CPS | Blog

Don't be a parasite: Avoid sucking the lifeblood from other product packaging

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Wed, 30 May 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Take yourself back to the first day of Kindergarten. How did you know what to do or how to act? Like a chameleon, you looked around and disguised yourself as one of your fellow classmates, following the example of everyone else. Starting your own product line is kind of like the first day of school. Scope out the competition; it’s important to find the right style for your product. There’s nothing wrong with collecting ideas from established brands and designs (your friends won’t start calling you Bill Belichick, I promise), but know when to draw the line. Avoid copy-cat or “parasitic” packaging by following these dos and don’ts.

DO package similarly.

Milk is typically packaged in dairy bottles. Well, except for those glass and carton exceptions, but you get the picture. If it’s common practice to package your class of goods in a uniform fashion, as is the case with milk (bottles and/or design), then feel free to stick with the classic standard, but make it shine with a special twist. Just keep in mind that you’re selling milk, so the finished product needs to look like milk, not an over-the-top bedazzled drink for girls under the age of eight. If your specific product isn’t dominated by a particular bottle style (take perfume instead of milk) feel free to take note of intriguing examples but stretch your creative capacities and come up with your own version.

DON'T Copy, it's stealing.

Never copy under any circumstances the exact look of another product. No matter how in love with it you are (or rather infatuated with the funds that could result from designing your product after an already established brand), it’s not worth a Romeo and Juliet-like demise for both your product and theirs. And above all, it’s just not classy. There’s a reason it’s referred to as “parasite packaging”. Parasites are pests and they eventually get squashed, if you know what I mean.

DO capture a mood.

Some groups of products share a central theme. In-home cleaners are notorious for being bright and nature based. Let the aesthetic (color and design) of competitors inspire your own take on the mood of the product. Whether you decide to join in on the established ambiance or build a new world for yourself.

DON'T forget what you’re selling.

The success or failure of your product can depend on this point when it comes to considering packaging. You may want the mood of your product to exude the adventure of space travel but before you plan the launch remember you’re here to sell lotion. It’s ok to follow the themes, comfort for cold medications, bright energy for citric and floral shampoos, play off what you like about other products but make it your own. You’ll never know how many people are waiting for an intergalactic lotion until it hits the shelves!

DO great design.

Maximize the appeal of your product by packaging it in a bottle with an eye-catching design. This area of packaging is nearly limitless, keeping in mind the central idea that the product needs to be recognizable for what it is. You can market your punk-inspired, skull ridden baby powder as long as hip parents will be able to identify it as a necessity. Otherwise people will not only pass your product by, there's a chance they could be freaked out by it too.

Starting your own business or product line is an admirable voyage for which other bottles and jars are agents of inspiration. Take notes from them and expand the vision for your product but always keep one thing in mind: nothing will hurt your product’s credibility worse than opting to mimic another’s bottle design or overall packaging instead of investing time and energy into one of your own (especially when aims to confuse shoppers). Tracking down the right bottle and accentuating it with the right mood and design are tough tasks, but no matter how hard it gets, don’t ever take the copy-cat road and taint the journey of discovery and creation. The Kindergarten kids may have followed the leader from time to time but when it came to creative projects they let their individuality shine!

What do you think? Do these look like they're the same product? Does it confuse you? Do you scream in the silence of your mind "those imposters!!"? Or are you wondering ... which of these is the true original? Tell us.

Butter spreads packaged in tubs with similar designs.
Image courtesy of British Brands Group.

Products packaged in a similar style.
Image courtesy of British Brands Group.

Products adopt bottle style and design to replicate the appearance of another.
Image courtesy of British Brands Group.

Sunscreen plastic bottles tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but it!

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:34:00 +0000

It’s nearly summertime again. And just as there’s no parenting rulebook to keep your kids from gallivanting around causing trouble while out of school, there’s no guide to sunscreen packaging either. You may have a summer’s worth of homework ahead of you, but we’re here to help… with the basics of sunscreen that is, we’re not touching that homework thing with an eight-foot pool noodle.

The ubiquitous sunscreen

You can find sunscreen nearly everywhere you turn these days. Whether you’re at a service station or browsing through a high-end sporting goods store, chances are there’s a selection of sunscreens waiting for you at the checkout. Due to its plentiful and easy-to-access nature, sunscreen is considered an over-the-counter item in the United States. And little does hard-nosed Joe from the construction crew know, but sunscreen is also considered a cosmetic. Not only there to guard from the sting of summer (aka, sunburn) but also to protect his taut skin. It may raise questions regarding Joe’s manliness among his coworkers, yes, but at least he’ll look radiant when summoned to testify on sunscreen efficacy.

Professionals from the personal care industry understand that there’s a lot more to a sunscreen than lotions and potions. In fact sunscreens are tightly managed products, all based on the FDA’s rules and regulations regarding ingredients, label claims and warnings outlined in the OTC (over-the-counter) Monograph. The Monograph (is it just me or does that sound kinda ominous?) got a facelift last summer and we’re here to help you clean up any loose strings following the nip and tuck.

Changes to the sun docket

Nobody remembers how important label claims and warnings are until a bunch of people are hauled into a court room over a bunch of plastic bottles. Here are the need-to-know details regarding packaging sunscreen in plastic bottles this summer.

Language counts

If this was a Communication Theory class I could go on and on about how each of these regulation changes has come about in one way or another due to language. But it ain’t, so this will be short and sweet. From now on ambiguous terms such as, “sunblock,” “sweatproof,” “waterproof” and “instant protection” are not allowed to describe sunscreen, but must be replaced with more factual (and less misleading) terms like “water resistant”.

SPF capped out at 50+ and spectrum specifics

No sunscreen can carry a SPF claim higher than 50+. This may sound like bad news to the pale-skin-like-vampire population (they supported the SPF 80+ wave all on their own), but it really won’t make much of a difference. It looks like the proof is in the plastic bottles full of sunscreen marked SPF 50+. SPF 50+ has all the broad-spectrum protection (preventing sunburn, skin cancer and early aging) anyone will need. Before making this decision the FDA requested data demonstrating that products with an SPF rating higher than 50 actually provide additional benefits. Those non-broad spectrum rebels, who -according to the new regulation - may gain protection from sunburn only, are on their own when it comes to protection from skin cancer and early aging.

The water issue

As mentioned earlier, plastic bottles full of sunscreen do not house a waterproof product, but a water resistant one. New regulation mandates that packaging reminds users to reapply based on the product’s specifics (ex: after 40 or 80 minutes in water, after drying). Non-water resistant sunscreens are to encourage the use of water resistant sunscreens when swimming or sweating somewhere on their plastic bottles.

Summer may be all about fun in the sun, but packaging sunscreen in plastic bottles is serious business. The fate of skin around the world rests on your shoulders. Effective plastic bottles and up-to-date warnings and label claims go together like a Coleman cooler full of Igloo Pops, the perfect summer combo.

What are your thoughts on the new sunscreen regulations? Post a comment.

PET and PCR plastic bottles battle it out in the boxing ring of packaging

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:03:00 +0000

The crowd is deafening. It’s hot and stuffy in a space far-over capacity. There’s something inherently uncomfortable about inhaling the same dank, moist air that was released from the lungs of a neighbor just moments ago. It’s gritty, but once the resin competitors enter the ring, everything else fades away.

Introducing Patrick and Portland
Patrick Elijah Tanner, often referred to as P.E.T. (his initials), comes from a very famous family within the packaging industry, known for greatness throughout generations. Portland Carlise Radcliffe, or P.C.R. to his friends, has a different tale. First off, no he’s not related to the kid that played Harry Potter. But like the boy wizard, PCR has had a rough life, only introduced to the limelight recently, due to his previously unrealized super-human power to keep the earth green through the creation of sustainable plastic bottles.

PCR may be the new kid on the block, but people know PET and where he’s from, their faith and comfort with the Tanner family can’t be easily shaken. PCR must fight his way into consideration, demonstrating how wielding green energy can sweep consumers up, bringing to light the idea of a PET-PCR partnership.

Trends in plastic bottles
That’s how the PET-PCR plastic bottle was born. Though our PCR plastic bottles, made from recycled PET offer the best of both worlds (the trust and dependability of PET mixed with sustainability of PCR) for every 100 plastic bottles we sell, less than 20 are PCR. Let’s explore the often misunderstood details that surround PCR plastic bottles.

Price
Money, it’s the first thing people want to talk about. The recycled material that makes up PCR containers has to go through several channels before it’s ready to be formed into plastic bottles or jars again. These steps and processes cost money, which leads to the conclusion that the plastic bottles made from used material will cost you more than virgin plastic bottles. Typically, that’s true. Plastic bottles made from PCR can run as high as 10% more expensive than their virgin counterparts. Don’t let nightmares of mounting debt keep you from greening up your product line with PCR plastic bottles and jars, currently available at the same price as PET plastic bottles.

