Posts Tagged ‘hair packaging types’

The Role of Packaging in Successful Brands

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

Just how important is packaging to a product’s success? Should you be concerned about your hair business if your product is high quality but your packaging isn’t? You are probably no stranger to questions like these and they are all quite valid and good questions.   Let’s take a look at a few popular packaging case studies to get some insight on the matter!

Coca-Cola Brand

Coca-Cola Brand

iPod Packaging

iPod Packaging

Great packaging makes great companies

Packaging is a part of your overall brand identity. For instance, take the Coca Cola brand and its packaging. The classic logo and colors, and the distinctive shape are as much synonymous with Coca Cola as the drink itself. You don’t even need to see the name of the company anywhere to recognize Coca Cola’s branding and packaging. Similarly, the gorgeous box packaging Apple uses it for its products creates a positive emotional feeling in its customers, and emphasizes and complements the entire Apple experience.

Bad packaging loses money

On the other end of the spectrum, the horrible plastic-and-hinges packaging for the original Star Trek DVD series created thousands of disgruntled fans. The studio ultimately had to do away with the packaging and resort to simple boxes.

Knowing your target customers and their preferences in product packaging can make or break your brand- and save you from thousands of dollars worth of loss.

Your packaging will create customers

If you are a new entrant in the hair business, you will face a lot of challenges in making a name for yourself. Your biggest concern will be trying to shift from being an unknown company to a popular brand that your customers can trust. However, when your potential customers will walk into a store and see your product for the first time, they will probably not know anything about you or your product quality. The only thing they will be able to see is your product packaging. And that’s why your product packaging can be your most powerful marketing tool if you use it correctly. Attractive, eye-catching and visually pleasing packaging could draw in customers and make them curious. They will want to find out more about your products, read what you have to say on the packaging and give your hair extensions or wigs a try. Over time, your packaging will become part of your cohesive brand strategy that will make you stand out from the competition.  On the other hand, if your packaging is unattractive, unimpressive or downright ugly, it will put off potential customers no matter how good your product is.

The truth of the matter is that appearances matter. Your packaging will decide whether your product makes a good first impression or sinks without a trace.

Designs for Print vs. the Web

Thursday, March 1st, 2012

Many design companies like HairPackaging.com offer design services for the print as well as the web. To most people, a graphic merely represents a graphic whether it’s used on a website or printed out as a poster. But, actually, a lot more goes down behind the scenes before a graphic can be optimally used for either medium. Here are some key differences between designs for print and those for the web:

  1. 1. RESOLUTION

While digital printing is now reducing the problems caused by resolution, it has long been one of the key differences between designs created for the two mediums. Virtually all web graphics are created at 72 ppi (pixels per inch) – which is sufficient for optimal display across most varieties of browsers, operating systems and computers. However, the printing process require graphics to have a resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch) which basically means that the graphic has to be several times larger in its digital form than it is when it’s finally printed.

  1. 2. FONTS AND TYPOGRAPHY

With print designs, you can go crazy with your typeface. You can use whatever font you want to and it’s completely possible for your printed result to look exactly the way you designed it on your computer. However, font choices are much more limited for website designs. Because text appearance is handled by the browser at the user’s end, you need to use a font in your website design that your user’s browser can display. This restricts your font selection to a small list of standard choices that deprive you of the creative choices you get with print design. If you absolutely must display YOUR creative font on the web, the text will need to be exported as a graphic or produced through a paid service like Typekit.

  1. 3. OVERALL APPEARANCE AND SIZE

Similar to the fonts dilemma, designs for the web are highly dependent on the conditions at the end user’s end. Depending on the user’s browser, operating system, screen resolution and computer etc, you web design might end up looking nothing like you want it to. Your best bet is to test your web designs across as many popular platforms and settings as possible and hope it doesn’t get ‘lost in translation’. With print design, you can take WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) pretty much for granted. However, you have to keep certain things in mind. The kind of paper your design will be printed on, the limited range of user-friendly sizes it can utilize and the color palette it has access to are all important considerations for print design.

To ensure your designs, whether they are for print for the web, are fully optimized and effective, you should hire the services of a professional design company like HairPackaging.com.

