There are many options for packaging your products. It is challenging to find the right packaging that will enhance and protect your products. There are two types of packaging you can choose. One is flexible packaging, and the other is rigid packaging. Both have advantages and disadvantages and what you determine is useful for your packaging needs depends on these pros and cons.
Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging includes malleable packages including shrink film, stretch film, seal bands, blister or skin packs, flexible pouches, and clamshells. Flexible packaging includes protective packaging made from plastic, paperboard, was-coated paperboard, field, paper, and combinations of these items.
Flexible packaging is used for coffee, meats, poultry, drinks, medications, electronics, industrial powders, produce, and many other types of products. Flexible packaging can be found in grocery stores, drug stores, and any kind of store or place of business that handles products.
Pros of Flexible Packaging
• Reduces the carbon footprint and is environmentally friendly,
• Easy to use, and tends to have easy-open capabilities,
• Lower cost to produce,
• Branding capabilities. You can have printing edge to edge and on both sides,
• Uses less material than other types of packaging.
Cons of Flexible Packaging
• Material can cause the flavor of foods and liquids to change,
• Low-temperature resistance. Products can freeze or melt faster in flexible packaging.
• Difficult to recycle,
• Takes up to 1,000+ years to degrade in landfills.
Rigid Packaging
Rigid packaging is stronger than flexible packaging and is made from materials that include hard plastics, cardboard, glass, and metal. Rigid packaging can be more expensive to use, but rigid packaging is often safer. Rigid packaging is commonly used to protect fragile products and more expensive consumer products. Rigid packaging is a great choice and is heavy-duty in nature.
Pros of Rigid Packaging
• Strong and made from hard materials,
• Represent quality,
• Does not affect flavors of foods and liquids,
• Uses easily recyclable materials.
Cons Rigid Packaging
• More expense than other types of packaging,
• High carbon footprint,
• Higher shipping costs,
• Can take up quite a bit of space in landfills.
What Type of Packaging Do You Need?
If you are looking for exceptional product protection, rigid packaging may be the right choice for you. If you do not have any concern for the environmental impact, but only want your products to arrive safely, rigid packaging can be useful. Looking for packaging that represents high quality? Rigid packaging is the best choice in this case.
If you are looking to reduce your cost of packaging, flexible packaging would be the best choice. Shipping costs do depend on the weight of the packaging, and rigid packaging will add more weight to your shipping.
You can include graphics on both types of packaging, and both types of packaging will keep your products safe in transit. Do note that rigid glass packaging does not degrade quickly, but also consider that plastic pouches also cause difficulties in landfills.
Determine what you need packaging for and look at the pros and cons of both rigid and flexible packaging. Answering these questions can give you a solid answer about what type of packaging is best for your products.
