Should Your Business Pursue Flexible Packaging Prototypes?
Flexible packaging prototypes are an incredibly useful tool, helping businesses save time and money on their projects. These prototypes are made from bendable material — usually a plastic or biodegradable film — that offers exceptional protection and maximum convenience.
Flexible packaging prototypes are a great way to showcase a potential product via sale samples, conceptual presentations, and photoshoots. They’re also fantastic for getting feedback from potential customers in focus groups. In this way, prototypes allow businesses to validate their product before investing large amounts of money into the final packaging.
Who Needs Flexible Packaging Prototypes?
As mentioned above, flexible packaging prototypes are ideal for focus groups, conceptual presentations, photoshoots, and sale samples. But, is it really worth it to invest in a prototype for these applications? Do you need custom packaging in the first place? Is it too expensive for small organizations? These are all fantastic questions. No matter if you’re a large or small company, investing in flexible packaging prototypes saves you time and money.
Custom packaging is important for all businesses, no matter how big or small you are. Think about it: have you ever come across a memorable product that sticks with you because of the packaging that it came in? It likely made an impression on you. If you enjoyed the product, you probably remembered the brand and went back to it. After all, 72% of American consumers say their purchasing decision is influenced by the packaging design.
If you’re concerned about the cost of custom packaging, investing in it is a smart, calculated risk. Great packaging that’s directed at your consumer can help increase sales. After all, 64% of consumers say if they like the packaging, they’ll buy a product without researching it.
So, no matter how big or small your company is, it’s important to invest in professionally designed packaging.
And it all starts with a prototype.
What Does the Process Look Like?
If you’re considering flexible packaging prototypes, you might be wondering what the process looks like. While it may differ slightly for everyone, you can expect the following steps.
If you’re considering flexible packaging prototypes, you might be wondering what the process looks like. While it may differ slightly for everyone, you can expect the following steps.
Understand Your Product and Consumer
Before you start designing your packaging, you need to understand both your product and your consumer. What are the features, benefits, and challenges related to your product? How will your customer use this product in their everyday life? What are the key selling points and differentiators of your product? How can you communicate those through your packaging? Answering these questions can help you define your packaging goals, which informs your prototype packaging design.
Choose the Right Material and Format
When it comes to packaging, there are so many options to choose from. There are a few materials available — which one you choose will depend on your product’s characteristics. You’ll also have to decide which format you want. Options include pouches, films, wraps, bags, and more. It’s important to remember that films are thin and flexible, so they might not provide enough strength or durability for some products. However, they’re a cost-effective and protective packaging choice for a wide range of items. It’s best to talk with an experienced packaging professional to determine what’s right for your business.
Decide on Convenience and Functionality Features
This is your chance to make your packaging as convenient for your customers as possible. You might add a zipper or slider closure to make it easier to open and close the package. You could also add a spout, handles, grips, or tear notches to enable certain functions. All of these features contribute to consumer satisfaction, which encourages repeat purchases.
Optimize Your Design and Graphics
Creating the design and graphics for your prototype is perhaps the most exciting step. Working with an experienced packaging manufacturer can help you create the most engaging, appropriate graphics for your business. The design and graphics should reflect your brand identity, product personality, and value proposition while appealing to your target audience. The text on your packaging should also address your consumer’s pain points and desires. Adding information about the product’s resealability, recyclability, and shelf stability can also encourage more sales.
Not Sure How to Pursue Flexible Packaging Prototypes?
Now that you understand what flexible packaging prototypes are and the process of creating them, how do you get started? Working with an experienced flexible packaging provider is key. A company like PPC Flexible Packaging can help you ideate, design, and manufacture the right packaging for you.
At PPC Flexible Packaging, we put decades of experience to work for our clients. We’re uniquely positioned to quickly create prototype packaging for focus groups, sale samples, conceptual presentations, photoshoots, and more. While other manufacturers might take months to create a prototype, we can create rapid packaging prototypes in a matter of days. Whether you’re looking for one unit or thousands, trust us to create a quality product.
Looking for something unique for your packaging? We can create spot gloss, matte, and tactile finishes to capture consumer attention. We also have full finishing capabilities — including forming, filling, and sealing — to streamline the process for you. Additionally, our facility has a full steam tunnel line for large shrink projects. Whether you’re looking for flexible packaging or shrink sleeves on rigid materials, we can make it happen.
Let’s Get Started
Want to hear more about what we can do for you? Reach out to our team today.