Flexible plastic packaging is a growing industry that offers businesses affordable and sustainable packaging for their products. With many types of flexible packaging available, it's important to have a solid background in the basic terminology and industry language.

There are a lot of flexible packaging products, such as bendable food packaging and plastic tube packaging, and many ways to process the plastic materials used. When looking into flexible packaging key terms:

1. Grasp the types of plastic packaging available as well as their various uses.
2. Understand the flexible packaging manufacturing terms to determine the best process for you.
3. Research flexible packaging marketing language.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know the types of plastic packaging and the terminology used to describe them

Industry websites offer a lot of information on the types and uses of flexible packaging. By reviewing company sites, you can become familiar with plastic packaging types, industry lingo and basic terms.

I recommend: Flexible Packaging focuses its manufacturing process on the production of plastic bags. Its comprehensive website offer numerous examples of plastic bags, their designs, uses and construction. IDS Packaging has a long list of articles that explain the uses of flexible packaging and the popularity of certain types of packaging for each industry. The articles utilize industry lingo and can help you understand the flexible packaging terms in context.

Understand the process by familiarizing yourself with plastic packaging manufacturer terms

Flexible packaging companies often offer more than one type of manufacturing process to their customers and understanding their terminology and the basic words used to describe each process is key to making the best choices for your product.

I recommend: Packaging-gateway.com has a glossary that describes manufacturing terms and materials in detail. Catty has a flexible packaging dictionary that explains manufacturing terms, materials and equipment. Scholle has an excellent easy to read website that includes industry news and products, as well as a fantastic glossary of flexible packaging terms. As the glossary includes terms used throughout the website, the Scholle Corporation site provides both education on and application for key industry terms in one place.

Understand basic marketing language and apply it to the flexible packaging market

Whether researching a plastic packaging company or promoting flexible packaging solutions, a solid understanding of the marketing terms associated with the packaging industry are important to your success. As well as learning the ins and out of flexible packaging types, materials and manufacturing, you should learn the language of promoting and selling as part of the overall package.

I recommend: Packaging Digest offers an online magazine, information on the latest products, white papers and information on packaging design and marketing. Flexible Packaging Magazine provides several articles on branding and marketing flexible packaging placing key terms in a practical format.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Plastic food packaging is a large sector of the flexible packaging market and both its terminology and marketing terms apply to other types of packaging. If you don't know where to start when research key terms, try the flexible food packaging world for a solid foundation of knowledge.

Flexible packaging definitely provides a number of ways to "think outside the box" when it comes to creative and economical product marketing.

Flexible packaging companies continue to grow as more and more of them look to set their products apart with respect to health and the environment. This packaging method can be safer for the environment, provide more customized options for flexible food packaging in a more health-conscious way, and help you save money while making your products stand out on store shelves.

Flexible packaging comes in a variety of forms, including flexible plastic packaging such as flat or stand-up plastic bags, shrink sleeves other plastic food packaging that takes the shape of the product, or pouches with high-quality laminates for materials such as cosmetics, to name a few options.

Flexible packaging and graphics also go hand in hand. Many flexible packaging companies offer custom graphics services as a component of their flexible packaging options to create custom labels that help your products stand out on store shelves and communicate the authenticity of your product to the customer.

Some advantages include:

1. Flexible packaging can cut your costs.
   
2. Flexible food packaging or flexible plastic packaging can help your company become greener.
   
3. Flexible packaging solutions can punch up your product identity with great graphics.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research packaging product lines and end uses

Find the best flexible packaging for any kind of product, from food to pharmaceuticals. Plastic food packaging, bendable food packaging and other flexible packaging solutions can be found by manufacturer or product type.

I recommend: Research the industry at the Flexible Packaging Association website, complete with resources on source reduction, industry members and a great Buyers Guide organized by product line and end use. IDS Packaging also lists suppliers by product category or industry sector.

Look into the sustainability policies of flexible packaging companies

Flexible packaging companies with good sustainability policies can give your products a green edge that will appeal to customers - and might even get them to pay more for your environmentally-friendly product.

I recommend: Flexible packaging company Andex talks about its sustainability policy on its website, as does the Rohrer Corporation. You can find out which companies have attended Packaging Strategies' Sustainable Packaging Forum in the past.

Get great graphics for your flexible packaging

Many plastic packaging manufacturers offer their own in-house graphics capabilities. But just in case they don't, there are many graphics firms that specialize in bendable packaging labels to give your products an original, instantly recognizable edge.

I recommend: Model Graphics Inc. is an award-winning provider of flexible packaging graphics. Prime Graphics also offers a variety of solutions based on the market you're in.

Ask about health-conscious packaging options

If you want your product packaged in smaller portions or re-sealable bags, a number of flexible food packaging companies can make it happen.

I recommend: Mondi Packaging provides a number of food packaging options. Look to Fresh-Lock's various re-closable sealing options to keep organic or other perishable products fresher. On this link, more options are available on the left of the page.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Thanks to new technologies, your flexible packaging can be outfitted with graphics that contain special holograms or other graphic elements that prove product authenticity. Make sure to ask your flexible packaging manufacturer or graphics provider about these options.

