Innovative and Sustainable Packaging Design
According to the client's need and product requirement, we design innovative and sustainable packaging. While designing any package apart from aesthetics, the structural integrity is one of the most critical aspects. Our team is tasked with the challenge of combining creativity with functionality to deliver an innovative design that is efficient as well as pleasing. By combining intelligent designs with pragmatic solutions, we deliver Structural Designs that comply with global standards and ensure longer lifespan of the packaging. Right from the choice of material to the dieline design, every aspect is designed to deliver unmatched structural integrity.
A proprietary structure is one of the easiest ways a brand can stand out in the marketplace. It can also create a true point of difference and solve functionality challenges. Whether it’s creating new structure, sourcing stock or a combination of the two, we work hand-in-hand with clients to assure that all solutions are not only on brief, but take into account any manufacturing and budgetary restrictions.
Using the latest in CAD software we can design in 2D or 3D to create a product extension which works in tandem with both your company vision and the way you expect your product to be received.
POS Display Design Solution
What are Point-Of-Sale Displays, and why are they so important ?
A POS Display is a visual merchandising tactic that allows you to target your customers at the transactional point of purchase in your store and encourages them to make additional purchases, thus increasing your sales. POS Displays have their benefits of showcasing your available products and tells us how and why POS Displays are effective.
So why should you use POS Displays ?
Point-of-purchase areas are the best areas to place your display as they are highly visible and the place where customers are likely to see promotions or products, imagine being in line at a supermarket or event. POS displays tend to be most effective when used to display or promote impulse purchases and can definitely open more opportunities for spending.
How do POS Displays assist with retail merchandising ?
Shelf space can be quite costly and limiting depending on the size of a store or space at an event, and POS displays offer an extra location for your products along the end of the aisles, corners and queuing systems in store. They also maximise the use of available space on the shop floor and create better traffic flow.
How to choose your POS Displays ?
With so much variety available to us in the market and different ways to approach setting up, it’s important to know that there are two major steps when creating your space: choosing and designing. The types of POP or POS Displays available are: FSDUS (Free Standing Display Units), Dump Bins, Hanging Signs, Display Cubes, Counter Top Units, Flyers, Posters, Tent Cards, Showcards, Shelf wobblers and Window Clings.
Our Point of Sale Display (POS) expertise helps our clients build brand and boost sales. We worked directly with clients or partnered with design and branding agencies to create effective Point of Sale display solutions. We use the latest manufacturing tech, materials and design trends.
High Quality 3D Visual and Animation
Producing and photographing a physical aesthetic prototype can be time consuming and expensive. Our 3D Visual and Animation services present a fast and cost-effective solution for product and industrial designers to explore new design concepts, bring ideas to life or showcase new products. The material selection, colour and surface finish can be visualised and refined long before anything has been manufactured.
Products, pack-shots and point of sale visualisations are frequently used for presentations, advertising/marketing collateral and to speed up the release of a product-to-market. They are a great way of securing early orders and an incoming revenue stream.
Protective Packaging Solution
At CFP we take pride in designing wide range of protective packaging Solutions. With a complete in-house design staff, we are ready to solve even the toughest product protection problem.
Protective Corrugated cardboard packaging can be made in any shape, size or configuration which is available in a variety of material like Board & EPS/EPE Foam to meet your specific needs. Protective Packaging Solutions uses the right material for the job to absorb shocks during transportation, Storage and Handling.
The collective expertise of our industry-leading designers ensures that a solution can always be found for even the most challenging problems. You can also ask us for recommendations and improvements to any of your existing packaging solutions.
The more your product needs protection, the more you need Protective Packaging Solutions !
7 Reasons to use corrugated protective packaging
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Using protective packaging made of corrugated and foam material reduces the weight of cargo with more than 50% compared to wooden crates.
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The price of raw materials is important in heavy duty packaging. Lately, wood prices have gone up dramatically compared to corrugated.
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Wooden containers used in international shipping must be chemically or heat treated against pests. This treatment is necessary but makes the wood more expensive. The use of corrugated packaging circumvents all these issues.
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The time to cut and mount a corrugated box with foam inserts normally takes up about 30% of the time it takes to create a wooden container. Designing and producing samples is a matter of minutes.
