The packaging used by online e-commerce retailers for dispatching their goods has changed a great deal in the last few years. What used to be bright, glossy and plastic coated is slowly fading into the background as more online retailers opt for simple yet striking kraft packaging to send out to their customers. This shift in favour of natural looking corrugated boxes is down to changes in buyer culture and environmental concerns. But there are many practical advantages of kraft packaging too – and by collaborating with suppliers such asShop Cardboard Boxes, most retail sectors can reap the rewards of this growing trend while at the same time reducing your overall costs of packaging as well as the environmental effect.
The Environmental Imperative Driving Kraft Adoption
With an increased awareness of environmental issues, consumers are no longer looking to purchase products with potentially unsustainable packaging. This sector has changed from being a niche market to one where consumers expect and demand eco-friendly solutions within the packaging itself. Over 70% of online shoppers reportedly consider the eco-friendliness of packaging when buying products online, with the younger generation placing a high value on sustainability. However, whilst appearing environmentally friendlier than plastic coated boxes, solid food boxes made from rigid cellulose fibre packaging made by Kraft have a highly biodegradable structure and are also widely recyclable. Additionally, the environmental impact of its production is less than that of other packaging options currently available on the market.
Compared to white-coated packaging products, kraft paperboard and packaging materials require less chemical treatment and bleaching in the production process, and thus generate less water pollution, and save energy during production. This cleaner production method appeals to ‘eco-conscious’ consumers who not only look at the disposal options at the end of a product’s life cycle, but are also concerned with the overall production cycle of a product. Kraft packaging and print materials clearly convey a brand’s environmental credentials through visible production choices rather than mere sustainability claims.
Key Environmental Benefits Include:
- Made from fully biodegradable materials and will break down into earth-friendly natural compounds with no microplastic residue
- Recyclable packaging promotes environment-friendly recycling practices. Established collection and processing systems are in place to support high levels of packaging recyclability
- Bioproducts from sustainably harvested timber using forestry resources
- Lower carbon content during product manufacturing compared to traditional synthetic options
- Made from commercially sustainable resources
Cost Advantages Reshaping E-commerce Economics
While environmental attributes such as sustainability play an increasingly important role in shaping consumer preferences, simple cost savings provide another compelling driver to select kraft packaging over plastic-coated or heavily processed alternatives. Providing a 15-25% cost savings, kraft packaging delivers immediate bottom-line savings to businesses of all sizes packing large volume shipments of products. These savings translate to real dollars saved over thousands of shipments, which can be allocated elsewhere in the business to product development, marketing or customer service efforts.
Packages ship based off the combination of the size and weight of the package, and the lightweight kraft packaging shipping rates can affect dimensional weight charges. Since the boxes are made of kraft, they weigh approximately 20% less than their plastic-coated counterparts, which can save a considerable amount of money over the life of a company’s product line. For most retailers, working on very thin margins at e-commerce prices, that change can be a huge competitive advantage.
Kraft packaging can simplify your inventories by reducing the number of different packaging components you need to hold in stock. Compared to many synthetics, thin wall packaging made from kraft materials can provide comparable levels of protection and sensitivity. Higher inventory density means that you can stock more packages per cubic foot of your warehouse than with alternative materials providing similar storage capacity and efficiency. This can lead to cost savings as you pay less to store the packaging materials between sales.
Brand Differentiation Through Authentic Materials
Natural kraft packaging creates immediate visual impact when surrounded by generic white boxes. The warm brown colour and natural fibres evoke a feeling of authenticity, care and environmental responsibility. Even basic packaging can become an expression of brand character, and create a dramatic visual impact without the need for elaborate printing.
For many successful e-commerce brands, kraft packaging has become the canvas that brings forth their brand identity and values. Each unboxing experience is filled with an artisanal feeling of natural, ‘hand crafted’ packaging materials that symbolise sustainability and thought. Kraft packaging can evoke a sense of intimacy and eco-friendliness and also spark off organic content in the form of social media posts that bespoke kraft packaging sparks in its customers, away from generic glossy packaging. Ultimately, kraft packaging can aid in creating repeat custom and positive brand advocacy.
For companies looking to brand products, custom kraft boxes can provide an excellent printing surface for a minimalist aesthetic. Although the simple one colour print, kraft stamp or eco ink application looks printed, it effectively brand products while maintaining the natural look and feel of the kraft material. It is more cost effective than full colour print and provides superior brand recognition through distinctive consistency of brand identity.
