How To Make Food Packaging Affordable

*This is a collaborative post on how to make food packaging affordable

Food packaging can make up a significant chunk of a food producer’s budget. While reducing these costs is always welcome, quality standards must be upheld to ensure that the packaging supplies critical benefits. Some smart packing solutions offer unique advantages: affordability, sustainability and flexible customization to meet your production and marketing needs.  

How Recyclable Pouches Can Be Cost-Effective 

Both customers and food producers want improved sustainability through eco-friendly packaging. No doubt you’ve evaluated the wide range of options available, including recyclable and compostable packaging. But there’s another choice: post-consumer recycled plastics.  

Food bags and pouches made from PCR material can include aluminum, cardboard, paper, or plastic. With increased awareness and more accessible recycling options, more recycled content becomes available for repurposing. Typically, these materials are melted down into pellets so they can be shaped into new items.  

PCR packaging offers some advantages over recycled and compostable packaging. First, you don’t have to rely on the consumer to actually recycle the packs after they’ve consumed their contents. It also solves an accessibility problem: Not every consumer has the time or resources to properly dispose of compostable packaging. PCR is also flexible, so it can be transformed into different kinds of packs: stand-up pouches, lay-flat pouches, and rollstock. It’s also an economical choice that protects your contents from oxygen and light.  

Low Minimum Flexible Food Packaging  

Digital printing and package manufacturing technologies come together to create a versatile solution: stand up pouch packaging. Digitally-printed stand-up pouches are durable and allow consumers to see what you want them to see at a glance. Depending on your goals, that may include an opaque package or a windowed pouch with high-quality graphics and text. Your stand up pouches also offer several benefits: 

• High vapor barriers 
• Multiple finish options 
• Puncture and tear resistance 
• Child-resistance zipper closures 
• Many size choices 

Stand-up pouches can be customized with other features such as hang holes, tear notches, and spot embellishments that call attention to important parts of your brand or product message.  

The best part about digitally printed flexible packaging is its customization, both in its visuals and production quantity so, whether you are looking at coffee pouch printing and packaging, or another product, you will be able to get you brand and message across perfectly. High minimum order quantities are a thing of the past. Small batches can be manufactured and personalized without incurring huge expenses. This is perfect for small runs of limited-edition flavors or companies that don’t produce large quantities of product in the first place.

Improving Customer Engagement With Your Brand 

Digital printing and flexible packaging offer more ways to develop brand loyalty. Serialized QR codes with vital information let you assure customers of your products’ authenticity. A simple scan reveals important details in seconds. They also allow for greater engagement with your customers when paired with reward programs, loyalty points, and personalized content. On your end, you can use these codes to track your product through its lifecycle.  

As you’ve now seen, packaging solutions have become more innovative and cost-effective. The key is choosing a packing method that meets your company’s budget and practical requirements. For best results, select a flexible packaging provider with excellent service and a full menu of packaging options.