Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Product Packaging - Guide to Major Retail Success



One of the most important things to do to promote your product is to spend extra time and effort on your packaging. Packaging can make or break a buyer's decision as to whether they buy your product or not. There are many product concepts that do not get realized by Major Retailers because of packaging.

If you consider it from a Buyer's point of view, packaging is what a customer notices first when entering into their store. If the packaging isn't attractive or clear, customers won't buy. It's a simple equation. Thus, spending plenty of time on packaging is essential to Major Retail success.

But how do you know if you are on the right track?

These are three great questions to think about when preparing your product's packaging for Major Retail success:

1. Does your packaging convey a clear message of what the product is or does?

If you can't pick up your product in its current packaging and know immediately what it is, then you know you have a problem. There should always be a clear message imparted by your packaging - what it is, what it does, and why it's awesome. It needs to be readable quickly, because customers usually decide within a few seconds as to whether they want to buy your product or not. It's imperative that you create a clear visual experience for the customer as to what the product is and how it can help them.

2. Is the packaging attractive? Does it make the consumer want to buy now?

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - you may love that kiwifruit green but to someone else it looks like cabbage! If no one else agrees on the attractiveness of your packaging, then you know you have a problem. It needs to be attractive, concise and enticing. How do you know that you are getting it right? By asking people, of course! Ask your friends, family, colleagues, people on the street...ask anyone who will give you an honest answer. Ask them for the truth, not what they think you want to hear. You'll soon appreciate how very honest people can be!

3. Is the package size consistent with its competition?

If your competitors packaging is 3X smaller than your packaging, then you know you have a problem. You've got make sure your product is compatible with how much space a Buyer has to work with. Buyers need to specially layout their space in a store because they are allotted a very limited amount of space for their category. So be sensible, and consider how much room a buyer has to work with before you go for the foot long box.

Even if none of this applies to you, if you are not 100% convinced that you are on the right track with packaging, it's always worth getting some expert advice. Find a company or packaging expert that can advise you specifically about product packaging for your product type. Working with an experience packaging expert can save you many a headache down the road and really help you nail the sales.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Paper Bags And The Wonders They Can Do!



Paper bags have come a long way, from delicate and feeble materials, to tough containers. There are diverse category differing in dimension, form, design, bag handle and color. Most of your outdoor camping supplies or backpacking gear can easily be packed in those bags. The method in which they are made and the material of paper from which these bags are produced quite varies. These recycled paper bags are a famous type, that reveals flexibility and resistant to water.

These biodegradable bags have been the enhanced alternative for trade bagging for some time now. More and more people like producers, suppliers, investors, entrepreneurs and even buyers are switching to the use of such bags. Shopping bags and traveling bags made from plastic have been successfully substituted by paper bags in various settings. At the moment, those bags have been additionally delimited to secondhand ones.

Recycled paper bags, as well as being perfect carriers and shopping bags, also happen to be perfect gift bags, booty bags, keepsake packs, and giveaways themselves. Buying them in bulk is further lucrative than using these bags separately.

They can be employed for particular events such as Christmas, birthdays along with company birthday for gift-offering to customers and workers, and for other company proceedings in wrapping giveaways, freebies and so on. For several pieces, you spend quite less than you were originally going to do for plastic bags. More so, a reasonable deal is possible for picking the recycled type.

Another selling trait is that these bags easily provide extended and multiple usage. With size and density that can house bulky and huge commodities, there's no cause to fret for damaged bags or broken handles while being in the middle of a shopping extravaganza or perhaps about damaged booty bags when delivering company items to customers. Anyhow, recycled paper bags are made out of long-term and powerful raw materials.

These kinds of bags are not just safe but also quite light use. Moreover, they can be effortlessly be disposed if you do not want to use them again. True, those paper bags when utilized on too many occasions will finally get exhausted. Nothing like plastic bags however, that can have serious health and ecological consequences due to the toxins from the plastic when thrown away and recycled inappropriately, those bags such as recycled paper bags create no hazard to us and the surroundings.

