At BLP, a leading printed packaging specialist located in Newcastle, we understand that your packaging is not just a container—it's an essential element of your brand's identity and a critical factor in your product's success.
While your packaging design might look stunning on paper, the reality of how it translates into a physical product can be quite different. This is why requesting prototypes is not just a step in the process; it's a vital part of ensuring that your packaging meets both your expectations and those of your customers.
1. EVALUATE THE FIT OF YOUR PACKAGING
One of the first and most important reasons to request a prototype is to ensure that your packaging fits your product perfectly. Determining the exact dimensions for your packaging can be challenging, especially for products with unique shapes or sizes. Without a physical sample, it's easy to misjudge how your product will sit within its packaging, which can lead to issues down the line.
By requesting a plain sample, you can verify the structural design of the packaging and confirm that it is tailored to securely fit your product. This step is crucial because a well-fitted package not only looks professional but also reduces the risk of damage during shipping and distribution. If there is too much space between the product and the packaging, your product could be jostled around, increasing the likelihood of damage.
While this risk might seem minor, the impact on your brand can be significant. Customers who receive damaged products are less likely to view your brand favourably and may choose not to purchase from you again. In contrast, a well-packaged product that arrives in perfect condition enhances customer satisfaction and builds trust in your brand.
If you're creating custom packaging, you're not just selling a product—you're creating an experience. The unboxing experience is a crucial touchpoint between your brand and your customer, so it's essential to include the prototyping stage in your packaging design process. By testing the fit of your product early on, you can identify any necessary adjustments and ensure that your packaging not only fits your product but also aligns with your brand's image.
Furthermore, evaluating the structural design through a prototype allows you to consider whether the packaging materials and box structure are appropriate for your product and brand. This stage offers you the opportunity to think critically about what your product truly needs, rather than just what you might want. Making these decisions before mass production ensures that your packaging will leave a lasting and positive impression on your customers.
2. EXAMINE THE QUALITY OF YOUR PACKAGING
The quality of your packaging is determined by several key factors: the material, the printing output, and the finishes. Ensuring that these elements are up to standard is critical to your product's success. The material must be strong enough to protect your product throughout the supply chain, from production to the customer's hands.
Printing quality is equally important, as it directly impacts how your brand is perceived. The colours and design elements on your packaging communicate the quality and value of your product to customers. It's important to remember that the colour gamut on your screen (RGB) differs from what will appear in print (CMYK). If you don't convert your artwork from RGB to CMYK, the final printed product may not match your expectations.
However, simply converting the colour mode isn't the final step. While following artwork guidelines is necessary, it's also important to catch the smaller details that might be missed on-screen. This is why many brands opt for a custom digital sample or a production-grade sample. These samples allow you to identify any flaws in the design, such as minor errors in typography or artwork, that could detract from your brand's credibility.
For instance, a spelling or grammar mistake, while seemingly insignificant, can significantly impact how customers perceive your brand. Customers are less likely to trust a brand that appears careless in its packaging, and even small errors can undermine the professional image you want to convey.
Requesting a prototype that is digitally printed may not give you the final quality you desire, but it does provide an opportunity to spot these minor issues before proceeding with mass production. This step is essential in ensuring that your packaging communicates the quality and professionalism that your brand represents.
3. ESTABLISH THE FINISHING TOUCHES
As mentioned earlier, another advantage of requesting a packaging sample is the ability to analyse the physical packaging for flaws that might not have been visible in online proofs. Seeing and handling the actual packaging can reveal issues that are difficult to detect digitally, such as how the packaging feels in hand or how well it holds up under stress.
Additionally, having a physical sample gives you the opportunity to discuss potential upgrades, tweaks, or modifications that you may want to implement in the final production. Sometimes, what seems perfect on a screen doesn't translate as well into a physical product, and adjustments may be necessary to achieve the desired outcome.
As a business, you might overlook minor errors, but your customers won’t. A packaging sample allows you to send out a few boxes to a small, loyal customer base for feedback. After all, the primary purpose of packaging is to enhance the customer experience and strengthen relationships with your audience. The feedback you receive from this select group can be invaluable, allowing you to make any last-minute tweaks and changes based on real-world customer insights.
This feedback not only helps you refine your packaging but also gives your business peace of mind. Knowing that your customers are satisfied with the unboxing experience ensures that you are delivering on your brand promise.
EXPLORING SAMPLE OPTIONS
There are a variety of sample options you can request from your supplier, depending on your packaging needs and concerns. Each type of sample serves a different purpose, and choosing the right one can provide valuable insights into how your final packaging will perform.
Existing Sample: One of the most common and cost-effective ways to obtain a packaging sample is by requesting an existing sample from your manufacturer. These samples are typically produced for a previous client and can help you determine whether the stock, thickness, printing, and coating are ideal for your project. You can also test the packaging's durability with your product inside to see if the stock thickness or structure is appropriate. While existing samples are not customized to your exact specifications, they still offer a good sense of how your final packaging will perform and may even inspire new ideas for your design.
Custom Sample: A custom sample is created specifically according to your project's specifications. This type of sample gives you an exact idea of what the final product will look like in full production. You can request two types of custom samples: a production-grade sample, which is offset printed and offers the most accurate representation of your final design, or a digital-grade sample, which is faster and more cost-effective but may not match the quality of offset printing. A production-grade sample is recommended if you plan to offset print your packaging, as it allows you to evaluate the printing quality and color output more clearly. On the other hand, a digital-grade sample is useful for spotting any last-minute artwork or text changes before committing to the final production.
Standard White Sample: This option involves a plain white box without any graphics or printing, typically used to quickly validate the quality of the material. Standard white samples are the most cost-effective and fastest to produce, making them ideal for projects with tight timelines. If your primary concern is ensuring that the material can adequately hold your products, a standard sample is a practical choice.
IN CONCLUSION
Requesting a packaging sample is a convenient and fool-proof way to get a glimpse of how your customers will interact with your products. Quite frankly, it’s the only way to ensure that your customers get the unboxing experience you intended. Your structural design plays a crucial role in the protection of your products, so make sure you evaluate and make changes accordingly to ensure a better-quality unboxing experience.
A prototype enables you to verify that the physical quality of the packaging meets the standards of your project and is exactly what is required for the entire production. It effectively rules out any chances of mismatches in the quality and design of the product between what you expected and what you receive. Moreover, it offers a tailored experience for your customers, ensuring that they receive a product that is not only well-protected but also beautifully presented.
To put it simply, don’t skimp on this crucial step—order your box samples before moving forward with production! By doing so, you'll ensure that your packaging not only meets but exceeds expectations, leaving a lasting and positive impression on your customers.
Unlocking The Advantages of Using blp for Your Packaging Needs
