Packaging is essential for protecting, displaying, and delivering products to customers. It’s not just about covering the product; it’s about ensuring it stays safe, remains undamaged, and appeals to the consumer. 72% of the customers decide on purchasing any product by its packaging while shopping. Packaging of products directly influences every aspect of the business.
There are different types and levels of packaging, each serving a distinct purpose. It is necessary to understand before ordering any type of packaging for your business.
In this blog, we will look into the categories of packaging, discuss their most common forms, provide examples, and help you determine the best packaging for your product.
What are the Different Levels of Packaging?
Many people become confused and think that packaging a product only involves placing it in a single box. However, in reality, packaging is divided into four different types. Three are the most common category, and one is the least common one of packaging:
- Primary Packaging
- Secondary Packaging
- Tertiary Packaging
- Quaternary Packaging
Primary Packaging
Primary packaging involves the packaging that comes into contact with the product. This is, therefore, the first layer of packaging that covers the product and usually comes in direct contact with the consumer. It is often referred to as “consumer packaging” as this is the one the buyer will physically touch and eventually open.
Examples and Forms of Primary Packaging
For a better understanding, it’s helpful to visualize primary packaging through practical examples. Primary packaging refers to the material that is in direct contact with the product. The packaging that is commonly used is rigid or flexible packaging. Its purpose is to protect the product and make it usable for the consumer. Some of the common forms of primary packaging have been discussed below.
- Bottles and Jars
It is more often used for liquids like water, soda, shampoos, and oils. Most of these are made from glass or plastic.
- Boxes
Small boxes or cartons that we see and use in our daily lives are mostly used to hold items like electronics (smartphones, cameras) or food products (cereals, chocolates).
- Wrappers
When you buy candy bars or chocolates, the packaging that keeps the product safe is the wrapper, which is a form of primary packaging. This type of packaging is found in candy bars, chips, and other snack items.
- Plastic Pouches and Blister packs
Medicines, toys, and pills are often cased in a pack. This primary packaging pack is known as the blister pack. This is made of plastic material that helps to keep the products safe.
- Tubes
Tubes can be easily found in every home. It is used to hold and keep safe the products like toothpaste, creams, and gels. This serves as primary packaging.
Secondary Packaging
Secondary packaging is the layer outside the primary packaging and is used to group products together. It is generally not in direct contact with the product but plays a role in branding and product display. This type of packaging helps to organize and protect multiple units of the product during storage or transport.
Examples and Forms of Secondary Packaging
It is important to know that secondary packaging can help boost your brand and elevate its presence. Secondary packaging involves the packaging materials, such as shipping boxes used to group and protect primary packages during storage and transport. It also provides additional space for branding, marketing messages, and product information.
- Cartons/Boxes
Cartons made of corrugated material and boxes made of cardboard can be used as secondary packaging. They are used to contain multiple individual products (e.g., a box that holds six bottles of juice or biscuits). Cartons are ideal for shipping heavier products.
- Trays
Trays are usually made of cardboard and plastic. They are often used for beverages, tins, and yogurt cups.
- Shrink Wraps
You have often seen wraps around bundles of Coca-Cola cans to ship. These are called secondary packaging. They are used for bundling multiple items, such as cans or bottled beverages.
- Display boxes
Placing products to attract more consumers, display boxes are used in retail stores to make it easier for shoppers to grab the product from the shelf.
Tertiary Packaging
Tertiary packaging is commonly called bulk packaging. It is used to protect large quantities of products when shipping or storing. It mainly serves in warehouses and transportation rather than directly for consumer use.
Examples and Forms of Tertiary Packaging
The packaging that primarily plays a role in shipping products is known as tertiary packaging. It serves the same purpose for secondary packaging as secondary packaging does for primary packaging.
- Pallets
Pallets are made up of wood. These serve as platforms that hold multiple boxes or cartons, often secured with stretch wrap or strapping.
- Crates
Large, strong boxes made of wood, plastic, or metal are used for transporting heavy or fragile goods.
- Rigid and Corrugated Boxes
Rigid and corrugated boxes come in the tertiary category and are used for protecting and shipping products. Also provides durability and support during transit.
Quaternary packaging
Quaternary packaging is referred to as large-sized containers used in the supply chain around the world to transport goods over long distances. Though not discussed and put into use like primary, secondary, or tertiary.
But still, quaternary packaging plays a crucial role in bulk handling and shipping operations, particularly in industries involved in extensive logistics.
Industry Specific and Specialized Packaging
In the packaging business, many people prefer to have some specific and special packaging. Because they know that some products need special packaging to stay safe during storage and shipping.
For instance,
- Temperature-controlled packaging is important for things like food and medicine that must be kept at certain temperatures.
- Anti-static packaging protects sensitive electronics from static damage.
On the other side, about 67% of the buyers would like to buy products that are wrapped in recyclable packaging. So many businesses choose eco-friendly options for their consumers, like recyclable materials, biodegradable packaging that breaks down naturally, and reusable containers, which help cut down on waste and save money.
How to Determine Suitable Packaging for Your Product
It all starts with an understanding of your product’s unique needs and how it will be handled. You have to think about protection, sustainability, and how the packaging reflects your brand’s personality.
Will it be enough to set you apart in the market? After this prediction and analysis, consider your target audience and what will appeal to them both visually and functionally.
Does your packaging help to make your product sales increase? But don’t need to be rushed, you can test different options that can help you find the perfect balance.
Types of Packaging Boxes Used in Industries
Packaging boxes are made of different types of materials, such as rigid, corrugated, and many more. All differ from one industry to another, making it very complicated when it comes to selecting the best one.
The choice of the box depends on factors such as the type of product being packaged, transportation requirements, and customer expectations. Some of the most common packaging boxes are as follows:
1. Corrugated Boxes
Corrugated boxes are one of the most widely used shipping and storage mediums. Among many reasons that most industries in electronics and clothes utilize them, it is mainly because the cardboard layers make the boxes sturdily strong for fragile items as well if the product or items are while they are traveling in transit.
2. Rigid Boxes
Rigid boxes are majorly used to encase classy products like mobile phones, jewelry, gifts and designer shoes. They are strong and provide you with the prime experience of getting unpacked.
3. Folding Cartons
Folding cartons can be used in both food and retail sectors. They are lightweight, inexpensive, and flexible. That’s why they are deemed perfect for packaging products like cereal, cosmetics, or frozen food.
4. Mailer Boxes
Mailer boxes are generally known as self-locking boxes. These are often needed in online trading companies. They provide a clean method of sending small items with both protection and branding scope.
5. Plastic Boxes
Plastic boxes are the perfect option for preserving food storage and organizing tools. They offer waterproof and long-lasting solutions.
Final Words
Packaging means knowing what your product needs and what the customer wants. It is what you choose in the kind of type, level, material, and design, ensuring your product reaches customers without damage, and looks appealing. Correct packaging preserves the product at the same time making its presentation at your end a better experience for the customer.