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A quick turn around time is guaranteed. It takes about 12 minutes to pack an item with the volume of 2 m². These container designs are stored in templates for you to choose from and use or reuse immediately.
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Protective packaging is designed so that it is very straightforward, clean and fast to unpack at the destination. There is no need for heavy tools and it is easy to dispose of as recycle points are found everywhere.
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Ecologically speaking, producing protective packaging out of corrugated materials is a very sound decision.
Benefits
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Maximum protection of the product
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Custom-made in a variety of sizes and strengths according to your needs
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Reduced Transport Costs
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No Surface Damage
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Impact Protection & Shock Absorption
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Returnable, Reusable & Recyclable
Packaging Optimisation
There are many factors that determine the condition in which your product reaches its final destination
Choosing the Right Packaging Materials Do you have an understanding first of the product’s vulnerability before you design all 3 levels of the package? Once your product is tested using established protocols to establish its fragility (how much damage can it sustain under what conditions and in which environments), the next packaging optimization task is developing the the proper primary, secondary and tertiary packaging to help the product and its packaging navigate the environments it will traverse.
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Primary Packaging This packaging is designed with ease of use, ease of opening, user experience and store display in mind and is often designed to take up the least amount of space and materials possible, while providing the right amount of product protection.
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Secondary & Tertiary Packaging This protective packaging helps the package sustain environmental hazards like temperature/humidity, fork truck handling, clamp truck handling, conveyors, as well as transportation hazards such as manual handling, vibration, rail-car coupling, manual drops and various impacts.
Selecting the Right Amount of Packaging for the Environment & Supply Chain Many products are under-packaged, sustaining damage that makes for reverse logistics, product waste and many other fees and costs). But just as many products are over-packaged–using far more material than they need to traverse their environments–thereby incurring excess materials, packaging and even supply chain costs. But optimal packaging is designed to meet the requirements of your supply chain with:
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The right strength and flute of corrugated board
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The right properties and thickness of foam or protective packaging
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The right type and thickness of films or rigid plastics
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The right amount of winds of stretch wrap
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The right location and amount of tape or adhesive
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Choosing the Right Package Design With the right types and amounts of packaging material(s) targeted, it’s time to actually design and engineer the packaging, which will in turn impact many parts of your supply chain, including considerations like:
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Material Vendors Design factors can tie into material vendor capabilities, as well as your own manufacturing capabilities. Can your material vendor make this package to your specifications? Does this design “fit”their equipment capabilities and material competencies?
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Manufacturing & Operations Does your package design complement your current manufacturing process and automation equipment? Would your new packaging requirements enable these systems to run at optimal speeds, or would you need to slow the equipment? How does slowing down equipment affect your operating costs?
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Supply Chain, Warehousing & Transportation Efficiency & Costs Sexy shapes and curves may make your package stand out on the shelf, but how do those unique shapes and geometries impact your transportation expenses? And anyone can pick a standard (or stock) package off the shelf or ask a packaging vendor to develop a simple packaging solution. But is your package truly optimized across all systems and touch points? Or does the design create significant air space (or wasted space) in a truck, distribution center or warehouse? In the transportation industry, air space is money wasted. Some design styles can be wasteful. Choose wisely.
Optimizing Your Product Count for Better Costs & Efficiency Consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers or even B2B manufacturers are often at the mercy of their customers in terms of their demands for order quantities and case counts. But what if you shipped an 8-count shipper or a 12-count shipper instead of a 6-count pack? How would that packaging adjustment impact your total packaging system cost? Can you fit more product on a pallet and improve your overall cube or product shipping density–an important part of transportation optimization when you’re using truckload or LTL freight extensively? Can you fit more product in storage or on a retail shelf, and help reduce inventory and storage requirements? Has this even been considered?
Selecting the Right Amount of Protection Above and beyond choosing the right level of packaging protection to avoid damage during transit or stacking, effective packaging protection can have a wide array of requirements. For example:
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Barrier protection for food products or pharmaceuticals helps maintain shelf life and protect against oxygen and moisture or other environmental damages.
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Shock protection helps keep products undamaged from various drops and impacts.
