Are you looking for packaging for your soap items? Consider custom soap boxes. These are designed to protect as well as present your items on the shelves. On top of that, they are equipped with various customization options to grab the attention of the buyers. However, as the consciousness about sustainability is increasing, companies are investing in green boxes. This aspect is crucial to reduce the carbon footprint, lower the consumption of resources, and increase sales. Let’s have a look at how you can use soap packaging to add an eco-friendly touch to your brand.
Sustainable Materials
The role of green materials in sustainabitliy can’t be ignored. They act as the building blocks for your soap packaging. The following are the most commonly used elements in the structure of Custom Soap Boxes:
- Cardboard: This is one of the most used materials for custom soap packaging. It is made of paper pulp, which is eco-friendly and compostable. Therefore, it is easily recyclable. Plus, this material is also affordable and can be customized as per the needs of the brands.
- Paperboard: Paperboard is an upgrade over the traditional cardboard material. It is made of cellulose fibers, giving it a lightweight aspect. Green brands mostly prefer this type if they are looking for light-duty material options. However, it is not as durable as cardboard and could be a bit costly.
- Kraft: Made of paper pulp, another highly preferred material is Kraft. However, it is the manufacturing process that regards it as an eco-friendly option. Unlike other types, it is prepared from the unbleached Kraft process, making this material the most eco-friendly.
- Bamboo: It is a renewable and biodegradable material for your soap boxes. The benefits of bamboo stock are that they are quite resilient and can be used to give an elegant touch to your brand. However, due to limited customization and an expensive option, it is not widely used.
- Corrugated: If you need to pack more than one item in a box, corrugated is one of the best options. It is also made of paper pulp, but its thickness is increased with multiple layers and flutes, making it perfect for protection during long transit.
Production Process
Apart from using green materials, another area where we can make this packaging sustainable is by working on the production process. Here is a breakdown:
1. Cutting
The first step involves the cutting of the paper stock as per the dimensions of your boxes. With the help of a die-cut technique, a simple piece of stock is cut to make the walls and sides. Further, the dotted lines are drawn to help in the assembly process. To make this step sustainable, you should strive for custom fit. This will not only reduce the waste but also lower the resources, leading to a decrease in the cost. Plus, it will also make the process more efficient.
2. Printing
In the next step, you have to shift the design to the boxes. This process is performed with the help of printing. There are different types of printing, as mentioned below:
Digital printing: It is used for quick and fast outputs. The results produced are sharp and bold in nature. Therefore, it is usually employed for short-term design production or promotional items.
Offset printing: This type is suitable when you are looking for long-term and durable designs. Offset printing yields output in PMS as well as CMYK format. PMS is preferred for single-color production due to its accuracy.
Screen printing: A traditional type, screen printing is used to print small batches. Due to its higher vibrancy and low cost, many brands still use this type. However, this printing could be time-consuming.
To make your printing process sustainable, you should try using eco-friendly inks, such as water-based or soy-based options. These inks are green and also produce rich and deep colors. Another benefit of such inks is that they produce rich and deep colors as well as enhance the recyclability of your boxes.
3. Final Touches
The role of final touches is to enhance the outlook of your boxes. They can be used both for uplifting the aesthetics of your packaging as well as increasing its durability. The common post-printing processes include:
Lamination: This is the most sought-after type of final finishes. Brands leverage this type when they want to give a professional look to their packaging and also want to enhance the durability factor.
Coating: Coating is the process of spraying a liquid on your soap boxes and then drying it. Gloss coating is used when you want to give a shiny look to your packaging, and matte coating is used for a sophisticated touch.
Specialty touches: This type is utilized when you want to highlight certain parts of your branding, such as logos or custom messages. With the help of embossing or debossing, you create raised or sunken effects, creating a tactile experience.
In order to make your final touches more sustainable, it is advised that you should use water-based or soy-based inks. These use biodegradable compounds that produce fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), giving less environmental impact. Similarly, you can leverage aqueous or UV coatings that also bypass the use of harmful chemicals.
Sustainable Practices
Apart from the above strategies, there are many ways that you can make your brand sustainable and target eco-friendly buyers. This will not only let you charge high prices but also give your brand a premium touch in the eyes of the customer. Some of these tips are mentioned below:
Minimalistic Design
Modern packaging is shifting from sharp colors to minimal design. This not only reduces the overall cost but also appeals to the buyers. Another plus point is that you can create a right-fit box that will match your product size, lowering the expenses and shipping costs.
Sustainable Shipping Process
One way to achieve sustainability in shipping is by transferring items in bulk. This will produce less pollution, lower the carbon footprint, and decrease the cost. The following are some tips that can be beneficial in this regard:
- Merge small boxes and pack them in one larger container to lessen the shipping frequency.
- Use route optimization software to plan efficient routes and minimize fuel consumption.
- Choose materials that are lightweight, such as paperboard. They decrease the overall shipping weight as well as the cost.
Educate Your Buyers
Teach your buyers about sustainable factors in the packaging and tell them it can have a positive impact on the planet. Give them instructions on how to recycle a box or repurpose it if you are adding a reusability touch. Through marketing, let your buyers know what steps you are taking to make your brand more green.
In order to get sustainable custom soap boxes, you can contact Packaging Mania. Our seasoned experts keep an eye on the latest trends and revamp the packaging to make it more green. Further, we use compostable materials as well as inks to ensure that your brand can align with the needs of eco-conscious buyers. Place an order now to avail of perks such as free shipping and up to 30% discount on Custom Packaging.
