For packaging professionals, remarkable things come in varying packages. Size determination is fundamental in the decision process and must occur at the first design and development phase. Once determined, additions and changes occur throughout the product lifecycle. Manufacturers must decide on the package size using a systems approach and be ready to make trade-offs for an optimized outcome. This blog will discuss the significance of right-size packaging. Kindly continue reading to learn more.
What Is Right-Size Packaging?
Retail shippers updated their policies in 2015 to impose a fee on package weight or dimensional size. This decision pushed the manufacturers to change their packaging. Essentially, they paid higher rates to ship their products because of the extra space in their boxes and cartons. This increase in cost is only one part of right-size packaging, but it emphasizes the significance of this decision. Packaging ensures products reach the customers in excellent form. However, it becomes more compelling when contemplating its other aspects.
Right-size packaging doesn’t only include utilizing a custom-folding box or carton holding the products. It also refers to using the proper amount of material. However, right-size packaging must also emphasize branding without sacrificing product quality or protection. Moreover, it allows companies to save money on shipping, support the reduction of material usage, and maximize shelf space. However, the consumers may also dictate their size preference. What happens to right-size packaging, then?
The Consumer Packaging Preference
Customers have their preferences even in size. Therefore, the challenge for manufacturers is to provide a product in the correct size. However, mass marketing, mass distribution, and mass production are inconsistent with custom-tailoring. The goal now is to meet the demands of more consumers with the smallest number of sizes. Economies-of-scale in operational and purchasing efficiencies is achievable through this strategy. So, how do companies decide on the right-size packaging?
Finding the Right Packaging Size
Checking the competition, be it in an existing or new product, is prudent. Moreover, companies must understand the associated sizes with every product category. They have to base their successive decisions on their knowledge about product categories. For instance, they can decide to follow the standard sizing or develop a different one. In addition, they may discover some size gaps that they can exploit. Thus, competent consumer research is necessary to make packaging decisions.
A manufacturer must know not only its product category but also the other categories. This understanding will lead to uncovering size-related insights that offer the most benefits. But, companies should see opportunities in transforming size to impress the consumers.
The Significance of Right-Sized Packaging
Here are the top reasons why manufacturers must use the right-sized packaging.
The Right-Size Packaging Reduces the Carbon Footprint
Larger package sizes are favorable because they use fewer resources. However, companies must determine the package-to-product ratio by assessing what consumers prefer. For instance, if customers prefer smaller packaging, manufacturers must serve the consumers’ requirements. They must think of other means to realize their sustainability objectives.
The U.S. and Europe have differing opinions about environmentalism. On the other hand, sustainable packaging is universal. Right-size packaging reduces the use of foam and plastic, uses minimum efficient materials, and reduces waste.
Logistics and shipping companies prefer smaller packages. Right-sizing started with sea containers to reduce logistics costs for international goods. Smaller packages occupy less space and translate more deliveries by the delivery personnel. Cost savings and efficiency drive the demand for right-size boxes.
Moreover, retailers prefer to provide customers with a more pleasing unboxing experience. Therefore, efficient packaging must meet consumer demand and maximize shelf space. It must also ensure safe delivery and occupy less warehouse room.
On the other hand, consumers require companies to efficiently ship their products in containers. As a result, they demand frustration-free and guilt-free packaging from retailers.
The Right-Size Packaging Ensures Product Protection
Sustainable packaging protects the planet. On the other hand, the packaging must, first and foremost, protect the product. Rigid containers may be the right choice, depending on the product. However, delicate products also require sturdy packaging to avoid crushing them. Several packaging layers and air cushions are also two alternatives for product protection.
Right-size packaging ensures that each product is secure and snug. Even in the most turbulent shipping process, it can offer the best possible protection. The suitable packaging lessens the damage risk to products and increases customer satisfaction. Moreover, it can reduce, if not eradicate, expensive replacements and returns due to damaged or faulty products. Finally, it also helps boosts profits.
The Right-Size Packaging Increases Customer Satisfaction
Consumers depend on packaging to protect their items while in transit. They want their purchased products to maintain their functionality after shipping. First, they expect that the product reaches them without damage. Second, many customers now focus on the environment by buying products from companies aligned with their causes. Therefore, right-size packaging will prove that the brands they patronize are sustainable.
Moreover, consumers don’t like breaking down and throwing away a lot of packaging. Therefore, companies must limit the amount of product packaging. Their use of right-sized packaging reduces the excessive use of materials. They also promote more straightforward access to products.
The Right-Size Packaging Reduces Packaging Costs
Packaging costs can quickly increase and reduce profits from each sale. However, the right size packaging ensures that companies only use the packaging materials they need. Therefore, it saves money and reduces the administrative time used in ordering materials.
The Right-Size Packaging Optimizes Freight Space
Right-sizing is the top challenge in the packaging industry. First, companies must establish rules for the quantities required for production. Then, usually, manufacturers must upsize to meet the level of output. For example, Amazon has at least 12 million products of varying sizes. Therefore, it’s challenging to right-size the packaging for all these items.
Companies may use the “full-cases picks” process to address the issue. This strategy includes packing varying sizes of boxes in a large carton. For instance, one retailer may consolidate four medium-sized and two large packages in a carton. Doing so will optimize the freight, use 90% of the packaging space, reduce packaging waste, and limit box space. Another manufacturer may change the packaging design to save money and prevent product damage. It can also offer benefits to all aspects of the supply chain.
Final Thoughts
Right-size packaging matters in various ways and depends on several factors. However, consumers may demand different package sizes. Therefore, manufacturers must balance consumer demand and optimize all other elements. Doing so can boost sales and profits. Moreover, they must consider sustainability to reduce waste and use suitable materials. The ultimate goal must be to reduce carbon footprint.