This is the era of globalization. It has spawned a multitude of entrepreneurs, retailers and business owners to serve an ever-growing customer base of consumer goods. the competition is now fiercer and more intense than ever before. With the rapid advent of technology, the world is now more connected than ever before and can be thought of more as a global village than continents separated by oceans. In this era of instant gratification and same day delivery of anything you could think of, how one packages their product has been become an increasingly essential way to distinguish oneself from their competition and impress the customer whose awareness has now risen due to the social media. With many available options in the market and growing awareness about sustainability, corrugated boxes has emerged as a sleeper hit among other options such as metal glass, plastic or wood due to various factors I am glad to share with you in this blog.
With Increasing government regulations discouraging the use of plastics, glasses and other non-environmentally friendly in packaging and shipment, many industries and startups are re-assessing their options and have landed in the field of cardboard-based packaging. Cardboard box manufacturing has gotten much more accessible due to emerging of many local players in biz due advancements in manufacturing technologies and costs have significantly fallen due to these emerging competitors, thus firms in search of alternative and sustainable solution now have a healthy amount of choices available. Heavy corrugated boxes were already prevalent in shipping industries due corrugated boxes being able to withstand more loads compared to plastic and metal counterparts and providing a sort of “cushioning effect” which enhances the safety of goods packed in them. Thus, these boxes were the industry standard in shipping and delivery employed by local delivery companies and even industry monoliths like Amazon, Flipkart etc. But now, more and more consumer grade goods have also started their rapid shift to corrugation-based solutions for their product packaging needs recognizing the advantages corrugated boxes come with. They tend to be light weight with smoother edges to prevent injuries while handling them. They are apt for perishable goods and have no risk of chemical reaction or leaching. Corrugated boxes can also be stored much more efficiently because they can be folded when not in use compared to their contemporaries who will always use a fixed amount of space whether in use or not. Above listed benefits aside it can also be a feather in the marketing cap of new startups to portray their commitment to the environment to the new generation of consumers who are generally more concerned about their individual carbon footprint and are drawn to companies whose stance and commitment to eco-friendly practices crystal clear.
Furthermore, with several technological advancements in printing techniques, a firm looking for packaging solutions can have a mind numbingly number of choices about what they want their box to look and feel like. Players big or small who already have a strong vision in their mind about design language, tone and feel they want to portray of their brand via their packaging are often surprised how smooth of a canvas a simple corrugated box can be. Multiple types of printing techniques such as laser, offset, leafing, matte or gloss lamination, embossing, or different types of inserts, perforations, handles, vents and inserts the list is endless. Each box can be designed to be completely distinct and unique the only similarity being their superiority to other types of packaging solutions.
Paper based products are inherently better for our mother Earth unlike plastics which take centuries to decompose and corrugated boxes easily outclass other types of packaging here. A box is usually made with certain amount of recycled fiber which helps in keeping manufacturing costs down and reduce pressure on the environment. Virgin fiber can cost more but it is totally not essential to enter the world of corrugation packaging.
Although there are near infinite type of corrugated boxes one specific type has touched the heart of more startups than others and that is mailer boxes. These are especially popular amongst startups as inserts can designed to fit their product like a glove and now most manufacturers have ready-made sizes, so potential customers save more on first time die costs. All the benefits of corrugation along with their bells and whistles come with mailer boxes but the feature that makes them popular choice is their interlocking design. Not only it saves on usage of glue or tape needed to secure most types boxes, they are super easy to assemble and it’s interlocking mechanism gives it some additional sturdiness and premium look. Thus, it is a no brainer that most new startups are attracted to mailer boxes package their products.
You may or may not have noticed that most popular fast-food chains such as Domino’s, Pizza hut, La pinos, Burger King also use corrugated trays and boxes to serve millions of customers. Food storage is other additional benefit you may not have expected but the ever-versatile corrugated box can accommodate more industries and customers than you may expect. There is virtually no risk of leakage or contamination as well as boxes use toxin free inks so your food can be served in beautifully designed printed boxes. Now smaller chains and local places have started rapidly adopting these types of boxes to enhance their presentation and give their packaging a much-needed flair without spending a pretty penny.
The advantages are endless, but drawbacks are so miniscule they might as well not exist. Every industry you can think of delivery, clothing, food, jewellery, gift packaging, pharmaceuticals, electronics, agriculture, automobiles, logistics, cosmetics etc. is heavily reliant on corrugated and thus can be compared to the Titan Atlas an iconic figure of Greek mythology the unsung and unmentioned hero carrying the world on its shoulders. The weight is massive and the responsibility is huge, but the corrugated box can handle the pressure like a champ, metaphorically and literally.