Thinking about product packaging

Packaging makes up an important part of your product. It does the following things:

• contains and holds the product
• protects the product from damage
• informs the customer about the product
• helps to create a brand identity to promote and sell the product
• makes it easier to carry, use and store the product

Cardboard containers are the most common type of packaging. The process involved in manufacturing a cardboard container is:

1. Print the design onto card
2. Cut out the shape of the carton, with tabs for gluing
3. Fold the net into the container shape
4. Glue the container together along the tabs

Other types of packaging to consider:

• Bottles and jars made from glass or plastic are used for liquids, granules and powders.
• Plastic bags are used for food products and small loose items, e.g. snack foods and sweets.
• Cans are used for food products. Drinks cans are made from aluminium and food cans are made from tin-coated steel (tinplate).
• Bubble packs consisting of a stiff plastic bubble made by vacuum-forming fixed to a card backing – are used for small products, e.g. stationery items, toys and screws.
• Shrink-wrapping– soft plastic vacuum formed onto card backing – is used for some small products, e.g. DIY products and toys.

Packaging regulation
The information given on packaging is regulated by laws and standards. Some of the most important principles are that:

• the name of the company that made the product should be visible on the packaging. This is required by law.
• the contents of the product (and its packaging) should be listed. This is required by law.
• health and safety information about using the product should be given. This is required by law.
• information about safely disposing of the packaging or container after use should be given.
• a bar code should be displayed for stock control and pricing purposes.
• instructions for recycling the product and/or its packaging after use.