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Packaging has a double function, that of storing or packing the product, and of being a ‘magnet’ that attracts the public through its image. These two functions must always be united if you want to have a space in the mind of the consumer and in the supermarket shelves.

Regarding packaging as another element of communication of the brand, according to one professional designer, “Advertising can be considered as the air force, but packaging is the infantry, and to take a hill you have to use it”. So, let’s look at some considerations to have a good infantry base.

1. Characteristics of the product to be packaged

Normally the product can be presented in three physical states: liquid, solid or gas. According to the physical state of the product, you must consider the design of the container.

2. Packaging process

The packaging will be designed depending also on the form of filling to which it will be subjected. The container must withstand pressure differences, as well as the vacuum, the internal pressure of the product subjected to thermal processing and external pressures, etc. The packaging design must take into account the tolerances and movements or vibrations during or after packaging.

3. Anticipated shelf life of the product

The shelf life should be considered as the time that a certain product should remain with the original quality characteristics with which it was launched on the market. For this you will have to consider aspects such as its weight, shape, size, colour as well as the material of the container.

4. Product-package compatibility

It is essential that the necessary tests are carried out with the materials that have been chosen and the conditions that the container and the product will be subjected to.

5. Handling and application of the product

You must ensure that the effort required in unpacking and application of the product is as simple as possible for the user.

6. Consumer market

You need to take into account the market to which the product is directed, as well as the positioning that you want to have in the market; therefore, the packaging must also be consistent with that objective, as well as with the “philosophy” of your product. Packaging materials will differ when you are targeting a market in which saving is fundamental compared to when you are designing a container for a luxury product, such as perfume.

7. Selection of the optimal size

The size and shape of the container can be decisive in the choice of your product by the consumer. Studying those products that are directly your competitors and knowing the way in which they are presented is fundamental to determining your own packaging presence.

8. Printing and labelling process

It is necessary to consider how the printing and labelling of the product will be carried out when you start to work on different design options. Perhaps you will need to eliminate some aspects of your design or modify them in favour of a more optimal printing and labelling process.

9. Quality is important in the marketing approach

Current markets are characterised by two aspects: a very competitive offer and the growing awareness of consumers about the quality of products. Quality, from the point of view of packaging, has two elements to consider:

• The quality of the product, referring to the materials and manufacturing processes of the container.
• And the quality of the service / use; the correct operation of the container as well as a fair and competitive price.

10. Ecological impact

When designing a container, you must take into account the ecological consequences of it, through the choice of material, manufacturing processes, life after use, reuse or recycling. The design of containers is increasingly important in terms of sustainability of the same with respect to the environment and trying to reduce the negative impact that your activity and products can have on the environment. It is essential that you consider an ecological design, efficient consumption of natural resources, and that waste can be managed well by recycling or reusing it.

So, there are 10 tips to consider when creating packaging for your business and product. Incorporate these suggestions and you will be heading in the right direction of your business!

If you’re looking to slash your monthly budget in half, simply continue reading to discover a simple, foolproof guide to saving money monthly.

How to Save Money Monthly: A Simple Guide

Select your bank accounts carefully

If your bank account charges hefty maintenance fees, it may be worth switching banks. Make sure to choose a bank which offers low fees and high-interest rates. Some banks such as Capital One, even off fee-free online accounts.

Cut down on your monthly subscription services

If you’re serious about saving money, it’s well worth canceling a few of your monthly subscription services. As an example, you can save over a thousand dollars per yet by canceling your cable subscription and signing up to online streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu. As Netflix costs around $10 per month, while most cable subscriptions are 10 times the price.

Other examples of monthly subscription service which you may want to ax include unused gym memberships and golf memberships.

Purchase fresh produce from a local farmers market

In order to decrease the amount of money which you spend on groceries each week, it’s well worth visiting a local farmers market, where you can pick up fruit, vegetables, and eggs, for a fraction of the price. As an added benefit, the produce you pick up will be far fresher than the produce at your local grocery store.

Swap your gas guzzling car for a more fuel-efficient model 

If you spend a small fortune on fueling your car with gas, you may want to consider swapping your car for a more fuel-efficient model. Which offers more miles per gallon.

Stop paying full price for items

Get into the habit of shopping around for sales, instead of forking out full price for items. It’s well worth using online comparison sites, to find the best possible price on an item which you’re interested in buying.

Start taking a pack lunched to work 

If you spend $100 on purchasing cafe style lunches a week, you can save several hundred dollars by getting into the habit of packing a healthy homemade lunch. If you can’t survive without eating out, try to limit eating out for lunch, to once a week.

Invest in a high-quality coffee machine

While purchasing a quality coffee machine may initially set you back a few hundred dollars, over the course of the year you should save over $1,000 by brewing your own cups of coffees, instead of visiting expensive cafes such as Starbucks. So if you’re a coffee addict, it’s well worth treating yourself to a fancy capsule style coffee machine. As an added benefit, you’ll be able to make your coffee, just the way you like it.

Stop purchasing branded products

Did you know that you can purchase generic electronic goods such as smartphones and television sets as well as generic branded medicine and food products? You should be able to decrease your monthly budget by several hundred dollars by making the switch from overpriced branded products, to generic branded products.

So, what are you waiting for? Simply try the 8 money saving tips listed above out for a few months and watch your savings grow!