Appearance
PET plastic bottles are known for their striking clarity. Clear PCR plastic bottles tend to be a bit hazy and sometimes slightly discolored. We don’t carry clear PCR plastic bottles, but we’re always open to challenge the bounds of what makes packaging appealing. A bold product color, snazzy closure and killer design and decoration packaged in a clear PCR plastic bottle could promote any green-minded product to great heights. If you have a brighter vision in mind, colored PCR plastic bottles (amber and cobalt) appear nearly identical to their PET friends, not to mention that they perform the same way as PET and are FDA, food-grade approved!

Product line
We admit our PCR product line isn’t our most stacked category. We carry plastic bottles and jars in specific sizes (8 oz, 12 oz, 16 oz) and colors (white, amber, cobalt) and that’s about it. But don’t let our inventory discourage you. If you’re interested in large enough quantities of PCR plastic bottles or jars generated from PET (or other resin types) we’re always happy to source the specific product for you.

What the story about plastic bottles really means
I’m sure you’ve followed along with our shenanigans knowing that PET and PCR are names referring to resin types and the plastic bottles that are made from them. Patrick and Portland don’t exist, not outside our imaginations at least. Yet, the lesson they teach us is clear and as important to real life business as anything else you will read on this blog. Sure PET and PCR plastic bottles are different, but it’s the combination of Patrick and Portland’s attributes (dependability and eco-friendly innovation) that make plastic bottles great.

Have you considered purchasing PCR plastic bottles? Tell us why or why not in the comments.

Container & Packaging Supply just got "pinteresting"

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:27:00 +0000

Bulletin boards remind us that anything is possible. Whether at work or home, photos of those we love, places we’ve traveled to and inspiring sights adorn these wall hangings. That’s all great and heartwarming but it’s time to put the caveman drawings away and officially enter the digital age. Get pinning with CPS!

Pinterest is the newest, hottest social networking website with a twist, focused on communicating through images, and not the ones of botched plastic surgery or hair color jobs gone awry. The site allows users to capture images that correlate with their interests from anywhere online and digitally pin it to a bulletin board, just like you would do with the one that hangs in your kitchen.

So, what does Pinterest have to do with packaging? What doesn’t it have to do with packaging?! Pinterest boards provide a super-easy means to organize different packaging components when planning to kick start a new business or product line.

Our CPS Pinterest page is the place to go when you’re looking to brew up some creativity. We’ll guide you through packaging design concepts and ideas for a range of products from personal care to food and beverage. We’ve also crafted boards highlighting our own brand of packaging humor, growing videos library and stunningly helpful how-to packaging guides.

Make your life a bit more beautiful and pintresting. Follow us at pinterest.com/conpak.

Everything you need to know about color (in just 1,067 words)

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:31:00 +0000

Shhhh! What you are about to read is the most closely guarded secret of successful packaging design. Corporate enterprises, packaging empires, and product lives have risen, fallen, and been exterminated by the use or abuse of this secret. The power of this secret, once known and employed, can propel you to success beyond your wildest imaginations. The secret of successful packaging is… color.

And lucky for you, we’re offering the tricks of the trade at your fingertips. Check out our newest addition to the CPS Guides collection, Color: Picking Perfect Color for Perfect Packaging.

Learn which colors are aesthetically pleasing in packaging and which match-ups should never see the light of day! Not to mention a wealth of other useful hue-based advice.

Building product packaging is a complex process and color is only the tip of the iceberg! Be sure to see our previously released Packaging Survival Guide and Barcodes Guide to help you along the path to perfect packaging too!

Charlie's Labels will take on any challenge to keep their secret safe

noreply@blogger.com (Keith McCauley) — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:35:00 +0000

Three sensational detectives unravel the mystery of one of the greatest secrets of the packaging industry. Using their wit, charm, martial arts, and tech skills our diva detectives both protect and promote this secret. They are called Charlie's Labels, and their secret is ... uh, labels.

Charlie's Labels, I guess I should say, CPS's labels are great. We can help you design, print, and apply an exquisite full color, water-resistant, glossy, high quality label to almost any container. Learn more about artwork and labels and application.

I pulled inspiration for this poster from a number of Charlie's Angels sources: 1976, 2000, 2003 (2011 remake wasn't out yet). Using the iconic original art as my inspiration ...

Source: wikimedia.org

I re-created this image of three silhouettes with our very own diva detectives and three rolls of labels over by my favorite light source: the west-facing windows.

With a bit of help from Photoshop, I silhouetted their outlines and saved some high contrast highlights for their arms and faces (and I scooted Tracie, on the left, closer to the middle).

I added a a movie title (based on the 2000 remake), with some high-heat glow behind it and a drop shadow growing into the foreground.

I added an explosion (who doesn't like explosions?!), blacked out the background, and added some grit to the glow.

Then I wrapped the whole thing up with floating heads of our beautiful heroines some more explosions in the background and some more grit.

The wallpaper download image just features our silhouetted trio.

Click the image, allow to load, right click and select "Set as Wallpaper

Visit www.containerandpackaging.com/wallpaper to see ALL 12 of this year's calendar images as well as images from 2011, 2010, and 2009.

WCWYB: Stephen, the Twin-necked Ghost Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:26:00 +0000

It’s time to try a little something new on the CPS Blog. McDonald’s didn’t know they had a goldmine on their hands until they threw a hamburger on top of another hamburger and called it a Big Mac. Nike did it too, when they took a chance on that stunning ballplayer in Chicago and released the first Air Jordan. In the vein of utter success I present to you: “What container would you be?,” or WCWYB for short, a monthly feature showcasing the faces behind CPS and the containers they care about.

Stephen is a twin-neck bottle. At least he thinks he is. Wait, maybe he’s not. No, no, he definitely is. Like the dualities of his self-proclaimed bottle likeness, Stephen has a bit of a split personality. Not the kind that makes you double check your locks at night but the type with a wide enough array of interests and effervescent energy that it gives you reason enough to worry.

Click image to enlarge

The many faces of Stephen
In his own words, Stephen is a hard working mischief-maker who plays basketball and golf when he’s not mountain biking or kayaking through life. In the evenings he often hides out in a closet in the safety of his own home, nerding out with comic books. He keeps these liaisons under wraps for fear that his much-cooler wife will one day find out and make fun of him for all eternity. I may or may not have used artistic liberties in this description. Moving on…

At CPS he’s known as a Sales Representative, but that’s only one of his many hats. He’s a marathon runner, a cliff jumper, an amateur gymnast (using his young daughter as a prop, did I mention he’s a doting father of two?) and most surprising of all, a ghost hunter.

A supernatural calling
“We’ve purposely stayed at places that were haunted and tried to see ghosts. I went to the Geyser Grand in Oregon. We’ve gone to a few graveyards that have had hauntings,” he explained. So, the next time you get Stephen’s voicemail he may be busy with another customer, but chances are he’s actually hunting down lost souls.

Stephen searching for ghosts in an abandoned storage room at CPS.

Stephen could hardly keep it together, struggling through bouts of laughter while telling this story. “We went to one place where your car was supposed to roll up hill, and I went with Morgan (CPS Graphic Designer). And Morgan brought flour and sprinkled it on the bumper to see if we could see handprints. Cause it was supposed to be ghosts who were pushing your car up this hill. And we really did go up hill.” Wow, so two crazy and obviously bored CPS employees actually had a paranormal encounter?

“Yeah, but it wasn’t really a steep hill, so it could have been how it looked that we were actually rolling down hill. But it did, it looked like we were going uphill.” Sure it did Stephen, sure it did. Please, let this be reason enough to keep buying containers from Stephen. That is, unless you’re ready to be bombarded by ads for yet another ghost-chasing reality TV show.

The “Tarzan Boy” of Sales
Enough with the side activities, let’s get to business! A film of Stephen’s life could be set to the brilliantly 80’s tune of “Tarzan Boy”, his favorite song since elementary school. For some reason I imagine him keeping beat with the song, singing along unintelligibly until the epic Tarzan call, “oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,” where he no doubt sung at the top of his young lungs with notable fervor. Fervor he would one day transfer to his career in Sales.

“I love making sure that the customer stays happy,” Stephen said, thriving on building solid business partnerships based on trust. “Whether that’s [trust] through finding really great solutions to their issues, and also being proactive and making sure that we’re stocking what they need, or hey, just so you know, I negotiated some better freight rates. Just little things like that. I really enjoy being able to find a great solution and building, really building their trust, so they feel like they can trust me with their business. That’s what I love most about Sales.”

