In this article, we’ll discuss how you can make your packaging sustainable with the help of web-to-pack technology. You’ll also learn the sustainable packaging trends to adopt in 2022 and beyond.
In the latest flexible packaging trend, sustainability has become the new focus of the print industry. Consumer preferences are changing, and printers are harnessing new technologies to enhance the customer experience.
According to a recent study, 37% of US consumers prefer sustainability while buying products. The industry has already taken notice and is embracing sustainability strategies.
Leading industries such as Kellogg and Coca-Cola have adopted eco-friendly packaging solutions. Coca-Cola has taken the initiative to make fully recyclable packaging before 2025, while Kellogg is already shifting towards 100% reusable packaging.
What are packaging sustainability and sustainable design?
Simply put, sustainable packaging is a type of packaging that can reduce the environmental footprint over time. It considers factors such as 100% recycled materials, minimalistic production, and reusability.
A sustainable design seeks to eliminate negative impacts associated with the production process on the environment. It creates a healthy and productive environment and also reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources.
Reasons for increasing demand for sustainable packaging
Over the years, the sustainable packaging market is seeing a rising demand due to various reasons such as:
- Corporate social responsibility.
- Reducing carbon footprints.
- Lessening ocean plastic contamination.
- Consumers expect sustainability from brands.
- Lower shipping costs.
- Optimized and flexible packaging.
Examples of environmentally friendly packaging solutions
Environmentally friendly packaging is the need of the hour, with the industries worldwide contributing to a cleaner and greener environment. Examples of environmentally friendly packaging include:
- Renewable packaging.
- Kraft paper and shopping bags
- Compostable poly mailers
- Recycled corrugated cardboard boxes
- Biodegradable packing tape
Best way to make your packaging sustainable and stand out
Despite the packaging having a short shelf life, being creative and sustainable can make your packaging stand out. It can also increase brand awareness and improve business growth and sales.
It’s the little things that count and keep your customers coming back time and yet again. So take some time to review and devise strategies to make your print packaging business stand out among competitors.
Add colors
Colors positively impact consumer buying behavior, especially vibrant colors. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose the right colors for print packaging. Different colors can stand out among competitors, influence emotions, and are easily printed on sustainable packaging.
You can not only change colors but also add them on the inside of the packaging and tissue wrap wherever you think they will grab attention.
Eco-friendly packaging
Due to worldwide awareness about the pollution crisis caused by plastics makes eco-friendly packaging increasingly popular. If your business contributes to reducing environmental pollution, It will significantly impact clean green world advocates and environmentally conscious consumers.
Consumers are making decisions to buy based on the environmental factors of companies and sustainability. Therefore, it makes sense that you would also want to produce sustainable packaging design.
Recycled materials
Recycled packaging is affordable and an excellent way to extend the life span of previously used materials. Made of paper pulp, paper cardboard is a perfect example of recycled material.
It is lightweight and can be cut or formed in any shape. Opt for recycled materials when deciding on sustainable packaging for creating mailers, boxes, or containers.
Branding
Branding will grab customers’ attention, even on plain cardboard packaging. You can add a branded stamp or your company’s logo, so customers will know that the packaging is printed from your web to print store. If they like your packaging design, they are bound to choose your print company in the future.
How can printers use web-to-pack technology on their web to print stores and impress customers?
With online print orders gaining momentum, create stand-out custom packaging with packaging design software. The latest trends in web-to-print designs are sure to make your packaging impress customers. Some of the trends we can expect to see over the next few years in packaging design software are as follows:
1. Embellishment
Embellishments are the latest decorative trend in packaging box design software that can make your print packaging design stand out. Adding embellishments to your packaging can draw attention to specific areas you deem necessary or simply give a beautiful presentation.
The latest techniques, such as digital foil, embossing, debossing, laser cutting, and spot UV, can give excellent options to provide a custom finish to the packaging.
2. Personalization
Personalization is the new trend to follow by the web to print stores. People love products that they have a hand in creating. You can offer personalization using box packaging design software. There is no shortage of custom options with web to print as it allows customers to upload their own designs and edit them as per their choice.
It also offers a library of customizable design templates that users can choose from and edit style, font, and color or add logos or clip art. Once the design is fully personalized, a print-ready file is created that customers can send to the printers.
3. On-demand sustainable packaging printing orders
Print-on-demand packaging is created only after orders are placed, supporting a sustainable business model. This is the latest trend that printers adopt, allowing them to save on inventory costs and reduce wastage. Moreover, it eliminates the need to hold pre-printed stock that you may or may not need or end up using.
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways to adopt sustainable packaging, but the right approach depends on your print company. Sustainable packaging design will help reduce wastage and inventory costs. Whether you choose eco-friendly or recycled materials, you must ensure that you stay firm on your initiatives for the success of your business.
The best way to do that is to adopt a web-to-pack technology from Design’N’Buy that uses the latest product packaging design software trends. With the help of an online designer, you and your customers can create custom designs to make products stand out among the crowd.