5 ways bespoke packaging can help to cut costs while keeping customers happy

There is a tendency for most of us to equate ‘bespoke’ with luxury and expensive, which can be off-putting for those businesses packing non-premium goods or a tight budget to work with.

Opting for off-the-shelf packaging might seem like the most cost-effective option but delve a little deeper and you will discover hidden costs that could be gnawing away at your profitability. Far from being an expensive luxury, bespoke packaging is an investment that could realise significant savings for your business.

If you thought bespoke packaging was a case of style over substance, think again

Bespoke packaging isn’t just about looking good – in fact, it can look very ordinary on the surface – it is about functionality, too. Designed well, bespoke packaging can address almost any packaging-related cost issue you can think of. According to the packaging experts at Antalis’s Smart Packaging Centre, these are five of the most common:

1. Bespoke packaging to reduce damages and returns

Bespoke packaging designed to fit snugly around products keeps them securely in place and offers protection where it is most needed. That means orders are less likely to be damaged during transit, resulting in fewer costly returns and happier customers who are more likely to go on to place another order.

2. Bespoke packaging to improve throughput

A packaging operation with low throughput usually has a high cost per pack. Designing packaging with ease of assembly in mind, such as crash-lock bottoms or self-seal closures, can appreciably increase speed and efficiency.

3. Bespoke packaging to minimise packaging materials

While off-the-shelf packaging materials might seem economical, there are hidden costs in the purchasing, storing and using of those materials. However, bespoke packaging can be designed to eliminate the need for void fill altogether, freeing warehouse space for more productive use, speeding up the packing process, reducing waste and, importantly, cutting your material costs overall. And, importantly, customers won’t be left wondering how to recycle or dispose of umpteen different materials.

4. Bespoke packaging to reduce transport costs

Bespoke packaging can be designed to use fewer or lighter weight materials, which can help to reduce pack size and weight compared to when using standard materials. It also means that more packs can be loaded onto a pallet, thereby reducing transport costs and carbon footprint.

5. Bespoke packaging to create a better customer experience

When it comes to creating positive customer experiences, nothing beats bespoke packaging. It can be as simple or as elaborate as budget allows or the brand ethos dictates, but it should always be designed with some basics in mind: make it easy for the customer to return products and make it easy for them to dispose of or, preferably, recycle or re-use the packaging. Other than that, take advantage of clever pack design and modern printing methods to create on or in-pack brand messaging, promotions and offers to really wow your customers.

Ready to go bespoke?