More than the sum of his parts
So, maybe the twin-neck choice seemed a little peculiar in the beginning, but in Stephen’s unique case, it seems to work for him. A few pranks here and there (popping out of boxes in the warehouse and scaring coworkers into expletive-strewn panics) paired with a steadfast competitive spirit (he would rather beat coworker Derek Call’s best marathon time than see his underdog Utah Jazz take a NBA Championship) and a love for the packaging industry makes Stephen one of CPS’ brightest shining (wannabe) stars.

Shout outs for Stephen! Post a comment if you’re a customer of Stephen’s; or if your house is haunted and you need his help to return to normalcy!

Cosmetic jars learn from motivational posters and package with meaning

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:02:00 +0000

Let me tell you a little story. A few weeks ago a colleague of mine (let’s call this fictitious character Stephen) brought a funny, anti-motivational poster to my attention. This particular piece hit home for me because it targeted my work, my pride and glory: blogging.

Blogging – Never before have so many people with so little to say said so much to so few.

I’m not above laughing at myself and I really enjoyed this image (at least until Stephen left… I spent a few hours crying in my car), especially because the principle of the message is true, for every business or profession, not just blogging. You can write or package products all you want, but without a concrete connection to the desired audience efforts often go unnoticed.

I don’t write for the CPS Blog day-in and day-out with the intent to gab incessantly about packaging news, tips and innovations whether my readers want to read about it or not. Instead I’m here to offer the most vital and helpful intel, meant to assist packagers along the journey to discover the jar for cosmetics that works best for them, one step at a time.

I’m guessing the same can be said about the way your product is marketed. Finding a jar for cosmetics that is aesthetically and functionally suitable for specific needs is a hefty task, but that storied combination is the key to success. “Opportunity for Creating a More Meaningful Experience” an article in GCI’s March issue says, “There is a true opportunity for creating a more meaningful experience in developing a package that goes beyond expectations…” I've decided it's time to embrace that opportunity, both for myself and for fellow packagers. Remember the disheartening poster? It's time to show all those naysayers what our products are really made of. Containers are more than what they seem, a beautiful and usable jar for cosmetics is capable of leaving a meaningful impression, a connection between the product and the consumer, a surefire win for packaging.

Establish a jar for cosmetics based on a meaningful issue
So, how do you connect with consumers? Highlight your product in the light of something people care about. Take sustainability for instance. The green movement has hit the packaging industry hard (just reference our blog posts and you’ll see!), sustainability is something many people care about, so much so that, as the GCI article puts it, “It’s as if sustainability is no longer an inquiry but a requirement in the procurement process.” Connect with people based on this cause, promoting the use of less or recycled materials (we can hook you up with a post-consumer resin jar for cosmetics) and open the door to continual consumer insights.

A jar for cosmetics communicates through material and decoration
It’s also wise to capitalize on the specific market your jar for cosmetics is made to appeal to. Material and decoration choices can assist a jar for cosmetics in its efforts to communicate qualities. For instance, polypropylene (PP) containers are usually reserved as a basic type of jar for cosmetics, while glass and PET variations dominate the higher-end look for a jar for cosmetics. Businesses have also learned to cut decorating costs for consumers by opting to have a jar for cosmetics hot stamped instead of labeled when metal components are involved.

Packaging is designed to connect brands to consumers
If there was a poster to depict the importance of choosing the appropriate jar for cosmetics it might say, "Packaging - Never underestimate the power of a first impression."

“Opportunity for Creating a More Meaningful Experience” said it best when stating that, “Packaging is a huge factor in what consumers choose.” In order to be noticed brands must make a worthwhile statement through their packaging. There are countless details involved with finding and creating the ideal jar for cosmetics but the most important lesson is that every decision should come back to the consumer’s desires. It’s time to show despair.com lurkers (not mentioning any names, Stephen) and everyone else what it looks like to market your product with purpose and connection! Packaging is nothing short of a consumer-driven practice; keep the drivers on your side and you’re bound to run into success.

"Blogging" poster source: http://www.despair.com/blogging.html

Is eco-friendly packaging worth the battle or just a bunch of bologna?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:35:00 +0000

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are fiercely competing against one another in an attempt to create the first-ever, commercially produced 100% plant-based plastic bottle. The two companies are facing-off for one reason and one reason alone, to be crowned the ultimate, revered example of streamlining eco-friendly business within the packaging industry. Businesses are eager to give consumers what they want, yet the question remains; are we ready to live a greener life, or merely interested in fawning after the idea of one?

The world through emerald colored glasses
Sustainability and the idea of packaging in eco-friendly plastic bottles is prevalent throughout the world today. Whether it was the media or a genuine attack of consciousness that set off the hype of living and packaging according to an earth-friendly code, we’ll never know. But, by this point in time it’s assumed that everyone with a heart gets warm fuzzies and jumps for joy at every chance they have to help the planet. Or at least they act happy, as they nonchalantly pass the display of green plastic bottles.

Studies say consumers are interested in going green – but do their purchases agree?
Every hot button item has a particular list of qualities that consumers can’t live without and sustainable plastic bottles are no different. Their most enticing characteristics range from less packaging (less use of resin material) and a focus on using renewable resources (ex: corn) in place of nonrenewable resources (ex: petroleum). Sold on recycling as well, the usage of resin from recycled plastic bottles was thought to be a real crowd-pleaser too.

Statistics from a study completed by Perception Research Services supports these arguments by revealing that “36 percent of consumers were likely to choose environmentally friendly packaging” and that packaging that was referred to as “recyclable” or “made from recycled materials” were the most purchased of the sustainable items. Funny that should be the case, because we happen to stock post-consumer resin (PCR) containers, plastic bottles and jars made from recycled PET.

The 411 on PCR
The truth is; we’re in a bit of a quandary when it comes to selling green plastic bottles, just as many of you are. Our PCR product line is a wonderful testament to sustainable practices. The fact that this material began as plastic bottles that were gathered, broken down, cleaned, dried, formed into pellets to then be formed into a new generation of plastic bottles is remarkable (see the PCR closed loop life cycle graphic).

It sounds like a dream come true for green-minded consumers, right? We thought so, but amidst hordes of interested clients, our eco-friendly line hasn’t blossomed into the bloom it could be just yet.

Misconceptions keep green packaging in the dark
We may not know exactly what goes through the mind of packagers somewhere between visiting our PCR page and the checkout that’s responsible for dampening the flame for eco-friendly packaging, but we’ve got a couple of ideas.

Price: According to the Perception Research Services study, “67 percent of consumers said they were willing to pay more for green packaging.” Guess what? You don’t have to shell out more dough for a greener stash of plastic bottles. Though PCR plastic bottles are typically priced 10% higher than virgin resins, we’re currently selling stock PET and PCR products at the same price.

Appearance: Some say PCR isn’t as pretty as virgin PET. Well, you might as well cry yourself to sleep if you’re going to let a measly beauty critique stand between you and green plastic bottles or jars for your product. In fact, this claim is largely false – take a look at our collection of colored PCR (cobalt and amber) plastic bottles and jars. I bet you couldn’t pick the recycled goods out of a lineup of plastic bottles.

Like eco-friendly plastic bottles, this conclusion is light on material. Not only for the sake of the pun, but because the solution to the problem is simple, everything hinges on one decision. Are we as an industry ready to commit to sustainable packaging?

Are post-consumer plastic bottles and jars on your must have list? Tell us why or why not?

Fair-Trade labels on food jars fool consumers into unhealthy eating

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:21:00 +0000

You’re wandering down sampler’s row at the grocery store. In the distance you see a table loaded with what appear to be food jars full of homemade salsa, your mouth begins to water. Upon making your way to the table you see that each of the food jars bears a “made locally” or a “fair-trade product” label. Will you pick up the product, and if so, why? Keep reading to learn the science behind ethical labels on food jars and their surprising function.

A study of labels on food jars
Last week an article in Packaging Digest called, “Fair-trade food labels can befuddle shoppers,” caught my eye. The article highlights a study done by a University of Michigan researcher along with a few colleagues from California State University and the University of Grenoble in France. According to the article, this investigation lead to the discovery that, “claims on food labels that a product is organic, locally produced or made by workers subject to fair labor practices may mislead consumers into thinking that such food are low in calories.” You read that right, yes, lower in calories.

Is there a fair-trade and low calorie connection?
Before you try to fly off a bridge (hey, if cookies won’t leave an inch on our waistlines as long as we buy them from Uncle Joe down the street, who knows what we’re capable of!) let’s break this low calorie assumption down. At first glance I thought a design similarity, connecting low calorie or low-fat food labels and the fair-trade label must be to blame, imaging that customers bought based on visual memory and similarity.

