In today's fiercely competitive marketplace, the quality of your product isn't the only thing that matters - how it's packaged is equally crucial. The packaging you choose has the power to protect your product, amplify your brand, increase sales, and significantly reduce your operational costs. As leaders of food processing and manufacturing businesses, an investment in custom thermoformed packaging is a strategic move toward enhanced product protection, brand visibility, sustainability, and financial efficiency.
A Primer on Custom Thermoformed Packaging
Thermoformed packaging is the result of a versatile process involving heating, forming, and then cutting plastic. This process allows the creation of tailor-made packaging designs in two main forms: Light Gauge and Heavy Gauge thermoforming. While Light Gauge is typically performed in-line using roll stock, Heavy Gauge forming occurs in independent stations using thicker sheets that are unsuitable for winding onto a roll.
The malleability of heated plastic allows the creation of unique packaging solutions that cater specifically to your product's shape, size, and design requirements. Whether it's trays, clamshells, or blister packaging, thermoformed packaging can enhance your product's protection and visual appeal on store shelves.
Furthermore, thermoformed packaging can be crafted from recyclable materials like PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), in addition to more recent developments in bio-based and compostable materials, aligning with contemporary sustainability efforts.
The Game-Changing Benefits of Custom Thermoformed Packaging
Superior Product Protection
Custom thermoformed packaging offers an unrivaled barrier against external factors like moisture and oxygen. Incorporating features like tamper-evident seals or blister packs, this packaging solution ensures the utmost product integrity. Moreover, its protective and hygienic properties are particularly beneficial for perishable goods, extending their shelf life and reducing waste.
Enhanced Branding and Visibility
Custom thermoformed packaging allows you to translate your brand's unique identity into the packaging design. With excellent clarity and the ability to incorporate attractive graphics, logos, and other branding elements, these packages enhance product visibility and consumer engagement.
Sustainability
Custom thermoformed packaging demonstrates your commitment to the environment. With the ability to be crafted from recyclable, bio-based, and compostable materials, these packages significantly reduce your carbon footprint while contributing to your brand's reputation for corporate social responsibility.
Financial Efficiency
In addition to its marketing benefits, custom thermoformed packaging can significantly improve your bottom line. This packaging technique typically requires less material and has faster production cycles, resulting in lower manufacturing costs. Notably, the reduced weight of thermoformed packaging compared to traditional alternatives also lowers shipping costs.
Real-World Successes
The advantages of custom thermoformed packaging are not just theoretical; they have been proven in practice. Companies across diverse industries have experienced tangible benefits from switching to this innovative packaging solution.
Case Study: Operational Efficiency
A US automotive manufacturer transitioned to a custom thermoformed tray application to eliminate human error and ongoing labor challenges that were resulting in lost parts, quality issues and customer returns.
The consistency of the custom trays allowed the company to automate the packaging and inspection process and thermoform’s custom fit now keeps their products securely in place during handling and shipping. As a result, the company was able to increase packaging efficiency, eliminate human error, and reduce costly damage and returns.
Case Study: Extending Shelf-Life & Market Share
A national producer of high-quality meal kits switched to a custom thermoformed tray and VSP (vacuum sealed packaging) application. The custom trays were designed to allow for more uniform portions. The skintight packaging eliminated shifting and leakage of the food during transit and accentuated its visual appeal. Given its exceptional barrier properties, the packaging keeps the meals fresher longer, reducing spoilage and waste, allowing the company to expand its market coverage. What’s more, the microwaveable tray transitions seamlessly from freezer to oven and is reusable – a benefit that has been a big hit with their customers. The thermoform packaging uses less packaging material and is lightweight, helping to keep shipping costs in check as well.
Case Study: A Sustainable Change
A well-known food processor, beloved for its tasty cookies, wanted to protect their delicate baked goods while doing their part to protect the environment. They accomplished both with a custom thermoform solution that ensures their cookies don’t crumble on the way to their consumers’ pantries and switched from non-recyclable OPS packaging to a custom, environmentally friendly, curbside recyclable PET tray allowing the company to delight their customers with an exceptional product and live their values by minimizing their environmental footprint.
Conclusion
Custom thermoformed packaging provides a compelling blend of operational, financial, and brand-building benefits that can transform product packaging through improved product protection, brand visibility, sustainability, and financial efficiency.
Experience the transformative benefits of custom thermoformed packaging with the help of SupplyOne’s team of Packaging Engineers, Packaging Designers, Food Packaging Specialists and Packaging Automations Specialists and Technicians.
Contact Us today and put SupplyOne’s packaging expertise to work for your business.