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Questions to ask when designing packaging: Understand the product

21 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Info for Buyers, Marketing, Packaging Design, Product Development

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Packaging DesignHow do you know what questions to ask when designing new packaging?  We all have an opportunity to see the finished product when it reaches the retailer, but what steps took place to launch the packaging the way it appears on the shelf?  Sometimes, important details are missed because the right questions were not asked.

Over the next several posts, I will offer important questions that assist in ensuring the right packaging is designed.  If packaging already exists, these same questions can be used for packaging that will be redesigned as well.

Understand the product:
The first step in designing packaging is to understand the product(s) you are packaging.  There are times when the product will limit some types of packaging designs.  Asking the right questions will help identify this early on and give a clear understanding on the available options.

Here are some questions to ask when beginning the packaging process:

  • What makes the product unique and are there specific features that need to be addressed?   Glass, food, electronics, and fishing poles all have a different starting point.
  • What is the weight/size of the product?  This will help identify materials for protecting the product.
  • What testing requirements will the packaging go through?  Drop, ship tests, biological, etc.
  • Are there any desired price points for the packaging?  This is an important question.  If you are packaging products that will be sold in a dollar store, your packaging options may limit you since cost will be a key component.
  • What type of security will be needed for the packaging?  Does the product need to be secure or can it be opened for trial in the store?  In many cases, if the retailer allows opening packages, having the product accessible to the consumer will result in less damaged packages.
  • What are the goals of the packaging?  Sustainability, shelf appeal, lower costs, etc.  This is one of the most important questions!
  • Who is the target audience?  This can help determine additional options; such as, easy open features, how product is displayed, font type, etc.

There are many more questions that need to be asked in the initial stages.  Most of the questions asked will have a direct effect on how the product is packaged.  At the end of this series, I will be sending out a complete list of questions to all who are subscribed to my blog.  Visit www.brianpankratz.com and subscribe to this blog if you are interested in receiving the full version.

We also use this with our customers when launching new packaging.  These questions are an important step in the process to ensure the product is packaged correctly to help increase the sales of the product.

For more information on designing packaging for your product, please contact Brian Pankratz at Mercury Plastics, Inc. – bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.

Reasons Why Packaging Designs Fail – Structure

25 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Marketing, Packaging Design, Product Development

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MaryBethApplePieThis is the second post in this 3 part series on why packaging designs fail.  Don’t forget to sign-up to have each post sent directly to your inbox.  You can subscribe at http://www.brianpankratz.com.

Let’s Review
In the last post we talked about three areas to consider when packaging designs fail; design, structure, and marketing.  Last week we focused on design, this week we are reviewing structure.  To read the first weeks post on design, click here.

Define Structure
We all need to be on the same page when talking about “Structure”.  Structure is defined as the materials, construction, and shape of the packaging used to package the product.

So, how can the structure contribute to packaging that fails?  The list below are some examples…

1. Damaged Packaging:  Nothing says, “Don’t buy me,” more than a damaged package.  I am not talking about the consumer inflicted damage by ripping open a package after purchasing it and then returning it to the store.  I’m talking about the packaging not being able to withstand the shipping and handling process involved with getting the product to the retailer.  Choosing the right materials when packaging a product is critical.  Whether it’s deciding the type or thickness of either plastic or paper board, the wrong materials can affect the sale of a product.    Choosing the wrong materials can result in damaged packaging or in some cases, damaged product.  Everyone wants to save on costs, but when packaging doesn’t maintain integrity, the sales of the product suffer.

2. Over Packaged Product: Not only is not protecting a product bad, but over packaging products are also costly.  I remember walking down the aisle in my local big box retailer, and seeing a product the size of my fist packaged in a sealed clamshell that was about twelves inches square in size.  The product was grossly over-packaged and not sustainable in the least bit.

Note:  How can the first two be resolved without issue?  Packaging testing!  Know the specifications needed for your packaging and do testing to ensure the product and packaging will arrive without issue.

3. Poor Security of the Packaging:  One of the main responsibilities of packaging is to protect the product from theft.  Failure to do this can result in huge losses for the retailer and result in higher theft rates of the product and may jeopardize the products ability to be sold at the retail level.  On the other hand, food containers that have tamper-resistant features provide added security.  I was working with a new client, and they informed me that before working with us, nine out of 10 of the products they sent to the retailer were stolen.  The retailer had a clear message for their product that sold for $25 ea., “Get new packaging, or I’ll get new product!”

4. Shelf Presence:  When designing packaging, one of the questions we ask is, “Does this package need to hang, stand, or both?”  It is amazing how many out there seem to skip that question.  Once we understand this question, we now need to find a way for the packaging that we design to POP.  Gaining the attention of the consumer can be done several ways; shapes, colors, graphics, etc.  Determine what would gain command on the shelf and then create something unique.

5. Poor Usability:  Usability refers to packaging that facilitates the use of the product.  Whether it is the perforations of a chip board carton to allow easy dispensing of the product or locking features on a clamshell, it all provides either a positive or negative experience for the consumer.  The key is to create functional packaging that properly assist the consumer with the use of the product.  Creating a positive experience for the consumer shouldn’t end after the purchase is made.