I was wrong. It turns out consumers are reading while they are shopping, which if you really think about it, is good news. On the other hand it also means that these shoppers are in fact aware that the labels mention no connection to special food nutrition, yet they get the impression that this food is better for them than food jars packaged by the offshore oppressed and underpaid.

Inside the mind of a consumer
How could a consumer come to the conclusion that food jars filled through the work of strong (and fairly-compensated) hands could alone make a product healthier for consumption? Maybe it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. Think about your favorite homemade treat. You never think about the calories you’re ingesting when eating Grandma’s homemade ice cream (okay, maybe you do, but if you watch the toppings you’ll be fine). The truth is, there’s no rational explanation for this type of thinking, yet it’s happening on a large scale.

Label failure
Controlling the mind of consumers may be the ultimate purpose and objective of marketers everywhere, but luckily none have quite made it there yet. Though the particular labels on food jars have increased sales it’s not necessarily in reflection of brand efforts. Somewhere between production and purchase value messages become convoluted. How can companies more articulately and clearly communicate the appropriate messages on their labels to consumers?

A probable solution
This is where Which?, a UK based product review and recommendation company comes in. In their study, "Making Sustainable Food Choices Easier," Which? addresses a similar confusing issue surrounding labels on food jars. Their investigation hinges on making eco-friendly labels on food jars more clear and understandable, but their lessons apply to this crisis as well. Here are a few recommendations from the study to consider when crafting labels for food jars.

Simplicity – Be direct, get to the point and make it obvious.
Impact – Make sure the label stands out on the food jars, if it doesn’t then what’s it there for?
Consistency – Reiterate the presence and meaning of the label through consistent appearance and placement.
Evidenced – Don’t try and pull one over on anybody. Make sure the statements you make on labels are true and founded on research consumers can access.

Ethics based labels are important. Be proud to represent fair-trade unions and local businesses, just keep in mind that there is a method to the madness. A focus on simple, impactful, consistent and fact based labels for food jars will carry the message most effectively, while allowing people to consume your product for what it is, nothing more or less.

Bottles and closures sitting in a tree: The packaging pair stays together forever

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:56:00 +0000

Recycling has been causing breakups, literally pulling relationships apart for several years. To most onlookers the house behind the green recycling bin seemed like a happy home, yet the proof was right in front of our faces, there to see all along. Plastic bottles void of lids, well, that’s like pancakes without syrup, the night sky without stars, Bella without Edward, it’s just wrong (especially that last scenario, those two weirdoes are meant for each other). Read how recyclers are working to keep plastic bottles and lids together, hand-in-hand (so to speak), throughout the recycling process.

Curbside recycling - no lids allowed!
Reminiscent of a “Boys only; keep out girls!” tree house sign, it seems like plastic bottles have always been welcome out on the curb, but never lids. Why have plastic closures been purposely excluded from the recycling game?

Recycling basics
First off, plastic bottles and lids are often made from different types of plastics. That might not seem like a huge deal, but it’s a pretty important factor when it comes to recycling. Most beverage containers are made from PET, shampoo containers are often made of LDPE and dairy plastic bottles are made from HDPE. Each type of plastic is sorted into its own category when recycled. Lids on the other hand are most often made from PP, and are meant to travel down their own recycling track.

Plastic bottles and lids, under pressure
Imagine for a moment that you are one of hundreds of plastic bottles traveling down a conveyor belt, preparing to be recycled. Loud sounds are ahead of you and as you grow closer to the origin of the noise you realize the racket is coming from the machinery… you’re about to be crushed. Just par for the course, after all, you are about to be recycled. The metal slab comes down upon you, but instead of crushing your plastic bottle body the immense pressure instead causes your classy fedora (aka lid) to catapult across the room.

As you might imagine, up until recently lids on plastic bottles were creating some major safety and organization issues in the recycling sector. But according to the Closure and Container Manufacturers Association (CCMA) and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), new technology and streamlined processes have now allowed plastic bottles and lids to be recycled together.

Recycling closures today
Though recyclers throughout the country are anxious to start mixing lids alongside their plastic bottles the updated equipment and practices are only active in a handful of states at this time. Cities like LA and Philadelphia ask that empty plastic bottles be recycled with their lids on while Houston suggests that lids be recycled separately, as in unattached to plastic bottles. Preferences differ as the program continues to develop.

If cap collection isn’t available in your neck of the woods just yet, don’t panic. Other companies are eager to jump on board the green train to recycling lids. Aveda Experience Centers and Whole Foods locations are currently acting as sustainability supporters, accepting donations of polypropylene (PP) closures.

So, here’s to all those who thought the act and practices of recycling would never change. Just like many other industries, the art and business of recycling is continuing to grow and develop. Opening its reach to include plastic closures as well as plastic bottles may only be the beginning. This new development, combined with the world’s growing concern for green living may help fuel recycling efforts to make a greater impact than ever before.

Are you planning to recycle your polypropylene closures? Tell us why or why not in the comments.

What do ligers, time-travel crystals, and tubs have in common?

noreply@blogger.com (Keith McCauley) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:50:00 +0000

We'll never forget Uncle Rico's reaction to Deb's careful coaching at his photo shoot, or the painful aftereffects of attempted time travel. Kip taught us that the internet can bring the unlikeliest of people together and form enduring relationships. Never again will we underestimate what a few dance moves can do to put an unlikely candidate into office. How do you summarize the effect Napoleon Dynamite has had on the world? Well ... you can't. Some works are so ... all-encompassing, that we don't even make the attempt.

At CPS, our respect for this film and the lessons it teaches us has inspired us to make it the feature of April's calendar. In Tuboleon Dynamite we feature our IT Director Matt as Tuboleon (he's the professor in our "What is Plastic?" series), C-Team Agent Lorna (the Mad Chatter in The C-Team video) as Deb, Designer Michael as Pedro and CEO Jeff as Kip, oh, and my hand holding a pencil, plus a few of my Tuboleon-esque sketches of tubs with liger stripes.

IT Director Matt as Tuboleon

Designer Michael as Pedro

C-Team Agent Lorna as Deb

CEO Jeff as Kip

Put Tuboleon on a tub lid, Pedro in a liger-striped tub with handle, Deb in to kiddie-pool shaped tub, and Kip in a bucket/tub with cherub wings, place it on a canvas of hand sketched tubs on a path leading off into the horizon and BOOM! You've got ... Tuboleon Dynamite.

Click the image, allow to load, right click and select "Set as Wallpaper"

Visit www.containerandpackaging.com/wallpaper to see ALL 12 of this year's calendar images as well as images from 2011, 2010, and 2009.

Shampoo: The truth behind the bubbling potion in plastic bottles

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:20:00 +0000

Somewhere buried under an ancient tree is a list detailing the first ever, original shampoo concoction. No doubt it includes a hodgepodge of ingredients we wouldn’t dream of lathering our hair in today. Then again, who knows, they may be more beneficial than the synthetic surfactants (foaming, cleaning compounds derived from petroleum) the world can’t decide whether to love or hate. Everyone in the hair biz is looking for something healthy and fresh. Step up to the challenge and learn how to revolutionize your shampoo product, not to mention the plastic bottles you’re packaging in.

The components
Shampoo consists of a few vital pieces. A mix of anionic and nonionic surfactants take up residence within your plastic bottles, each with specific duties, working together to make your product stand out from the competition. Anionic surfactants have great cleaning and foaming characteristics, particularly when it comes to removing oil-based contaminants. Nonionic surfactants are hard-water resistant grease removers. Lastly, cationic actives are also a common ingredient in shampoo solutions, their major function being the introduction of softness. So yes, after all that cleaning power, you can look forward to ending the day with a little pampering.

Shampoo 101
The purpose of shampoo isn’t to make us smell irresistible, though that’s an added benefit. It’s really meant to keep our luscious locks and the ground from which they grow (that’s the scalp, just in case this metaphor is a bit too flowery for your style) clean, healthy and strong. Some people might add that shampoo is also made to give us that unmistakable look, whether it’s vibrant color or a silky straight shine. Though brands use the promise of specific characteristics as an advertising technique, the described benefits are only realized based on other grooming regimens. I washed my hair last night but didn’t wake up with Sofia Vergara’s volume, no matter what the Pantene Pro-V commercial says.

Principles of packaging shampoo

Temperature: Not too cold, not too hot, just right

Keep in mind that plastic bottles full of shampoo can go wherever you go. Don’t assume that consumers will only wash their hair in the shower, where water temperature can be controlled. Remember Out of Africa? You’re right, the majority of people will never wash their hair in the Serengeti, but it’s something to keep in mind. Design your shampoo to function under flexible temperature conditions.

Foam up and rinse out

What’s the first thing you look for when using a new shampoo? The scent coming from plastic bottles is alluring, but for me, it’s all about the foam. Instant suds put my concerns to rest, knowing that my hair and scalp are getting the die-hard scrub-a-dub they deserve. That’s the first half of the battle; just make sure no drab or slickery strands stick around following the rinse, as any residue is sure to take away from the afterglow.

