When it comes to packaging, is the stock route or the custom route right for you? Stock packaging is exactly what it sounds like — packaging that comes ready-made and in standard formats.
Custom packaging, on the other hand, can be tailor-made to fit a specific product, promote brand awareness or relay a message right on the box.
So what’s best for you?
Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of custom corrugated packaging for you to consider when it comes to selecting your next packaging run:
There are many significant advantages to going the custom corrugated route. Some of them are as follows:
This is one of the biggest benefits to going the custom route for your next run of corrugated packaging. Customizing boxes can help differentiate your brand from your competitors.
Whether it’s an advanced box design, a high-quality printing job or some sort of value-added feature, sometimes investing in a custom package format can also provide a competitive advantage and help build further brand awareness. These benefits alone are usually enough to placing a custom packaging order.
With a standard package, you’re essentially purchasing a box to fit the product. Conversely, with a custom package, you can take the product and create packaging to fit it to the box.
This can help eliminate any wasted space, decrease the necessity for protective packaging materials, which can save money, and even result in cheaper shipping prices due to decreased weight.
Arguably the biggest benefit of custom packaging is the ability to offer enhanced product protection. Like we noted earlier, a package that’s custom-made to fit a product means you can also fine-tune the protective packaging that’s used. In addition to this, a package that fits the product also helps keep the product more snug and secure as it is.
And finally, a better protected product also helps build trust with consumers, as there’s perhaps nothing more disappointing than opening a package only to find that the product inside is broken or damaged.
Custom corrugated packages are especially ideal for high-value or fragile items, such as electronics, glass and more. Just think of how many people might interact with a package before it reaches its final destination. For many companies, customization to ensure safekeeping is a very worthwhile investment.
This final benefit doesn’t have so much to do with the customization as it does with the corrugated material the package is being made from. And by that, we’re referring to the recyclability of corrugated material, which is a key differentiator from its plastic packaging counterparts.
Customizing packaging that’s also recyclable can offer a nice one-two punch, serving both as a brand building tool and helping to establish your company as one with sustainability in mind.
If sustainability is important to your company, you can even convey that message to the end user on your custom package.
Though the pros of custom packaging are notable, there are some disadvantages to going this route that also bear mentioning:
This is arguably the biggest disadvantage of going the custom corrugated packaging route, as any package that’s not standardized is going to cost more. This may especially be a challenge for startup firms or small businesses that may not be able to absorb the price increase of custom packaging and are also unable or unwilling to pass any additional cost on to their customers.
Stock packaging is usually always readily available. The same can’t be said for custom packaging. Custom packages aren’t just lying around the warehouse waiting for someone to place an order, they need to be created.
Depending on the scope of the custom package, this can add some significant lead time to packaging runs, which aren’t always ideal in this first-to-market world that most companies operate in these days.
Finally, another potentially complicating factor with custom packaging is that more tooling, inks and dyes may be required to create the package that is desired. This can lead to both of the aforementioned: increased costs and increased lead time.
How much of an increase there is in both categories is largely specific to the package that’s needed, but it’s something that must be considered when weighing the pros and cons of custom corrugated packaging.
What type of corrugated packaging is right for your company and your application?
Both stock and custom packaging have their place, it’s just up to you to determine what type of format fits with the product or application you’re offering.
The items you sell are only one-half of the total product you are offering. The other half is the packaging that the item goes into. However, you can’t just stick your products into unmarked packaging bags because no one will know what’s stored inside. You need some way to add your brand information and logo to the exterior of the packaging. You have two options: labels or custom printed packaging. How do you know which you should use for your business? Consult the following guide to learn the pros and cons of the two branding options.
Pro #1- Cost-Efficient
Labels and stickers are the cheaper of the two branding options, and for some businesses, that is the end-all-be-all. However, there is a high amount of variation in the labeling industry that can drastically affect the price. One color, paper labels will be tremendously less costly than holographic multi-color vinyl stickers. Do you want your label to be glossy, matte, or somewhere in between? The additional bells and whistles all add to the overall cost. The general trend is that the cheaper you go, the worse it will look. Decide how much you're willing to spend to improve your brand’s image, and move on from there.
