Flexible Packaging

Alltrista

Bemis Company, Inc.

Ivex Packaging Corporation

Guide to Flexible Packaging

How to find flexible packaging that's creative and cost-effective
By Christine Margiotta

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.