If you create a product that needs to be packaged in order to be distributed and sold to the public, you may be wondering what type of packaging is the best for your business. There are many things to keep in mind when choosing packaging material types, including eco-friendliness, cost, and what best suits your product. No matter what kind of product you manufacture, you should consider using flexible packaging for your product. Flexible packages offer a variety of benefits that make them the logical choice for many product manufacturers.
What Is Flexible Packaging?
Flexible packaging is an umbrella term to describe types of packaging that are (just as their name describes) flexible, soft, and bendable. Flexible packaging is made from materials that are both durable and eco-friendly. It is used in a wide variety of industries, including retail, consumer storage, garbage bags, institutional food, and manufacturing.
Flexible packaging comes in a range of sizes and shapes. Options often include:
- Sachet packets
- Stick packs
- Rollstock packaging
- Custom flexible packaging
Flexible packaging can easily be mocked-up or made into sample sizes. This means you can use flexible packaging materials not only for products you’re going to sell but also during the design and promotional process.
In this blog we will discuss how flexible packaging for products can benefit your business. You will learn more about flexible packaging material examples, what flexible packaging is actually made out of, how it can benefit your product or business, and the best way to create flexible packaging options for any goods or products you need to package and sell.
What Materials Are Used in Flexible Packaging?
Flexible packaging can refer to a variety of packaging types. Flexible materials examples include film, foil, paper, and plastic. Essentially, a flexible packaging material is any material that has give and can bend, unlike a harder glass or plastic material. There are two main types of flexible packages: bags, sacks, and packages, and wraps like stretch wrap, shrink wrap, twist memory films, and more.
Lightweight Materials
Flexible packaging materials are lightweight, making them portable and affordable for you to ship. It also means that they’re easy to move or transport between locations, so they don’t create a headache to store, pack, or tote around.
Cost-Effective
Not only are flexible materials cost-effective because their shipping costs are so much less than bulkier packaging options, but they also use fewer raw materials for production, which roughly translates to a lower cost for your business.
Eco-Friendly
Because flexible packaging materials use fewer raw materials in their production, they use fewer resources and are, in turn, an eco-friendly option. Also, using flexible materials results in less waste being produced, especially in regard to fewer leftovers during the manufacturing process and fewer greenhouse emissions.
Creative Customizability, Branding, and Design Capabilities
When you pack your goods in flexible packages, you can take advantage of their customizability and versatility. Flexible product packaging is known for being versatile. Not only does it have an aesthetic design you can manipulate to match your brand, but it also allows for design changes that add secondary functionality specifically for your product—e.g., heating properties, being re-sealable, being puncture and tear-resistant.
Flexible Packaging Extends Product Shelf Life
Flexible packaging has long been known for extending the shelf life of a product. When used with oxygen absorbers inside of a flexible bag or pouch, you can keep air out of the bag and maintain an oxygen level close to zero during the product’s entire life. This can prevent the growth of fungi or microorganisms inside that bag.
Convenient Transportation and Safe Storage
One final benefit of choosing flexible packaging materials is that they lend themselves to convenient transportation and safe storage. Because flexible packaging materials are so light, they are easily transported to wherever you need them to go in order to be filled. Additionally, once your flexible packages are filled, you can also transport your products to wherever they need to go to be distributed or sold. Transport is easier and more affordable because they are less clunky and more convenient to carry around than plastic or glass bottles or containers.
Flexible packaging materials also lend themselves to safe storage. They are not easily breakable or damageable, so packaging materials should remain safe and intact as they are stored and waiting to be filled. They are also associated with safe storage because they extend the shelf life of whatever product is inside them. You can use them to keep stocks of your products stored longer without having to dispose of products that aren’t sold within a specific limited time frame.
Your Co-Packing Partner
If you want to package your product in flexible packaging, consider working with Maple Mountain Co-Packers (MMCP) as your co-packing and packaging partner. At MMCP, we work with you to create custom-built production lines to suit your exact needs. MMCP offers a wide range of packaging options and services, including sachet packets, stick packs, bulk powder fills, sample packaging, and roll stock. It’s important to note however we offer flexible packaging for dry goods only.
Learn more about flexible packaging or see our services page to see a complete list of packaging options. Contact us to discuss any custom packaging needs you have and we will find a solution together. MMCP values creating long-term relationships with clients and looks forward to establishing a long-term partnership with your business as your co-packing and packaging needs change through the years.