Employing those bags is a healthy introduction to workers and clients that your industry sustains eco-friendly commodities and joins hands for conservation of our environment. This portrays a positive picture for your brand.

Your business does not need to go for rallies or join conferences. Just recycled paper bags tell volumes. They tend to set an example in both trend and noble cause. Make use of them for your company and you will be getting good praises while doing something nice. When combined with effective advertising, greater yields will show up in your business.

What are you waiting for? Just bring those bags in common usage and see how everyone appreciates it. You'll certainly get a thumbs-up from customers, the UN and not to forget Mother Earth. It is actually a gift that only keeps returning.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

History of Paper Making



When it comes to environment friendly products, paper is among the most preferable materials. Today, we see different kinds of paper with different level of thickness and durability. Paper's usage is not limited to writing any more. It now ranges from personal hygiene products to packaging material. Wax packaging, seafood packaging and even the poultry boxes are all made up of paper. With its many usages, it would be interesting to track back to the history of this invention.

It is a commonly known fact that paper has been around since ancient times. The name paper itself came from papyrus, which means the bark of a plant. It is obvious that the bark was the first kind of material used for writing. However, the scribbling on rocks and stones were used even before that. The actual paper making process was developed in China during the Han dynasty in around 200BC. The very first paper is said to be made from mulberry leaves, fishnets and rags. During the third century, the usage of paper became more common, and it was also used for wrapping purposes as well.

During the Tang dynasty (around 600AD), the domain of paper usage was even more expanded and it was now used in tea bags, napkins, baskets and other decorative purposes. By that time, toilet paper had already become a necessity in China. It was not until the Song dynasty that paper money was actually printed, thus further signifying the value of paper.

Although kept secret by the Chinese, the art of paper making did reach Japan by the 610AD. However, it was the Arabs who took paper manufacturing to the next level by introducing bulk manufacturing methods during 751 AD. It became a major industry of Baghdad and Samarkand. From there on, Arabs introduced many calligraphic and book making styles as a form of art.

After the first crusades, the art of paper making further spread into the western world. However, historical evidence proves that the Mayans also developed the paper making technique during the 5th century. This technique was similar to the Chinese method, but was purely made of tree bark.

During the 1400's, many printing techniques were transferred from fabric to paper, and paper making became an industry around the world. Water powered paper mills were common all around Europe and the Middle East. Yet, paper was still expensive and not as common as it is today.

During the 19th century, the advent of the steam engine brought new power to the paper making technique. The steam powered paper mill could make paper out of wood pulp, the latter which soon became a norm which lead to a faster way of mass-production of paper, which in return reduced the price. The paper and printing presses was now everywhere. Newspaper and books became common.

Although, times have again changed, and most of the work is done on softcopies rather than papers, nothing has been able to completely replace paper. The demand for paper is ever increasing, and hardcopies are still much more reliable than their soft counterparts.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Product Packaging 101 - Guide to Major Retail Success

One of the most important things to do to promote your product is to spend extra time and effort on your packaging. Packaging can make or break a buyer's decision as to whether they buy your product or not. There are many product concepts that do not get realized by Major Retailers because of packaging.

If you consider it from a Buyer's point of view, packaging is what a customer notices first when entering into their store. If the packaging isn't attractive or clear, customers won't buy. It's a simple equation. Thus, spending plenty of time on packaging is essential to Major Retail success.

But how do you know if you are on the right track?

These are three great questions to think about when preparing your product's packaging for Major Retail success:

1. Does your packaging convey a clear message of what the product is or does?

If you can't pick up your product in its current packaging and know immediately what it is, then you know you have a problem. There should always be a clear message imparted by your packaging - what it is, what it does, and why it's awesome. It needs to be readable quickly, because customers usually decide within a few seconds as to whether they want to buy your product or not. It's imperative that you create a clear visual experience for the customer as to what the product is and how it can help them.

