Packaging is the science, art and technology of enclosing or protecting products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. Packaging also refers to the process of designing, evaluating, and producing packages. Packaging contains, protects, preserves, transports, informs, and sells.

Packaging is all the activities of designing and producing the container for a product.

Packaging involves designing and manufacturing the container or wrapper for a product.

So what is product packaging? Product packaging design refers to the creation of the exterior of a product. That includes choices in material and form as well as graphics, colors and fonts that are used on wrapping, a box, a can, a bottle or any kind of container.

Packaging performs five basic functions: 1) Protection 2) Containment 3) Information 4) Utility of use 5) Promotion!

• Protection:
• Containment:
• Information:
• Utility of use:
• Promotion:

Types of Food Packaging

• Aseptic processing.
• Bags.
• Boxes.
• Cans.
• Cartons.
• Flexible packaging.
• Pallets.
• Trays.

Packaging must protect against a variety of assaults including physical damage, chemical attack, and contamination from biological vectors including microorganisms, insects, and rodents. Environmental factors such as oxygen and water vapor will spoil foods if they are allowed to enter packages freely.

Materials that have traditionally been used in food packaging include glass, metals (aluminum, foils and laminates, tinplate, and tin-free steel), paper and paperboards, and plastics. Moreover, a wider variety of plastics have been introduced in both rigid and flexible forms.

Generally, it refers to the process of designing, evaluating, and producing packages. Some of the common packaging products include boxes, cartons, cans, bottles, bags, envelopes, wrappers, and containers.

The selection of proper packaging materials and systems is an integral part of food process and product design. Robertson (2005) attributes to packaging four functions: containment, protection, convenience and communication.

The primary purpose of packaging is to protect its contents from any damage that could happen during transport, handling and storage. Packaging retains the product intact throughout its logistics chain from manufacturer to the end user. It protects the product from humidity, light, heat and other external factors.

The main function of packaging is to protect the content from losing its function that a product is intended for. The package should be able to protect the content either it is a food item that need to be fresh and keep its flavour, or another consumer product such as toothpaste.

Benefits of Packaging

• Packaging protects the product.
• Packaging keeps the product from going bad.
• Packaging decreases costs.
• Packaging informs.
• Packaging provides hygiene.
• Packaging means economy.
• Packaging is a preventive measure.

Characteristics of Good Packaging:

• A good packaging has the characteristic of not being too heavy nor is it of the design and size that may create inconvenience to the buyers of products. So, convenience is a feature of good packaging.
• Security:
• Adaptability:
• Dependability:
• Status:
• Aesthetic:

Important functions of packaging are given below:

• (i) Product Identification:
• (ii) Product Protection:
• (iii) Convenience:
• (iv) Product Promotion:

Objectives of Packaging

• Product protection. Most of the business firms produce quality goods.
• Product prestige. Every product needs packaging for carrying to sell or market from production place.
• Easy in handling. Packaged products/ goods become easy to take from one place to another.
• Promotional appeal.
• Reasonable cost.

Very light weight and low cost with significant strength compared to other packaging materials. Good oil and chemical resistance. Excellent gas and water vapor barrier properties. Sealing property.

Uniqueness. Similar to visual attractiveness, packaging must offer something unique to truly appeal to customers, although uniqueness can manifest itself in several different ways. Packaging designs need to capture attention from the shelf, but once they draw customers in, your product needs to hold their interest.

It also should be convenient, attractive, economical, communicative etc. Only good and effective packaging can protect the product, keeps safe from declining its quality, it makes adulteration impossible. Good packaging also increases prestige, brand loyalty and promotes sales. Good packaging should be convenient.

5 Factors To Consider When Choosing Packaging Materials

• Durable and high quality. Before ordering en masse, learn about the product you want by getting samples and comprehensively testing for build quality and durability.
• Cost-effective and convenient.
• Tamper-evident and secure.
• Environment-friendly and legally compliant.
• Comes with quality customer service.

Palletizing: it is one of the most effective and widespread packaging techniques. It involves placing the goods on a pallet for easy and quick storage and transport. With this technique, space is saved and loading and unloading times are optimized, as is the handling.

Have a look at some of the below tips to help you choose the right packaging for your new product.

1. The Packaging Material Is Key. You have a wide choice of materials to choose from when it comes to packaging materials.
2. Attractive Packaging.
3. Ergonomic Packaging Works Well.
4. Distribution of Your Package.
5. Shape and Size.

5 Factors Consumers Consider When Choosing Your Product

• Package Reusability. Consumers have always wanted more for their money, but modern consumers want environmental responsibility for their money, as well.
• Product Allure. Make the product look good.
• Familiarity.
• Snobocity.
• Brand Trustworthiness.