Packaging Trends Prevailing This Year

The pace of technological advancements has been quite impactful for the packaging industry over the past few years. Many people think of packaging as a static industry that doesn’t change quite a bit over time. In fact, packaging relies heavily on change and innovation due to growing consumer demands.

We can expect to see massive growth in technology in almost every industry out there, and packaging will be one of such industries. The expansion of e-commerce has resulted in many industries slowing down, but the packaging industry has grown at unprecedented levels. It means that adopting the latest packaging solutions is crucial for companies to keep up with their business requirements in the modern world.

In this article, we will discuss some top trends taking over packaging this year.

Automation

The concept of automation is not new in the packaging industry. However, it will no longer be a luxury in the years to come. With the help of automation, you can streamline your packaging line and reduce costs during fulfillment processes.

A trend that will take over an aspect of packaging this year is the use of collaborative robots, also known as Cobots. These machines work side-by-side with human labor. The best thing about these special robots is that humans can work with them without using protective equipment. The purpose of using cobots is to increase efficiency by taking over tasks that can turn out to be hazardous for humans. Another reason these cobots are more effective is that they eliminate the need for manual controls.

Omnichannel

According to some researchers, over 95% of all purchases will be made online by the year 2040. That is why brick-and-mortar stores have to bring at least a part of their operations online. That’s where the concept of omnichannel business comes in because it utilizes a brick-and-mortar store to fulfill e-commerce orders.

The best thing about this business model is that it utilizes the closest brick-and-mortar store to fulfill an order. It helps reduce shipping costs and improve speeds.

Augmented reality

Augmented Reality, also known as AR, mixes the digital world with reality to help consumers give their imagination a reality of sorts. AR, which was originally a concept to improve the gaming experience, has now become a marketing tool. Online brands use this technology to connect with their consumers through packaging.

A simple example of this technology is when you scan a product packaging using your smartphone camera. The AR then brings forward important information about the product. It may also suggest other products from the same brand.

Transparency

Since consumers can access every bit of information about a product, it has become mandatory for businesses to build trust to ensure long-term consumer relationships. The concept of packaging transparency becomes critical in this regard.

The first thing to pay attention to is product labeling. It should help consumers find the information they need. Several brands have been able to get away with packaging images that were unrepresentative of the original products. Well, consumers are now more informed than before.

Design

Design continues to be one of the most significant driving factors in any product promotion strategy. The use of digital printing technology has made it even more necessary for manufacturing companies to use persuasive packaging designs to win over customers.

How Smart Tape is Changing Shipping solutions

Smart tape is making packaging well, smarter. Did you know that there is now tape that will literally tell you if someone’s messed with it? Smart tape is tamper-evident, tracking-enabled, or even time-sensitive forms of adhesives that will immediately react if something happens. It can track packages, tell you if someone’s messed with it, or even have adhesive for a period of time till it gets to the customer, protecting one’s packaging. 

Unique Tech Features 

So, that’s what this boils down to, but there are some cool features that will help change the world of shipping. 

If someone tampers it, smart tape does react. How? By changing the colors upon evidence of tampering.   That way, when a person grabs the packaging, it can be evident whether it’s been messed with, and then you can handle it accordingly. 

This tape also will have embedded QR codes in this. scan it, and you can get all of the information on the package through the tape, even if someone’s messed with it.   it’s pretty cool. 

The final one, is tape that’s embedded with RFID technology. What this means, is that when there's a chance the item might be cloned and messed with, the tape will protect, creating a barrier between the magnetizing features of those means to clone for fakes. 

Uses for This 

Anything that’s got some high dollar tag on it should be using this.

But, there are other industries as well, which are taking advantage of this. 

Pharmaceuticals are but one of them. Though medication might not always be high-end, there are people who tamper with them, or try to make knockoffs. With smart tape, this will prevent it. 

It also is used for high-value electronics. Again, good for you if you're shipping out phones and know that people will make crappy knockoffs. 

There's also sensitive documents. These documents should not be seen by the wrong people, so by adding in some tape to this, you’ll be able to create a different, deeper barrier that’s better for overall protection of such items. 

The benefits 

It’s good for bolstering overall security. Your security is markedly enhanced with this type of technology. There's a better peace of mind that comes from this. 

It also is good for authenticity, in order to prevent dupes from entering the market. You’ll be able to know that this one is it, that it’s legitimate, and not something conjured up by anyone else. 

The final benefit is overall customer trust. Customers feel better when you can prove to them that you’re taking security strategies into your own hands. Unlike other companies that might leave it to the fate of the carriers, brands that don’t offer a unique benefit, thereby enhancing everything. 

The Challenges 

There's a few challenges that come with smart tape. 

The first, is that costs tend to be much higher. With higher costs, you’re dealing with having to put more money into it, driving the prices up. 

Another problem with this as well, is training the supply chain for any new things.   If you needed the tape to be scanned, getting the people to do it might be like pulling teeth. 

Again, smart tape is a great, smart tool that will make it all the more intelligent. Use it today, and see for yourself the marked, amazing benefits that linger with this. and how, through such matters, you’ll be able to not only build a better, strengthening security protocols, but also build better customer trust through these initiatives that they can rely on overall for your company too.