Is the general group of activities in designing the containers or wrappers for the product?

Packaging Definition

Packaging can be defined as the general group of activities in product planning, which support value designing and producing the wrapper or container for a product. In other words, packaging involves development of container and its graphic design for a product.

Overview of Packaging

Packaging is an important tool for effective sales that encourages the buyers to purchase. It performs basic functions of protecting the goods, convenience in usage, handling and storing of goods, etc., which should not convey any deceptive message to the customers.

Merely wrapping a product for transportation is called packing. While wrapping it with something that has logo, product information, and marketing of the content with the intention of storage and sale is packaging. Making it visually appealing attracts customers by the label and improves marketing and promotion of its sales.

Good packaging defines the status or prestige of a good amongst the customers. Combined with handsome design, and moderate and adaptable packaging of a product, it delivers a positive idea to the customer, making it more dependable.

Let us see what exactly the functions of packaging are.

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What you'll learn:

• Packaging Definition
• Overview of Packaging
• Functions of Packaging
• Types of Packaging
• Importance of Packaging

Functions of Packaging

• Protects the contents

Packaging performs the basic function of protecting goods from dirt, dust, damage, pilferage, watering, leakage, contamination, evaporation and so on.

• Provides product density

This implies to using the limited space of packaging optimally by choosing package material, design and shape that support the cause. It increases grace and poise of arrangement.

• Acts as promotional tool

Good packaging is self-capable of advertising, publishing, displaying, and playing the role of an advertising medium. Attracting the attention of customer or prospects is all about choosing the right design and color combinations to right size and graphics.

• Provides user convenience

Good packaging results in ease of transportation, storage and handling of the product, without wasting even a bit of it. Thus, consumers are assisted as long as the product is still in use.

• Facilitates product identification

Distinguished packaging adds to the perception or image of the product, which helps the consumer identify it, easily. Distinct packaging on popular products help the buyer recognize a trusted product, wherever or whenever they see it, just on the basis of its branding and packaging.

• Allows easy product mix

An assortment of sizes, colors, measures, grades, measures, package types, etc., along with product lines contributes to make product mix. Change in it is possible as packaging helps in influencing size, dimensions, and weight of the product.

Types of Packaging

Below are the various types of packaging:

• Consumer packaging

This type of packaging is done when the product is meant for ultimate consumption and the consumer has the option to purchase the size most adequate to him. Basically, consumer packaging is the means of buying household.

• Transit packaging

This type of packaging is meant for industrial consumer, in which, the consumer packaging has an outside packaging called the outer container or bulk packaging.

• Industrial packaging

This packaging describes either a bulk package or package for durable consumer goods. The packaging may include instructions on the handling and destination of such products, for large and small industries, so that they may be identified without having to sift through their contents, before reaching their intended department or location.

• Dual use packaging

Such type of packaging has secondary uses after its contents are consumed. For instance, dual use packaging can be seen in the case of drinking glasses, waste baskets, refrigerator dishes, boxes of jewelry, etc.

Importance of Packaging

Let us see some of the benefits that packaging holds.

• Creation of demand

It helps to create and increase the demand of customers by advertising. Customers come to know the product through its packaging.

• Protection of the product

Packaging helps in protecting the product all through its way from the factory to the target customers, from heat, moisture, light, dust, leakage, spillage, and breakage.

• Transportation

Ensuring better and easier handling during transit is another importance of packaging.

• Guidelines to customers

These days, the guidelines of nature of product and its handling are mentioned on the packaging itself, which guides the consumers.

• Better storage

Packaging acts as better storage of product, that can be stored as stock in retails stores also in lesser price.

• Identification of product differentiation

Packaging helps customers to easily identify the product of their choice at the time of purchase, thus, preventing substitution of goods by other customers.

• Economy

It helps attain economy in cost structure to producers and marketers, by reducing losses from damages and promoting sales.