From cakes to breads, packaging can make or break your product. Why is packaging so important? It is the first impression your customers have with your product, therefore having a huge impact on if the buyer chooses you over your competitor. With so many options and marketing techniques, it can be a little confusing when trying to choose the best packaging for your baked goods. Some tips are more obvious than others, but all aspects are important to consider in making right choice to help your product succeed.

The Overall Look

Probably the most obvious facet in packaging is what it looks like. According to Business Insider, it only takes seven seconds for someone to formulate their first impression of you, and packaging is no different. That means in those seven seconds your packaging should catch the customer’s attention and be designed in a way that identifies with the customer immediately.

If you are selling baby food, then your packaging should have images and words geared towards parents with small children. If you are selling goods that serve certain dietary needs, packaging that highlights those needs will most likely be preferred over packaging that makes the consumer look for specific ingredients. Moreover, some retailers have restrictions on packaging that should be reviewed before making your final decision.

How Much It Costs

Determining the cost of your packaging is equally as important as any of the creative aspects. If you have an awesome product, but are spending too much money on packaging, your business can be at risk before it even hits the shelves. As you are choosing what material and accessories to use, think about the overall cost at volume. Remember that as your customers are enjoying your delicious creations, the packaging eventually ends up in the trash. Be careful in thinking that the most expensive options translate to the most effective solution. Finding a balance between look and cost will get your product where you want it to be without breaking the bank.

Safety of Goods

One area of the process that is less obvious is the safety of your packaging. According to a recent poll, six in ten Americans say that they “restrict at least one nutritional component from their diet.” With 60% of consumers trying to avoid various ingredients, it is imperative to have a safety feature built in to your packaging. While some allergic reactions are mild, some food allergies can be life threatening and implementing a way to minimize tampering can help customers trust your brand over others. There are many safety measures that you can put in place at the time of packaging to ensure that your customers are getting goods that have not been tampered with prior to the sale. Machines that provide safe and effective ways to seal your product on the spot can save you money and give your customers with allergies peace of mind.

Ease Of Distribution

After your product is packaged and secured, the next thing to think about is how it is going to be distributed. Goods that are more delicate or have more moisture than others require careful handling when being distributed in large quantities. Packaging that is oddly shaped or easily damaged will not travel well if you are shipping to locations far away from your production site.

Take time to think about how your product will be distributed (i.e. by truck or train) and how well the packaging will hold up after its journey to the shelves.

No matter what you are selling, there is no doubt that packaging is high on the priority list. Bottom line, make sure you are taking your consumers’ needs and interests into consideration, as well as your retailer.