7 Innovative Custom Packaging Firms Every Entrepreneur Should Know About

So, you’re thinking about a shiny new purchase and you’re browsing what’s on offer.  Well, what’s the first thing you notice (apart from that annoying salesperson who keeps hovering)? The correct answer is, of course, the packaging. As well as being an important part of your branding, how you present your goods can, quite literally, make all the difference. Imagine giving somebody a gift - would you hand it to them in a carrier bag or would you wrap it nicely and tie it up with a bow?

Choosing creative and innovative packaging for your business is key to your success as is, in the modern world, making sure that it’s practical and sustainable and so, in this article, we’re unwrapping seven companies that have got it going on  in terms of meeting consumer expectations, nailing brand identity and reducing waste.

1. Arka

Arka focuses on helping small and growing businesses create custom packaging that’s tailored to their needs. It offers low minimum order quantities, clear pricing, and fast turnaround times. This approach allows their customers to test designs without high upfront costs.

With a strong nod toward eco-friendly materials, Arka shows that it is, in fact, easy being green with its recyclable and biodegradable options. This brand ticks all the right boxes for companies who want a sleek and professional image without compromising on sustainability and waste reduction. Arka also helps you to help yourself by providing a streamlined ordering process with some great tools that allow you to design your stuff and place your order quickly and without fuss - making it a fantastic choice for entrepreneurs who want to have their cake and eat it when it comes to their packaging.

2. Go Packaging Store

This brand goes one better by offering low minimum quantities - which is super important when you’re on a tight budget or want to A/B test a couple of designs. While keeping an eye on affordability, Leicester based Go Packaging Store also has you (and your products) covered when it comes to planet-friendly materials and speedy turnaround times. Balancing quality, affordability and flexibility, the website is extremely user friendly and designs are clean, neat and practical.

3. Fantastapack

Despite the slightly cheesy name, Fantastapak comes up with the goods if you’re looking for custom packaging, flexible order sizes and fast turnaround. Manufactured in the US of A, this company offers a wide range of packing and display materials including corrugated boxes, inserts and more - with something for everyone from retail displays to packing up expensive tech. With an impressive client base of startups and grown up businesses, this brand bends over backwards for you when it comes to fully customised products with affordable shipping - allowing you to make your products shine quickly, easily and without breaking the bank.

4. EcoEnclose

There’s a clue in the name with this one - spotted it yet? Yep, established in 2010, EcoEnclose was actually born to make green nappies (not literally) but has since branched out into great quality packaging that is fully sustainable, recyclable and compostable. While the focus is on the environment through circular production cycles and algae based inks, the company doesn’t compromise on style or quality - both of which are pretty darn impressive. For you, this means being able to meet the ever-increasing demands for sustainability while still enticing customers with your smartly dressed goods.

5. Packlane

Based in the city by the bay, San Francisco’s Packlane has been wrapping things up for eco-conscious businesses since 2015. This company is all about the SMEs and, as such, offers great prices on top of lots of design options including colour and size. The smart design lab allows you to orchestrate your own branding without any hassle and choose from a large range of choices for your materials and finishes. For smaller brands on a tight budget, convenience and cost saving without the complexity, Packlane helps you to keep things on track.

6. Lumi

Headed up by Jesse Genet in LA, what began as a simple concept of turning precious pics into art prints is now an all-singing, all-dancing digital platform for forward thinking businesses. With an emphasis on custom solutions for e-commerce brands, Lumi works with a diverse range of businesses in order to design, manufacture and deliver fabulous packaging from reliable factories - making it a trusted and affordable partner for businesses of all sizes.

7. No Issue Packaging

While the name might be a little odd, No Issue Packing delivers the goods if you’re in the market for bags, boxes and branding materials that align with environmental requirements while keeping costs low and quality standards high. For smaller businesses looking to up their game without forking out too much cash, NIP offers a really accessible and professional option for brilliant branding materials.

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap ... so to speak. As we’ve shown in this article, thinking outside the box is key when it comes to perfect presentation, without penny pinching on the important stuff.  In an increasingly congested market, packaging should never ever be an after-thought because it’s the very first thing that your potential customers will see.  More importantly, they’re likely to also see what your competitors have to offer - and they’ll be looking at how well yours stacks up.

Whether you’re looking for an affordable solution for shipping, show-stopping sales displays or practical packaging for storage, the brands highlighted here have the answer. In line with consumer demand, these businesses also recognise the need for solutions that don’t leave a hole in your pocket - or the planet -  through innovative design and thoughtful sourcing. Surveys show that, these days, consumers are actively seeking out brands that are committed to sustainability and so this is no longer a nice-to-have for companies that want to survive both today and into the future.



As an entrepreneur or business owner, you’re probably used to keeping a lot of balls in the air at any given time - so maybe it’s time to hand over this important part of your operations to a company who’s been there, done that and bought (and packed up) the T Shirt!