Packaging is your company’s final chance to make a lasting impression, but it’s easy to overcomplicate things. When you partner with a packaging expert like M-Line Custom Packaging Solutions, we can help you create packaging that’s smart, efficient, and user-friendly. 

When Packaging Gets Too Complicated  

At M-Line, we’re focused on creating easy-to-use packaging on two fronts—when the product is packaged and during the consumer’s “unboxing” experience.  

For example, one company we worked with used corrugated inserts to save costs. While the inserts were less expensive in material cost, they were also complicated and time-consuming to put together. The extra labor time needed to assemble each package caused bottlenecks in the assembly line and increased costs in the long run. In this case, an easy-to-use foam was a better choice than corrugated inserts because they are faster and easier to drop into place.  

Businesses also run the risk of frustrating consumers with overcomplicated packaging. If a box requires scissors, knives, and complex instructions to open, that’s not a great experience. Worse, customers might accidentally throw out essential parts hidden deep inside the packaging.  

Companies can usually avoid these issues by providing intuitive instructions printed on the box flap for easy access. Clear instructions help make the unboxing process as smooth as the packaging process. 

The Right Materials Make the Difference 

Often, companies can streamline packaging by using the right materials. Shippers may choose a material thinking it's the most effective for the project, not realizing how bulky and inefficient it is to inventory. There may be a better solution in a different packaging material that is easier to warehouse while providing the same protection.  

Another way to simplify packaging is to take advantage of kitting services provided by M-Line. Our services allow you to use less warehouse space storing packaging, give you the ability to order just one part, and help reduce assembly labor costs.

Looking Beyond Piece Prices 

Streamlining packaging doesn’t just reduce piece prices. It reduces: 

• Engineering time spent designing overly complex systems 
• Warehousing space needed for storing multiple packaging SKUs 
• Inventory management issues, like backorders or quantity mismatches 
• Labor required to assemble packages 
• Vendor coordination, since sourcing from fewer places reduces delays and issues 

Behind the scenes, these soft costs add up. When you work with M-Line, we focus on eliminating those hidden inefficiencies. To learn more about M-Line’s ability to reduce complexity, call (800) 659-8559 or contact us.