Making mindful packaging can seem like a major hurdle. It’s easy to get carried away with sizes, designs and materials when creating custom packaging.
In this week’s post, we’re helping you out with three tips for making mindful packaging. Read on to learn more!
What Is Mindful Packaging?
First of all, what does it mean to make packaging mindfully? Being mindful with your packaging is more than just making something that’s sustainable. Creating packaging should be intentional, made with purpose, and created considering your stakeholders. Packaging made this way can speak for your brand and send a message to customers about your products.
Making packaging that’s mindful doesn’t have to be an extremely complex process. By simply taking an extra moment to think critically about the way you’re packaging your products, you can be more mindful!
Reduce Excess Material
Awhile ago, we introduced Amazon’s Compact By Design certification. This certification encourages businesses to reduce their excess packaging and make more efficient options. While Amazon uses this mainly in the context of reducing shipping weight for more efficient logistics, you can use the same principles to make more mindful packaging.
Reducing the amount of packaging material your products require is not only a great way to reduce waste, but can also be more helpful for customers’ accessibility to your products. One of the ways to do this is to ensure you have accurate measurements for all of your packaging. We know that deciding what size you might need is difficult. Check out our previous blog post for some tips on how to decide what size to get!
Consider Its Purpose
When designing your packaging, it’s also important to consider the packaging’s purpose. What are you using it for? Can you use it for multiple products? What purpose could it serve after using up the products the packaging contains?
Though we love making custom packaging that’s unique to your needs, it’s also important to consider your packaging’s versatility. Making hyper-specific packaging for individual products can actually produce more waste, even if it’s more efficient. This is due to the packaging’s overall usability.
Give Your Packaging A Second Life
Once your product’s packaging has served its initial purpose, what is your intention? Is your packaging easily recyclable so it can be remade into other items? Can customers repurpose the packaging for other purposes?
Standard packaging like boxes and bags are reusable for other purposes, but giving a second life to your packaging can be as simple as encouraging customers to reuse your packaging once they’re finished. Alternatively, you can try incorporating a second function for your packaging through its design!
For this second option, think options like seed paper, or Glossier’s reusable bubble pouch. These choices can help cut down on your waste, and also bring a branded connection to your packaging.
Considering alternatives that are usable even past their intended purpose creates a longer lasting brand impression as it will connect you to your customers even after they finish their products.
How Can I Start?
Thinking of designing mindful packaging, but don’t know where to start? Our knowledgeable Business Development Consultants can help you start thinking of ways to create mindful packaging. We have a wide catalogue of packaging solutions that can fit all kinds of businesses’ needs! Don’t see what you’re looking for? Let us help you source the packaging you need.
Contact us today to set up a free consultation and see the options we have to offer. Whether you have your own designs or need our help creating something unique, we’re with you every step of the way!
