Packaging

It is defined as, “element of product which helps in retaining its quality till it reaches the consumer.” It is an “art, science and technology of preparing goods for transport and sale.”

Functions

1. Packaging helps protect product during movement.
   • To protect the goods against breakage, contamination or distortion.
   • To reduce the cube space occupied by the product and thus cut the freight cost.
   • To facilitate handling of product.
   • To facilitate storage.
   • To group goods into a convenient unit for distribution.
   • To reduce pilfering opportunities.

2. It attracts attention to a product and reinforces a product’s image.
   • Display
   • Ease of opening
   • Convenience
   • Dispensing

3. Provides convenience (for both middlemen and consumers) of handling and storing the product.

Cost of Packaging

Delivery of a product at a minimum overall cost is a very important function of packaging but still it becomes important to clear as what is included in the overall cost of packaging. The main elements are;

• Package cost (delivered to the factory)
• Storage and handling cost of the empty package
• Filling cost (including quality control and handling of filled package)
• Storage cost of filled package
• Insurance costs involved in transport
• Losses due to breakage or other spoilage of the product (including loss of goodwill)
• Effect of package on sale

Package design

Packaging materials

1. Paper and Board
   • Fibre board outer cases
   • Paperboard cartons
   • Paper sacks and balers
   • Labels or wrappers
   • Fibre drums and tubes
2. Metal containers

• Tin plate
• Steel
• Aluminium
• Aerosols

3. Plastics

• Blow moulding
• Injection moulding
• Extruded fillings
• Thermo forming

4. Glass containers