As it stands in 2017, we can’t avoid plastics – they’re everywhere in our lives from our kitchen appliances to the doctor’s office. Contrary to popular belief, all plastics aren’t the same. There are many types of eco-green packaging options comprised of sustainable plastics available today for all types of products, and they can hold the opportunity for huge savings in your business operation.

As a Brand Manager, Packaging Designer, or Production/Plant Manager, your primary focuses are safe and effective packaging as well as your bottom line. Packaging affects so many aspects of your product line, and with that, your business. Growth, revenue, and reducing costs can all be tied directly into the way you package and ship your products. So, while your industrial packaging products need to adhere to certain standards of quality and safety, how efficiently they are executed is just as important to your business.

When it comes to packaging your products, shrink wrap, aka shrink film, is often the ideal type of material for meeting quality and protection needs while remaining cost-effective. But, what is shrink wrap, and what is it that makes it so versatile for multiple packaging applications? How can you use it to your brand's advantage and make a positive impact to your total cost of packaging? Why is a packaging specialist important? I've broken up the answers to these questions below:

Your packaging makes a statement about how you do business. Here is an easy, three-step plan to master your packaging and make a great impression.

If you had to make a list of the things that are most important for a product's success, packaging would undoubtedly be near the top. According to a 2015 Cone Communications and Ebiquity Global CSR Study on Consumer Trends, 84% of respondents said they were very likely to buy a product if they thought it had social or environmental benefits like green packaging and related materials.But green packaging itself is not the trend—it is merely the catalyst to a series of new perspectives on packaging. There are a number of key green packaging material trends that you should definitely watch out for in 2017.

Over the years, product packaging as a concept has evolved from "just something you have to do to get your product on the shelves" to a pivotal part of marketing efforts and the true experience you offer to your customers. When done properly, product packaging can lead to a deeper, more loyal connection with your audience and increased sales. When it comes to modern-day product packaging design, there are a few core packaging rules every business needs to know.