What your packaging says about you

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

Appearance and presentation play a very important role in the modern and highly visually-oriented world. The exterior has acquired as much significance as the interior and this is particularly true for the business world. Whether you’re a manufacturer of physical products, a service provider, a marketing head or an advertiser, we all know that now, more than ever, packaging and presentation is one of the most important aspects of a product.

Packaging plays a key role in attracting customers and generating long-term profits.  When your potential customers visit a store, your product packaging is going to be their first encounter with your product- and that’s why it needs to create the right first impression straight away. Because so many purchase decisions are made at the spot, an attractive packaging can encourage customers to find out more about your product and even try it out. Your product packaging is fundamental in how your customers perceive your company and your product. So much so that the modern customer is able to form a very solid idea about what they can expect from the product by just looking at the packaging. Here are just some of the things your packaging says about you:

THE LEVEL OF QUALITY

If your packaging is well-designed, impressive looking and made from high quality material, the customer will automatically assume the same attributes for the product contained within. Poorly designed and low quality packaging will, of course, carry the opposite connotation.

DEDICATION TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Customers always appreciate convenient packaging that ably protects the product during transportation. Such packaging gives the impression that your company truly has the customer’s best interests at heart. So while you should always try to make your packaging as good looking as possible, you also need to consider practical issues related to product safety and handling. Is the packaging a secure container for your products-especially fragile ones? Is it easy to handle, store and transport? Does it easily unpack and re-pack if needed? Can it serve any other useful purposes for the customer related or unrelated to your core product? These are some important questions you should consider when designing your packaging and if you’re able to answer with ‘yes’ to any- or all- of them, you’re definitely going to make your customers very happy.

COMPANY ETHICS

The modern consumer is increasingly knowledgeable about environment-friendly choices. If your packaging is made from ‘green’ and recyclable materials, avoids excessive usage of resources and still manages to look good, you’re definitely going to get some cool points with the consumers who only support environment-friendly companies. If you have a ‘green’ product and/or packaging, don’t be shy in boasting about it on the wrapping. Your packaging can say a lot of things about you and if one of them is that you’re a socially responsible organization, then that’s an asset you deserve getting noted for.

The 5 Benefits of Using Hang Tags

Monday, May 16th, 2011
Hang tag for hair packaging definition and quote

About Hang tags

Boxes and plastic enclosures are two of the most common methods for hair packaging but before you make your final choice, you should definitely consider a great alternative: hang tags! Here are the 5 benefits you get when you use hang tags for your hair packaging:

 

1. GREAT FOR NEW START-UPS

If you are just starting out in the business or you have a small enterprise, making the significant investment that’s required for box and plastic enclosure packaging can be a huge risk. You don’t want to pour so much of your budget into packaging when you’re just trying to break into the market. And that’s when you’ll really appreciate the convenience and affordability of hang tags. Hang tags can be produced at just a fraction of the cost you have to bear if you choose boxes or plastic enclosures.

Maya Hang Tag for Hair Packaging

Maya Hang Tag for Hair Packaging

2. EASY TO CUSTOMIZE

Because printing and cutting out hang tags is so easy, you can go crazy with creativity. Your choice of colors, shapes and sizes is endless. You also have sufficient space on the hangtags to insert product information. For instance, your hangtags could carry details like the texture, color and length of the hair. Tip: For a more professional look, use a label maker to print the information.

3. CONVENIENTLY PRODUCED

Not only are hang tags cheap to produce, they also have a faster turnaround. In fact, even a bulk order takes no longer than a couple of weeks. You get to save money, effort and time all at once!

4. FLEXIBLE AND COMPATIBLE

One of the best things about hang tags is that they can be used in so many ways. For the simplest packaging, you can just attach them at the end of a basic plastic bag. But you can also use hang tags to add flair to more sophisticated packaging like boxes.  Other popular hangtag-compatible choices include zip-lock and organza bags. No matter what your packaging type is, there’s always room for a hang tag!

5. GOOD LOOKINGLast, but certainly not the least, well designed hang tags enhance the entire look of your packaging. The right choice of hang tags helps your products stand out from the competition and give an elegant impression. In a world obsessed with appearance, your products can definitely benefit from great looking hang tags!

Rochana Hang tag for Hair Packaging

Sample Hang tag for Rochana, Australia.

