Nathan Dube

By: Nathan Dube on December 1st, 2021

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Top 3 Ways To Reduce Packaging Cost

Packaging Materials | Packaging Design

In a world where it seems like the cost of everything is going up, companies everywhere are looking for ways to cut costs and save money for both themselves and their customers.

 

But, with the global supply chain currently experiencing major disruptions, that is not always easy to do. So, what are some ways that you can help save money?

 

Well, for one thing, you can analyze your packaging materials and find ways to make changes that will cut costs for both you and your customers!

 

But, you are likely thinking to yourself, how can you save money simply by altering the materials you use to package your products?

 

And, if that is what you are currently pondering, we have some good news for you.

 

This article will review the top 3 ways in which you can reduce costs on your packaging materials. It will offer you useful ideas, which if implemented, may save you a lot of money!

 

What Are The Best Ways To Cut Costs On Packaging Materials?

 

It may seem like a challenge to find ways to reduce the costs of your packaging materials when you first set out to do so. But, there are a few different ways in which you can tackle this challenge.

 

In the section below, we will take a look at the top 3 ways to reduce costs on your packaging materials. These ideas should serve as good starting points when you begin your journey to cut costs associated with the packaging supplies you employ on your packaging line.

 

1. Change The Container You Are Using

 

glass snack jar

 

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of your packaging materials is to change the type of container you are using to package your products.

 

Today, there are hundreds, even thousands of different types of packaging materials on the market. You can find all sorts of materials to package your products in.

 

And when it comes to the most popular types of packaging containers on the market today, these include containers made of glass, metal, plastic, paperboard, and more.

 

However, some of these containers are much heavier and much more expensive for both purchase pricing and the cost of shipping when compared to newer alternative materials.

 

jar_to_pouch-2

 

So, one easy way to (sometimes significantly) reduce the cost of your packaging materials is to switch from one type of container to another. Or, more specifically, from rigid packaging to flexible packaging.

 

You will want to choose a container that uses less material and resources to produce as well as a material that weighs less while making sure the new container still does its job correctly.

 

For example, let's say you are using a glass bottle to package an energy drink and want to cut costs not only on the price per container but also the shipping costs as well.

 

By switching from heavy, rigid packaging containers like 8oz glass bottles to, say, spouted 8oz flexible pouches, you can save a ton of money. At a fraction of the price of glass containers, flexible pouches are not only cheaper per package but significantly less expensive to ship.

 

Liquid pouch

 

Most of the time, the lighter the container, the less expensive your shipping costs will be. Not to mention, unlike glass, flexible pouches do not shatter when dropped.

 

So, in addition to cost savings, you can reap the benefits of a safer container. Should some of your containers tip over during shipping or be dropped by your consumers, you won't need to worry about the safety hazard of broken glass.

 


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2. Down Gauge Your Packaging Materials

 

Another great way to save money on the cost of your packaging is to down gauge the type of material you are using from a higher thickness to a lower thickness.

 

Many companies will switch to new containers that use less of the material they are made of. This results in less waste, a lower cost per package, and in some cases, cost savings passed on to the consumer.

 

For example, various bottled water companies today use plastic bottles that use notably less plastic than the containers they used ten or twenty years ago.

 

This translates to cost savings in manufacturing, energy consumption, shipping, and a lower cost per package as well!

 

rolls of shrink film standing up with white backround

 

But rigid packaging is not the only type of packaging you save money with by down gauging. Many companies who package their products in shrink film may have the opportunity to cut costs by down gauging their films.

 

It is not uncommon for a company to use a thicker than necessary shrink film on their packaging line when packaging their products.

 

In fact, we have been able to save many companies thousands of dollars simply by analyzing their shrink packaging line and recommending down gauging their film if their products can be packaged just as well in a lower gauge of film.

 

Most of the time, this does not require new machinery, complicated upgrades, or technical service on your equipment. So with a quick and easy change, you may be able to start saving a lot of money today!

 

Sometimes something as simple as switching to a lower gauge of shrink film can make a massive difference in the amount of money you spend on your packaging materials.

 

That being said, down-gauging may not be the right solution for your products and could be problematic if implemented without speaking to a packaging expert first.

 

3. Minimalist Packaging

Minimalist Bottles

In a world where it is getting harder and harder to get all kinds of materials due to supply chain issues, it is no wonder minimalist packaging is one of the hottest packaging trends in the world right now.

 

Another reason minimalist packaging is becoming so hot with consumers is that it is generally more environmentally friendly than many types of packaging on the market today.

 

And while both of those are good reasons to consider using minimalist packaging, the main reason you may want to switch to this type of packaging comes down to cost savings.

 

Many companies will unintentionally over-package their products, producing excess waste and taking more time, money, and resources to package.

 

For example, my favorite brand of tea packages its products with four different materials! The tea itself is packed, like most teas, in individual tea bags.

 

Next, the bags are packaged inside of a wax paper pouch. Then, the pouch is packaged in a paperboard box. Finally, the box is packaged inside of shrink wrap!

 

This company could save a ton of money by reducing their materials per package from four down to two. And, they could also utilize other dynamics of minimalist packaging, such as using two-color printing rather than four and simplifying the designs on their containers.

 

And, while that may not be the route they decided to take, implementing minimalist techniques like this can significantly reduce the cost of your packaging and make your products stand out from the crowd, as minimalist designs really pop when surrounded by the "loud" colors and typography of competing brands.

 

While minimalist packaging may not be for everyone, it is a great way to seriously cut the costs of your product packaging.

 

How Else Can You Cut Costs By Redesigning Your Packaging?

 

How Else Can You Cut Costs By Redesigning Your Packaging?

 

The ideas above represent some of the best ways to cut costs on your packaging today. But, what are some other ways in which you can make money-saving changes on your packaging line?

 

Well, that depends entirely on what your unique packaging line looks like. Subtle tweaks and minor changes to your machinery, materials, and related packaging processes may lead to major cost savings.

 

But in order to tell you what those time and money-saving changes are, we need to understand the one-of-kind dynamics of your business and packaging line. And, we can't honestly do that without speaking to you or analyzing your packaging machinery and materials.

 

That is why, if you are genuinely interested in reducing your packaging costs, we suggest speaking with one of our packaging specialists. They will be able to look at your specific packaging dynamics, such as your machinery and materials, and advise you on ways in which you can make changes that may result in serious cost savings!

 

So, are you interested in potentially significantly reducing the cost of your packaging? If so, consider getting a free consultation with one of our packaging specialists today!

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About Nathan Dube

As the Digital Marketing Specialist at Industrial Packaging, I am honored to create content for such a phenomenal company and work with one of the greatest teams in the Packaging Industry. Whether creating a video, writing blog posts or generating other pieces of content and multimedia, I am always excited to help educate and inspire our prospects and clients to reach their highest potential in regards to their packaging processes and needs.