The fashion industry is one of the most competitive and staying ahead of the competition can be tough. However, doing things differently can make a lot of difference. This can be in the texture of the material, the design, color, or any of the other factors used in production. It could even be something as ephemeral as the packaging and delivery of the product.
To stay ahead of the game, you have to master the art of packaging and delivery. They may sometimes seem inconsequential but in the whole scheme of things, they are quite important factors. The right packaging, delivery and logistics can bring you more customers, reduce your expenses and promote your brand amongst other things.
Packaging talks about the activities involved in planning, creating, evaluating and producing a product’s container. This set of activities concentrates on designing an appropriate as well as an attractive container with which to wrap and ship a product.
Typically, a product’s packaging is primarily meant to protect the product and secondly to promote it. Product packaging can act as an effective marketing tool in a silent way. This can be made of a range of materials ranging from paper to metals, plastics, wood, glass, polyester, laminates, etc. The type of material used for packaging a product will depend on the type of product it is.
Apparel Packaging
The type of covering used for clothing items can differ in material and size. The materials used include paper, cards and poly bags. Translucent plastic materials in form of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate/ polyethylene (PET/PE) may also be used. Also, there is nonwoven low-density polyethylene (LDPE) perforated plastic packaging for apparel.
Recent developments have however made it possible to use eco-friendly and sustainable materials. These types of packaging materials help to reduce a brand’s environmental footprint by removing polybags from its supply chain.
For some brands, it is important to reduce, reuse and recycle and it is the way to go. Not all products are of the same size so you can reduce your packaging then also look at recycling them. To elevate your brand’s ethics, you should reduce packaging size, select materials that are recyclable and strive to reuse them.
Types of Eco-Friendly Materials That Can Be Used For Apparel Packaging
There is a couple of eco-friendly packing you can use for clothing items. Some of these include:
Mailer Envelopes
Mailer envelopes provide a great way for clothing companies to ship their products; however, there are a lot of options available. This can make it challenging to find the right one when you have sustainability as your goal. There are mailers for different needs but if you need eco-friendly ones, there are generally three types available.
These are poly mailers that are made from polythene film. They are light, inexpensive and very durable to ship items like clothing. They help to protect from dirt and moisture and are easily recyclable.
Paper-based mailers may be used in place of plastic-based poly mailers. These types are typically made from kraft paper and they can protect your apparel much like poly mailers would do. You can go for a 100% recyclable option although they have a higher carbon print when compared to poly mailers.
Compostable mailers provide the better option of the two. They are as light and durable as poly mailers and are also water-resistant. Additionally, they are biodegradable like paper-based mailers. These types are usually made from PLA which is made from plant material and PBAT which is a bio-based polymer.
Cardboard Boxes
Corrugated cardboard can be used to make durable as well as lightweight boxes. This type of packaging is compostable and can be recycled several times over. The best cardboard boxes to use however are those that are not laminated or wax-coated. These types are easier to recycle and they can protect various types of clothing.
Tissue Paper
Wrapping your apparel with tissue paper helps to enhance its presentation and gives it an added value. You may also use it as an additional form of packing items. This is by laying it over or wrapping the item in it when using other types of packaging. Doing this gives your apparel an extra layer of cushioning and protection and makes it quite appealing.
When you are looking to use custom tissue paper, ensure to check out the features that make it eco-friendly. You should choose materials that are recyclable and compostable.
Glassine
One of the best materials to use for apparel packaging is glassine. It is a glossy and smooth paper that is resistant to water, air and grease. It provides an eco-friendly packaging alternative to plastic polybags packaging. The material is lightweight, durable and translucent.
This material is printable and this means that you can also get to brand your items even while you use sustainable materials. It also makes it easy to apply stickers, scan bar codes and does well in filling.
Conclusion
Packaging is a critical part of how a product is perceived, protected and shipped. While there are various forms available, your brand can transition into more eco-friendly types as listed above. The advantage to this is you save money and reduce your business’ carbon footprint.
