Please Don't Hate Me Because I Love Packaging

Packaging News You Can Use
by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva
Tip Of The Week
Issue #1305 - August 22, 2008
http://packagingdiva.com/
http://packaginguniversity.com/
http://packagingbootcamp.com/
http://packagingcoach.com/
http://doityourselfpackaging.com/
http://packagingyourinvention.com/


FROM THE DESK OF THE DIVA:

Tired of searching the web for packaging information? Me too! That's why I pulled all my packaging resources and packaging expertise together in one place.

It took me thousands of hours to compile just the information you need to get started packaging your product. In the case of you packaging pros this is a great refresher course.

Simply put The Do It Yourself Packaging Workbook is a packaging guide you can't be without.
So all you entrepreneurs, inventors, small businesses, WHAM's and packaging professionals take a peek at
http://doityourselfpackaging.com/
or you may ask for a copy of the Table Of Contents.

If you are still not sure think about what you will in your time and effort all for a nominal price.
It's at least worth a look.


SHARING THIS THOUGHT FROM A READER:

Hello JoAnn, I'm not sure if you have mentioned about this CA assembly bill AB 2505 in your previous emails, but what this bill does is it prohibits CA from selling or using PVC material in clamshells and blisters for consumer goods. There are exceptions to the use like in medical devices and petroleum products. This bill has already passed the house Assembly and is now at the house Senate to be voted on. If this passes the Senate, it will go to Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign into law, allow it to go into law, or he can veto it. If it becomes law, then CA can not use PVC material for blisters, clamshells, trays, etc. beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Civil penalties would be up to $2,500 per day per violation. This would have a huge impact for a lot of companies.
Anyway, just some information I thought you might like to know.
Thanks.
John Hwang
Packaging Engineer


FEATURE COMMENTARY:

Please Don't Hate Me Because I Love Packaging by JoAnn Hines Packaging Diva

Seriously, people packaging makes the world go round. It's something that you take for granted every time you brush your teeth, drink a beer or take a pill. All those products are delivered to you for your consumption because of the packaging. Packaging that does its multifaceted assignments of getting the product to you ready to use or consume in pristine, sanitary and hopefully un-tampered condition.

So let's have a little reality check:
Who screams the loudest when products are damaged or broken when you get them home?
Who avoids that damaged or dented container like the plague?
Who used their microwave this week?
Who stopped for fast food?
Who ate an egg or some potato chips?
Who got a prescription filled?
Who bought an appliance or an electronic gadget?
Who had an operation?

I could go on forever about how packaging impacts your everyday life but the plain and simple truth is you wouldn't be able to do any of those things without the packaging.

If you just spend a few minutes looking around you to see what products you have in your home or your work. How do you think they got there? Product manufacturing and distribution is a complicated process. One that goes on behind the scenes that you never even think about.

My favorite analogy is to compare packaging to the #2 lead pencil.
One company extrudes the leads, one makes the wooden casing, one makes the eraser, one makes the metal banding and guess what someone assembles all the components. That's packaging!

There are lots of fingers in every process much of which goes on behind the scenes. Stuff that you never consider.
The seal that you have to pull to open or twist keeps your product sanitary and uncontaminated;
The hologram that you see when you purchase something authentic keeps it from being counterfeited;
The zipper that you zip that makes it reclosable;
The little tray that you place it on that makes it microwaveable;
Those little carrots that are ready to eat or go in a lunch;
Packaging makes it all possible.

Other packaging facts you may not know that are important.
Packaging is the third largest industry in the US;
Packaging employs over a million people;
There are over 10,000 packaging manufacturers in the US;
Packaging contributes trillions to our economy;
70% of all packaging is food related;
Packaging for the most part is recession proof.

Currently there is a lot of packaging bashing going on. Less packaging, green packaging, packing that works and of course hard to open packaging (Wrap Rage packaging). All of these issues have an element of truth. But packaging professionals did not set out to frustrate and anger the consumer. All these so called negative packaging elements are there for a reason.

Let's go back to the primary tenets behind the role of product packaging: protect, convey, sell, inform and educate the consumer. Packaging does all of that and more. Those hard to open packages are that way for a reason and its better to err on the side of too much packaging rather than too little. Companies are feverishly trying to rework packaging to remove the excess but when products are damaged and returned it's the consumer who ultimately pays the price.

So before you get on your soapbox decrying the bane of packaging try to understand what your packaging complaint is really all about. We will try really hard to fix it.

Yes, packaging goes make the world go round. So please don't hate me because I love it and can't live without it.


Keeping updated on the latest packaging issues and trends is easy. That's what I do keep abreast of packaging trends technology and innovation so you don't have too. Its all in my weekly newsletter Packaging News You Can Use. You may get a complimentary subscription to Packaging News You Can Use at PackagingDiva.com

Connect with me On LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/in/packagingdiva
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Happy Packaging!

JoAnn Hines
Packaging Diva
All Packaging All Of The Time
678-594-6872
I package people, products and services. Get started in the right direction by visiting any one of my web sites for free advice, articles or just plain help. You can ask a question to a packaging expert too, list your packaging request, subscribe to my complimentary newsletter Packaging News You Can Use or just visit my web site to ask me your packaging question. I *will* find your perfect packaging solution!
Personal: http://packagingdiva.com/
Corporate: http://packaginguniversity.com/
Packaging Help: http://packagingcoach.com/
Do It Yourself: http://doityourselfpackaging.com/
Inventions: http://packagingyourinvention.com/