Choosing the right packaging for your product is vital to the success of your brand. At present, the packaging industry is booming with various types of packaging options and sometimes these options can be overwhelming. Your packaging ultimately determines the outward appearance of your product on store shelves and standing out from the myriad of products and appealing to the consumer are the ultimate goals. The two broad packaging types you will find are Flexible and Rigid Packaging, and you should be able to make an informed decision when deciding on the type of packaging. Everything else from the design, shape, colours and style can be determined after you make this decision.
So what exactly are the main differences between Rigid and Flexible Packaging. Before we dive into this topic, we’ll explain in brief what these packaging types are. Flexible Packaging is a form of non-rigid packaging such as a standup pouch, bag etc, which is “flexible” in nature and can easily change shape, whereas Rigid Packaging is clear from its name: it refers to packaging such as boxes, containers that are usually made from cardboard, glass, metal or plastic that is generally rigid and less malleable.
When considering the weight and the size of the packaging, rigid packaging, unlike flexible packaging, generally takes up more space because it’s mostly made from thicker and denser materials such as glass, metal, cardboard, etc. On the other hand, flexible packaging such as standup pouches and side gusset bags use lighter materials. The advantage of flexible packaging is that it takes less space on store shelves and even during shipping, unlike rigid packaging which takes up more space as they cannot be squeezed together. This makes flexible packaging the go-to solution for shipping soft goods.
Flexible packaging is very adaptable. You can add any colour or design that reflects your brand using a variety of printing methods. With growing technological and innovative capabilities, the shapes and sizes of the flexible packaging can be easily customised whereas rigid packaging is difficult and comparatively expensive to customise. In order to maintain sturdiness, rigid packaging shapes cannot be customised to a great extent. By using flexible packaging, you’ll have more control over the size and shape of the package; there’s more room for innovation.
Packaging’s environmental impact is solely determined by the materials used. Flexible packaging composed of low-density polyethene (LDPE) or polypropylene (PP) can be easily recycled, as can rigid paperboard or corrugated cardboard boxes. The mechanism is such that polyethene (PE) printed film is laminated to another layer of polyethene (PE) providing strength and durability along with recyclable quality. It’s important to highlight that flexible packaging uses less landfill area and has the lowest carbon footprint of any alternative packaging material.
Choosing the right packaging for your product is not an easy decision and therefore we recommend answering the following questions in order to help you determine your most suitable packaging type,
To choose the ideal packaging for you, consider your budget, package design, materials, and marketing goals.
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