What Are the Best Types of Packaging Material - A Guide 

Wonder why packaging material has become a more important concern among businesses? There are numerous reasons to start this debate such as protection, presentation, branding, and differentiating from others. 

But knowing the material's properties that resonate with your product safety or presentation, might help you find the right packaging for your brand. 

In this blog, you can find the best types of packaging material based on features that suit your product needs. 

What Are the Primary Types of Packaging Material?

Based on the product's needs different packaging materials can vary due to their features and properties. The goal of every business owner is to deliver their product in pristine condition to consumers' doorstep and increase their unboxing experiences. So, the best packaging material can help to achieve their goals.  

Packaging materials have two primary types; one can be rigid and the other is flexible. 

• Rigid packaging: A dense or thicker material that can be more rigid and provide more protection such as glass, plastic, wood, and more.  
• Flexible packaging: A lightweight and foldable material that offers more versatility in presentation, protection, and shipping.  

Let's discuss these types of packaging material in detail without any chronicle order. 

7 Amazing Types of Packaging Material to Consider

When choosing the best type of packaging material, always investigate a few things about the product; needs, protection, aesthetics, and preservation. Figuring out these packaging material types that can be considered for various reasons and stand out. Here is the materials list:    

• Glass

Glass packaging is very robust and 100% recyclable providing a clear or sleek presentation on the shelves. They provide enough safety to store products for a long time. This material cannot react with chemicals which makes it more useful to store food or cosmetic products. However, they can not stand heat or UV rays and contaminate the product inside. 

Best For: 

• More sustainable and inert which makes it highly usable for storing food or medicine items. 
• Pack serums, oils, and pharmaceutical products due to proper seal and intact to germs. 
• Extend product shelf life, as it increases product perceived value.

• Cardboard

Cardboard packaging has the features of absorption power, shape stability, and lightweight. You can add a ruffle sheet to increase its dentist or thickness for more protection. Based on different product shapes, cardboard is the finest material to create unique shapes. With these cardboard packaging boxes, you can protect the product during shipping. 

Best For:

• Durable material to keep the product safe. 
• Sustainable material to gain brand image among eco-conscious buyers. 
• Flexible material is reliable for multiple customization options. 
• Luxury material to pack high-end products with multiple flute sheets.

• Rigid

The rigid material is quite sturdy and dense for packaging goods to offer maximum protection. Brands use luxury packaging to increase their brand values. The potential features of this material are protection, aesthetics, and absorption power. But concerns are environmental impact and weight which increase transportation costs. 

Best For:

• High-end or Branded products use rigid boxes. 
• Packaging fragile or breakable items in it to keep it secure. 
• Firm structure and shape retention that used to maintain product quality. 
• Increase product perceived value
• Self-locking cartons, bottles, metal cans, and glass jars all are considered as rigid packaging. 

• Kraft

Kraft features no-bleach, strengthened, 80% sulfate wood pulp, and is highly suitable for packaging substrate. Polyamide or polyamine resin can be added to kraft to make it used under humidity. Also, you can add lamination or coating to enhance its barrier properties. Kraft is not competitive when you are looking to make your package smooth or beautiful on the shelves. Kraft paper does not penetrate UV rays which makes it highly preferable for food packaging, medicinal and seeds to keep them fresh. 

Best For:

• Pack food, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic items in it to keep them secure from heat. 
• Sustainable and biodegradable which reduces carbon footprints. 
• Increase your product shelf life
• With inner or outer lamination or coating can be used under moisture. 

• Plastic

Plastic packaging is considered to be a more effective solution when sustainability is not a priority. They are versatile and have chemical-resistant properties which can keep the product safe from damage. Few plastic materials are highly used to store products with various features such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and rigid polyvinyl chloride (RPVC). However plastic packaging is not eco-friendly and good for the environment. 

Best For: 

• Best to pack shampoo, food items, facewash, etc. 
• Bubble wraps to pack products and protect them during shipping. 
• Used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging to pack food and keep them secure. 
• Used as ancillary packaging such as plastic sheets, PVC windows, and bubble wrap to increase safety barriers. 

Sustainable Packaging Material and its Impact on Brand

In the packaging industry, using sustainable packaging promotes more business values and reduces carbon footprints. Many bigger brands switched towards eco-friendly packaging and promoted a sustainable environment. Think about the brand reputation and image to create a better impression on customers' minds with reliable packaging materials and increase your brand recall. 

Here at OXO Packaging Solutions, we know the alternative to plastic packaging that causes less environmental impact and helps you build your brand image. With reliable and sustainable packaging materials for your product to adhere to the UK environment standards and enhance your custom boxes appear on the shelves. 

For example, cardboard boxes and kraft boxes are more eco-friendly reduce landfills, and create lasting impressions with innovative designs. When you are looking for the best packaging material for your product, keep in mind the product's needs and the legal standard of the FDA to not violate regulations. 

Conclusion 

Now you know the different types of packaging material and the features that can support your product accordingly. Read this blog to find out which is the best type of packaging material that suits your product needs. If you still have concerns about the packaging, you can contact us and feel free to ask us!