How To Find A Packaging Supplier For Small Quantities.

Packaging News You Can Use
Tip Of The Week
Issue #1283 - October 19, 2007
JoAnn@packagingdiva.com
http://packaginguniversity.com/
http://packagingdiva.com/
http://packagingbootcamp.com/
http://packagingcoach.com/
http://doityourselfpackaging.com/

NEW:
http://packagingyourinvention.com/

Message From The Packaging Diva:

JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva will be happy to share her expertise with you here...

THE WORKSHOP YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR

WHAT: LADIES WHO LAUNCH
http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/eventdetails.cfm?eventid=66

WHEN: NOVEMBER 8, 2007

WHERE: CASTLEBERRY EVENTS & CATERING

170 NORTH SIDE DRIVE, SUITE 96

ATLANTA, GA 3013

This is an exciting workshop you won’t want to miss. Whether you are launching a business, hobby, passion or artistic endeavor.

The day will be filled with inspiring speakers sharing their success stories.

JoAnn Hines the Packaging Diva will be the facilitator in the break out session in the afternoon, so come and pick her brain about your packaging problems and questions.

As her guest you can use this special code ATLLIVE. And save $20 off registration.

Mark this day on your calendars, you won’t want to miss it. Honor yourself by exploring your feminine entrepreneurial and creative potential.


Feature Article: How To Find A Packaging Supplier For Small Quantities
by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva

This will probably be one of the hardest tasks you have associated with getting your product to market. Many packaging manufacturers simply don't handle small quantities so it’s important to find a supplier that works with minimum quantity or small quantity orders at the very beginning. Fortunately there are now many resources available to someone starting the process of packaging their product.



First you need to decide the absolute minimum quantity you can order. Chances are you may end up ordering more but what you don’t want is a lot of excess packaging that you paid for and can’t use or packaging that ends up not being what you were expecting. Your packaging will evolve too so don’t be concerned if you can get exactly what you want the first time.



Start by asking your existing resources or vendors who they know and who they use or recommend as a packaging supplier. Believe it or not sometimes you can find the name of the packaging manufacture on existing packaging too. See what you like then try to find out who made it and give them a call.



Keep it simple to begin with. I know you have visualized fantastic or exotic package designs and as your business grows you will be able to order custom packaging for your products. But in the beginning you may need to decide to keep it relatively simple and use what is readily available



Today there are many great options available in small quantities. Suppliers have finally recognized that there are many small business clients out there too. Before you spend a lot of time and development creating a package you can’t afford or can make you need to determine what’s available at the right price and in the right quantities. I know your product is fantastic, but you still may need to start out on a smaller scale than you envision.
Here are places to look for suppliers of small quantities.

Yellow Pages:

Pick up your local yellow pages. There are a lot of companies known as packaging distributors. They buy in large quantities and the break it down into smaller units for resale. Many of them have distribution centers around the country. Look under container, boxes, shipping materials or supplies in category headings.

Catalogs:

There are numerous companies that have catalogs of packaging supplies and materials. Many of whom carry a large variety of stock sizes, ship to your door and have no minimum order quantities. Uline http://www.uline.com/ is a good example of this type service of carrying a variety of packaging products and supplies with delivery in a few days.

Trade Associations:

Contact the association headquarters for the type of packaging you seek. They help their member get business so they will know which of their members deal in small quantities. Many times there are member directories right on the website.

The National Association of Container Distributors is a good example.

http://www.nacd.net/

NACD is a professional association of rigid packaging distributors who supply bottles, tubes, pumps, sprayers and other closure systems and most of their members deal in small order quantities.

Internet:

With the advent of the Internet you don’t need a storefront presence. Many of the companies broker packaging materials, they source supplies and do all the work for you. They make carry packaging in conjunction with other products especially in the niche markets.

One of my favorite sources for packaging innovation around the globe is WebPackaging

http://www.webpackaging.com/. They are the largest global online packaging resource It just so happens that I write articles on packaging for them too.

Niche Markets:

There are many niche market associations out there for example if you deal in the hand made toiletries and beauty industry there is an association dedicated just for them. Indie Beauty http://www.indiebeauty.com/. There are numerous packaging supplier members that provide small quantities of packaging for this market.

