The EU Green Deal is the dominant influence on the sector. It is committed to reducing waste packaging and unnecessary packaging as well as increasing recycling and re-use by setting ambitious long-term goals. All of these topics are linked to the importance of using recycled plastics in good quality and sustainable materials.
As with many other industries, digitalization continues its influence on the packaging sector.
Sustainable Packaging
Sustainable packaging is increasingly being sought after by all parties, including government, manufacturers, and consumers. As the public becomes more aware of its environmental responsibilities, they are willing to pay a higher price for packaging that is recyclable and biodegradable.
Digitalization
Packaging digitalization creates more opportunities and efficiency for the entire supply chain. This includes everything from initial packaging design through to receiving and opening packages.
The opportunity for greater digital integration upstream in the supply chain is to allow packaging designers, prepress specialists, and printers to work together on concepts and designs simultaneously, reducing the time it takes the entire design process by allowing them more access and sharing of data. This also helps to reduce the likelihood of mistakes occurring early in the design process.
The digitalization of the downstream includes the adoption of labels which can be read by technology and, ultimately, the QR codes for the manual downloads.
Other trends shaping the packaging sector
In addition to the megatrends of digitalization, recycling and re-use, design trends that focus on the consumer experience also play a role in today’s competitive landscape. Here are a few of the major trends identified by industry analysts that will impact the future.
• E-commerce brings its own requirements for packaging design and e-commerce packaging is emerging as a sector in its own right, where packaging design is conceived specifically for that intended use by companies that sell on-line.
In this segment, the demand for special packaging is driven by a constantly evolving background of technical, legal and business influences. The packaging must be designed to ensure that the product reaches its consumer in perfect condition after transit. This segment requires lightness, without compromising on quality.
The consumer experience must be engaging at the point of delivery so that the opening of the product is enjoyable. In the ecommerce sector, product returns are also high. This means that packaging needs to be durable enough to survive return trips.
In the ecommerce packaging industry, sustainability is also important as single-use materials are now deemed undesirable. Future advances will see a greater use of expanded polystyrene and bio-based plastics. Amazon is one of the biggest online retailers in this sector.
• Haptic design is gaining ground so that consumers have a more tactile experience when choosing products. This can be done by using raised type, foil-embossing, or creative cuts that make the packaging more fun and exciting to hold.
The trend in this sector is moving away from luxury products to mainstream items. Digitalization plays a part in this as well, allowing small businesses to join the trend. This is mainly a perception of high quality.
• Minimalism is also creating a buzz within industry, especially given the urgency to reduce packaging waste. It is important to avoid reducing the experience of the consumer when opening the products. The packaging-consumer interface must also not be compromised.
• 3D printing technology opens up high-tech access to the development of custom-made shapes. This is especially useful for packaging goods with unusual contours or profiles. It can also be used to solve some of the problems associated with producing containers that have more complex morphologies.
• Nostalgic trends are seen by researchers as conveying security to consumers and this is being witnessed through retro influences from the 1950s, 1970s and 1990s. This desire for familiarity and security is partly a result of the way our lives were shaken by the COVID era.
• Seamless designs on packaging that run continuously from front to back and to the front again are also emerging. Hence 360° designs like these offer distinct advantages that make a striking visual difference when it comes to shelf appeal.
• Smart packaging is also making gains, especially for food where sensors can be used to indicate ambient factors such as temperature and humidity. Smart packaging for food allows consumers to get nutritional information about the products contained.
• Food packaging is increasingly shifting towards designs that illustrate the food contained inside in the box. Trends are moving towards bright, simple illustrations.
• Personalization is increasingly valued by consumers and its demand for fast turnaround and rapid changeover is ideally suited to the digital print sector.
Digital printing unites it all
In the next few years, digitally printed packaging will be a huge success. It offers a number of benefits to industry. Digital printing can help to achieve a strong growth in the commercial packaging industry and reduce waste.
Other advantages of digital printing directly onto packaging materials such as paper, cardboard and transfer films enhance its attractiveness for low-volume packaging and make small-and-medium-sized prints more cost-effective.
Digital printing is also helping to support the trend of personalization. It allows companies to interact with clients better and enhance their brand image. Digital printing offers the advantage of being able to print unique designs on different products and materials.
Future Market Insights has highlighted these trends in its new report Digital Printing Packaging Market: 2023-2033. So attractive are the benefits of digitally printed packaging that the value of the sector is expected to increase by 66% between 2023 and 2033 – a sure indication of the right technology being harnessed at the right time. Now!