Think “INSIDE” The Box!

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

5 reasons why Box packaging is the best option for premium quality hair.

Wig Box packaging and Headbands packaging for 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

The Final Products - Wig Box packaging and Headbands packaging for 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa

If you deal in hair packaging- with products ranging from wigs and afros to headbands and extensions- you often have to make a choice between the two most popular packaging options: Boxes and plastic enclosures. While we’re all for creativity and thinking ‘outside the box’, for this decision we have to highly recommend using box packaging. Here are our reasons!

1. LOOK AND FEEL

To ensure the success of your business, you need to give your customers the impression that you’re a professional and successful enterprise. When you use Plastic packaging for your hair accessories, some of the connotations you’re spreading are that your product was cheaply produced and that you didn’t put in a lot of effort towards its packaging. Whereas with box packaging you give the impression of a high-end product that your company has carefully created and packaged.

2. ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLINESS

Customers these days are very knowledgeable and conscious about their choices and how they affect the world. We’re all highly aware of the ecological dangers of plastic as a packaging medium. With an increasing interest in ‘living GREEN’, the smart consumer nowadays supports products that use green packaging and avoids the ones that contain materials hazardous to the environment. With box packaging, you come across as a company that is conscientious about its role in the society and that supports environmental causes. Such a decision will definitely win you cool points with the ‘green’ customer.

3. COST BENEFITS

Most business managers don’t realize this but box packaging is cheaper to produce than plastic enclosures. Box packaging helps you save time and money because you can get it made quickly and the minimum order quantity is quite less compared to plastic packaging. As a successful enterprise, you can definitely utilize your time and finances savings from box packaging towards other business activities.

Hair Extension Packaging Box

Hair Extension Packaging Box

4. CUSTOMIZATION

Box packaging offers a great canvas for high quality designs and other customizations. Your packaging design looks much better printed on paper/cardboard boxes and you can add other attractive features like windows, embossing and foil stamping (in any color of your choice!)

5. SAFETY

Lastly, box packaging is much better at protecting your product from external damage than plastic enclosures. Because boxes are much more resistant to effects of heat, wear and tear and careless handling, your product is less likely to get damaged before it’s purchased. This helps you reduce spoilage costs.

Box packaging helps your product stand out, look good and leave a better impression on your customer. With so many benefits to be had, it’s a no-brainer for hair packaging!

The 5 Biggest Mistakes in Product Packaging

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Product packaging is increasingly becoming one of the strongest selling points for a product. You can have a great product but if it isn’t marketed and packaged well, you’re bound to lose a huge chunk of your sales. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that one of the biggest mistake marketers make is failing to understand the benefits of effective product packaging. The mistakes don’t stop just there though. Even when you want to invest your time, effort and money in coming up with great packaging, there are a number of things you have to do correctly. To create great packaging, here are 5 of the biggest packaging mistakes you must absolutely avoid!

1. LEAVING PACKAGING DECISIONS FOR THE VERY END

When you are in the initial stage of planning, designing and developing your product, packaging decisions might seem like a distant consideration but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Your product packaging can help make or break your product so there’s no sense in ignoring it till the end of the process. There are so many material and vendor choices to be made that it can overwhelm you if you put it off extensively. Therefore, start planning your product packaging as early as possible.

2. NOT DOING RESEARCH

Packaging decisions are never as simple as “Let’s just put our product in this box”. Depending on your product type, there are both good and bad packaging choices. It’s always a good idea to venture out in the market and do some research about the packaging options for your product type. You can get information by researching your competitors, suppliers, distributors, retailers and customers. Remember that the same type of material, look and feel can not be applied to all types of products- after all you wouldn’t package ice cream and hair extensions the same way!

3. CARELESSLY CHOOSING THE MATERIAL

Quite possibly the most important packaging decision, your choice of material for your packaging is crucial to the success of the entire initiative. While there are some obvious popular choices (like plastic bags or cardboard boxes), picking just the right shape, size, quality and type for YOUR product isn’t simple.  And while you can just choose the same material that your competitor uses, you still need to consider how you would make your packaging stand out.

