Packaging is an integral part of the product development process and protects your product, keeping it fresh and presentable to consumers. It can even play a role in marketing and branding. However, not all packaging is created equal. In this post, we’ll discuss the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.
Primary Packaging
Primary packaging is the first layer of protection for your product. It’s in direct contact with the product and designed to protect it from damage, tampering, or spillage. Common primary packaging materials include:
- Glass
- Metal
- Paperboard
- Plastic
Types of Primary Packaging
Flexible Packaging
Flexible packaging uses materials like foil, cellophane, and paper. It’s often used for food items like chips, candy, and personal care products like shampoo and conditioner. Flexible packaging is easy to mold around a material.
Rigid Packaging
Rigid packaging uses more complex materials that keep their shape like glass, metal, and plastic. Rigid packaging can be used for products that need protection from impact or temperature changes, such as electronics, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
Semi-rigid Packaging
Semi-rigid packaging is a hybrid of flexible and rigid packaging, and uses shape-holding materials like foam and cardboard. Semi-rigid packaging materials can easily be bent or molded, and are usually used for products that need some protection from impact like eggs or wine bottles.
Functions of Primary Packaging
#I. Protection
Products need protection from the elements, tampering, and damage. Primary packaging keeps your product safe from when it leaves the factory until it reaches the customer.
#II. Presentation
The way your product looks is important to customers. Primary packaging should be eye-catching and make your product look its best. Well-packaged products are more likely to sell than poorly-packaged ones.
#III. Branding
Primary packaging is often the first thing customers see, meaning it’s an excellent opportunity to make a good impression and build brand awareness. Your packaging should be consistent with your branding across all channels, from your website to your social media accounts.
#IV. Information
Products like food and pharmaceuticals need specific information on the packaging, such as nutrition facts or expiration dates. It’s important that this information is legible and easy to find.
Most countries have regulations for primary packaging requirements as these regulations ensure the information gets to the consumer.
Secondary Packaging
Secondary packaging is the layer of protection around your product’s primary packaging. Its design protects multiple products during shipping and storage, and can also be used for branding and marketing purposes. Common secondary packaging materials include:
- Cardboard boxes
- Plastic containers
- Shrink wrap
Types of Secondary Packaging
Wrapping
Wrapping is a type of secondary packaging that uses materials like paper, plastic, or fabric to enclose a product or group of products. These materials are commonly used for products that need protection from the elements, like food items or personal care products.
Boxes
Boxes are a type of packaging that uses materials like cardboard or paperboard to enclose a product or group of products. They’re often used for products that need protection from impact, like electronics or glassware.
Containers
Containers are a type of packaging that uses materials like plastic or metal to enclose a product or group of products. They’re normally used for products that need protection from the elements or tampering, like pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.
Functions of Secondary Packaging
Protection
Secondary packaging protects your products from damage during shipping and storage. It’s often made from sturdy materials like cardboard or plastic that can withstand impact.
Most secondary packaging contains multiple layers of protection to further protect your products. These layers of protection are most commonly created with foam or bubble wrap.
Stacking
Secondary packaging is often designed to stack on top of each other to improve efficiency during shipping and storage. The stacking feature is especially important for fragile products that need protection from the elements.
Branding
Secondary packaging can be used for branding and marketing purposes as it’s an opportunity to make a good impression and build brand awareness. Your packaging should be consistent with your branding across all channels. It can feature unique shapes or patterns to entice customers, though the primary purpose of secondary packaging is to hold mass quantities.
Most countries have regulations that dictate secondary packaging requirements. These regulations ensure the information gets to the consumer.
Tertiary Packaging
Tertiary packaging is the third layer of protection around your product. This packaging is designed to protect large groups of products during shipping and storage, and can also be used for branding and marketing purposes. Common tertiary packaging materials include:
- Pallets
- Gaylord boxes
- Crates
Types of Tertiary Packaging
Pallets
Pallets are a type of packaging that uses materials like wood or plastic to support a product or group of products. Pallets are for products that need protection from impact, such as electronics or glassware.
Gaylord Boxes
Gaylord boxes are a type of packaging that uses materials like cardboard or paperboard to support a product or group of products. They can be used for products that need protection from the elements, like food items or personal care products.
Crates
Crates are a type of packaging that uses materials like wood or metal to enclose a product or group of products. Crates range in size from small to large, and are used for products that need protection from the elements or tampering, like pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.
Functions of Tertiary Packaging
Protection
Tertiary packaging protects your products from damage during shipping and storage. It’s often made from sturdy materials like wood or plastic that can withstand impact. This type of packaging is typically used for large groups of products, so it often contains multiple layers of protection created from foam or bubble wrap.
Stacking
Tertiary packaging is often designed to stack on top of each other. Its design makes it more efficient for shipping and storage. For instance, pallets can be stacked on top of each other to ensure efficient use of space.
Bulk Shipping
Tertiary packaging is often found in bulk shipping. The design and build of tertiary packaging are crucial to ensure the safety of your products during transit. For example, pallets are designed with specialized nooks for the forks of a forklift, so they can be lifted and transported without tipping over.
Determining the Packaging for Products
#1. Product Type
The type of product you’re packaging will dictate the kind of packaging you need. For instance, food requires food-safe packaging to protect the product from the elements. Fragile items like glassware will need packaging that can withstand impact.
#2. Quantity
The number of products you’re packaging will dictate your packaging type. Bulk shipping needs packaging that’s designed for efficiency, like pallets or Gaylord boxes.
If you’re packaging a small number of products, like for retail sale, you’ll need packaging designed for easy storage and display, like boxes or bags.
#3. Cost
The cost of packaging will be a significant factor in your decision-making process. You’ll need to consider the cost of materials, as well as the cost of shipping and storage. If you’re packaging a large number of products, you’ll need to factor in the cost of bulk shipping. For a small number of products, your main consideration will be the cost of retail packaging.
#4. Sustainability
You’ll also need to consider the sustainability of your packaging. If you’re packaging food items, biodegradable or recyclable packaging is your best choice. Sustainable packaging is important as we strive to reduce our environmental impact.
#5. Hazardous Material
Hazardous materials like cleaning products and chemicals need special packaging. They have to be leak-free, airtight, and be designed to transport products safely. You’ll also need to follow all regulations and guidelines for shipping hazardous materials.
#6. Handling and Storage
When deciding on the packaging, you’ll also need to consider how the products will be handled and stored. For instance, you might ship products that need to be kept cold, like food or pharmaceuticals. For those items, you’ll need packaging that’s designed for temperature-controlled shipping and storage.
If you’re packaging products that are sensitive to light or heat, you’ll need packaging that will protect the products from these elements.
Why Do Packaging Levels Matter?
Packaging levels are an essential part of the product packaging process. By understanding the different types of packaging, you can choose the suitable packaging for your products.
For instance, if you’re packaging a food item, you’ll need to use food-safe packaging. If you’re packaging a hazardous material, you’ll need to use special packaging designed for safety.
Meet Your Packaging Needs Today
Understanding the different types of packaging is essential to choosing the right type of packaging for your products. When selecting the right kind of packaging for your needs, it’s best to consider the factors of product type, quantity, cost, and sustainability. The right packaging can take your business to the next level, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
If you want to learn more about our packaging services, contact the experts at MDI today.
