How to Choose Sustainable Custom Packaging for Your Food Business?
When most customers are choosing their food options, they look at two things: the quality of the food and the type of packaging it comes in. This is the reason many food businesses are now switching to sustainable custom food packaging to attract customers who share the sustainability goal. Read this guide to learn how you can be a sustainable brand while creating a unique brand identity in the market.
Look at Your Eco-Safe Packaging Options
When it comes to eco-safe packaging, the choices are limitless because we have more than just paper-based packaging to choose from. Whether you are a street food business or running your restaurant, opting for sustainable packaging reflects well on your brand. Two famous categories that you can choose for your food packaging bags and boxes are:
1. Paper-Based Materials
Food businesses around the world prefer paper-based packaging for packing items like French fries, burgers, nachos, tacos, and even sandwiches. Takeaway food packaging and paper food trays that you have seen food businesses using more often than other types of packaging are usually made of Kraft or cardboard packaging.
Corrugated cardboard is another paper-based packaging material that is rarely used by businesses, but offers great durability and protection from external factors. You can choose Kraft paper packaging when packing small portions or lightweight food items like fries, and cardboard when packing family-sized portions to ensure product protection and customer satisfaction.
2. Bioplastic Materials
Packaging made from renewable resources like starch, corn, and sugarcane is referred to as bioplastics. If you are tired of seeing paper-based food packaging around you and want some change, you can opt for bioplastic while still conserving nature. When running a food business that sells food items like curry, opting for bioplastics instead of single-use plastic is a good idea.
Market the benefits of choosing bioplastic over plastic packaging to inform your customers how you are adhering to the sustainability goals. This way, you can attract more customers looking to reduce their carbon footprint. You can get your brand’s logo on the packaging to create a strong brand identity in the market.
Opt For Visually Appealing & Functional Packaging Styles
Now that you have decided on which packaging to choose, how are you going to present it to customers? There are different types of packaging boxes you can choose for your food items. A few common styles that are used in the food business are:
1. Tuck Boxes
Choose the tuck-style eco packaging for your different products, as these boxes offer a durable locking mechanism. The flaps are tucked inside the boxes, ensuring the product’s safety unless opened by a small force. There are different types of tuck boxes that you can use, like straight-end tuck boxes, reverse tuck boxes, auto-bottom lock, etc. Keeping in mind the product you are packing and the distance it will be travelling in case of home delivery, choose the right style.
2. Hinged-Lid Boxes
Hinged-lid boxes are usually made of cardboard because they offer better protection than a regular Kraft and are often used to pack items like burgers, burger patties, and even sushi. You can get these boxes in different sizes and colors to identify the products apart. Choosing visually appealing colors and durable packaging leaves a lasting impression on the customers. When adding greasy food items inside the lid boxes, like fries, you can add parchment paper to keep the boxes safe from stains.
3. Paper Food Trays
Kraft is a common material that is used to make paper food trays for the food business. You can use paper food trays for serving customers in-house or when they have a delivery or pickup option. When selling tacos, nachos, and fries, choose paper food trays instead of opting for boxes. You can add your brand’s logo on the side of the food tray to create a robust brand identity in the market.
Add a Die-Cut Window for a Sneak Peek
Selling boxed food items or ready-to-cook food? Add a custom die-cut window on the packaging so customers can have a look at the product before purchasing. This way, you can develop a gradual trust in your potential buyers and turn them into regular customers. You can choose different shapes for the windows, like circles, squares, rectangles, and even any custom shape you like. You can also use the die-cut windows when packing baked food items like pastries, cakes, muffins, and more.
Choose Plant-Based Dyes instead of Petroleum-Based
Being a sustainable food brand means more than just avoiding toxic packaging. To make your business more sustainable, you can choose plant-based dyes for coloring and printing on your food boxes. These dyes are a bit pricey but offer brighter colors and leave no toxic residue when the boxes are degraded in the soil. Consulting a professional helps your business in making the right choice and exploring your options.
Pick Irresistible Designs and Colors for Your Packaging
Custom packaging is not only about choosing the material and size for your packaging, but the design and colors as well. Minimalistic packaging uses fewer resources yet offers a powerful impact on customers and is also considered a good option for sustainability. You can also go for textured designs and give the designs a 3D appearance. Whether you opt for pastel colors like lilac, sage green, powder blue, etc., or choose dark and bold colors like red, green, yellow, purple, black, etc, using your brand’s logo is a must. Keep your logo front and center for better recognition.
Attract & Retain Customers with Eco-Safe Custom Food Packaging
Make a mark with your sustainable custom packaging on customers and stand apart from the competition. Choose durable packaging material in accurate sizes to ensure the product’s safety during delivery and takeaway. Research the market before finalizing the designs and colors to see which ones are better for your packaging. Market the benefits of choosing sustainable packaging so customers can buy more from your business.
