How to Ensure Your Custom Printed Boxes Meet Industry Standards?

The most important part of any product on the market is its packaging. Custom packaging is the first thing that retailers or consumers will see and get a first impression of a product. It plays a crucial role in the branding, protection, and logistics of the product. Hence it is very important to ensure that the packaging meets industry standards. It ensures quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. This article will guide you on how you can make sure that your custom printed boxes comply with the industry standards.

Industry Standards for Packaging

Several regulatory authorities have made regulations regarding packaging. It ensures safety, quality, and compliance. These standards include the materials, manufacturing process, printing, etc. Some of the main organizations are:

a. ISO: The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has made many packaging standards. For example, ISO 9001 covers quality management, and ISO 14001 for environmental management. This gives a framework for ensuring consistent quality and environmental responsibility.

b.  ASTM International: The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has also issued some standards related to packaging. For example, ASTM D642 for shipping containers. It states that the boxes can withstand the shipping and handling stress.

c.    FDA: The Food and Drug Administration has some standards related to food packaging. Its regulations ensure that packaging materials must not intoxicate the food.

d.    FTC: The Federal Trade Commission guidelines check if the marketing claims are right or fake.  For example, if an industry is claiming recyclability, it will ensure that this claim is substantiated.

The guidelines of these authorities are a reference for industries.  The industries complying with this framework will have customer’s trust. Customers tend to purchase more from brands that are certified by the industry standards. In some cases, it is also a legal requirement to comply with the industry standards to run a business. 

Choosing the Right Material

Once you have understood the industry standards, the first step is to select an appropriate material for making your custom boxes. You must take into consideration the following things when choosing the material:

Material Quality

Choose high-quality paperboard or corrugated boxes. The selected material must have durability and strength according to the standards. For sustainability source material you can get certifications from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Sustainable materials

Manufacture custom boxes from recycled materials or recyclable materials. This not only complies with the legal requirements but also attracts environmentally conscious customers.

Design and functionality

The design and structural integrity of printed boxes are important to ensure the protection and safety of the products.

Design

The design of the boxes must be according to the product. This includes the size, shape, and style of the box. There are different software available to make accurate and precise designs.

Durability

Ensure the boxes can withstand stacking, dropping, or any other handling stress. ASTM D642 (compression test) and ASTM D5276 (dropping test) are for this.

Print Quality

The quality of printing on the boxes must be premium. It must meet the standards of color, accuracy, and durability.

Manufacturing process

To make your manufacturing process in compliance with the industry standards, you must consider the following:

a. Quality Management Systems: You can implement a QMS to manage and improve quality throughout the process, such as ISO 9001, which includes documentation, regular audits, and continuous improvement.

b. Training: You must regularly train your employees in industry standards. Make sure they can run the following tests.

Testing Procedures and quality assurance

To make your boxes meet the industry standards it is compulsory to regularly check the manufacturing process.

 Material Inspection

Ensure that the incoming material is by all the standards.

Process quality checks

Various quality tests must be performed throughout the manufacturing process.

Product testing

Finally, perform the product testing. It ensures that your product complies with all the industry standards.  

Complying with legislation

While running a business, it is important to comply with all the legal requirements. This includes:

a.  Labeling requirements: All the custom printed boxes must contain proper labeling. It must have accurate information about the ingredients, safe use instructions, or recycling symbols.

b.  Documentation and record: it is crucial to maintain proper documentation and keep careful records. This helps in audits and inspection visits.

c.  Updated regulations: You must keep yourself updated with the regulations. Stay informed about the updates and changes in legislation related to packaging. This can be done by subscribing to industry newsletters or attending industry meetups.

Environmental Considerations

It has become mandatory to comply with environmental considerations if you are running a business. You must reduce your footprints in the environment. The overall process of manufacturing and distributing must not exacerbate the environmental pollution. It not only ensures customer satisfaction but is also mandatory according to industry standards.  

Choose eco-friendly materials for making custom printed boxes. These materials include recycled or recyclable materials, biobased materials, and biodegradable materials.  For printing purposes, bio-inks can be used. Educate your employees on proper waste disposal or recycling options. Make your consumers aware of the waste management practices.

By following the industry standards of environmental sustainability, you can enhance your customer satisfaction and decrease your footprints on the environment.

Finding reliable manufacturers

You can partner with reliable packaging manufacturers. Make sure they have the required certifications. You must consider the following key elements:

Experience

Look for experienced and expert manufacturers. Ask from your networks or look for reviews.

b.  Certifications: See if they have all the required certifications and if their process complies well with the industry standard.

c.  Capability: Visit the manufacturing plant and make sure that they have the capability and capacity to fulfill your requirements and needs.

Continuous improvement

To ensure that your customized printed boxes meet all the industry standards, you must make continuous improvements. These are crucial to remain competitive in an overcrowded market.

a. Regular audits: You must ensure the regular audits. Get authentic reviews to find a place for improvement in the process. You can also get reviews from a third party.

b.  Customer feedback: customer feedback is also an effective tool for getting suggestions about the improvement of the process and ensuring customer satisfaction.

C.  Innovation: As technology is advancing rapidly, it is worth investing in innovation and research. Find new ways to improve the custom boxes.

Conclusion

To survive in the highly competitive marketplace, it is important to comply with the industry standards. The packaging of the product is the first thing that a consumer or retailer will see. It is crucial to make your packaging boxes according to the industry standards. It not only ensures the safety and protection of your product but also guarantees customer satisfaction. It shows that you do not compromise on the standards. To do this, you must keep yourself informed about the industry regulations and standards. To ensure that your business meets all the standards, you must perform the regular checks. Test the product quality frequently. Try to adopt eco-friendly approaches for manufacturing and distribution. Investing in research and development to find innovative packaging solutions is also a good option. You can also partner with some other packaging manufacturers that meet your requirements and comply with industry standards. You can search for such partners online. You can use keywords like “custom printed boxes near me”. We at “The Custom Boxes” offer complete solutions to your packaging needs. We can provide you with cheap printed boxes without compromising the quality. We also comply with the required industry standards.