2019: what are the packaging trends?

A new year is just around the corner. The ideal time to look at what will cross our path in packaging in 2019. In this article, we take a look at the current packaging trends and see how they will continue to evolve. Are you on the right track or do you need to make some adjustments?

Three packaging trends for 2019

► 1. Personalise… and go for a unique customer experience

Personalisation in packaging first peeked around the corner a few years ago. If there is anything we can say with certainty about it, it is that its popularity has clearly not yet reached its final destination. Offering good products is the foundation of your business. That goes without saying. Those who thought the story stops here, however, are wrong. Research shows that packaging is a crucial factor in the customer experience. A brand that wants to stand out from its neighbour will have to stand out with original ideas and concepts.

Research shows that the majority of consumers automatically associate beautiful packaging with a quality brand. While a brown box sealed with cheap tape used to be standard, more and more companies now know that packaging is an important contact moment with the customer. So a well thought-out idea is worth its weight in gold.

A glance into the crystal ball shows that the unboxing moment is also a stop you clearly shouldn’t pass up. Just think of the popular unboxing videos on YouTube. Colourful stuffing material should therefore not be missing in 2019. The Geami WrapPak ‘s eco-friendly packaging material is an ideal solution for this, by the way.

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► 2. Pack more efficiently…and increase your customer satisfaction

For number two of our packaging trends, we stop at the following two products: the returnable box and the automatic bottom box. Why do these boxes deserve our attention? Well… that lies entirely in their efficiency and productivity.

• A box with return closure has become a real must for many customers when placing an online order. Almost 60% of millennials tend to choose only companies with a return policy. A return box is easy for the customer, because they no longer have to search for a new box. And easy for you, because you can be sure your product will be sent back to you in a sturdy box. This way, you can offer the product again in your webshop.
• A box with automatic bottom is assembled immediately. This saves you a lot of time during the packing process. The quicker your box is out the door, the quicker it will land on your customer’s doorstep (which he undoubtedly won’t say no to). A box with an automatic bottom is set up in less than 9 seconds. With a standard box, it takes an average of 22 seconds. A packer handling 250 parcels a day thus saves 1 hour of work.

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► 3. Pack more sustainably… and take care of the environment

One packaging trend that we will often see thundering by in 2019 at full speed is the trend of opting for eco-friendly packaging. The ban on disposable plastic bags in 2016 made it clear that the packaging industry needs to put more effort into sustainable alternatives. In this way, they aim to meet the growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious packaging solutions.

Fortunately, there is good news: eco-friendly materials are now available in large numbers and you can find them in really every product category. From boxes and packaging tape to padding materials and labels. Check out the full list of sustainable packaging materials in this article and make sure you too stay on the right track.

The majority of European packaging material is already successfully recycled today. Besides recycling, reusing products is also clearly on the rise. DIY (do it yourself) videos on YouTube are a striking example of this. Consumers like to look for ways to give packaging materials a second life. Providing your packaging with an original print is already a good idea! This way, your packaging easily turns into a trendy interior object or collectors’ item.