Practical Performance Advantages
While the environmental benefits, and aesthetic appeal are key features of kraft packaging, it is crucial to not overlook the practical set of performance characteristics the material offers to online retailers. Whether it be goods that require heavy-duty protection throughout the distribution cycle or products that are sensitive and require TLC, kraft packaging is uniquely suited to offer the optimal strength-to-weight ratio for structural integrity. This property, and the natural absorbency of Kraft paperboard fibers enables packages to effectively absorb and dissipate shock and subsequent compression caused by automated sorting processes and rough handling during transit.
Operational Benefits Include:
- Good Printability – compatible with different ink types. No special coating needed
- Easily Customizable – through Die-Cutting, scoring and folding
- Availability of product range from several suppliers – Our offerings are based on a solid supplier base. The availability of special articles is furthermore guaranteed through qualified subcontractors. This reduces the risk for supply chains significantly
- Worker-friendly handling – no sharp edges and no residues
- Easy disposal – No separate recycling stream needed for disposal
Our die-cuts also perform well in extreme temperatures, and varying humidity levels in a shipping environment, differing from synthetic materials that become brittle in the cold or sticky / soft in heat. Our kraft materials provide added durability and protection from damage to your package and a reduction in its replacement cost.
Consumer Perception and Unboxing Psychology
How a product’s packaging looks and feels when it is first released from its packaging can have a significant impact on both customer satisfaction and future repeat purchases. The packaging materials and packaging itself have deep-rooted psychological connotations, particularly for consumers preparing to unbox a product. Packaging made from kraft materials generally evokes the image of natural produce, artisanal products and eco-friendly packaging which can create what we call a “halo effect.” This perceived quality can be associated with products that have nothing to do with sustainability and/or hand-crafted production.
Consumers have an emotional connection with natural materials. When consumers interact with products wrapped in natural materials such as kraft paper, they experience a greater emotional connection than products packaged in synthetic materials. The tactile sensation of kraft paper creates a rich experience of texture, nuances of color and the fibers, which contrast beautifully with the plastic coating found in so many packaging materials. Unboxing with multiple points of sensory engagement becomes a memorable experience, encouraging consumers to take and share photographs of the unboxing and foster positive reviews.
The Small Business Advantage
Kraft packaging helps to level the playing field when small businesses are up against larger retailers with a sophisticated packaging operation. While kraft packaging is made with lower cost materials than many stock boxes on the market, it can still be customized with a range of names, logos and patterns. For small startups on a tight budget, kraft packaging offers affordable branded packaging that is unique and high quality, starting from just £6.50 for 20 boxes. This means that small businesses can invest in further brand building activities that might otherwise be too expensive while still maintaining a professional and high quality image.
Due to the nature of the kraft range production is well suited to small batch runs with lower minimum order quantities than those found with synthetic products. This makes it ideal for testing and sampling purposes or for those occasional larger runs. Having the ability to swiftly alter the design or size of packaging to meet customer’s requirements is a key advantage in a competitive and fast-moving environment.
Implementation Strategies for Maximum Impact
When making the transition to kraft packaging, it is very important to implement a sound strategy in order to reap the benefits of the switch. By conducting an inventory audit, you can analyze the different types of packaging that are in use today and then match up equivalent packaging options made with kraft at a reduced cost. Initially target the high volume items where the cost savings will multiply the quickest. Gradually convert the rest of your product lines as the business becomes accustomed to the changes.
Transition Best Practices:
- Test alternatives to kraft with focus groups before rolling them out to the entire range
- Maintain consistent branding across packaging transition phases
- Communicate sustainability benefits through inserts and marketing
- Monitor damage rates during initial implementation period
- Gather customer feedback on unboxing experience changes
Select packaging suppliers that offer design consultation services to customise the kraft packaging specifications to suit your products. Deciding on the appropriate size, thickness of boxes and the appropriate closure methods ensures sufficient product protection while maximising the potential benefits of cost and the environment. Industry experience indicates that appropriate design is critical to avoid early adopter mistakes.
The kraft packaging renaissance sweeping through the e-commerce industry is more than just a positive trend for the packaging industry, it’s also a necessity for sustainable growth in today’s competitive online marketplace. Environmental concerns, cost pressures, and changing attitudes all play a role in this evolution.
