For a lot of packaging, you need more layers than just one. Sometimes, it requires a layer over this to protect it, usually a box that ships the product there. This lets customers give this to a person without it being damaged. The cool thing is, that primary and secondary packaging doesn’t have to be boring, but there are some cool ways to make it work for your needs.
All about primary Packaging
This is the packaging that directly touches the product. If someone buys an item from the store, primary packaging protects the item directly, and it contains the important information that customers need. This usually is not a later that is removed until the customer is going to interact with the product directly.
Cereal boxes are a great example. It gives the customer all of the pertinent information about this product, and also any important practical and nutritional info to let the customer know how much they should have the flavor, and whatnot. Usually, this houses the cereal directly and maintains freshness for the customer too.
Cartons are another one, and plastic wrapping is another, since this pretty easy to use, surrounds the item, and usually contains fun codes, nutrition facts, and even sell by or best by dates too. The goal of this packaging is to tell customers about the packaging and the brand quality, and also, what you should do to help properly preserve the freshness.
Secondary Packaging
What is secondary packaging then? This is the packaging over the direct packaging that protects the item when it’s transported. Usually, it’s used for display, or for logistical reasons because this usually is how products are properly protected.
Some examples include:
- Those displays you see by the register
- Packaging that makes it retail-ready
- Packaging that makes it shelf-ready
- Pallets
- Case stackers
- Floor bins
- Endcap
The goal of this is to get the eye of the customer, or it’s used to protect the boxes and whatnot from getting smashed. Usually, cardboard is the main way to display this because it’s strong, and it catches the eye of the person who is looking at this, since you typically use cool graphics on this.
The uses for this are also some of the most practical out there too. You can put a bunch of products together to sell an item in bulk. Sodas that are sold in large packages are good, and usually, you can also get little packaging that gets the contents directly from point A to point B, as in the case of those cardboard holders for root beer bottles.
It’s also really good to help transport items, and it is something that’s cooled to use because for a few of these, you can literally get it, pull it out, and display it within the secondary packaging, so it works twofold. Workers as well can also open some parts of this, maybe with designated perforations, that actually shows the products directly on display to use.
This keeps primary packaging and the product itself safe, but it also is a unique way to display the different items there. Pallets and floor bins also work well to display everything that comes with this, and usually a lot of stores will utilize these floor displays because it allows them to display as many products as possible that they can without it all crowding or taking a bunch of space on the shelf.
With that said, primary and secondary packaging are both very important especially for determining the packaging needs that you might have for your company.