9 Crazy Facts About Product Packaging

25th September 2022

Almost no product comes without packaging, so there is no way to neglect it. Sometimes the packaging speaks loudly and does much of the marketing for you. However, many businesses still don’t emphasize enough, which sometimes pulls back their marketing game. 

 

If that concerns you about your product packaging, we’ve listed some surprising facts about creating high-end packaging that will make your product stand out and unique.

Bubble Wrap Was Invented by Mistake 

It is said that Alfred Fielding, an engineer, and  Marc Chavannes accidentally invented bubble wrap while trying to create a 3D wallpaper. The bubbles were designed to add a texture to the walls. However, it is being used for something totally different now. The bubbles created for texture provide great support for traveling. 

Coca-Cola Is the First Product to be Sold in a Packaging 

Coca-cola has one of the most iconic packagings to date. The vibrant red color of its signature makes it stand out in a crowd. Though the branding and theme have changed over the years, it wasn’t always the same. 

 

When it first started getting sold, they sold it at pharmacies. Then John Pemberton decided to package his drink differently. He packaged it in a glass bottle, sealed it with a metal cap, and added a paper label. Since then, it has evolved a lot to this date. 

Later many other brands hopped on to the trend and started adding customized touches to their product packaging. It’s not hard to do but it has a great impact. For example, if you use plain boxes or packages and don’t want to go overboard, you can be creative with your tape and add a customized tape. Using Custom tape is very trendy now. As it is one of the best ways to add identity to your product, more brands are leaning towards it. 

The First Product to Have a Plastic Container Was Milk 

Milk was the first product to ever come in a plastic container. Milk companies began adopting waxed paper containers to bottle their milk in the early 1940s. However, the sixties saw a massive increase in the usage of plastic containers for product packaging. This was made possible by developing polyethylene, a strong yet lightweight material. Today, many products, including food, beverages, cosmetics, and cleaning supplies, are packaged in plastic containers.

The Coffee Smell We All Love, Might be Fake

According to studies, coffee has one of the most alluring fragrances in the world. Companies are aware that part of what makes their product so alluring is its aroma. But the problem is when it is packaged inside glass bottles or plastic bags even, the aroma might not be as intense as they want it to be. But for a product like this, they want to captivate the customer as soon as they open the lid. 

As a result, companies tend to use a particular type of synthetic fragrance. It is sprayed under the lead right before sealing the jars. As a result, we are captivated by it as soon as the jar is opened. It is very interesting to see how companies are not just relying on our visions anymore; rather they are trying to please us with more senses. 

The Inspiration Behind Barcode is a Cereal Box

The inventor of the barcode, Norman Woodland was attempting to develop an automated information reading system. He had the bright idea to use a sequence of machine-readable stripes of various widths. He could not complete his creation until he observed a store employee scanning a cereal box. 

He then thought that products might be scanned with barcodes at supermarkets. Today, barcodes are utilized in stores like supermarkets and bookstores, airports, and many other locations where computers need to scan automatic data.  

The First Cardboard Box Was Created In England

England produced the first cardboard box in history. It was used to ship goods and was created from paper that had been stuck together. Before this, many businesses shipped their goods in drums and barrels. However, cardboard boxes quickly gained popularity because they were lighter and less expensive to make.

 Boxes made with cardboard are still often used to ship goods nowadays. They can be made to meet the requirements of the product and are available in various sizes and forms. Cardboard boxes are also environmentally good because they can be recycled.

The Right Packaging Can Reduce Environmental Waste 

Per estimates, packaging contributes to around one-third of all solid trash produced worldwide. For this reason, businesses must utilize recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging materials. 

Plastic bottles can be recycled to create new plastic bottles; for instance, cardboard boxes can be converted into new ones. Companies can contribute to lowering the annual garbage production by doing this. It is an excellent idea to prioritize purchasing goods that are packaged in recyclable and sustainable packaging materials. This will reduce packaging waste.

Zero Waste Packaging Isn’t a Scam

By the name, most people assume it’s a scam. Many companies are coming forward with this concept. Shampoo bars can be a zero-waste product, whereas shampoo bottles produce a lot of plastic waste.

Edible Packaging 

If talking about unique packaging ideas, cosmetic company Lush deserves a mention. While most companies use bubble wrap as protective packaging, Lush uses edible packing peanuts. Though it is not its main purpose, it actually does the job and is harmless to consume. This makes you more interested in the company and shows that it’s biodegradable and good for the environment.  

Conclusion 

These are some of the interesting facts about the product packaging industry. You can suggest your creative branding agency to implement these while designing your product packaging and make it as catchy as the brands mentioned above.