Sticking to the Right Product Design No, that’s not a typo; I said “product design.” As my colleague, Bob Fiedler, says, “the best package is a robust product.” One of the biggest components of packaging optimization is product protection. If your product is already designed to be robust (that is, it is made with the best possible materials and sturdy enough to sustain the normal buffering, drops and abuse it will take in the hands of your average package handler or consumer), it will need minimal (or no) packaging. But if your product is innately fragile or has unique requirements or special handling requirements during distribution, it may require extra packaging.
So when you step back, “packaging optimization” does sound like a simple term. But once you start to peel back the layers, the amount of detail and engineering behind the phrase becomes more apparent. The best-in-class packaging systems have been well thought out and engineered to optimize the packaging across every touchpoint in the supply chain–from origin to destination, and ultimately to your front step.
What Exactly is Packaging Optimization ?
In the simplest sense, “packaging optimization” means using smart packaging that’s designed to contain, communicate and protect your products while moving them from a manufacturer, warehouse or in-store fulfillment center to a final destination (usually the consumer’s home, office or other designated end point).
Packaging Test
Packaging protects your products from dynamic, static and climatic influences. There are international standards and norms which test packaging and packaging units. By testing packing and packaging materials and packaging itself along with transport tests, we ensure that the requirements are complied with.
To ensure the smooth storage and logistics of your products and by extension an adequate product protection, a range of packaging tests exist. These cannot be recommended as standard, but are customised to the requirements and functionalities of each specific packaging unit. For example, during the storage of a corrugated cardboard packaging unit this can only absorb moisture to a certain extent. This water absorption influences the technical properties, the print-ability and the adhesion properties of cardboard. If the outer packaging layers are also stacked on top of each other, it is recommended that the stacking crush resistance be measured. Influencing factors also include climate conditions, load-bearing products (e.g. drinks cans, detergent boxes, wine bottles) and non-load bearing products (e.g. crisp bags, bakery products).
Requirements and functionalities stipulated in packaging planning are crucial determining factors when it comes to the necessary packaging tests. In order to be in a position to make realistic and standard-based statements, the packaging sector operates according to international standards and DIN norms. We have summarised a few laboratory services for you.
One example of testing the resistance of packaging materials is the bursting strength of papers. Determining the bursting strength is a typical toughness test and is used to determine strength parameters. Burst pressure is described as the resistance against which a paper sample opposes a unilateral, consistently increasing pressure until bursting. Bursting strength can be reduced through increasing waste paper portions and/or through mechanical damage. To determine a realistic value ten tests are carried out (five times from the top side and five times from the wire side of the papers).
Edge Crush Resistance provides information on the resilience of a particular cardboard to machine direction (vertical/standing flute). Internationally this test is also known as the Edge Crush Test (ECT). The ECT value is one of the most meaningful tests for corrugated cardboard packaging. It is specified in kilonewtons per metre.
Packaging drop tests are essential when guaranteeing the safety of loads during shipping and handling. These tests simulate the drops and rotational impacts that a load may experience during the distribution process, and allow for the compliance with the most stringent load safety international standards, such as ISTA, ASTM or EN. Therefore, package drop tests allow for a package to be optimized as per real transportation conditions, saving costs and avoiding losses.
Packaging drop tests simulate the drops and rotational impacts that packages may experience during shipping and handling.
These tests allow for the calculation of damages that a package’s corners, edges and surfaces may suffer, as well as knowing how a drop may affect the transported product.
How to perform packaging drop tests
Packaging drop tests simulate the drop of a package and the impact that it receives from a specific height and in various angles.
During these package drop tests, a product is dropped in the same way that it would when being shipped or handled.
Packaging drop test procedures vary depending on the standards to be complied with and the characteristics of the load, among others. The tests are defined based on three variables:
The height of the drop, which reproduces what actually happens when workers handle the products. The height of the fall is based on ergonomic criteria (taking into account the package measurements and weight).
The position from which the cargo is dropped, which may vary to evaluate the more common areas where impacts may affect the products. Generally, the base of the package, the edges of the base and the corners of the base are tested; however, every side is tested for flat products.
The number of drops undergone by the package, which is generally set at six drops for one same product (which may include an extra series of six drops). Each of the drops is performed on a different area of the package, in order to measure the damages suffered during the distribution cycle.
The values of these three variables within packaging drop test procedures are defined based on the type of product and how hazardous the distribution cycle to be experienced during its transportation will be.
