaging can have a huge impact on the success of your packaging design with your customers. Is your product young and hip or more serious and traditional? Pick a font that reflects your chosen aesthetic. And, no matter what you do, make sure that the font you choose is always appropriately sized and easy to read — no one wants to try to squint their way through your sales pitch in the grocery store.


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Avoid Spillage And Damage

If there's a chance your product can be spilled, damaged, or destroyed before it's enjoyed by customers, take that into account. A good packaging strategy should protect your product from decay, oxygen contamination, moisture, and more; some packages are even spill-proof, tamper-evident, or child-proof to provide further security.


If you care about getting the best product possible into the hands of your customers, choose a packaging system that opts for protection.

packaging damage Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
Flat Pouch Display Bag with Hang Hole

Don't Forget About Shelves And Hooks

Think about how your product is going to be displayed. Is it more important for your packaging design be free-standing on shelves then stand up pouches best choice, or will it likely be hung on a rack? For that matter, is it important that your packaging be able to be displayed both ways for a complete product overview? Determining how and where your product will be displayed can have important implications for your packaging design.

10 tips packaging 24 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
10 tips packaging 25 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design

Tap Into Your Customers' Emotions to Increase Sales

custom quad seal bags Carepac offers including dog calming supplement and dog food packaging

People buy with their eyes, but they also buy with their emotions. Don't be afraid to tap into your customers' emotions to make connections between your product and their own lives.

For instance, a good dog treat box should remind a customer of their love for their own dog, and a box of jerky might remind a potential buyer of their love of the great outdoors. Subtly connecting your product to your customers' emotions is crucial for creating a bond between your product and your target audience.


10 tips packaging 26 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design

Choose The Right Packaging For Your Product

When it comes to designing packaging, the sky's the limit — which means that it's important to sort through the many options out there to choose what works best for you and your product. For instance, some cannabis products might benefit from single-serve packages rather than larger packages, and certain products may be even more appealing if they're sold in eco-friendly packaging. Specifically tailoring your product to the right packaging is critical for helping it succeed.

Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
Holographic Finish pouches 22 Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
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Function Over Form

Above all else, is your packaging functional and practical? Even the coolest, most eye-catching design won't make a difference if your packaging isn't able to stand up on a shelf, and no one will be able to read about how wonderful your product is if the font is way too small.

Choose the right type of zipper or tear notch for your box based on how customers actually consume your product. Can your product be consumed in one sitting or will a zipper preserve freshness for a product that is meant to be enjoyed over multiple sittings. Go for functionality to end up with a product that practically sells itself.

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purcase packagin at carepac Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design
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Argue Your Case for the Sale on the Packaging

Finally, your packaging should clearly describe what your product is and what makes it so great. Does your company have a strong philosophy, distinct core values, or a commitment to giving to the community?

You often only have a few seconds to hook potential consumers with an eye-catching design, well-written product description, and strong corporate identity and vision. Make sure to showcase what you're all about to get consumers excited about you — and keep them coming back for more.

Nutritional Supplements Flat Pouches for Capsules Glossy Finish
CarePac logo white Top 10 Ways to Increase Sales With Custom Printed Packaging Design


Key Packaging Takeaway

If you're hoping to design your very own custom printed packaging to help your products stand out, contact us today for an quick online quote. At Carepac, we offer customer service that goes above and beyond. You can speak to a real person in the United States to learn more about how to give your product the best packaging possible. No matter what you're selling, we've got the perfect bag for you.

 

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bag with too much weight Why Do My Bags Blowout? The #1 Unfortunate Reason Why
Flexible Barrier Packaging

Why Do My Bags Blowout? The #1 Unfortunate Reason Why


If you're wondering why you're dealing with bag blowout, you are not alone. This issue is both frustrating and costly, yet an exceedingly common issue faced by many customers.


  • Do you see ripped or torn edges? 
  • Do you have tears in the middle of the material or along the sides of seams, or along crease lines? 
  • Is the film next to the seal tearing away? 

If so, you have a classic bag blowout. The two most common factors that cause bags to fail or “blowout” (i.e. tear or rip due to internal pressure) are: 

  • inadequate film strength for the application and/or 
  • logistical path issues.

It is important to consider the thickness/strength of the film vs. the weight of the product.

  • Weight and density of your contents
  • Reactivity of your contents
  • Do your contents out gas?
  • Are the contents prone to transferring weight loads (powders, and liquids) or are they more absorptive of impacts?

Since most pouches are also used for marketing, it’s important to keep the cosmetic aspects of the film in mind as well as the strength.

 

pic1 21 Why Do My Bags Blowout? The #1 Unfortunate Reason Why



Film Strength

 

Film strength is one of the first things to consider when reducing bag blowouts. The number of layers and composition of lamination layers. Choosing structures with layers that are specifically included for strength, like Nylon or EVOH, PFRA, etc will also help strengthen the pouch to handle the weight of the product inside and transportation pressure. We recommend doing appropriate in-house testing to determine the suitability of a new film to your product’s application before going into production.

 

CarePac Can Help

We offer small runs of as low as 5,000 bags per size to allow you to perform testing on new configurations or materials before going into full scale production environment.

GET AN QUICK ONLINE QUOTE


bags blowout

 


Logistics Path:

You should evaluate the logistical path your bags are taking:


  • How many pouches are having “blowouts”? Is it only a handful relative to the size of the order?
  • Double check that master packaging standards are in place and being followed
  • Always put the same number of bags per box.
  • Inner packaging is the same in each box.
  • The bags are being filled with the same exact weight of product.
  • Protective packaging procedures, are the bags being protected from drop loads in transit?
  • If out-gassing is an issue, consider adding a de-gassing valve.
  • Air freight; low pressure environments cause pouches to expand if you have not gas flushed.

