75 July / August 2024 - Issue 349 tags, and IoT sensors, is revolutionising how products are tracked, authenticated, and interacted with by consumers. “Then there is personalisation and the fact that fully customised bespoke packaging catering to individual customer preferences or specific market segments is gaining traction. Advances in digital printing technology and short-run, quick-make-ready finishing solutions are allowing this trend to develop. “Also consider minimalist design and the growing preference for clean, simple packaging designs that focus on essential information and aesthetics and reduce unnecessary elements. “In addition, think about e-commerce optimisation. With the rise of online shopping, packaging that ensures product safety during transit while providing a pleasant unboxing experience for the consumer is becoming increasingly important.” So, how can PSPs ensure they are addressing these trends in the most effective way? Once again starting with sustainability, Davidson says that to meet the ever-increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly options, PSPs should be opting for materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, or sourced from renewable resources. Casting the net wider, Davidson recommends PSPs prioritise other factors when selecting packaging materials. These include durability, in that materials should offer robust protection to ensure products arrive intact and undamaged, as well as regulatory compliance where it’s recommended that PSPs verify materials used to meet industry standards and regulations, particularly for sensitive sectors like food and pharmaceuticals. ers using several innovative and popular packaging products on various machines available from the manufacturer. These include ‘Eco-Pack’ products which are crafted from 100% recycled materials and require being fully biodegradable, catering for industries, including food, cosmetics, and electronics. Then there is the issue of ‘Smart Park’ solutions, which feature NFC and QR code technology, offering interactive customer experiences such as product information, promotional content, and authenticity verification. In addition to this, there is the option for ‘Custom Printed Boxes’, which use advanced digital printing techniques, can be personalised for branding, special events, or limited editions and offer vibrant and detailed designs with innovative product design. Finally, Encore users can create ‘E-commerce Shield’ products, which Davidson says are designed for online retailers and provide superior protection during shipping while enhancing a customer’s unboxing experience. “We offer innovative solutions to clients from some market-leading manufacturers to meet their evolving needs while promoting environmental responsibility,” Davidson adds. Continually Evolving Also commenting here is Julia O’Loughlin, group marketing manager at Parkside Flexibles, which specialises in packaging solutions. O’Loughlin says sustainability is the longest, most significant market trend www.printmonthly.co.uk On the back of this, Davidson says print quality is of paramount importance and that to enhance visual appeal, PSPs need to ensure materials support high-resolution print, vibrant colours, sharp images, and the ability to allow further product embellishments with good fibre content to enable a perfect finished product. In addition, linking in with this, he says PSPs should balance quality with affordability to provide cost-effective solutions without compromising a machine’s performance. So, how can Encore help? Davidson says the company has seen its custom- ▼ Encore says ‘Smart Park’ solutions feature NFC and QR code technology, offering interactive customer experiences PACKAGING MATERIALS ▼ Flint Group says sustainability continues to dominate conversations in the paper packaging sector
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