Be gentle to skin and eyes

Last time I checked, Johnson & Johnson wasn’t planning on expanding their “No More Tears” line beyond the typical newborn and toddler demographic, which is sad news for all of us over the age of 18 months. Think gentle while creating the shampoo concoction that will fill your plastic bottles. We’re all bound to get soap in our eyes at some point and nobody likes an impromptu skin breakout, protect your consumers ahead of time by using ingredients that will treat your skin and eyes right.

There may be a loose formula to it, but creating a shampoo product can be an elusive project. And if you think the chemistry behind the task is complicated, just wait until you get to the packaging. We stock a wide variety of plastic bottles suited for shampoo packaging, from classic Cylinders to sleek and colorful Cosmo rounds, compatible with both caps and pumps. You handle the lab work, we’ll take care of the packaging and BOOM… you’ve got a shampoo.

Which describes your shampoo’s packaging - simple or over-the-top glam? Tell us in the comments!

Infographic: How to use color to get your product noticed and purchased

noreply@blogger.com (Keith McCauley) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:48:00 +0000

I've seen some really smart combinations of color when it comes to packaging: tropical color palettes for fruity lotions, minimalistic silver on black for male personal care products, and rich palettes for earthy minerals and scrubs. I've also seen some pretty bad combinations too ... and it kills me. Nothing says "Don't buy me! Don't even look at me!" more than bad design and color/packaging combinations. The label (or print) is what gets the product noticed. And if the product gets noticed then you might have a chance ... a chance ... to actually sell it.

Research shows that a consumer spends less than three seconds considering your product. This is after they've found it on the shelf. Selling products is a two-step process. (1) Make it noticeable, and (2) make it buyable.

Make your product noticeable
Making your product noticeable requires a combination of container, closure and color. Is there something that catches the eye when you walk by it? Do the colors complement each other? Is the design/color consistent with the product industry?

Make your product buyable
Getting noticed is only the first part of the equation. Once noticed, a consumer will pick up the container and inspect it. They'll read some of the copy. They'll turn it over and look at the directions, the ingredients, or sales copy. They'll look for queues that tell them this is a quality item; that it's worthy of their money and their time. These queues are communicated through color, sales copy, guarantees, ingredients lists, ease of use, closure/container combination, heft, or appearance of product.

Buyability stems from noticeability
Making your product buyable grows out of being noticed. You have to be noticed and buyable in that order to get a sale. Ugly design is noticeable, but it doesn't make your product buyable, because it doesn't communicate confidence to the buyer. Bright yellow is also noticeable, but does not necessarily make your product buyable. The yellow has to "fit" with what's being sold.

Tried and true color combinations
There are some color combinations that work. They are tried and true. They are winners. I have put them together (based on my recommendations and what I've seen that looks good) into this infographic for you. When picking colors for your packaging, you need to pick colors that coordinate. Your container, closure, product color, and artwork need to jive.

Click on image to enlarge.

Rules to be broken, maybe
It's true ... some rules are made to be broken. But I STRONGLY urge you to use great caution and professional guidance when deviating from these recommendations (shown in the infographic). Speaking of "professional guidance," it just so happens that our designers can assist you! Listen to your designer. They know what works. Let them guide you through your color-coordinating process.

Contact CPS Design today (1-800-473-4144) to get started on picking the perfect colors, containers and closures for the perfect package.

Lethal Color: Do toxic inks make plastic bottles dangerous?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:58:00 +0000

I’m a pretty chill person; at least I try to be. I find that having a relaxed and adaptable attitude makes life a whole lot easier. Yet, no matter how hard I try every now and again something gets under my skin. Today its a little organization called Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse. I might not turn into The Hulk when I get angry (green really isn’t my color…) but I put on a good show none the less. Grab some popcorn and enjoy the fireworks as I go to work for the good of plastic bottles everywhere.

Meet the boogeyman of plastic bottles
We all love watchdog groups don’t we? The way they stick their nosey little… well, noses into other people’s business. Sure, they aren’t all bad but this time it’s gone too far. The Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) was birthed from a piece of legislation released in 1992 (only adopted by 19 states), aimed to decrease the amount of four specific metals (cadmium, lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium) used in packaging. With a special interest in inks used to decorate plastic bottles and bags.

With the help of x-ray fluorescent (XRF) screening technology, the TPCH has been randomly testing plastic bottles and other products (on their own accord) for years. Some tests allegedly revealed the presence of cadmium and lead in the ink on several products packaged in plastic bottles. Their next action was to pounce on the companies responsible for distributing plastic bottles shellacked with supposed environmentally-deadly colorants. Certificates of Compliance are good to have, but the TPCH continued to assume that any other tests performed on the plastic bottles had been insufficient or faulty in some way when compared to their XRF scan.

Why the TPCH doesn’t trust standard laboratory procedures
Reason #1: Inappropriate sample prep - The TPCH assumes that those working in laboratories handled the approved sample wrong, resulting in a false positive. The fault was most likely not allowing the specimen to disintegrate entirely before testing. How embarrassing for all the Harvard and Princeton graduates who are working in labs today! It's comforting that others know the ins and outs of your job better than you do.

Reason #2: We’re all too gullible! – Thank goodness we have the TPCH around to remind us to not get blindsided by shady suppliers. The TPCH accuses overseas suppliers of telling U.S. companies that their plastic bottles meet compliance requirements when they really don’t. It’s kind of like the TPCH is the all-powerful Batman in this scenario and the rest of us are the hopeless (and brainless) Gotham residents.

Reason #3: Did we test the right plastic bottles?! – Here’s where things start to get a bit ridiculous. The TPCH sometimes considers the idea that the companies that were able to present compliance documentation for their plastic bottles may actually sell safe plastic bottles, but they just happened to get a bad one in their batch. Yeah, that sounds like a solid case to me, not.

Reason #3 ½: It’s not very likely, but maybe XRF results are incorrect – TPCH’s mention of potential fault is so minor that it only garners half a reason for troubling otherwise thriving businesses selling plastic bottles.

A fuming response from Kayla
This infuriates me. What qualifications or influence does the TPCH possess that gives them the wherewithal to tell laboratories full of well trained professionals (we weren’t pulling lab assistants off the street the last time I checked) they are doing their job wrong? Not to mention rubbing the faces of business professionals in the fact that they may or may not be getting duped? It’s a free country and everyone is entitled to their own opinions. At the same time, if the TPCH wishes to come out of nowhere and critique everyone’s work then I suggest they stop yapping and get to work themselves. That’s right, run your own laboratory and try to take the jobs of those who aren’t living up to their calling. It’s like a kid coloring his or her RoseArt fuzzy poster while telling Jackson Pollock he’s not splattering right, it’s nonsensical, period. That’s enough for today, but look for coming articles on the safety of inks used on plastic bottles; I’m not quite done with this topic yet!

Are you riled up? Or do you understand the TPCH's arguments? Share your thoughts and post a comment!

The key to packaging on a budget, buy bottles wholesale

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:43:00 +0000

It takes a lot to get me to go grocery shopping. Crowds aren’t the issue; I have no problem head-banging with complete strangers at concerts. Mentally preparing meals is difficult when subconsciously I long to be the perfect hybrid of Julia Child, Betty Crocker and Martha Stewart (I think the prison stint would give me a nice edge) yet know that I’m a hundred thousand recipes away from that caliber of cooking. The truth is it all comes down to money. We all love to save a buck whenever we can. Follow my lead and hold on to your dough, buy bottles wholesale.

The bottles wholesale experience vs. the five times a month order experience
I’ll stop treating this post like a journal entry in a minute, I swear, but stick with me on this shopping tirade. When I do make it to the store I have two options. Number one is to buckle down and suck it up, stock up on goods for the long haul. Number two is to get in and out as fast as humanly possible, covering the basics but not thinking of any needs past next Tuesday, which is exactly when I’ll be back to do this all over again.

Now let me explain how my grocery shopping behaviors can be likened to buying bottles wholesale. In a world of overindulgence it’s important to keep yourself grounded with mantras such as “less is more.” But when it comes to buying bottles wholesale this statement couldn’t be more off base!

Things are different here; more is less, monetarily speaking at least. Just as my multiple trips to the grocery store will end up costing more than one full-throttle trip through the aisles, so will several small orders of bottles when compared to taking advantage and buying a truckload of bottles wholesale.

The benefits of buying bottles wholesale
We pride ourselves by offering bottles, jars, pails, closures, pumps and many other items with no minimums. It doesn’t matter if your kid needs two containers for a school project or if you run a booming international company and are in need of millions of containers, we’re here to help.