Certain logistical paths (most notably amazon.com) are very hard on pouches. They can experience drops, rough handling and abrasions. Pouches must be protected from abrasion and built for expected drop loads.

 

The logistical route the pouch takes can also influence the state of the pouch between the time of filling and when it eventually ends up in the end user's hands. We advise that you “build” your pouch for the worst case scenario in the logistical path (this includes a thoughtful consideration of the film strength mentioned above, along with feature placement, seal width, and bag weight).

 

Bag Blowouts Can Be Prevented

We sell flexible barrier packaging for hundreds of applications, each with unique characteristics: storage conditions, handling, loading, subsequent transport, method or equipment used to seal, or vacuum, and the composition or reactivity of contents placed in the bag and end user use characteristics. We can help you determine which materials and films are best for your project.

 

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Alabama cannabis packaging 05 How to Reduce Packaging Costs
Flexible Barrier Packaging

How to Reduce Packaging Costs

There is a lot that goes into running a business that is efficient and successful. Running a business takes passion, persistence, dedication, and, of course, money. From paying salaries and rent to product testing and marketing, the obvious expenses are big and add up fast. If you are not careful and never minimize or reduce packaging costs, you might be overwhelmed.


Luckily, there are several areas to consider when it comes time to be more efficient and cut costs. One of the areas to consider is reducing your cost for stand-up pouch packaging. Here is a guide on 10 easy great ways you can make an impact and save money on stand-up pouch packaging and other custom packaging.



1. Print In A Single Color to Reduce Packaging Costs

First in this guide is choosing different colors for your packing materials. From a logistics standpoint, it makes your packaging attractive which means you may sell more product. A 2013 study revealed that attractive packaging stimulates the brain's reward-seeking areas that are linked with impulse buying.


However, it is important to note that when you have a multiple-color design, you pay more. This is because more ink will be used, and mixing several colors for your mailer is also costly.


The good thing is that even one-color designs will look great if you pick the right color. Spend some time identifying the colors used in your industry so you know which colors attract more customers and will set you apart from your competition. 

.stand-up pouch packaging


2. Using Plate Printing for Your Packaging

Digital printing is all the rage but you can often save money by using plate printing. Plate printing uses a thin aluminum plate to transfer your design onto the pouch. Most jobs can be completed with four plates for less if you use limited colors. This is one way to optimize how much you spend on packaging and flyers. 



3. Print Fewer Bags & Minimize Order Amount

Printing more bags is always cost-effective, but what is the point of having more if you end up not using all of them. If you are a startup and unsure how much product you will move, the best approach would be to print the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). That way, you won't spend as much initially and can reorder as needed. At CarePac we have low MOQs, only 5,000 bags, allowing you to optimize your order value. 



4. Be Aware Of Government Standards for Packaging

Staying compliant with the state's laws on any type of packaging is very crucial to avoid hefty fines that can leave your business crying for help. For example, if selling weed, a state like Alaska will require your stand-up pouches to be child-resistant and opaque. Colorado requires displaying a specific message on cannabis products. Not meeting requirements by states can be costly to your business in the long run. Government standards are not to be messed with if you want to run your business peacefully.



5. Choose The Right Material for Your Packaging

The material you decide to use for your operations and manufacturing can be the difference between spending more and saving money on stand-up packaging. That is why it is crucial to be certain about the material you want to use, as some materials are more costly than others. For example, does the use of CareSilver mylar save you money? Or will clear material do? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself to choose the right material.

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6. Know How Heavy the Product You're Packing Is

When moving cargo from a warehouse, its size, and weight can help you pick the right vehicle for the task. Similarly, when it comes to stand-up packaging, your products' size and weight are key to determining the material needed for packaging.


If packing heavy products, that will mean going for packaging materials that can hold more weight. The same applies if your products are light. Get stand-up pouches designed from material that can hold them intact during transit and limit the amount of bag blowouts.



7. Decide What Features You Want To Be Included

Additional features (zip locks, pour spouts, tear notches, etc.) added to your stand-up pouches come with an extra cost. The good news is that your pouches can still be functional with only critical features, like hang holes. Our team at CarePac can help you decide which features are crucial.



8. Plan Ahead & Reduce Failed Deliveries

Rushing the last minute is not recommended in business unless it is very urgent. Ensure you have enough time and plan ahead to avoid steep shipping costs for rush jobs on your stand-up pouches. Be sure to call our team when you notice your bag supply running low and we’ll help you get the best price. You might also want to consider carbon neutral shipping. 



9. Reduce The Costs Of The Artwork

A well-designed stand-up pouch looks amazing and can boost sales as the right colors and design stimulate impulse buying. But the truth is, your pouches don't have to be filled with artwork to attract buyers. A well-thought out design can grab the attention of customers. Save money by working with a designer familiar with packaging design as they can help you focus on what is vital to your business. Keep in mind that the more artwork is included in the design, the more you will pay.

3bags 01 How to Reduce Packaging Costs

10. Go With Stock Pouches As A Last Resort And Print Your Packaging Label for Deliveries

Stock stand-up pouches will save you money if you are just starting out. The best thing with stock stand-up pouches is that they are readily available and can be shipped to you in a few days. It will let you test various designs and find out which products customers like best. If you go this route we recommend making sure your label is well printed and you test it on your bag before you print a whole batch of labels.


High-quality, customized stand-up pouches can make your products fly off the shelf faster than those of your competitors. CarePac has stand-up pouches for your product no matter what you are selling. Whether you need 2-seal pouches, square bottom pouches, or stand-up pouches, CarePac is the packaging supplier you can count on. Get an quick online quote today tailored to your budget and watch your products fly off the shelf like never before -- all at a reduced rate and sent direct to your door. 

 

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