In the dynamic landscape of the digital age, nearly every aspect of our lives has seamlessly transitioned into the virtual realm. Healthcare consultations commence via videoconferencing, cars are purchased through apps, and the immersive capabilities of virtual reality can transport us effortlessly to multiple locations simultaneously. 

Packaging is pivotal in shaping consumer perceptions and influencing purchasing decisions in a world of goods competing for consumer attention. While flashy designs and extravagant packaging are beloved marketing tactics, a growing movement towards minimalism is challenging the status quo. Minimalist packaging, characterized by simplicity, functionality, and sustainability, is not merely a trend but a pivotal shift in retail and e-commerce with far-reaching implications.

The time to support STEM education is now. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, but goes far beyond school subjects in the face of solving challenges worldwide. STEM fields lead innovation, sustain the growth of the economy, and raise social awareness — but it wouldn’t be possible without the people who study STEM, specifically researchers who are currently pursuing graduate and doctorate degrees.

In the packaging industry, specific levels of packaging determine how products are packed and shipped. If you attend a packaging expo, individuals will ask if a certain packaging product is primary, secondary, or tertiary, and it can be helpful to know the differences between these levels of packaging. So what are the levels of packaging?

Let’s start with an unboxing experience to showcase the levels of packaging from how most consumers interact with a product delivered to their home!

If you’ve gone for takeout recently and received your food in cardboard-like takeout boxes, then you may have met “bagasse” in real life. Many eco-friendly restaurants and companies are prioritizing sustainability within their single-use containers, choosing packaging that is made from environmentally-friendly materials. While bamboo is well-known for eco-friendly packages, bagasse is a lesser-known material.

No matter the size of your holiday gatherings this year, you’ll probably be going through a lot of paper products and plastic. As presents and letters make their way to family and friends via mail and package delivery, it’s time to make a plan on how to keep your holidays sustainable and recycle packaging waste the right way.

If you’re mailing out Christmas cards or wrapping up presents to ship across the country, consider the materials used to wrap your gifts, construct your Christmas cards, and keep your holiday gifts safe on their journey to your loved ones.

A not-so-pretty statistic from the beauty industry is the thousands of tons of plastic waste produced and discarded by production every year. By design, beauty packaging is made to be striking on shelves while still being as temporary as the products inside. But all of that plastic waste has to go somewhere, and whether it ends up in a landfill or the ocean, it will remain there exponentially longer than its use cycle.

CBD is becoming more widely available in legalized capacities and is currently the fastest growing industry in the United States — thirty states plus the District of Columbia have already enacted laws that broadly legalize marijuana. This swift CBD industry boom has made designing the right packaging more important than ever. 

When it comes to the packaging of products, packaging psychology shapes the way that consumers interact with the unboxing experience. As our world becomes more and more digital, companies can solidify their customer connection through their packaging choices. Packaging offers a way for companies to provide a visual and tactile experience from start to finish.

With shelves stocked in hundreds of colorful products, you want to be able to know how to recognize luxury packaging. After all, packaging is the cover of the product, introducing and summarizing its benefits. No longer is a customer’s purchase decision just about the product; the packaging is just as crucial.