We are willing to work with you at any scale, promoting the fact that buying bottles wholesale is the most effective and thrifty way to do business in the packaging industry. For instance, buy a full case from us and qualify for a discounted price, buy multiple cases or even pallets of the same item and save even more! Smaller orders are a bit more tedious; that's why those under-$50-of-product-orders are subjected to a small order fee of $10. Avoid this fee and get price cut benefits by buying bottles wholesale.

Buying bottles wholesale makes shipping worth your while
Not only do small orders rack up preventable fees, they also cost a lot of money to ship over and over again. We’ve got some awesome negotiated rates with UPS but we can only do so much, hauling groceries from the store and back home multiple times a week adds up too. Ordering and shipping a large quantity of bottles wholesale may seem like a lot to buck up in the beginning, but you’ll end up spending much more in the long run if you choose the small and often order route.

The lesson to learn here is simple, but not always easy to accept. Buying a large number of bottles wholesale may seem like a heavy investment in the beginning, but it’s one that is bound to pay off sooner or later. Now’s the time to end all the every-other-day five minute grocery store trips and commit to the less often trek through the aisles. Let’s buy bottles wholesale. I’m in if you are.

Call our toll-free number (1-800-473-4144) if you’re interested in quantities that qualify for special pricing or if you’d like a freight quote.

Storage containers save lives by leading consumers to marrow center

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:03:00 +0000

If I’ve learned anything in this industry it’s that packaging isn’t only about what meets the eye. You may see a pallet of bottles, a display of jars or a whole shelf weighed down with storage containers, yet the concept of what brought those bottles, jars and storage containers into being is of great interest as well. Every container has a story, from the product’s inception to its final appearance. Some stories are bland while others are moving, read on to learn how some storage containers are using the sting of a cut to promote lifesaving actions.

Help I’ve cut myself and I want to save a life
Help is a company that sells medical aids to treat specific symptoms (take their products Help I have a stuffy nose or Help I have a headache for instance) in a manner different from over-the-counter medications that are packed with extra and in their opinion, unneeded drugs.

The company recently began packaging a special version of their Help I’ve cut myself products in paper storage containers with the added tagline “& I want to save a life”. Help I’ve cut myself & I want to save a life storage containers contain the typical product, 16 adhesive bandages to be used in the case of an accident that causes bleeding (just like a band-aid). What makes this product so special is Help’s partnership with the world’s leading bone marrow donor center to offer an extra component, a bone marrow registry kit.

Marrow registry comes to the rescue
Each year 10,000 people in the U.S. are in need of a bone marrow transplant. To add to their fears and stress the task of finding a matching donor is bleak and often unsuccessful. One family from Germany found themselves in this situation in the early nineties and decided to do something about it. Today Deutsche Knochenmarkspenderdatei (known as DKMS, German Bone Marrow Donor Center) has over 3 million registered donors who have been involved in nearly 30,000 transplants. The organization is hoping to increase those numbers through their partnership with Help.

How packaging can help save lives
Help and DKMS work beautifully together through Help I’ve cut myself & I want to save a life. Consumers will find swabs and a pre-paid envelope along with the bandages when the storage containers are opened. The swabs can then be used to lightly brush the injured area, pick up some blood and be sent back to DKMS, where that individual’s information will be added to their registry. The bandages can then be used to cover the injury, like nothing ever happened. See Help’s interesting how-to video if you aren’t squeamish or frightened by a guy dressed up as a knife.

It’s obvious that the end user was kept in mind in this instance. Obviously this product works well for both companies, but in the end it’s the consumer who will have the means of comfort from their injury and a special sense of hope and connection to someone who may be struggling to stay alive. Most people don’t go out of their way to join marrow registries, but this product presents a convenient method to make a difference in the world. That’s powerful work for a bunch of storage containers.

Packaging for a cause
Cause packaging can be a touchy issue, but if your product could be tastefully linked to another, with the convenience of the consumer in mind, don’t be afraid to try something new. Aligning products packaged in storage containers from similar or supportive industries may open up additional opportunities and expand growth potential for your business.

When all is said and done, we’re all here to sell products and run businesses. Profits and margins will always matter and should never be discarded as unimportant. But keep in mind how empowering it is to witness or take part in something that is important and often larger than yourself or your business. If cause packaging inspires you give it a whirl. It might be business, but no business is more powerful than when hearts are involved.

What are your thoughts on cause packaging? Post a comment.

Packaging guide aims to make dining out more eco-friendly with green food jars

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:13:00 +0000

Do you ever consider how much fast food packaging you use in a day? You no doubt grab your morning brew before heading to work, probably eat leftover Chinese food for lunch (more than you’d care to share) and have been capping out the evening lately with a to-die-for dessert to-go. Fast food packaging is a staple in the industry, one that consumers heavily rely on every day. Yet, the echoing call for greener packaging grows louder and louder. Pick up some tips on how to provide consumers with food jars and to-go containers that are better for the environment.

The green guide
Greening Fast Food Packaging: A Roadmap to Best Practices beautifully describes sustainability as “a new corporate imperative,” that’s true, an imperative that needs to be addressed immediately. And Dogwood Alliance started us out on the right foot when they released their own packaging report, a “stepwise guide for improvement in the fast food industry,” as they put it, in an effort to encourage and prepare all packagers for a greener world.

The guide is built to be a road map (just as the title entails) for companies interested in actually getting down and dirty for the good of the earth in terms of using food jars and other fast food packaging. It’s not for those merely concerned with cloaking their company in a fake “greenwashing” haze in hopes of gaining profits for overcharged merchandise.

The first section of the multi-tiered report consists of pointers about choosing packaging options such as food jars, cups and cartons for green fast food newbies. Though most fast food packaging is paper-based (contributing to deforestation which often results in air and water quality issues), here are some highlights plastic and glass users should be aware of as well.

Reduce Overall Packaging
You’ve heard the adage; “less is more,” this statement has never been truer for the packaging industry. Less packaging isn’t only encouraged by Dogwood Alliance, it’s on trend. As Mugatu in Zoolander would say, “it’s so hot right now!” Reduction in this case converts to benefits – less plastic or glass needed to create food jars, less materials end up in landfills and more money goes into your pocket.
Increase the Use of Recycled Fiber/Plastic
Recycling is always good. In terms of fast food packaging it’s about recycled fiber, but the same challenge can be presented to glass and plastic packaging. Glass is always recyclable and the use of Post-Consumer Resin (PCR) is on the rise.If the eco-friendly resin is fully embraced by sustainable businesses PCR-based food jars could become the norm before you know it.

The report reminds packagers that if changes like these are to occur, we need to interact and consult with our consumers. Remind your customers to recycle food jars or other types of packaging instead of discarding them. This can be done through a message on your print or label. Our green thumbed experts at CPS Design can help you out with that.

Terms like “sustainability” and “carbon footprint” may seem overbearing in growing eco-friendly industries, but every little bit counts and you’ll find your bearings, step-by-step. Download Greening Fast Food Packaging: A Roadmap to Best Practices for additional insights and while you’re at it, browse our glass food jars and PCR collections. Start greening up your packaging today!

What’s the first eco-friendly move you’d like to see fast food restaurants take? Post a comment.

Best Bottle Supplier Award goes to - Container and Packaging Supply

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:54:00 +0000

We don’t like to toot our own horn here at CPS. So instead we create fictional contests and then present ourselves with awards. Drawing attention to oneself just to gloat seems a bit childish (yes, even for us, the people who frolic in meadows with five gallon buckets in our spare time). We’re different. We’re the best in the bottle suppliers’ biz for a reason. Our secret weapon is a killer combo of cutting-edge website, ever-expanding inventory, an always friendly support team, design services and an educational blog to help you out along the way (plus a few other secrets that we won’t mention here).

We are humans, so of course we don’t mind being the center of attention every now and then (we’re the obvious choice to flock to when it comes to bottle suppliers), but our efforts are for your benefit, not ours. We work hard every day to provide packaging solutions to customers around the world in the most effective way possible. The fact that we just happen to dominate the bottle suppliers’ game is coincidental. Or is it?

Why our website is better than any other bottle suppliers’ website
Oprah did a lot of makeover shows, but no transformation could beat our website redesign! Many of our original features like the expansive product and image catalogs remain on the new site (we added an industry catalog too), only in an enhanced, easier-to-use format. And now, thanks to our customer account pages, ordering online is easier than ever! And after all is done, there’s a pretty blissful payoff that no other bottle suppliers can match.

Unlike other bottle suppliers, our stock is constantly updated
Customers often wonder why we don’t offer printed catalogs. The answer is simple; we love the freedom our online catalog gives us too much! We can show off our brand new items once they’re in our warehouses instead of waiting to release them based on print issue dates. We update our product catalog multiple times a week, with you in mind, making our stock available as quickly as possible. Not all bottle suppliers function with their customers in mind, but to us, it’s the best way to do business.