Pro #2- More Room for Variation
Due to the lower cost and the lower minimum order quantity for labels, you can create more variations of designs than you could through custom printed packaging. If you own a tea business and want different packaging designs for each of your flavors, then labels would be the way to go. Lower MOQ's make it possible to have custom labels for each of your product types. It also allows for quick customization. You can swap the color of your packaging for seasonal trends or events but still use the same label.
Pro 3#- You Can Do it Yourself
If you have a Cricut or a printer you can design and print labels from the comfort of your home or office. Even if you lack the right machinery, you can easily order custom stickers online. The freedom to do it yourself is appealing to some businesses looking to be completely self-reliant. It can also be more cost-effective to print labels yourself.
Con #1- You Have to Do it Yourself
Unless you are paying someone to apply the labels for you, you are going to have to individually apply each of the labels to your packages. This can be a time-consuming and tedious task if you have a large inventory. The human element in the process also increases the chances for mistakes. The label can be placed crooked, upside down, or in the wrong size. The result is then a wasted sticker and a ruined package. If you are running your business yourself, applying the labels can be a days' worth of work that could have otherwise been spent doing something more productive.
Con #2- Requires two Separate Purchases
When you split the labeling and packaging process, you will then have to deal with two separate purchases, and maybe even two separate businesses. You will have to repeatedly check to make sure the labels are the right size for the packaging. Mistakes can be made if you are dealing with two separate companies who do not know the exact dissensions of the other product. You can also quickly be placed in a situation where you have the labels but are still waiting to receive the packaging. Dividing the two processes will inevitably lead to stress and confusion.
Con #3- Labels Wear Off
Whether it be through abrasion, moisture, or handling, labels will eventually fall off or tear. Nothing looks worse than a ripped sticker with the residual glue still stuck onto the package. That just screams cheap and low quality. The highest-end glossy vinyl stickers are still not 100% waterproof, so any contact with moisture will degrade the look of your branding.
Con #4- Labels Looks Unprofessional
Think of the top brands on the market or any product in the supermarket. All of these products have custom-printed packaging. That is because stickers are just less professional. Stickers are fine for your farmer's market or start-up products, but if you want to break out in the major leagues and package your products like a legitimate business, then you need to ditch the labels.
Pro #1- It's Easier
Design your package, receive your package, fill, and sell. That's all you need to do. With custom printed packaging, you don't have to worry about preparing the package. Now, all you have to do is add your product. Your brand information and logos are ready and waiting for your customers to see. No placing stickers, no adding labels, just fill and seal. Also, by getting your packages and printing from the same spot, you know that the design will work on your packaging.
Pro #2- It Lasts Longer
Unlike labels or stickers, the printing on your custom bag is as durable as the bag itself. When you use waterproof bags like our metalized film or aluminum bags, the custom printing will be equally as resilient. The printing can't peel off or wrinkle, and it will still look great for much longer than labels can.
Pro #3- It Looks More Professional
Every legitimate business uses custom printed packaging. That is because custom bags exude an air of quality. When a brand has designed and created its packaging, you know it cares about its image. That concern then also extends to the quality of their product. A premium package signals a premium product stored inside.
Pro #4- Custom Printing can be combined with Labels
Each of the two branding methods has its benefits. So, why pick one over the other? You can easily design your package with custom printing and leave a space to place labels. You can add your logo and brand info on one side of the bag, and place a label for the unique product type on the other side. This way you get the professional look of custom printing, with the customization and versatility of labels.
Con #1- Price
Custom printing can be more expensive than labels. However, there is also room for variation for price-sensitive businesses. Single-sided, one color printing is going to be the most affordable option. However, if you want a more colorful and cohesive look, you can spend a little more on double side multi-color print.
Con #2- Less Room for Variety
Custom printed packaging has a higher minimum order quantity than labels. At QQ Studio, our minimum order quantity for custom printed bags is 1000. This means you have to be committed to your design. You also need enough inventory to utilize all the packages. Changes and alterations in the design cannot be easily made when you are printing custom packaging.
Consider this list of pros and cons before you decide on which branding method you will choose. If you are interested in custom printing, visit our page to begin the process of creating your own fully personalized packaging bag. For more information on the sales process, consult our blog on direct and indirect distribution channels. QQ Studio is here to ensure that your products are spread far and wide, all while looking the best they possibly can.