Ready-made and customized packaging are two options for shipping your products and making them stand out in the marketplace. Stock packages are budget-friendly, while made-to-order packaging follows your precise specifications.
Choosing between these options depends on your brand image, product needs, and what you can afford. But if your budget offers freedom of choice, how do you know what to pick? The answer starts with understanding how each type can impact your product and brand identity.
What Is Stock Product Packaging?
Stock packaging is generic, ready-made, and designed to accommodate various items. It is inexpensive and available in bulk. Its low cost and ready availability makes it a reliable option for many organizations that ship retail products, subscription kits, or trade show samples.
- Stock packaging comes in preset sizes and shapes, and is available in materials like plastic, metal, glass, and cardboard.
- Because manufacturers make stock packaging in large quantities, it is often low-priced. These economies of scale make it affordable, especially for startups or small businesses.
- The designs focus on convenience and ease of use, requiring minimal assembly to streamline the packaging process.
- Though stock packaging offers limited customization, you can still differentiate your products with labels featuring your company logo and color palette.
Plastek Tip: Established stock packaging manufacturers offer consistently high-quality products, which you can depend on to meet your needs and standards.
What Is Custom Packaging?
Custom product packaging meets unique preferences and requirements. It requires a multi-step creative process, often used to create injection-molded plastic for automotive components, pharmaceuticals, and health and beauty products. These designs follow a particular brand or product’s needs. They can feature logos, brand colors, and taglines that make the product instantly recognizable, reinforcing brand loyalty.
- Product packaging designs can have specific features that meet your needs, such as inserts or compartments.
- Custom packaging allows for unique colors, sizes, shapes, and finishes not commonly found in premade options.
- Custom packages consist of various materials, including plastic and eco-friendly choices like cardboard, seaweed, or post-consumer resin.
- Custom packaging helps your products stand out on shelves, appealing to potential buyers.
Plastek Tip: Maximize this choice and stretch your budget further by selecting durable materials to protect your products during shipping and handling.
When Do You Use Stock Packaging vs. Custom Packaging?
Stock and custom packaging have advantages, but how do you choose which to use? Use this chart as a starting point to weigh your options.
| Feature | Stock Packaging | Custom Packaging |
| Cost | Lower cost. | Higher initial cost. |
| Design | Standard designs with limited options. | Designs tailored to your requirements. |
| Availability | Readily available to ship on demand. | Production means longer lead times. |
| Branding | Minimal, packaging is not brand-specific. | Fully branded to enhance brand identity. |
| Flexibility | Comes in standard shapes and sizes. | Highly flexible design that fits unique needs. |
| Time to Market | Premade products have a faster time to market. | Added design and production time slows down time to market. |
| Order Quantity | Smaller minimum order quantities. | Often requires larger minimum orders. |
| Uniqueness | Common designs, similar to other brands. | Unique designs that stand out from competitors. |
Your decision might come down to timing — when it makes strategic sense for your company to choose stock packaging, versus when you would benefit more from customization.
Stock packages may be more sensible when you have a limited budget, a manufacturing shortfall, or need to hand out samples at a trade show. In contrast, opt for custom packaging if you hope to create an unforgettable unboxing experience or cater to a complex product. It offers almost endless design and personalization possibilities, allowing your brand to effortlessly stand out among your competitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stock and custom packaging have distinct benefits, so how do you decide which works better for your application? These answers can help you make an informed decision.
Are There Size Limits With Stock Packaging?
Stock packaging comes in predetermined sizes, so you must find one that most closely fits your product. If items have extra space surrounding them, protect them with insert materials like bubble wrap.
Can You Find Sustainable Stock Packaging Options?
Sustainability is a vital consideration for the 80% of U.S. consumers who prefer to support environmentally. Look for a manufacturer that uses renewable or recycled materials and focuses on lowering its environmental impact through resource conservation.
What Customizations Are Possible With Custom Packaging?
Customization can include unique colors, shapes, sizes, materials, finishing, and special closures. Several types of plastic molding are available to package your products in a material that meets their unique demands.
Can Custom Packaging Be Eco-Friendly?
Absolutely. You can ask for the use of high-density polyethylene to contribute to a circular economy or increase its recyclability. Manufacturers can also use post-consumer resin in modeling production and offer innovative designs to support thin-walling and light-weighing products.
What Kind of Packaging Can You Customize?
Industries that frequently use customization to bring their visions to life include:
- Health, Beauty and Personal Care
- Home Care products
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food and Beverages
- Pet care
- Battery Casing and Carrying
Explore Packaging Options With The Plastek Group
Stock packages are affordable and have quick production times. Customization is more time-consuming, but offers unique branding opportunities that can boost your customer experience. Consider your budget, goals, and the impression you want to leave.
Plastek is a global plastic packaging solution supplier that meets your product needs. We are ready to help, whether you need stock packages like jars, caps, or push-up sticks or custom package design and development. We have over 65 years of experience serving various industries and offer personalized service.
We are eager to help you get started. Contact us today for a quote, or call us at 814-876-1294.
