How to Choose a Packaging Manufacturer: 10 Important Questions to Ask When Considering a Packaging Manufacturer

Packaging is an extension of your brand and product. It communicates your brand’s standards to your customers and when creating the right impression can drive sales. Statistics show that 72% of American consumer’s purchase decisions are influenced by packaging designs. So you’ll want to make sure that you create truly unique packaging that doesn’t sell the worth of your products short.

But how do you go about making your products memorable? Working with the right packaging manufacturer can make or break your brand. Here are 10 questions to ask when choosing a packaging manufacturer so you can find a supplier that understands your needs and can fulfil them on time, every time.

1.Do they meet your packaging goals?

As with any project, it’s vital to start off by setting up your goals and needs. This will help you focus on what’s important so that you don’t steer off track. When it comes to packaging goals, you should think about whether you want something that’s tailor-made to fit your product or something that’s generic. A tailor-made solution may make sense if your products are unique in shape and size or if you’re going for a specific aesthetic, for example, luxury or personalised.

When you know what you want, it’ll be easier to find a packaging manufacturer to fit those needs.

2.Do their services fit your budget?

Once you’ve decided on what your goals are, you need to set a budget to see if you can maintain them. While custom packaging may be more aesthetically pleasing, it can also be more expensive. Look for a packaging manufacturer that offers services that are within your budget. You’ll want to ask them if they can accommodate your order rate and the size of your packaging. While the total cost may vary depending on different factors, checking with the manufacturer if they can accommodate your maximum budget will help you narrow your decision.

You’ll need to consider the cost of the structural design, materials, the size of your order, package printing as well as logistics and shipping.

3.What range of packaging do they offer?

Packaging comes in different shapes and sizes. You’ll want to check with the manufacturer if they have a standard range of packaging to offer. Your product may need a specific size or shape of packaging that not all manufacturers keep in stock, especially if they don’t do custom packaging. Browsing the portfolio of previous clients can give you an indication of their capabilities. As experts in manufacturing different kinds of packaging for their clients, GPA Global has a range of work to showcase how they have realised their clients’ vision from brief to end-product.

4.What are other people saying about them?

Customer reviews and testimonials are handy because they can let you know what to expect from a supplier. You’ll want to know whether they offer a hassle-free experience or make you wish you never went to them in the first place. You won’t find one without fault because mishaps are bound to happen. But look out for other businesses’ experiences with each packaging manufacturer to see if they handled these mishaps with grace and managed to resolve the issue with transparency and grace.

5.How long do they take to process an order?

Imagine if you had an unpredicted boost in orders but you were running out of packaging. You’d need to know how quickly you could get a new supply. That’s why it’s important to ask a manufacturer how long they take to process their orders before you choose them. This way, you can manage your own orders more precisely so that they don’t get delayed. You should also ask how much stock they keep available so that you’re not stranded when you need more packaging the most.

6.Which industries do they specialise in?

Every packaging manufacturer comes with their own sets of expertise and you should check if they match your goals. You wouldn’t want to go with one that specialises in bottling milk when your business is bottling luxurious skincare products. Seek a manufacturer that specialises in your industry because they will be able to understand the common challenges you could face and come up with a solution that’s right for you. Or go for one like GPA Global that has experience working with various industries and understands the different regulations and requirements that your company and product need to meet.

7.What is the quality of their packaging materials?

Your packaging reflects your brand’s standards. You wouldn’t want it falling apart while your product is on its way to your customers. Ask your manufacturer what raw materials, machinery and quality criteria they use because they can impact the quality of your product. You should also check if they uphold the industrial codes and laws as well as have any necessary certifications. For example, if you’re packaging food, you need to make sure that the manufacturing process doesn’t pose a contamination risk to your products.

8.Can they tailor-make your packaging?

Not all packaging manufacturers offer the same services. If you’re looking for something that’s completely unique to your brand, you’ll have to find a company that can tailor-make it for you. Ask what kind of processes and materials they use to see if these meet your needs. If they don’t offer exactly what you’re looking for, it’s worthwhile asking if they can source the materials you’d like or the correct tooling to create a new packaging product that’s specific for your product and brand. GPA Global offers tailormade solutions for their clients so you can create your packaging from the ground up.

9.Are they able to design the packaging?

Design is an important part of the package manufacturing process but you may have to consider whether a supplier can provide designs from scratch or if you’ll have to provide them beforehand. This is something that you’ll also have to factor into your budget because there may be additional costs for custom design specifications.

10.What size businesses do they accommodate?

Some manufacturers have a minimum order that you need to satisfy to cover their costs of production. Asking what that number is will save you from being stuck with too many units that you either can’t afford or don’t have space for, or worse, both. You also don’t want a company that’s only interested in working with big brands if you’re a small business or vice versa. If the manufacturer isn’t comfortable with working with the size of your business, they won’t be able to meet your needs effectively and efficiently.

Final thoughts

It can be daunting when looking for the right packaging manufacturer whatever industry you may be in. But after you’ve done your research on potential companies, take some time out to talk to them and ask them these important questions so that you can find the right one that fits your needs and requirements.