Finding a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging

 

With sustainability continuing to be at the forefront of consumers’ minds when making their purchase decisions, it’s never been more important for companies to show positive changes. Alternative substrates produced from recycled, or recyclable materials, are some of the many options available for consideration.

The challenge

blp was approached by a well-known FMCG client wanting to remove all plastic packaging from one of their bestselling product ranges.

The challenges were clear from the start – although the packaging needed to be strong and attractive, above all, it needed to be secure. The product was a high value consumable, with the current plastic packaging offering protection against theft. The main concern was that any sort of carton board would make it easier for the packaging to be tampered with.

The blp solution

Our packaging development team set to work, designing a custom prototype. Using solid folding carton board removed the need for plastic – not only is it a flexible substrate but it’s easy to recycle after use. blp is an FSC® certified organisation, guaranteeing to source our materials responsibly and this assurance addressed any sustainability concerns.

The product would no longer be on view to the consumer, so high-quality product imagery was printed onto the packaging, with soft touch finish and foiling to make it stand out among competitor products. 

To meet security concerns, the development team created multiple elements that would work together, making the product less susceptible to theft. Creating an interlocking design between the fitment and the outer packaging would make it more difficult to remove the product inside. 

The fitment was designed to hold the product snugly enough to make it difficult for hasty removal, but flexible enough for the consumer to be able to easily remove it. The inclusion of a specially designed ‘euroslot’ allowed the packaging to hang in-store and be strong enough to prevent it being torn from its holder. 

The results

We created a standout piece of packaging that exceeded the client’s expectations. Using solid folding carton board removed the need for any plastic components and had the added benefit of being completely recyclable after use. The final design was fit for purpose in terms of product security and also attractive to the consumer, instantly drawing their attention to the product. 

Our capabilities

The very highest standards

Case Studies

Making a statement with custom packaging

You want your brand to be meaningful and to connect with customers. That’s why first impressions count. The packaging is as much a part of your brand as the product itself. Custom packaging can have a lasting impact and is a chance to engage with and delight your customers.

The ability to see a project through from design to delivery

blp’s in-house capabilities mean we can complete a combination of services on one site, from packaging development, printed packaging and co-packing to storage and mailing, giving us full control over every stage of a project. This helps keep costs within budget and reduces overall lead times, which is particularly important for time-sensitive projects. 

Finding a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging

With sustainability continuing to be at the forefront of consumers’ minds when making their purchase decisions, it’s never been more important for companies to show positive changes. Alternative substrates produced from recycled, or recyclable materials, are some of the many options available for consideration.

Delivering print and co-packing from one place

When it comes to co-packing services, many clients just don’t have the in-house capabilities to complete the project themselves. With a designated packing facility, our skilled packing teams make light work of some of the most demanding projects.

The flexibility to turn around CAD samples quickly

Creating a physical CAD sample for customers is an important part of the design process. It shows what the chosen design will look like and lets customers compare different designs.

Packaging Development

Our experienced packaging development team has nearly 40 years’ experience in all aspects of printed packaging. Coupled with the latest Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, blp can provide you with the solution that best fits your project needs. Packaging Development

To make sure your packaging remains secure and fit for purpose throughout its journey, we put each design through rigorous testing, from postal and transit testing through to security and drop testing.

We use the latest Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, which means we can provide you with an interactive 3D simulation of your packaging design. Using this software means you can get a 360-degree view. If there are aspects you’d like to change, we can make these amends quickly and send it back to you for approval. Not only does this mean you receive the designs instantly, it also saves time and delivery costs associated with sending multiple physical samples.

With our extensive in-house capabilities, we can provide a range of samples at every stage of your project. We use the latest CAD software to produce 3D interactive simulation of your packaging design. This 360-degree view means you can review each aspect of your initial design, and we can make changes instantly. Using this software is beneficial for the early stages of the packaging development process when you need to visualise your ideas. We can also supply white CAD carton board samples – this physical sample gives you the opportunity to review the construction of your packaging design. Once approved, we can provide additional colour samples, printed on your chosen substrate so you can visualise your final products. We can also provide digital colour prints and wet proofs to ensure a perfect colour match of your final print.

We understand artwork can change throughout a project. Our highly capable design team is on hand to help with any artwork amends, no matter the complexity.

blp can provide several samples, suitable for each stage of your project. When a colour mock-up is needed, we have the in-house capabilities to provide a full colour sample, printed onto your chosen substrate. These high-quality samples are representative of the finish of your completed product.

Get in touch with blp

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