Flexible packaging is a growing trend in marketing and offers countless opportunities when it comes to product branding. Whether it's plastic tube packaging or bendable packaging, discovering what's right for your company and product is a matter of researching marketing trends and knowing the latest branding techniques.

Keeping up with flexible packaging solutions can help ensure that your product gets noticed. When tracking flexible packaging solutions and trends:

1. Know the industry leaders in flexible plastic packaging and consult with professionals, whether in person or online.
2. Keep in mind that the flexible food packaging industry is changing fast and new innovations are a constant.
3. Look at the future direction of flexible packaging.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Take time to know what's what in successful flexible packaging companies

Flexible packaging is an established marketing technique and there are a number of companies that have produced successful and award winning packaging. By reading industry magazines and reviewing the websites of industry leaders, you can build a solid foundation of flexible packaging marketing knowledge and note trends and changes that could affect your company, product or marketing strategy.

I recommend: Reynolds Flexible Packaging is a plastic packaging manufacturer that provides in-depth explanations of their products, services and technology, as well as industry news and developments. Pacific Bag is an established packaging manufacturer with an easy to navigate website that has industry news and flexible packaging articles as well as great visuals on the materials and equipment used in flexible packaging.

Subscribe to industry RSS feeds and blogs to stay ahead in bendable packaging

The flexible packaging industry is changing quickly as new markets open up and others lose popularity. Blogs and RSS feeds are the best mediums for the very latest updates in industry changes. Track innovations by email to be one of the first to hear the news.

I recommend: The Flexible Packaging Magazine offers the opportunity to subscribe to online news and trends in the flexible packaging, while it also offers articles, product reviews and market research on industry leaders. Converting Magazine is an online magazine and flexible packaging resource site. They offer free subscriptions, industry blogs, email newsletters and even white papers on flexible packaging.

Research sustainable plastic packaging and green trends

As the green evolution continues to cross into all avenues of life, culture and business, it becomes important to note green trends in industries that affect your product or marketing strategy. Sustainable plastics are growing in popularity. Noting sustainable plastic industry changes and innovations will allow you to keep an eye on the future of your own product and branding methods.

I recommend: Packaging Digest offers a magazine, blogs, articles and white papers full of information and current news on sustainable plastic packaging and products. Packaging World focuses entirely on sustainable packaging news and events. They offer both articles and e-newsletters to keep you up to date on changes and trends in sustainable packaging.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Knowing a little about the plastic behind the plastic food packaging industry will give you an extra edge over the competition and increase your understanding of news and trends. Take the time to understand plastic construction and types to ensure you get the plastic packaging you really want for your business.

With flexible plastic packaging, less is more. Using less packaging means more profit and a more ecologically friendly product. With less packaging, you save money on transportation of supplies and products. Flexible packaging includes everything from heat-sealed or vacuum-packed bags to bendable plastic tubes.

While the first flexible packaging was foil, today's packages can be clear, printed or in a wide variety of colors. New supplies, equipment and techniques have revolutionized the flexible packaging industry. There are many exciting options in flexible packaging supplies and equipment, including the following options:

1. Search for standard flexible packaging products.

2. Discover more earth-friendly flexible packaging solutions.

3. Learn more about available flexible packaging equipment.

4. Choose plastic tube packaging for custom lengths.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy flexible packaging products

There are many different flexible packaging products to choose from when packaging food products. Most must meet standards established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Whether you want shrink-wrapped or vacuum-sealed packaging, you can find an online supplier to meet your needs.

I recommend: For flexible food packaging that showcases your product, consider ClearFoil by Rollprint Packaging Products. Flair Flexible Packaging features a variety of quality flexible packaging products such as coffee bags. A leading source for printed packages and shrink wrap is Reynolds Flexible Packaging.

Choose eco-friendly flexible packaging solutions

Flexible food packaging is already an environmentally conscious choice, but many flexible packaging companies go the extra mile to make their packaging supplies even more eco-friendly. The key words here are low volatile organic compound (low-VOC), biodegradable, recyclable or compostable.

I recommend: The Eco ViewPack by Rohrer uses less material than traditional clamshell-type packaging and is fully recyclable. Eagle Flexible Packaging has created a new line of packaging called NVIRO featuring earth friendly, low-VOC ink, adhesives and compostable films. Learn more about sustainable packaging options at Plastic Ingenuity.

Find equipment for plastic food packaging

Equipment such as skin packers, die cutters, heat sealers and thermoformers help you create and seal the perfect flexible package. It pays to compare equipment features, price and durability between several plastic packaging manufacturers.

I recommend: McLeod & Dewey offers the complete line of Starview skin and blister packaging equipment. PackagingToday.com maintains a list of companies that manufacture flexible packaging equipment.

Use plastic tube packaging to make custom length plastic bags

There are many standard and not-so-standard plastic tube packaging products. You may want to cut and heat seal your own plastic packaging for odd-shaped or extra-large products.

I recommend: Flexible Packaging offers a variety of plastic tube packaging and equipment to meet your needs. Check out Petro Packaging for innovative packaging ideas like tube packaging that has an ice-like appearance.