4. DOING IT ALL ON YOUR OWN

Packaging in itself is a big industry- and for good reason. There are so many excellent material suppliers and packaging designers out there that your choices are endless. So don’t try to do everything yourself if you think your product would benefit more from professional input. Also, even when you are making and pursuing your own packaging decisions, you should always be open to suggestions from your colleagues, employees, industry people, family and friends.

5. NOT BEING REALISTIC AND FLEXIBLE

Your packaging decisions must be strictly in line with your overall business plan. You need to consider your finances, production quantities, industry and customer trends, and the possibility of creative new ideas. Therefore it’s always best to start small and always allowing for change. In practice, this means that you should not order 10,000 boxes for your product packaging when you only plan on manufacturing 4,000 units of your product in the first batch. After your first roll-out, the feedback you will obtain will be highly valuable for future packaging decisions.

Packaging is one of the most important aspects of your product. By smart and careful decision making, you can avoid the biggest packaging mistakes.

The Benefits of Great Hair Packaging

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Most companies don’t put much thought into their product packaging. They share the mindset that believes customers are only concerned with the product contained within. However, while the importance of the product is superlative by all means, product packaging is playing an increasingly significant role in the success of businesses. Here are 5 good reasons why you should invest more time and resources into creating great hair packaging:

Presentation and First Impressions

Like it or not, our world is very superficial and physical appearances play a vital role. From people to products, presentation is essential to success. Your product packaging is, in effect, a representation of your product. The way it looks, feels and facilitates effects customer perception of your product attributes.

Additionally, when your product is placed in stores, it is the packaging that the customer sees first- and therefore it is important to make the right first impression.

Protection

Most hair accessories require protection from the possible damage in the process of shipping, storing, displaying and transporting. A carefully designed and effective hair packaging will not only ensure successful shipping but also help your customers in keeping the product safe after they’ve purchased it.

Promotion

From attracting your target customer to displaying your product’s benefits, great hair packaging is an excellent promotional tool. Packaging is actually like a salesperson for your product. It helps your product get picked from amongst your competitors and continues promoting your brand even after the customer’s purchased it. As long as the packaging remains intact (and even when its tossed aside once its ripped open to expose the product), it remains in front of the customer’s eyes and keeps the brand’s name embedded in their mind.

Information

You can use your product packaging in inventive ways to publish information about the product and your company. You can also print information on it related to product use, maintenance and feedback.

Utility

From a customer’s point of view, the product packaging can provide them with ongoing utility even after they have extracted the product from it. For instance, they might use the hair packaging box repeatedly for holding their wigs and extensions.

Great hair packaging can play an instrumental role in marketing and selling your product. It is definitely a worthwhile investment!

Types of Hair Packaging

Monday, September 20th, 2010

We offer two types of packaging for your hair pieces –

Box Style as shown in the image below:

Hair Extension Packaging Box

Hair Extension Packaging Box

The box style comes with a thick insert to which the hair is attached with twisty ties. The twisty ties are available in a choice of colors. The insert then slides into the box. There is also a Hang Tab available for use on in-store displays

Hair Extension Packaging Plastic Enclosure as shown in image below:

Hair Extension Packaging Plastic Enclosure

Hair Extension Packaging Plastic Enclosure

There are three main components to this type of packaging – Header/Insert/Plastic Enclosure.

1.    The Header with grommet (Pink area at the top of this image hole for hanging purpose).  Usually printed on both sides and sealed inside the plastic enclosure.

2. The Insert is a fold-over flap used to conceal the hair attachment and usually printed both front and back.  This is available in a variety of colors and shapes.

3. Plastic Enclosure.

Optional Components to Plastic Enclosure: Hang Tag

Hair Extension Packaging HangTag

Hair Extension Packaging Hang Tag

The Hang Tag can be used to hold product information and can be attached to the hair.

For Wigs (e.g. Lace Wigs) similar packaging styles are available

Lace Wig Plastic Enclosure Packaging

Lace Wig Plastic Enclosure Packaging

Another type of packaging more suitable for wigs is a larger version of the plastic enclosure as shown in the image on the left:

Lace Wigs Box Packaging

Lace Wigs Box Packaging

For more upscale wig packaging, we recommend the use of a box. The image on the left shows how our design compares to the actual product.

TIPS

Some people opt to use a Ziploc® type plastic bag when they are starting out. A hang tag helps greatly with the Ziploc® bags.