COVID-19 has undoubtedly had a significant impact on every aspect of our personal and professional lives. It’s forced many companies to restructure key components of their business models to fit the ever-evolving “new normal” standard of living. The custom-printed packaging industry was already undergoing somewhat of a transformation prior to the pandemic by going in a more eco-friendly direction. Interestingly, custom-printed packaging has actually seen a spike in demand thanks in large part to the fact that more customers are ordering products online.
That means sturdier packaging standards are being implemented to ensure customer and worker safety, reduced risk of potential contamination, and total protection against damage during transportation. Keep reading to discover the impact of COVID-19 packaging on the future of the industry as a whole.
Changing Buying Patterns Are Affecting Packaging Design
Increased e-commerce sales have forced brands to ramp up their packaging designs. Custom-printed packaging in the age of COVID-19 has to be more durable, yet uniquely designed and made from environmentally friendly materials. Although more customers are ordering essential and non-essential items online more than ever before, they still expect the brands they support to offer sustainable packaging solutions.
A great deal of thought and planning goes into custom-printed packaging for COVID-19. Packaging designs are more intricate and robust to include various flaps and pockets that are designed to effectively protect fragile items inside without diminishing the all-important unboxing experience.
Stringent Health and Safety Standards Influence Custom-Printed Packaging
The pandemic has made consumers more health conscious when it comes to being extra cautious about touching common surfaces. This includes packages and products that are delivered to their door. Although the CDC has reassured the general public that common touchpoints aren’t the main source of COVID-19 transmission, packaging manufacturers still have to take special precautions during the manufacturing phase.
Manufacturing facilities have implemented strong measures to reduce the risk of transmission and spread amongst employees. These measures include providing proper PPE, installing sneezeguards at workstations, and providing frequent hand sanitizing stations, face masks, gloves, etc.
To give customers complete peace of mind, every minute detail of the packaging process must be designed with the utmost hygienic practices in mind. This includes safeguarding the manufacturing facilities in compliance with provincial and federal sanitation regulations and guidelines. It also means choosing certain materials that limit viral transmissions and implementing stringent hygienic practices during the transportation process (e.g., extra packaging and limited/contactless delivery options).
Rise in Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Packaging
As e-commerce businesses continue to thrive during and after the pandemic, they’ll be expected to prioritize more environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging practices. This includes choosing biodegradable materials like paperboard, bioplastics, mushroom-based materials, and corn foam to name a few. In addition to minimizing your carbon footprint, these packaging materials are also porous, which helps eliminate viral particles faster.
Magenta Depot’s Custom-Printed Packaging and Design Solutions
For over 20 years, Magenta Depot has built a reputation for being one of the most reliable and affordable short-run custom-printed packaging suppliers in the GTA. Our facility is set up to fulfill small and large orders efficiently without charging exorbitant fees.
When you work with us, you get the Magenta Depot advantage. We’re a Canadian-owned and operated company. All of our products are proudly printed right here in Canada and can be shipped nationwide. We offer a convenient 24/7 online ordering platform with a guaranteed two-week turnaround time, no set-up fees, and low minimums. Plus, our simplified design process means you can easily bring your branded packaging vision to life with a few easy clicks! Contact us today to learn more!