2. Is the packaging attractive? Does it make the consumer want to buy now?

Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder - you may love that kiwifruit green but to someone else it looks like cabbage! If no one else agrees on the attractiveness of your packaging, then you know you have a problem. It needs to be attractive, concise and enticing. How do you know that you are getting it right? By asking people, of course! Ask your friends, family, colleagues, people on the street...ask anyone who will give you an honest answer. Ask them for the truth, not what they think you want to hear. You'll soon appreciate how very honest people can be!

3. Is the package size consistent with its competition?

If your competitors packaging is 3X smaller than your packaging, then you know you have a problem. You've got make sure your product is compatible with how much space a Buyer has to work with. Buyers need to specially layout their space in a store because they are allotted a very limited amount of space for their category. So be sensible, and consider how much room a buyer has to work with before you go for the foot long box.

Even if none of this applies to you, if you are not 100% convinced that you are on the right track with packaging, it's always worth getting some expert advice. Find a company or packaging expert that can advise you specifically about product packaging for your product type. Working with an experience packaging expert can save you many a headache down the road and really help you nail the sales.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Paper Food Containers to Serve Food Items



With the rapid development of food service technology, convenient food packaging and serving containers have become widely available in the market. Paper containers are one such option. Popular in restaurants, foodservice products made from paper include bowls, plates, cups, trays and much more.

Paper Food Containers in Various Shapes

To cater the varied packaging and serving needs of foodservice stations, paper food containers come in various dimensions, shapes, attractive colors and designs. These foodservice containers are the perfect solution for keeping foodstuff fresh. The easy-to-use containers can be used to serve both cold and hot foodstuff, including popcorn, chicken, French fries and much more. Moreover, with the help of carry-out containers, foodstuff can be easily and conveniently transported.

Non-toxic and Highly Impermeable

The major advantage of paper containers is that they are non-toxic. So food can be stored safely in them for a long time. Another benefit is most models are impermeable, highly resistant to oil, and maintain the freshness of the stored food. Moreover, these food containers are highly resistant to denting.

Most models of these serving containers have convenient vented or hinged lids and tuck top locks. Some are provided with poly lining on the inside so as to prevent the stored food from getting soggy. Further, most of them are microwave and freezer safe. Southern Champion, Stalk Market, Solo Cup are well-known manufacturers of quality paper food containers that efficiently meet all the foodservice applications of restaurants.

Established Distributors for Quality Products

When planning to buy paper containers to serve food items, approach established distributors of restaurant supplies. Online shops are the best option to make purchase as you can access their inventory and select branded products to meet your food serving and take-out requirements. Reputable dealers offer attractive discounts on all bulk purchases and free shipment options for purchases made above a certain amount.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Paper Making Process



Almost all of us use paper for a variety of reasons, from writing to packaging. But how exactly is paper made? Paper making is a complex series of processes, which turns trees into paper. The way paper is made has changed a lot since it was first made and is now a highly industrialised process. Here is a brief description of the whole paper making process today.

Trees are usually grown specifically for paper supplies. Forest are well managed with new trees grown once the previous once have been cut down for paper production. The way they are harvested can be compared to how crops are harvested by farmers. Paper supplies are from parts of the wood that commercial industries do not want, so all parts of trees are being used, and being used for more than once purpose. Forest trimmings and saw mill waste are examples of the parts of trees regularly used for paper.

Once trees have been cut down they are cut into small logs and put through a machine called a debarker. Logs are fed through this barrel-like machine which strips the bark off as it goes through. Another piece of equipment then cuts the wood into very small pieces and selects the best shaped and sized chips. These chips are next pressure cooked with water and chemicals in a digester. This produces pulp. The pulp is washed, refined and cleaned and turned into a slush-like substance. This is done in a large tank called a hydrapulper. At the bottom of the hydrapulper is an agitator which breaks the bales into small pieces. Once this process has been completed the pulp has been turned into a thick substance that is discharged into storage tanks. The next piece of machinery used is a conical. This cuts the cellulose fibres, a process called fibrillation.

