89 NEED TO KNOW / PACKAGING MATERIALS July / August 2023 - Issue 343 www.printmonthly.co.uk There is no secret as to the opportunities for print service providers (PSPs) in the packaging sector. Whether this is in the luxury retail arena and helping brands with their eye-catching packaging, or within food and drink and making certain products stand out on shelves in the local supermarket, there are plenty of areas to explore. When it comes to material choice in packaging, the importance of this simply cannot be overstated. Does your customer want a certain feel to the pack? Do they require special effects like foiling or embossing? What about sustainability and if the packaging can be recycled after use? These are just some of the things to consider when selecting a material to work with. Here, we pick out some of the latest trends within packaging and consider how new and innovative materials available to the market can help you address these demands. React To Trends First up to offer advice is Kite Packaging, a diversified supplier of packaging products and materials. Managing director Gavin Ashe says the company has taken note of a number of key trends in recent years and PSPs should ensure they are able to react to such demands. “Bespoke packaging provides a great opportunity for printers as brands are always looking to tailor designs to their specific aesthetic as a way of enhancing customer engagement and enhancing brand loyalty,” Ashe says. “The growing trend of small batch customised products also allows printing companies to make the most of on-demand packaging. With the help of automation, smaller orders are more viable to complete.” Taking this a step further with a nod towards crossmedia, Ashe says that the integration of technology, particularly with QR codes, has become more prominent within the packaging industry. In response, Kite developed an app earlier this year to aid its customers’ ordering experience. “Our app combines the use of QR codes on packaging products with the camera app on any mobile device, allowing customers to easily search for products by providing a far more streamlined and convenient ordering experience,” he explains. “The continued popularity of unboxing videos especially with luxury brands makes premium and luxury packaging a great area for printers to focus on while sustainability also continues to be a major influence.” PERFECT PACKAGING Regarded as a core growth market for some time, we take a look at the packaging market and pick out some of the key trends print companies should be aware of when it comes to material choice ► Fedrigoni’s Symbol Pack is a high-quality board specifically engineered for folding boxes
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