Are You Using the Right Flexible Film?

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Choice and decisions: businessman thinking with question marks wIt’s not enough to begin with a first-rate product. The superiority of a brand, and continued integrity of it, depends on using the proper flexible film packaging. As all films are not created equal, and each product requires protection from different elements to maintain freshness and quality, it’s important to know if the packaging selected is suited for the commodity. Examining the following common destructive elements can help determine if the right levels of defense have been chosen for the task.

Contaminants

Keeping overall contaminants out of food products is generally the first thing manufacturers consider. Bugs, dust, dirt, and other debris destroy buyer confidence. Most packages, at the very least, provide this level of protection. However, it’s also important to verify the reliability of the seal to safeguard against pollutants while the product is transported, on the shelf, and after it’s reached the consumer’s home. Additionally, it’s vital to know that a wrapping’s ability to protect against any element will change depending on atmospheric conditions. Therefore, exposure to heat and humidity should be taken into account.

Moisture

Plastics typically work as an excellent moisture barrier. Water vapor transmission rates are scientifically measurable and don’t vary much between plastic films. Some differences may be noted, but they’re so small that they don’t generally have any effect on the shelf-life of a product. This makes them best suited for protecting things like chocolate and dehydrated foods, which are particularly sensitive to moisture changes, but not baked goods that can lose ideal firmness, unless the film is perforated to allow ventilation.

Oxygen and Aroma

The ability for oxygen to pass through will vary greatly from one option to the next. Verifying the oxygen transmission rate of the film used will help determine whether the packaging is a proper choice for the product. For instance, dairy products will generally benefit from a low-oxygen transmission rate, while it wouldn’t be nearly as important with dry dog food. There’s no precise way to measure whether aroma or odor can permeate packaging, or to what degree. However, it’s clear when it happens. Items that give off a strong smell, like fish, or ones that absorb them easily, such as dehydrated foods, should be packaged with a specialized aroma-barrier coating.

Light

Light transmission can vary significantly as well. Generally, candies and the like remain fresh even if the wrapper contains a window that allows light directly in. Dry pet food stays at its best in a dark, or opaque bag. An item like potato chips or moist pet food needs to have light totally shut out to avoid rancidity and benefits most from metalized packaging.

Consumer satisfaction should be a number-one priority for any business. When producing consumable goods, there’s a lot to take into account to make sure the end-product reaches customers in the same condition in which it was created. As such, it’s essential to choose a flexible film that provides adequate protection against the elements that are most destructive to each individual product. Doing so delivers longer shelf-life, better quality goods and higher overall consumer satisfaction.

The 6 F’s for Launching a Stand-Up Pouch Product

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Illustration of a pack of dog food on a white backgroundStand-up pouches are one of the hottest trends in the market today. They’re seen across various product lines and are utilized by established companies and new entrepreneurs alike. There are a lot of variables that need to be considered to ensure the right pack is chosen for a product. However, there aren’t any guides readily available to help lead someone through the process. These six F’s have been designed specifically for this purpose.

1. Function

When deciding on product packaging design, the overall function must be considered. It’s important to determine not only who the target audience is, but how they will use it.  Then, consider the overall look and feel of the design.

2. Film

Film refers to the layer or layers that make up the stand-up pouch. The contents will determine what kind of film is needed in order to preserve quality and freshness. Variation among films provides protection against exposure to air, aroma, moisture and light. Additionally, this is the time to decide whether a window variety, opaque or metallic design is best suited. Thought should also go into whether the film is designed to handle temperature variants and if it can be processed or made aseptically. Printing should be determined at this point too, as some films do a better job than others at holding ink and keeping it from contaminating the contents.

3. Forming

When looking into the overall forming of the pack, the first consideration should go to how the consumer will handle it. The shape, fitments and features will also come into play here. This includes any spouts, zippers or perforations designed to make the package easier to open or use. Depending on the intended manufacturing process, a decision will have to be made as to whether a pre-made or form/fill/seal variety is best.

4. Filling

The next concern is how the container will be filled. If using a machine, a specific style may be needed. Formats commonly utilized include rolls, magazines, rails and more.

