15 Small Business Packaging Ideas

From custom coffee cup sleeves to ordinary shipping envelopes, you deserve creative packaging on your products. An impressive 72% of Americans say that their purchase decisions are due to packaging. Some customers might toss the package without a second glance; we can help fix that!
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Best ways to package your small business goods

We’ve put together some fun packaging ideas for your business that help your brand pop, encourage repeat orders, and more!
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1. Custom cardboard boxes

Custom boxes put your brand front and center, ensure your packaging looks professional, and so much more. One of the best ways to help you stand out from the competition is custom branded boxes with a QR code prominently placed on them. QR codes can drive to your website, review page, product listings, social accounts, and so much more. The destination is up to you!

2. Custom stickers

As with custom boxes, stickers allow you to personalize your packaging in a very cost-effective way. Stickers are ideal for use on all types of packaging, from boxes, envelopes, and product inserts to bags and shipping labels. You can even throw in a few extra stickers for customers to stick on their water bottles, laptops, and more. With a custom QR code on your sticker, your packaging works smarter, not harder. You won’t need to lift a finger; instead, your customers can come directly to you.
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3. Thank-you cards

Tuck a thank-you card in your shipments for a personal touch that your customers will be sure to appreciate. It's an easy and unexpected way to show your customers that they matter to you and your company. You can use this as a chance to share a discount code for future orders, ask for online reviews, and more!

4. Create layered looks

A box within a box, a silky jewelry bag within a branded envelope, and other layered techniques make your product feel extra special for customers. The excitement of unboxing a new purchase helps turn the package from a product to an experience. For people who love to unbox their purchases on social media, layered packaging offers great content for their followers. Consider adding a QR code to make it easy for customers to find your social accounts and stay connected to your brand.

5. Custom tins

Custom tins are a great way to differentiate your products from competitors and catch the eye of potential customers. They offer real functionality to consumers, who can repurpose them for other household items after their original use. Custom tins are most commonly used with food products, but they’re not just for cookies and candy. Market them for cosmetics, toys, pet products, and more, and soon enough customers will be filling them with anything they choose.

6. Gift bags or boxes

You really can’t beat a custom gift bag when you’re looking for an upscale packaging option. Whether you offer gift-wrapping as an add-on for an online cart or include it as an extra perk for brick-and-mortar purchases, customers love the special care. Include your logo, branding, and QR code so that gift recipients can easily find you and use the great gift idea for their next special occasion!
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7. Wrappers

If you’re packaging bottles, cans, or cups, a custom Flowcode wrapper is a perfect way to get your brand in front of new consumers. It also allows repeat customers to learn more about the brand they keep coming back to. A huge advantage of using Flowcode’s QR codes is that they track how many people have scanned them and which products they were interested in — giving you valuable insights into your audience.

8. Samples and other freebies

Include surprise items in each package such as free samples or coupons for other goods. This will not only generate excitement for what they've just received but also promote brand loyalty for future purchases. Believe it or not, free samples are proven to increase sales by as much as 2,000%. These samples are a chance to introduce customers to some other products they might enjoy. You can also simply include a QR code on a card or sticker for customers to get a free trial or a discount on their next order.

9. Colorful packaging tape

Colorful packaging tape is an awesome, inexpensive way to add color and design to your product packaging, while also reinforcing your brand. For example, coordinate the tape color with your brand’s logo, or use different color schemes to mark specific product lines, holiday specials, seasonal offers, and more.
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10. Interior wrapping materials

Use the interior of your packaging to drive home your messaging. Custom wrapping paper with your logo and color scheme helps you make the most of your packaging by optimizing white space. Remember,​​ your packaging is the first thing your customers see when they open your box. It's your chance to show off your brand and get them excited about what's inside! This simple step makes the package visually appealing to your customer while reinforcing the charm and personality of your unique brand.

11. How-to cards

Want to share product usage tips, how-to’s, or the backstory behind your product? Insert a card with your unique QR code to connect your offline audience with a digital toolkit. You can direct customers to tutorials, FAQs, or a survey where they can provide feedback.

12. About us

When you ship your product, you can link a QR code to your website and share the story of your brand with consumers. As a small business, you can leverage your personal touch to build customer loyalty. People want to know who they are giving their money to, so this is your chance to win them over!

13. Reusable packaging

For small-business packaging that gets used again and again, ship your product in reusable packaging. This could include products like reusable cloth bags or decorative glass, metal, or recycled plastic bottles with your logo. Your customers will appreciate this simple act of care for the environment, as most consumers are now willing to pay a premium for sustainably packaged goods.

14. Repurposed wrapping

Vintage newspapers, craft paper, and other repurposed materials make for affordable small-business packaging ideas. Simply wrap your product in the paper, finish it off with some twine or ribbon, and tuck a handwritten note inside with your QR code for a handcrafted, rustic feel. Alternatively, you can pick up small boxes or suitcases from a local thrift store, clean them up, and repurpose them as branded packaging.

15. Fabric wrapping

Fabric wrapping is a simple way to dress up your products without breaking the bank or spending hours on custom packaging. It's generally less expensive than other specialty packaging materials such as corrugated cardboard or plastic bubble wrap. The cost savings can be significant if you're sending out many packages at once, especially if you handle the packaging of your product yourself.

Your packaging has the potential to make or break the purchasing experience. While the product itself matters, the way that it makes the consumer feel is just as important. Take this opportunity to put your brand’s best face forward and stand out from the opposition. Make them excited from the moment they open the mailbox all the way through their last use of your product. After that, they’ll be ready to reorder!
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Ready to elevate your packaging?

Modernize your packaging with technology that will help your customers come back for more! Head to Flowcode to make a QR code in less than 60 seconds for your product, or discover how consumer packaged brands use QR codes for their products!
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