Some standards require three different testing levels for compliance. Therefore, various heights, orientations and numbers of drops are used for each test, obtaining results for a large number of possible scenarios.
The purpose of packaging drop tests will be to determine the consistency of packages when facing these issues. Tests will be passed if a visual inspection shows that the package has been able to protect the product after the drop.
Physical Mockup/Prototype
“Prototyping is the part of the commercialization process where items such as color, shape and
form factors, brand identity and overall aesthetic impressions are tested, reviewed and proved out.”
WHY PROTOTYPE ?
Prototype packaging provides companies, manufacturers, brand and marketing professionals, innovation and design departments, packaging engineers, inventors and just about everyone and anyone involved the ability to communicate ideas and concepts in real terms. Prototyping is the part of the commercialization process where items such as color, shape and form factors, brand identity and overall aesthetic impressions are tested, reviewed and proved out. The benefit of prototypes to the overall idea of reviewing, testing and proving out is important from several perspectives: manufacturing feasibility conversations, consumer research stimulus, retailer and executive review meetings as well as providing a final target for a printer or manufacturer. We know that very few people visualize an idea the same way or have the ability to understand the final intent of a concept. The prototype is a visual aid on which to base discussion and decisions.
MORE THAN ONE APPROACH; MANY BENEFITS
The actual prototyping process for packaging can take on many forms. The most common that comes to mind for many are physical mock-ups of things like bags, bottles or boxes. The kind that do not always immediately come to mind are the virtual prototypes. Things like simple 3D renders of an early product or idea or a detailed rendering based on CAD mechanicals can help further the life of a concept or idea, so that it can be properly visualized and evaluated. Companies can use prototyping to reduce time to market as they help to identify potential manufacturing issues earlier in the design process – issues that if not caught early enough could become timely AND costly. Prototyping can further reduce potential cost overruns, as it will magnify errors in dieline construction or print production.
Finally, prototyping will help to increase the final quality of the package as it allows for design alternatives to be considered in context. As an example, a recent client of ours had been considering a metallic, pressure-sensitive label to elevate the overall perception of the package. If a prototype of the package had not been created, the metallic substrate would have went to market. However, a prototype was made and evaluated in context. Between the dark-colored shelf and poor lighting, the package became extremely recessive. The decision was made to change direction. Potential confusion from consumers who would not be able to find their products as well as disappointing sales were avoided.
SO, DOES PROTOTYPING REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PACKAGING DEVELOPMENT ?
Absolutely. It facilitates conversation and decision-making, drives efficiency into the process and helps avoid potential speed bumps that could end up costing time and money. We’d consider it a necessity.
Vendor Development
What to Consider in a Packaging Material Supplier
For many companies, selecting a packaging materials supplier can be a daunting experience, mainly because most manufacturers are unaware of the complexity involved in modern packaging. Whether you are a small to mid-sized company venturing into new product packaging or a large, established organization looking to change suppliers, the research process of finding the right supplier is pretty similar.
This will help provide insight on what to consider when trying to find a packaging materials supplier as well as the right questions to ask when speaking with sales representatives.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Packaging Material Supplier
Before talking with a packaging material supplier, it’s important to have a checklist of items to consider.
Selection
First, think about the vendor’s selection of packaging materials. Do they always have what you need in stock? If not, are they open with the lead times for sourcing these materials on an as-requested basis?
This is a crucial question, because it’s important to choose a vendor who not only has a large selection of packaging options, but also keeps these items in stock and ready for use when you need them. Discuss the potential for a repeat order program if you know you will call in to order these items at regular intervals, removing the potential for lengthy lead-times hindering your production.
In the same vein as selection of materials, it may be important to consider where the materials are going to be sourced. In some cases, the supplier you work with is the manufacturer of the materials, locking you down to wherever they manufacture from.
On the other hand, a vendor/distributor that sources different materials from multiple packaging manufacturers may have the ability to drop-ship from the manufacturer's facility closest to your location. Keep this in mind when evaluating your supplier options, however, it's always worth a direct conversation with them to get a better understanding of their operation. In situations like this, their website may not get into the specifics of their shipping location options because they vary from product to product.
Prices
Pricing can be tricky in with the packaging industry as they tend to change somewhat often depending on the packaging material you are working with. Of course it’s important to know that the quotes you are provided are competitive, but be sure to consider the level of service you are receiving from that supplier compared to the other, less expensive options. Is a higher cost (within reason) worth consideration for a better, more reliable relationship?