The final part of paper making is the paper machine process. The first part of this sees the fibres turn into paper though the wire section. This is a conveyer belt, where water is drained away and captured underneath. Once this has been done it is effectively in a paper-like state. It then travels through a series of rollers where the moisture is squeezed out. The drying cylinders is the next part of the drying process. These are steam heated cylinders. Following this water and starch are added to make printing on the paper possible, so when used ink doesn't just flow off of the page. Next is a final drying section before polish of glaze are added. The paper is then flattened and straightened out. Finally, it is put into a large reel, after which is can be cut into sheets or put onto smaller reels ready for distribution.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Optimized Manufacturing Includes Packaging Automation Robotics



Packaging automation robotics must be part of the overall optimization of product manufacturing. Even small manufacturers can realize the return-on-investment for capital outlay for packaging automation robotics in a reasonable period of time. It is not unrealistic for such a capital expense to get paid back in as little as 18 months. This, by itself, should warrant a very serious look by all manufacturers who have to package their products before shipping to customers. Technology has moved packaging automation robotics forward in that the equipment that you can purchase now to perform this task can be readily integrated with your existing production line.

The first level or primary packaging usually occurs right after a product has been manufactured. This process amounts to putting the product in its first level of packaging. This can be a plastic closed end wrapping like for a candy bar or a bar of soap. A second level or secondary wrapping most always will occur. This happens when the packaged product is bundled in some way with several other units of the same product or the packaged product is put into a box. This secondary packaging is sometimes added to products because they need security or tamper-resistant packaging. Both these levels of packaging can be administered by packaging automation robotics. Secondary packaging can be warranted by the distribution method of the products. Sometimes products need more protection due to the handling that they may get during distribution.

Using Delta robotics to assist in the first level packaging of products in the production stream makes it easy to integrate packaging into the line using current equipment. There may be slight adjustments that have to be made in current production equipment to optimize the packaging capability into the line. In a lot of cases in food product packaging Delta robotics are the optimum selection for packaging delicate food items into their initial wrapping. The delicate touch of Delta robotics accomplish this task very readily. Usually products are loaded into packaging on the horizontal plane for this first level of wrapping. Adding vision capability to the robotics will allow the products that are to be packaged to enter the packaging work cell in random orientation. This packaging solution should not interrupt, but should help to optimize, the production flow.

Delta robotics can also be implemented as the second level of packaging automation robotics. Top loading is the method that is used in some cases to put products into a second package. This is called top loading because the previously wrapped product is inserted into a carton or other substantial wrapper by being inserted from the top of the wrapper. Sometimes these products that have both first and second level packaging in place are collected into groups of products and inserted into a third level of stretch wrap, tray or carton.

There are different types of patterns of presentation that products with which products can be moved into the packaging area. The type of presentation will depend on how the packaging equipment is best included into the overall flow of the production line. The collation pattern brings the products to the packaging operation in a single stream. Products are grouped or collated into a given count so that this group of products can then be wrapped. This can be eight first or second level packaging. Delta robotics are often used for the "pick and place" of these products for packaging.

Perpendicular presentation occurs when the products are brought to the packaging area at right angle to the packaging process. This method can be effectively used for raw food products that are to be packaged by the first level of packaging. Delta robotics perform this operation very well. The robot can be joined with vision capability to get optimum results. The inline presentation can be used to get products to the packaging area either in multiple or single streams. Often the flow of products to be packaged opposes the flow of packages into which they are placed. This allows the robotics to have a full stream of products to pick from in order to effective packaging.

To get optimum results from packaging automation robotics more than one robotic can be used to increase the speed to a higher production rate. A single controller can be programmed to control more that one robotic to do both first and second level packaging. Programming can be adjusted to fit exactly into the speed required by both upstream and downstream equipment. The speed of the production line is going to be influenced by the delicacy of the products being wrapped. Softer, more pliable products usually require a slower speed when being produced and packaged. The capability of the packaging robotic should, however, be able to handle any product consistency at any speed. It is very easy to alter the programming that controls robotics to get the optimum packaging result that is required.

www.made-from-india.com maintains a database for manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers and suppliers of Packaging & Paper Products including hologram, label & tag, packaging materials, paper & pulp, & other HDPE sacks etc.