5. Fitment

If the contents are a liquid, paste or sauce, a spout can make it easier to use. The size and style of the opening will need to be determined ahead of time so that the product flows easily. Additionally, any fitment will have to be compatible with the filling machine selected.

6. Freight

Freight considerations include any packaging needed to group the items together for shipment. This can be specially designed boxes that are used to display the stand-up pouches at the store as well as boxes or crates required during transportation to the store. Additionally, a method of transportation, such as train or truck, must be determined.

Each of these things is an integral part of making a product launch successful. If one fails, the roll-out will not be a success. However, by using the six F’s as a guide, chances for success are optimized. Working closely with a supplier or a firm that specializes in packing can also help make the journey a smooth one.

4 Tips for Getting Your Package Messaging Right

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Confectionery Stand up PouchWhether it’s wrapped in laminate packaging or anything else, a product has mere seconds to attract a shopper’s attention and convince them that it’s the right choice. While the packaging has many duties, one of the most important ones is to demonstrate the product’s benefits quickly and effectively. Here are four tips that the big guys in marketing use to make the magic happen.

1) Clear the Clutter

Because consumers race through shops at break-neck speeds, they just take a moment to look at each individual product. Marketing pros know this, so they simplify labels and retain purely the most important information. This helps to ensure that a shopper will see all the vital details at a glance. Marks & Spencer does this beautifully with their line of cleaners. The front labels of their line are very crisp and hold only the information a shopper needs right away.

2) Choose a Single Message
Again, this goes back to speed and easy identification. Whether the product is reformulated, new, or the brand endorsed by doctors, only one message is displayed. Great care and consideration go into choosing the most influential message for each product. Cadbury does this very well. As a well-known brand, their main message is almost always the company name on a familiar purple background. This makes it very easy for a person to identify and decide to purchase their product instantly, whether it’s wrapped in foil or in laminate packaging.

3) Understand Shopper’s Eye

Studies have actually been done to track eye movement as people look at products. What the experts have learned is that people don’t read labels as they would nearly all other things. Rather, their eyes are generally pulled to the most dominant thing near the center of the package. In fact, about two-thirds of shoppers will miss information if it’s near the corner of the package instead. Campbell’s is a prime example of this. Their medallion logo is always centered on the can, with their name above it and product name below it. It’s very rare to see any additional information away from the center of the item.

4) Utilize Graphics

The active consumer is too busy to stop and read. The more information that can be shared with graphics, the larger amount the consumer will take in. Experts in marketing will also keep these images simple and will generally make sure the colors contrast the package so the consumer is more likely to see it. One of Iron Brew’s latest designs is a prime example of how this is done effectively. The silver graphic on an orange background jumps out from the blue text area and tells the shopper that it’s a powerful drink.

Effective marketing directly on your laminate packaging is essential for getting the product off the shelves and into the hands of shoppers. The pros have done research and use tried-and-true methods to ensure their products are noticed. However, even the smallest manufacturer can achieve similar results, provided they take note and develop a messaging strategy that’s based on consumer habits.

Innovative New Laminate Films

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bag-7MTL Packaging is offering an innovative new laminate film structured to prolong product freshness and extend shelf life. The shiny laminate material addresses several issues that food manufacturers may encounter while shipping, storing and presenting food products to consumers within a retail environment.

Food items run the risk of exposure to harsh temperatures and atmospheric changes during transportation. This new high barrier material provides maximum protection against the elements by keeping outside moisture and oxygen locked out. The shiny film is translucent and appeals to consumers on both an aesthetic and practical level.

“Consumers have a desire to engage with the product within the packaging and this material enables them to do so by viewing it directly. The buyer can then be satisfied by taking home a fresh, crisp product that won’t go stale,” said Ramnik Modi, Director at MTL Packaging

Clients are equally pleased with the new laminate. A leading Asian snacks manufacturer has employed MTL’s services and has contracted them to supply this material for use with their products. Differentiation in film clarity and appeal is a vital element in the image branding and marketing process and is what sets a product apart from its competitors.

The MTL Packaging team is constantly seeking new solutions and designing packaging that better satisfy the needs of food processors and retailers. Hence, the introduction of the new laminate material is just one exciting milestone in product development to look forward to.