Our support team is thebomb.com of bottle suppliers
Our customer support team is made of a highly sought after breed of people. Competitor bottle suppliers would only be so lucky as to learn about our secret squad. As the C-Team post reads they’re “a gang of operatives equipped with the skills to assist you with the secret packaging logistics and data you need, and most importantly, look good while doing it.” They’re friendly, good looking packaging geniuses (yes, that combo does exist, just look hard enough!). And just wait until you get transferred to Sales, they’re not too bad either.

CPS Design – You can’t touch this, other bottle suppliers!
We sell containers and closures, and so do a lot of other bottle suppliers. Design and decoration services are just another example of what sets us apart from humdrum bottle suppliers. Whether you’re in need of a design refresh or are starting from scratch, we have a team of designers equipped with talents that other bottle suppliers can’t offer you. Printing and labeling are only the beginning, visit our services page and see all the other extras we provide!

Blogging like nobody’s business (especially not those other bottle suppliers!)
And now, the crowning jewel, the CPS Blog. Ok, so maybe I’m a bit biased, just because I slave over blog posts day after day, risking my life for your well being (packaging research can be dangerous!), my work shouldn’t receive preferential treatment. My ramblings aside, this blog is equipped to be a guiding force for you, answering questions and providing support along your packaging journey. Are other bottle suppliers concerned about your well being and overall packaging experience? Let’s just say that’s not high on their priority list these days.

Most bottle suppliers are only concerned about making the sale. The moment we hear about a product and a customer’s needs we’re hooked on the project, eager and willing to help in any way possible (packaging, design, decoration). In short, we’re the one-stop-shop of bottle suppliers. While the other bottle suppliers are busy counting up their bills, we’re here waiting to partner with consumers on successful and rewarding ventures, from start to finish.

Tell us what you love about CPS and where we can improve, post a comment.

Jam jars depart from Amish life and embrace the flair of rumspringa

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:55:00 +0000

When in need of inspiration, Keith (CPS EVP, Art Director, Designer - a man of many hats) finds wandering through store aisles enlightening. Stocked shelves are the perfect place for a packaging geek (something we’re all proud to be!) to reaffirm his or her commitments to the industry. It’s here that we are privy to new molds and designs; it’s a place rife with life and innovation. That is, Keith says, until you get to the jam jars.

He’s not the only one infuriated by the lack of creativity and pizzazz in the jam jars category of packaging. It’s as if jam jars were once Amish (created in private facilities), then they went on rumspringa (came out into the world) and decided the old life wasn’t for them.

But instead of setting themselves apart, jam jars choose to live in muted-misery, cloaked in homey gingham instead of embracing the newest threads at Urban Outfitters, or wherever hipster jam jars would shop. Why design plain jam jars when they’re made to flavor life? Here’s three components to keep in mind when packaging in jam jars.

Jam jars have shape, accentuate it
Jam jars have more than one look. I know you’ve got the image of Smuckers stuck in your head (especially the PB & J striped bottle. There’s a reason it’s called Goober, gag!) but the answer to Cher’s question “Is there life after love?” applies to this scenario as well, and yes, there is life beyond the cookie-cutter shape of run-of-the-mill jam jars.

Mason jam jars may be the traditional choice, but trying a different shape of container can do wonders for a product. Consider how your goods might look packaged in elegant hex glass jam jars. Sharp angles and varied heights allow for a bit more freedom when compared to standard round jam jars. If you’re after a more sleek and modern look check out our paragon jam jars collection. The height and slender shape of these jam jars communicates messages to consumers different from those coming from mason or hex jam jars.

A fly design helps jam jars shine
Clip art was introduced to personal computers in the1980s (Keith believes most clip art libraries are collections of failed Disney auditions). That was 30 years ago. So why are you still using images of this caliber to decorate your jam jars? Here’s where the Amish fears come in again. Marketing an appealing product packaged in jam jars is not a crime, I promise. Invest in a worthwhile design (with CPSD? Hint, hint) and don’t be afraid to break out of the homey illustration mode. We’ve seen enough strawberries and grapes, most of us over the age of four know what they look like anyway, so step outside your box and visually articulate the product inside your jam jars a little differently.

Color adds a new dimension to jam jars
I was about to postulate a connection between the Amish and colorblindness but I thought that might be pushing my analogy too far. Instead I’ll just say that it seems customary to use deep tones like reds, oranges, blues and purples when it comes to decorating jam jars. Don’t limit your creative palate to fruit-based colors, embrace whatever inspires you or represents your product. Tangerine Tango is the color of 2012, start there (as long as your jam jars aren’t full of tangerines)!

There are so many small details that set different forms of packaging apart. The same should hold true for jam jars specifically. Drop the preconceptions associated with jam jars as a whole and use shape, design and color to create your own attitude and class of packaging!

The Three Bucketeers, a standout in the swashbucketing adventure genre

noreply@blogger.com (Keith McCauley) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Our March calendar image features an all-star cast of CPS folks: Ben (EVP), Jon (Programmer), Jeff (Sales Rep), Justin (Sales Rep), Tracy (Programmer), and Naomi (C-Team Agent). The film The Three Musketeers has been remade many times; we are parodying the Disney production from 1993, with the amazing title song All For Love from early nineties power ballad raspers: Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting (wait for ad to play, it's worth it).

Having read The Three Musketeers (Alexandre Dumas), I must confess that I am a fan, and highly recommend it. The 1993 adaptation for film was very good (I thought). It's a story of the young D'Artagnan who aspires to join the Musketeers of the Royal Guard. The story is filled with intrigue, assassinations, plots, romance, theft, murder, and more. Through it all, D'Artagnan learns the value of friendship and the Musketeer motto of "all for one and one for all."

This plot resonates well with us here at CPS. We, too, must unravel intrigue in order to do our duty. Our motto is: "all for one and one for all, but more so all for you." Charmant, n'est pas? Oui.

The photo shoot
I'm kind of a hack job when it comes to photography (I rely too heavily on post-production), so there isn't a whole lot of refinement in these compositions. I started with the original 1993 movie poster, posed my subjects accordingly, and then morphed their faces to actors' bodies.

Creating the title
Once I had my actors all lined up and their face lifts completed, I started on the title. I used a yellow 5 gallon 90 ml pail, two gurgle spout lids, two plastic pail lid removers, and a little toy lion. Combining these with a bold heavy-serif font creates a rather regal heraldry crest hearkening back to 17th century France, n'est-ce pas?

Putting it all together
Combining these two pieces yielded an impressionnant poster (permit me to say) of The Three Bucketeers.

Click the image, allow to load, right click and select "Set as Wallpaper"

Visit www.containerandpackaging.com/wallpaper to see ALL 12 of this year's calendar images as well as images from 2011, 2010, and 2009.

There are four pathways to green packaging bliss, which will you take?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:26:00 +0000

I’m not as green as I should be. I love Mother Earth, but in comparison to my tree-hugging neighbors, I appear to be living a heathen lifestyle. I don’t spend my weekends throwing trash from a speeding car or sitting around a bottles bonfire, but like your customers, I am aware of the green-living movement, and the impending guilt to live a more eco-friendly life is finally taking its toll. You’re at a fork in the road; decide which of these four green routes will lead you to both green packaging and green income.

Option 1: Compostable Packaging
Compostable packaging refers to miniature bottles or other forms of packaging made from renewable resources. That’s the technical side of things, but what’s the first thought that comes to mind when you hear the word “compost”? For me, it’s a big steaming pile of who-knows-what sitting in my neighbor’s yard (those tree-huggers, again!). Not the prettiest picture, but you can’t deny that the science behind the depletion of a mountain of “stuff” into plant food is genuinely fascinating.

See an earlier blog post, “Compostable Plastics: 3 Things You Need To Know” if you want the step-by-step compost breakdown (not a literal day-by-day breakdown, just more info than is provided here. You can sit around and watch a pile of dirt for three months if you want, but we’ve got containers to sell!), but for now here’s the nitty-gritty three qualities packaging must have to be considered compostable.

Packaging must biodegrade: Breaks down at the same speed as paper (within 90 days).
Packaging must disintegrate: Breaks down so finely that particles can’t be separated from the compost soil.
Packaging must not produce toxins: Break down is toxic-free, compost is capable of supporting plants.

Option 2: Biodegradable Packaging
Biodegradable, now that’s a word we all love to hear. Though the term gives miniature bottles extra green points, its definition is sometimes loosely applied. This eco-friendly classification is applied to packaging capable of being broken down by living organisms (like bacteria and fungi) over an indefinite period of time. So, even miniature bottles with a 100-million-year longevity are considered biodegradable as long as they eventually break down. Faster acting biodegradable goods often come in the form of secondary packaging materials like boxboard (CPS Design can help with box projects, yes, a shameless plug).