Packaging solutions must be as affordable tomorrow as they are today. If you are looking at high volume orders, you have potential to look for a guarantee to keep prices low for the foreseeable future or even a set period of time to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Service
Does the vendor have the ability to service your company now and also when your business starts to grow? It’s beneficial to choose vendors that have a demonstrated ability to grow with you and make an honest effort to understand your needs and the needs of your business.
One way to determine this is to ask if the supplier works with larger organizations, also. This way, you can rest assured that they already have the capability to provide support for larger scale operations and that they will be ready to work with you over the long term.
Delivery
Timeliness is everything in business. Even a slight delay in productivity can cause a significant financial loss. When packaging products are ordered, it’s usually because they are needed in the very near future. Don’t sit on your hands waiting for items to arrive. Instead, choose a supplier with a stellar delivery track record so you have confidence that you will have what you need when you need it. A good supplier will provide lead times without trouble so you are aware early in the process.
Quality
Product quality should be a no-brainer with fulfilling any business need. Quality from all vendors should be consistent and meet necessary specifications. Good products should meet established quality standards as well. Be sure to check that the vendor meets all regulatory or compliance requirements.
If your vendor works with multiple packaging manufacturers to provide you the products you need, check to see how often they are qualifying their current vendors. A quality supplier will be confident that their manufacturers will be able to provide the products you need, when you need them, without any issue.
Inventory
Where will products be stored? What is the warehouse situation and how is inventory actively managed? A vendor who can answer these questions really knows their business and how to support you in a moment’s notice.
Sales Team
Consider the technical expertise of the sales team. A great salesperson knows so much about the product that he or she can help you make the best decision to suit your needs in a pinch. After all, packaging is not your area of expertise, it’s theirs.
Likewise, the sales team should be responsive and dedicated to your growth. A good business/vendor relationship is a seamless partnership, with both parties working together to find solutions to help move your business forward.
Reports
The paperwork should be clear and easy to read. Reports, shipping documents, and invoices should be understandable, accurate, and most of all, transparent, at all times.
Asset Management
Packaging documentation is controlled differently in each company. It is based on technical specifications and packing instructions. In the ideal scenario there is a packaging database, which contains all packaging data and continuously updated.
In order to prevent problems in the implementation of new packaging, you and your packaging supplier need to have a common understanding of the requirements. Therefore the packaging database should store all packaging-relevant information:
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Primary packaging in direct contact with your product
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Secondary packaging or outer packaging with indirect contact to your product
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Packing aids (examples are bubble wrap, strapping tape, pallets, adhesive tape)
The specification of packaging and packaging aids can be described as follows and is based on any specific requirements:
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Packaging group (Like - flat pouches, floor-standing boxes, corrugated cardboard padding)
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Material type (Like - B-flute, PE, PP, PET, bio-polymer)
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Thickness or strength
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Dimensions
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Number and/or volume units
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Formats and weights
For Example - If a supplier processes a single-flute in the corrugated cardboard instead of a double-flute, then this has a huge impact on the stability. The database also includes sectional drawings as well as the technical specifications. These are 2D-drawing from the CAD Program. Sectional drawings represent indispensable information for packaging producers.
Packaging instructions for filling the packaging are stored in the database. Packing instructions assist in assembling constructions, in the compilation of different packaging materials and in the placement in the finished packaging. This is based on the technical specification, in which, for example, the number is stored. The packing instructions are essential in order to comply with the tested and specified requirements and thereby ensure the packaging process.
Packaging Compliance
When you engage in business, there are many forms of compliance that your company and its employees must uphold. "Compliance” refers to sticking to the rules. Meaning, you need to comply with relevant standards, which include both internal and external.
Not sticking to compliance can lead to damage towards both (company and it’s customers).
CFP offers office based compliance for Packaging, Our experts here assure that the Submission is appropriate or not and protect any fast-growing companies or a company which previously has been unaware of the Packaging performance. Within this review we can help you to gather your data, the next steps if required and providing the support during development.
Our Compliance service include :
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Material Testing
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Structural Quality Management
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Existing Packaging Evaluation
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Packaging Supplier Audit
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Print Quality Management
