“What matters most is on the inside.” This familiar aphorism is typically used to describe someone’s inner beauty, but it can also apply to parcels. Of course, customers care most about what’s inside a box—but the packaging is also important, and it can make or break a customer’s experience with a new product.
To establish their brand identity with sturdy, high-quality materials, many companies use rigid box packaging. You can prove that customers can depend on you for superior products and exceptional attention to detail by doing the same.
Some durable items can be shipped in soft-sided packaging. But most customers and clients depend on strong, reliable containers like rigid boxes.
Also called “set-up boxes,” rigid boxes are four times thicker than the average paperboard box and usually include a paper exterior where companies can print designs.
Custom rigid boxes add allure to any product through association with high-end merchandise. For instance, expensive electronics, jewelry, beauty products, and small-batch spirits often arrive in rigid boxes
Brand managers know that materials send a message. Therefore, it’s imperative that companies give considerable thought to their custom rigid boxes. Options include:
Rigid boxes use a wide variety of materials, but they are not all created equal. Most packaging companies use chipboard for their custom rigid boxes because it is robust and performs well under stress.
Chipboard is usually made from recycled paper, making it a sustainable packaging material. The paper is then layered and pressed into a thick substance. The variable thickness of chipboard is ideal for oddly shaped products, fragile products, and virtually anything else.
Compared to corrugated cardboard, chipboard is much less expensive and weighs less, so it costs less to ship. Because chipboard is made from paper, it is endlessly recyclable.
Corrugated boxes are also known as the common “cardboard box.” They usually connote basic products, and most brand managers avoid corrugated boxes when marketing luxury products.
With that said, some cheap products only require a bare-bones package. If you need to ship something inexpensively, without worrying about brand image, corrugated cardboard may be right for you.
Paperboard is a poor material for rigid boxes because it is flimsy and susceptible to water damage. If you choose to use paperboard, be sure to pay extra for triple-wall paperboard. This offers the most protection.
However, most companies prefer chipboard due to its affordability and strength.
Polystyrene has numerous uses, from fine art to surfboards. But it also works well to protect fragile products. If you have an oddly shaped product, polystyrene creates a sturdy interior structure to support every angle.
Foam core is another inexpensive option that compliments set-up boxes. Simply cut a proportionate hole in the foam core and nestle your product safely inside.
You can also use plastic sheeting to create an internal tray. Apple famously used this method to package iPhones. The plastic trays and their accompanying custom rigid boxes are a high-water mark in the packaging industry because they bolster the image of a luxury product
Litho-laminate is the premier choice for rigid box design. For reference, litho-laminate is paper that is printed and then laminated onto a corrugated substrate.
Enjoy the peace of mind that reinforced chipboard provides, and boost your sales with a visually captivating litho-laminate. You can add unbelievable finishes to your custom rigid box, including foils, embossing, gloss, matte, and soft-touch lamination.
Your shelf appeal will increase exponentially with a high-quality glossy finish. Litho-laminate works great for beverages, e-commerce goods, garden products, pet care products, and much more.
If you’re on the market for new packaging, look no further than rigid boxes made from reliable chipboard.
While cardboard and paperboard are appropriate for certain products, most high-end retailers choose the opulent connotations of chipboard and interior structures made from polystyrene, foam core, or plastic sheeting. When you’ve settled on the materials for your deluxe packaging, compliment your set-up box with litho-laminate.
In a competitive business environment, you need your products to stand out from the pack. Build a strong brand image and keep your products protected with a custom rigid box.