Container Stores And Other Retail Outlets:

Just by their name you recognize that they are a source to find the most unique containers. Many people just go to these stores and buy supplies. Other stores include craft stores, hobby and home centers where they have lost of decorative containers and accessories.

Lastly don’t overlook current suppliers. They have existing relationship lean on them to help you find appropriate resources. Designers, graphic artists, product producers all have sources. You may be able to open a door to a relationship even if your quantities aren’t quite large enough.


Don’t wait however till you have a product then end up in a bind to get a package made. This process should start at the very beginning.

Need to understand the latest packaging trends and how they will impact consumer product purchasing? Visit the Packaging Diva website http://packagingdiva.com/ or contact the Packaging Diva by phone 1-678-594-6872 or via email at PackagingDiva@aol.com

PACKAGING GREENWATCH:
Local is No 1 Choice for Ethical ShoppersNaturalchoices.co.uk - London,UKThe number of Britons choosing food products with minimal or no packaging has also surged. Shoppers who say they actively tried to buy products with little ... http://www.naturalchoices.co.uk/Local-is-No-1-Choice-for-Ethical?id_mot=2

Corporate America Goes GreenForbes - NY,USAThe cards are printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink and sold with minimal packaging. Another small company, Ideal Jacobs, recently revamped its ...
http://www.forbes.com/opinions/2007/10/03/green-companiesenvironment-oped\cx_cph_1003green.html

MORE WAL_MARTPACKAGING SCORECARDEUROPEN issues statement against Wal-Mart scorecard becoming an industry standard in packaging... http://www.gcimagazine.com/news/packaging/10202551.html

PUT THE EARTH ON YOUR LIST: Think green at the grocery to make ... Detroit Free Press - United StatesThink reduced packaging. In today's rushed world, grab-and-go snack packs are sometimes a necessity. But saving time now can fill a waste dump later. ... http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071006/FEATURES01/710060391

Consumers Welcome Frugal Packaging, Shun FancyKorea Times - South Korea... people) prefer to buy from a company with a strong environmental reputation, which encompasses their various green efforts _ including product packaging ... http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2007/10/123_11571.html

Product Packaging Goals Evolve: Grow Markets, Get Earth-Wise, Cut ... Earthtimes.org - New ZealandThose are big jobs, ones that require companies to integrate complex issues such as product and packaging design, structural engineering, automation, ...
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,195667.shtml

THE DIVA'S PACKAGING PICKS OF THE WEEK:
CopyCat Packaging
After a Good Fight, David Forced to Settle with GoliathInc.com - New York,NY,USATerraCycle, a small fertilizer company that was sued by Scotts Miracle Gro, will change its packaging and advertising claims. http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200709/terracycle.html

New Wine in ... Uh, Juice BoxesTIME - USASo when he merely suggested in 2005 that wine companies find more environmentally friendly packaging, innovations happened fast. The latest is Yellow Jersey ... http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1657819,00.html

PRIVATE LABEL:Stores Try To Create Brand For Private Label Food []RTT News - Williamsville,NY,USAConsumers, while previously wanting the packaging to underscore the value of the product, have begun to realize that cheaper doesn't always mean poorer http://www.rttnews.com/sp/todaystop.asp?date=08/29/2007&item=34&vid=0

Increasing shelf appeal of own brandsTalking Retail - Swanley,Kent,UKThe latest packaging formats produce an impressive appearance and can even appeal to eco-concerns. With so many brands available to the consumer, ... http://www.talkingretail.com/opinions/6294/Increasing-shelf-appeal-of-own.ehtml

This woman wants packaging costs labelled on the outside. Woman proposes label changeBurlingtonFreePress.com - Burlington,VT,USAWhy would anyone want more of their food dollar to go for packaging? The above scenario is hypothetical -- product labels don't reveal packaging costs. ...

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070903/NEWS02/709030302/1007

Celestial Seasonings Brings a New Sense of Adventure to the Tea ... CNNMoney.com - USABeginning this month, Celestial Seasonings is introducing new packaging, a bold new logo and an exciting new approach to how it delivers tea. ...
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/LAM10817092007-1.htm

2007 Bottledwaterworld Design Awards - Winners Announced http://www.packagingessentials.com/news.asp?id=2007-09-19-00.04.17.000000