Option 3: Recyclable Packaging
Packaging made from PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP and PS are recyclable. Which means, pairing your product up with the perfect type of plastic and a mean recycling campaign makes for a definite green packaging win. On a side note, what could be better than packaging your product in the result of recycling efforts? Enter PCR, post-consumer resin, which we just happen to carry, thank you very much.

Option 4: Refillable/Reusable
If you haven’t noticed the new refillable and reusable packaging trend then I would advise you to stop reading this post right now and get out more. Store shelves are stocked full of refill pouches and products in miniature bottles (originally packaged in larger bottles which are meant to be used again). This green technique limits plastic use (good for the environment) and costs (good for you and the customer).

So there you have it, the four pathways to green packaging bliss. Remember to keep these options in mind, especially PCR bottles and jars when considering a green makeover for your product packaging.

Which green packaging avenue seems the most eco-friendly (ecological and economical) to you? Post a comment.

Australia says 'g'day' to plain packaging for cigarettes, what next?

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:50:00 +0000

Here’s a riddle for you. In the fifties they made you cool, in the eighties and nineties they made you dangerous, today they identify you as a few bricks shy of a load (not the brightest crayon in the box, a burger short of a combo meal, not the sharpest tool in the shed... you get the picture). This December a law will come into effect, mandating that all cigarettes sold in Australia be stocked in plain packaging. Read on to learn what this means for tobacco companies and consumers.

We’ve said it time and time again; you have less than three seconds to capture the attention of a potential consumer, so use your time wisely. Packaging design and branding are the bread and butter behind creating a profitable product. So what’s to come of the tobacco industry’s flair?

The Details
The plain packaging initiative has one goal, to lower the number of tobacco-related deaths throughout the country. Apparently the Australian government believes that this can be done by grossing people out. Or in more proper terms; they aim to use unattractive packaging to dissuade people (particularly youngsters) from turning to cigarettes as a form of personal or stylistic expression.

Interestingly, the proposed plain packages are anything but plain. The connotation of the word “plain” brings to mind a sterile and clean looking package. I may be alone on this, but I don’t think olive green (research revealed this to be the most repelling color) boxes and large graphic health warnings quite fit the plain bill. “Uniform” may be the more appropriate word, allotting only two lines of content on the front, to describe the brand and variety of cigarette packaged, displayed in a predetermined font style and size. Oh Australia, if only it were that simple.

How it could work
If someone has willingly polluted their own lungs for the last twenty years I’m not sure a packaging change-up will necessarily bring about the change Australia is after. The new look is only the first step in breaking down the product’s communication with consumers. The initiative’s ability to look beyond scare tactics (close-up images of diseased eyes, mouths and lungs) and focus on diminishing the quality of the tobacco products as well as the characteristics of users is where it’s potential for change can be found.

The plain packaging model isn’t only meant to disgust the eyes and appeal to the heart; it’s also equipped to play mind games. Such basic packaging design may lead consumers to assume that the cigarettes inside are of a lower quality, that the taste might be lackluster and worst of all that smoking this brand might be detrimental to their worldly status (considering what class of people would smoke plain packaged cigarettes), making smoking socially distasteful.

The fiery tobacco battle ensues
Is it right for design power to be taken from these cigarette giants? They sure don’t think so. The Australian tobacco companies’ arguments against plain packaging are based on international trademark and intellectual property law infringements, not to mention ranting about the potential of illicit trading (plain packaging will make products easy to counterfeit). The government defends their decision based on the death toll associated with tobacco (responsible for an estimated 15,000 deaths a year). They say cigarettes are no longer considered a normal product and that special status introduces the need for government involvement. Things don’t look too hot for the tobacco guys and though they maintain a strong face, chances are plain packaging is going to make them hurt in ways they’ve never experienced before.

Plain packaging is making large enough waves in Australia that the aftershock could impact decisions made in Canada and the U.K. as well. Then who knows where. It may be time to prepare your goodbye to the iconic camel and find a new role model for all the boys who grew up dreaming of one day becoming a Marlboro man. Until then, don't waste valuable shelf space with an unsightly product. CPS Design now offers custom cardboard packaging design services!

Do you support or oppose plain packaging? Tell us why in the comments.

A quick glimpse of Valentine's Day 2012 through packaging

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

I'm usually not a fan of naysayers. Who needs negativity in an otherwise pleasant situation? Not me. That said, whoever the heartbroken fool was who first said Valentine's Day is all about candy was right. Just take a look at what I stumbled upon while walking through the aisles on the eve of Valentine's Day.

In a world fueled by innovation and continual development who knows what our Valentine goodies will be packaged in next year. Boxes and bags decked out with more hearts than a cardiac surgeon will ever see could be replaced with hologram treats (it sure would be easier on the diet!) for all we know! For now, enjoy your greeting card/candy company sponsored holiday with a quick look at some of the sweetest packaging to hit the shelves for Valentine's Day 2012.

Love this Valentine's design! Forget Will and Kate or even Brangelina, these two will stay together forever.


Conversation hearts in a box, classic! Mr. Bear, our unofficial Valentine's spokesman says, "CPS offers custom cardboard packaging services!"

Reese's, in a tin! A heart-shaped container full of Skittles! It's never too late to vary from the norm and have a little fun with packaging!

Love is in the air: Chocolate and PB have been struck by Cupid, Marshmallows are occurring naturally in the shape of hearts and Butterfingers are warming your heart while blocking the pathway inside of it.

Packagers and filmmakers strike a nerve with consumers through nostalgia

noreply@blogger.com (Kayla Holman) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

It’s February. Typically a lead-in like this would translate into some hokey, pseudo-romantic haiku about Valentine’s Day, but not this time. Sure it’s the season of love, but Cupid isn’t the only one hard at work this month. It’s also the time for Oscar to shine. Keep reading to witness what may appear to be a shameless attempt to connect bottle designs with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood but is in fact a look at how nostalgia can play to the desires of consumers and moviegoers alike.

Nostalgic or “retro” packaging designs are meant to lure in buyers by conjuring up fond memories and associating those memories with their product. A particular pattern or look on a bottle can capture an era or the emotion of a moment. Movies do this too! Some of The Academy Award’s Best Picture contenders prove that the packaging industry isn’t the only group to capitalize on nostalgia. Have a bit of fun below, reading as I match each bottle product with its nostalgic cinema counterpart.

The Help and Ben Shaws

Set in the 1960s, The Help depicts the life of an African-American woman working as house-help in Mississippi. The film is nostalgic in its setting but also in the sense of recalling what so many endured through the years leading to the Civil Rights Movement.

It wouldn't seem out of place to see a can of Ben Shaws (first canned in 1959) captured in a scene from the film. The period-perfect flavored sodas (Cream Soda, Dandelion & Burlock, Bitter Shandy and Cloudy Lemonade) are adorned with authentic black and white photos of that time, capturing what many (people who obviously lead different lives than those portrayed in The Help) remember as “the good old days.”

Midnight in Paris and Prada fragrances

Midnight in Paris embodies nostalgia naturally, through the protagonist who dreams of living in times past. SPOILER ALERT: Lucky for him, the city of Paris gets magical at midnight, allowing the dreamer to actually experience the sparkle and allure of the 1920s (did I mention that he gets to hang out with F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway?).

What captures the flapper mentality better than a large, glamorous bottle of perfume, accessorized by the all-important bulb atomizer? Nothing I can think of. Prada keeps the lively decade alive, allowing women to experience the freedom and excitement of the period yet still enjoy the conveniences of being a modern woman, all done through packaging in a square glass bottle. Not to mention, the perfect "puff" of perfume we've all been looking for that the classic 20s bulb atomizer offers. (That doesn't hurt either.)

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and Lieb Family Cellars’ 9/11 Wines

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is hard to watch, due to the somber and painfully real nostalgia it evokes, depicting a time not too long ago. Lieb Family Cellars is currently selling two wines; each packaged in a standard wine bottle. Unlike our previous examples, the products are not nostalgic in a physical sense, but instead employ nostalgia through the spirit of the product, honoring those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001. (A portion of the proceeds generated from the 9/11 Memorial Commemorative Merlot and Chardonnay will be donated to the 9/11 Memorial.)

The Academy Awards air Sunday, February 26th. I’ll be the one sipping (Pepsi Throwback, anyone?) and snacking (candy necklaces are so hot right now!) on nostalgic goodies in front of the television. Until then, consider offering consumers a nostalgic experience through your product that they might never behold otherwise. A CPS Design expert is anxiously waiting in the wings to help you!