When packaging is designed with the proper structure, it can attract consumers, properly protect, and even prolong the shelf life of the product.  The idea is to create packaging designs that do all of the above.  Create an experience for the consumer that makes them appreciate you for how you have decided to package your product.

To get more information on creating packaging that sells without failing, contact Brian Pankratz at Mercury Plastics, Inc., bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.

Reasons Why Packaging Designs Fail – Design

05 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by in Marketing, Packaging Design, Product Development

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Blue printThe next three posts are going to be dedicated to defining the elements on why certain packaging designs fail. If you want to get the next post sent directly to your inbox, subscribe at http://www.brianpankratz.com.

Ego Check
Before we get started talking about why some packaging designs fail, we all have to come to the realization that somewhere just under our ego is opportunity for improvement.  It’s pretty tough to admit failure, but it becomes even tougher when we don’t admit it and learn from it.  Another thing to understand is that there is a level of opinion that goes into what makes a design a failure or success.

Areas to consider
When we talk about packaging design, there are three different areas to consider; design, structure, and marketing.  We are going to talk about the design aspect in this post, and then cover structure and marketing in following posts.

Define Design
It’s important to understand what we mean when we talk about design.  The word design could have several different meanings, one could argue that the whole make-up of a products packaging could be its design.  I would like to define design as simply, how you have decided to package your product (stock clamshell, carton, blister pack, etc.)

So, let’s start with design, what factors of the overall packaging design can contribute to failure?

1. Packaging costs – Start with an understanding of what the cost of your packaging should be.  Understand what equipment is necessary to assemble each style.  There are many factors that affect the overall cost of packaging your product.  Make sure to review all of them.  Not doing this could result in higher costs and make you uncompetitive in the market.

2. Poor Protection – Packaging has multiple functions.  It needs to help sell the product, but it also has to successfully transport the product to the consumer without being damaged.  Nothing screams, “Don’t buy me,” more than damaged or worn packaging.

3. Where’s the product – Very few products should be kept out of view from the consumer.  When possible, you need to show the product.  The more creative way you can show the product, the more attention it will gain.  Hiding your product in the packaging will make it harder to locate on the shelf.

4. Easy Access/Easy Open – Know your target audience and how they use your product.  Some consumers will avoid certain products due to hard-to-open packaging.  Understand the security aspects that are required and build in easy open features when you can.

5. Lack of Creativity – There are many options for creating attention in the simplest of packaging designs.  Plain packaging designs may be overlooked and run the risk of never being found.  Understand the different design options that are available at no extra cost that can and will draw attention to achieve added sales.  There are several companies out there (including Mercury Plastics) that offer free packaging design evaluation.  Do your homework and ask questions!  Be creative!

The Goal
The goal of every packaging design is to match the needs of the consumer with the abilities of your product.  Good packaging should attract attention and then explain what makes your product unique and better than your competitors.  Not doing so can result in a level of packaging design failure that could have been avoided.

For more information on how you can creating winning packaging designs that create attention and resist failure, contact Brian Pankratz, bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.

About the SuperBowl Commercials…

04 Monday Feb 2013

Posted by in Consumer Satisfaction, Cost Savings, Marketing, Packaging Design, Product Development, Sustainability

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SuperBowl 2013Do you know anyone who watches the Superbowl for the commercials?

Did you find yourself waiting to be amused when a new commercial came on?

Ask yourself this question…if companies can produce commercials during the Superbowl that draw our attention and get us laughing and talking for days , then why aren’t commercials like that all year-long?  Have we been programmed to just settle the rest of the year and only expect greatness in advertising while watching the Superbowl?

Now about packaging
Since we’re talking about packaging, I’ll ask another question…why do some companies settle when packaging their products?  If packaging helps to sell the product, then why would anyone want to settle for packaging that doesn’t “WOW” the consumer?

It’s your call
The fact is…new packaging designs take time and resources.  I completely understand that our schedules make it tough to fit in additional projects.  But, what if I told you that I can evaluate your current packaging and offer honest feedback at no costs?  Offering designs that could leap-frog your product ahead of your competitors?  Would you be interested?  What do new packaging designs offer?

Here are a few benefits that earlier redesigns have resulted in:

1. Reduced cost for packaging resulting in increased profit.
2. Packaging design awards.
3. The use of more sustainable materials.
4. Smaller carbon footprint in manufacture process.
5. Reduction in packaging components used.
6. Increased satisfaction among retailers and consumers.

So now what?
If you have products that you are responsible for and want to find out if there are better ways to packaging them, contact me and let’s talk.  Step one is to have a quick discussion to decide if there is a fit for us to work together.  If there is a fit…we continue, if there isn’t a fit…we don’t.  Pretty simple and shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.

Don’t let your packaging turn into every other design.  Make it unique and “WOW” the consumer with every product you have!

For more information on creating new packaging designs, contact Brian Pankratz.  bpankratz@mercuryplasticsinc.com.