Your product is at risk to get damage during transit. Therefore, packaging is no longer about putting a product into a box. Rather, modern packaging is working to improve your product’s safety and integrity.
But wait, how modern packaging technology is actually improving product safety? Let’s find out.
Threats to Product Safety
Your products are at risk from the moment they leave the production line until they reach the consumer.
All of the risks mentioned below can actually affect integrity and safety.
Product Damage
All through the shipping journey, your products can break or even be damaged due to drops and vibrations. Don’t forget that improper stacking or poor packaging design can also lead to compression damage.
Pollution
Some items can get damaged due to unfavorable, polluted conditions. For example, medicine and food items are vulnerable to bacterial proliferation.
Unwanted Environmental Effects
Extreme heat and cold temperatures can harm your product during transit. This applies especially when your product is sensitive to temperature. Take medicine and food items, for example. We have to admit it, even a small change in humidity can harm them. And, what about ultraviolet rays? They can easily break down food ingredients and extract medicines.
Tampering
Tampering is a significant issue in shipping. Surely don’t want this to happen to your food items or pharmaceuticals.
The Ways Modern Packaging Improves Product Safety
The increasing regulations and customer demands these days are stricter than ever. Thus, it is highly necessary to invest in protective custom product boxes that will surely safe your product. This will ensure that your products reach their destination safely and with minimal recalls.
Let's discuss the details of how modern packaging enhances your product safety.
Smart Packaging for Product Safety
Smart packaging technology combines innovative elements that offer real-time information and protection.
- Time-Temperature Controls
These are tags that give a visual history of the product’s exposure to temperature abuse. How do they work? The color can change immediately to alert consumers that the product may be unsafe.
- AR & QR Codes
You have certainly seen QR codes on any packaging. Well, guess what? They are not simple codes.
QR Codes: Unique codes to trace the product’s journey through blockchain for authenticity.
Speaking of smart packaging, Augmented Reality (AR) experiences also help you display the product’s safe handling instructions.
- Sensors Track
Sensors embedded in the system track internal factors, including humidity and impact. These functionalities deliver data records that accurately indicate when your product was improperly handled while in transit.
- Pollution Sensors
Build prototype sensors capable of identifying certain airborne pathogens or gas variations in the package that signal spoilage.
Protective Barrier Packaging for Products
High-barrier packaging substances form a protective layer around your items. In this manner, they stop outside dangers from accessing the package environment.
What’s in the list?
- High-barrier films prevent light, moisture, and aroma from damaging your product.
- Vacuum packaging absorbs oxygen to securely seal your products.
- UV-resistant coating applied to your packaging can protect your product from UV light in extremely hot weather.
Tamper-Evident Packaging
One of the effective packaging ideas to inform your customers that their ordered products are secure and sealed. Yes, we are talking about tamper-proof packaging here.
Here are some innovations in tamper-evident packaging.
- Tamper-Evident Seals
Clear, verifiable proof seals that inform that your product has been opened, whether intentionally or incidentally.
- Child-Resistant Closures
As the name, child-resistant closures are specialized closures designed to make it difficult for young kids to open your packaging.
- Shrink Bands
Permanent damage will show on the bands if there’s any attempt of opening the package.
- Holographic Labels
Specialized labels that verify authenticity markers. They are often designed to tear or display a "void" message upon any attempt to peel them off.
Key Trends in Modern Packaging for Product Security
The packaging industry evolves quickly, offering new innovations.
Here are the key trends in modern packaging that help in product security.
Active Packaging
Active packaging, it actively modifies the product's environment. Getting confused?
Oxygen-scavenging sachets, for example. What are they? They are small pouches of iron powder, salt, and activated carbon. The main purpose? To remove oxygen from your package. Or else, opt for antimicrobial surfaces that prevent bacterial growth inside your packaging.
Antimicrobial Treatments
The treatments are all about applying specific coatings to the inner or outer surfaces of your packaging. The goal? To actively kill or deactivate microbes—a high level of protection against surface-borne pathogens.
High-Barrier Films
High-barrier films are a trend in sustainable materials. They offer reliable, optimized protection for sensitive goods.
AI Analytics
These days, you can easily access supply chain data. AI-based analytics help you predict potential safety threats before they happen. Thus, you can optimize shipping routes and packaging designs to prevent product damage.
Checklist for Safe Packaging
The essential topic at hand now; how to design safe product packaging?
Use the checklist below.
- Look for any specific dangers, such as collisions, temperature issues, or product contamination.
- To reduce potential risks, select the appropriate packaging material.
- Utilize sensors or QR codes to facilitate shipments.
- Follow both industry and governmental safety standards.
Conclusion
Modern packaging is unquestionably essential today. This packaging can definitely improve product safety. Many packaging innovations today help you relax and rest assured that your products are protected from any damage.
So, are you ready to protect your product with modern packaging?
