Discover how these steel storage containers provide secure, durable, and versatile storage solutions for various industries.
Read MoreLearn What Suppliers Need to Make Your Packaging Concepts Faster
What Should You Provide Your Supplier’s With to Expedite the Packaging Concept Process?
Packaging is an important part of any business. For many companies, packaging can be time-consuming and costly. That’s why getting it right from the start is so critical. For example, if you’re looking to launch a new product, you’ll need to consider an optimal returnable packaging solution in order to safely and efficiently move your product. Therefore, custom packaging concepts are vital for providing a feasible solution for this issue.
Packaging concepts are usually based on two factors: the shape and size of the part that requires packaging, and utilizing the correct materials. The overall dimensions of the returnable package will be determined by the shape and size of the product that is being packaged, while the materials utilized could be anything from plastic or steel.
Generally speaking, packaging can be described as a coordinated system of preparing component parts for transport, warehousing, logistics, sale, and end use. In this article, we will discuss what the customer has to provide the supplier with in order to develop their packaging concepts faster.
1. CAD Data
CAD data is a representation of the physical part that is created by a computer-aided design (CAD) system. Essentially, the part that requires packaging will be replicated into a design software to enable the final creation of the packaging concept. The design should be practical for storage and transportation, easy for consumers to use, and environmentally friendly.
CAD software has made it easier for companies to share their designs with others and work collaboratively on projects remotely. With this method, design engineers are able to effectively design a packaging concept solution in a timely manner. That being said, this option of providing cad data is the most efficient method to rapidly decrease the lead time for the packaging concepts.
2. Part Dimensions
The following option that a customer can provide the supplier with is dimensions of the part that requires packaging. Basically, the supplier’s design team should be capable of designing the part with the dimensions provided. Once the part is designed, then the packaging concept completion time should be significantly decreased, which ultimately saves time and money for the customer.
While the part dimensions themselves are simple and straightforward, their role in the packaging process is very important. The accuracy of the part dimensions are vital in terms of how it will be received by suppliers. The overall size dimensions should be as accurate as possible to ensure the final packaging product accommodates the part precisely. If there’s any small error when providing part dimensions, then the entire packaging concept will be wrong and have to be redone, which leads to time and money lost.
3. Physical Part
Finally, if the previous 2 options are not available, then sending a physical part to the supplier will be the last resort. The supplier will be able to take the correct measurements from the physical part and implement them in the design. Typically, the customers are able to measure the parts themselves and send the dimensions to the supplier, but there are times where the customer is unsure exactly which dimensions are required.
The alternate benefit from sending a physical part to the supplier is for the prototype testing stage. Essentially, once the packaging concept is fully developed and produced, then the supplier is able to test the package on site prior to shipping to the customer. This can ultimately affect the overall process in a positive way because the packaging product will be a guaranteed fit for the part since it was already tested.
Summary
In order for packaging concepts to work effectively, it’s important that the customer is able to provide at least one of these 3 options mentioned in this article. If they aren’t able or willing to do so, then this could lead the project down the wrong path when trying get the maximum value out of your returnable packaging product.
Packaging concepts are critical to ensuring that parts fit snug and safe while in transit or for warehouse storage. It could be detrimental for the customer part if no custom packaging is produced for it. The potential damage cost could outweigh the cost of simply purchasing custom packaging for safe accommodation.
All the information provided from the customer should be precise from the start as any discrepancies can hinder the project. To ensure your end product can be produced at a faster rate, the supplier should have all of the correct data they need from the start.
To summarize, there are many different types of packaging concepts and they all serve different purposes. It is important that you work with a supplier that understands your industry and can provide the best solutions for your specific needs. If you are unsure which option to choose from or where to start, then please contact a packaging professional to guide you and to provide you with the best optimal solution.
