Having a custom package developed always starts with preparing a set of requirements. You can read in detail why a requirements package is important in one of my earlier blogs on the subject. But let me summarize it for you;
A set of requirements describes everything your custom packaging must meet. This may sound simple; you have a product and it needs to be transported safely from A to B. It couldn’t be simpler, right? But what if your product is shipped to a hot destination and the glue on the case or crate comes off? Or what if an electronic product is used “in the field” in a wet climate and the packaging is not waterproof? Needless to say, this comes at a cost. And not just financially; it can also cost you customers.
By creating a complete set of requirements , you avoid this kind of situation.
Not too early and not too late. Weak, you may think? But let me explain: if you don’t start developing the packaging until the product is almost ready for shipment, you may miss important criteria, resulting in suboptimal results or delaying your order. If you start too early in your product development process, often not enough details of the product are known yet. It is advisable to wait until the main contours of the product are known and then start packaging development in parallel with product development.
Involve as many users as possible in creating the requirements package. Your customer, but also the users within your own organization. They each have their own list of requirements that packaging must meet. For order picking, the packaging must be as ergonomic and handy as possible. For logistics, the packaging must be optimally loadable, and purchasing is of course looking for packaging that fits within the available budget. See what has priority and which packaging solution best meets as many requirements as possible. As a packaging specialist, my colleagues and I are of course happy to think along with you on this.
To ensure that all requirements and needs are addressed, I recommend using these 4 questions as a starting point:
These questions invite in-depth questions that help you uncover key packaging requirements.
As concrete and as detailed as possible, in only one way to explain. Challenge yourself and your team to keep asking questions until you are absolutely clear about the requirements that the packaging must meet. Only then will you have packaging that is tailored to the product and your needs down to the last detail.
Do you find that this is easier said than done? Of course, my colleagues at Faes and I are happy to help you put together your package of requirements. Leave your comment in the form below or contact us directly.
