4 Factors To Determine The Right Packaging For Your Business

Businesses are the amalgamation of big and small decisions, each no less critical while requiring keen insight and detail to ensure the very best for the companies’ success. Amongst the nest of endless decisions lay the choice of product packaging for F&B businesses. What food packaging does for your business goes only as far as you plan it to be, with great attention to details leading to a favourable impression and a lack of such creating a poor image and a possible black spot to an otherwise immaculate brand.

Not only does it act as a medium to transport your food to your customers, cleverly designed packaging can also be a part of your marketing campaign and brand identity. So with so many things to consider, we explore the questions: what goes into choosing the proper product packaging for your business, and what steps can you take to make your food packaging (and business) stand out?

1. Budget

Inevitably it is all still a game of dollars and cents. A business starts with a vision but is run on logical decisions and proper budgeting. Knowing what makes financial sense is critical to keeping a healthy business. From materials to design, purpose to size, all these considerations will lead to a different price point. Knowing the specific type of packaging you are willing to invest in can mean much more than initially meets the eye. 

It is all a matter of finding the right balance between the cost and the amount of artistry you wish to uphold with the packaging for your business. Various generic plastic containers might be the cheapest options but aren’t materials suitable to be customised, while expensive and custom-designed packaging might be able to create conversations about your brand but come at a corresponding higher price point.

2. Type of food and suitable materials

Does your business deal with soups and liquids? There would be a consideration of using waterproof material to transport your food. Or maybe it is used to serve hot soups? Using plastic insulation that is both waterproof and of a quality that wouldn’t melt or deform would be crucial. Packaging something with multiple elements and not wanting them to mix about in a container with a single compartment? Maybe a bento box could keep the dishes separate and retain their desired texture and taste for your customer’s consumption. 

Some decisions take into account the arrangement for food, whereas others consider the safety of various materials used for your food packaging. Listing the objective requirements can round down the endless options of disposable food containers in the market and hone in on a final decision.

3. Portions and sizes

Small, medium, large. Or how about portions for two or even a family platter if that’s available for takeaway on your menu? Not only does that help with presentation (a small cake can jostle around and get destroyed in a large container), it also helps save unnecessary costs in the long run. 

Proper fitting containers speak about the thoughtfulness and attention to detail, of how willing a business is to commit to looking into even the small processes. And with many people getting to know your store through your takeout services, this could be a chance to leave a favourable impression as the pandemic runs its course.

4. Design and finesse

Running with the pandemic’s effect on F&B businesses in the past 2 years, takeout remains the desired option for eating in most cases. This means that takeout remains a vital touchpoint that food businesses can still capitalise on. They say, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but we say, “do the best design you can anyway”. In an age of Instagram and social conversations, having a talking point about a well-designed takeout container could serve a marketing purpose on top of its objective intent. 

Take your branding into account and every takeout becomes a marketing tool that can be leveraged daily. Emphasise the branding, incorporating eco-friendly materials or make it striking to draw attention. Whatever it is, food packaging does not need to be plain, colourless and devoid of personality. The possibilities are only limited by your creativity and boldness to try.

Conclusion

Be it for aesthetic or objective considerations, food packaging is more than just a generic after-thought. Just because it was done a certain way for the longest of time doesn’t mean we can’t try something new. If anything, it can help your F&B business stand out in the crowd of many.

But even with all these, what if you are still unsure about which product to utilise for your business? Check out the options available at Supply Smiths and see what might be more suitable for the different food options listed on your menu. We create large-scale solutions that emphasise quality and affordability, and we’re sure to find the most appropriate packaging for you and your business.