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Today’s consumer is more sophisticated than ever before. When they buy something, they aren’t just shopping for a new product. They also are looking for an experience when unboxing said product.

It’s up to entrepreneurs to figure out how to provide that experience to customers. It’s not always easy, but the packaging that you choose can go a long way toward fashioning a one-of-a-kind moment that consumers will want to repeat again and again.

How can packaging make such a huge difference in the impact that your products make? Much of it comes down to the unboxing. Depending on the packaging you choose, you can make either an indelible, positive first impression or one that falls flat and is instantly forgotten.

Essentially, each of your customers is forming ideas about what your company is and what it stands for as they are opening a new delivery. Think about how you want your customers to feel. Perhaps these are the kinds of words that come to mind:

• Excited
• Anticipatory
• Joyful
• Special

Generic, run-of-the-mill cardboard boxes won’t get that done. Remember that your customers are buying not only a product but also an item that they believe will enhance their perception of themselves.

Accordingly, it is critical that you make the unboxing experience one that is worthwhile.

The coating or finishing that you choose for your packaging will be valuable in your effort. Will the finish be shiny or matte? Do you need to add a coating that will apply additional protection to the box or its contents?

Answering these and other questions will help you to make the best possible choices.

It All Starts with the Box

When it comes to the material out of which your boxes are constructed, quality matters. Without this foundation on which to build, it doesn’t really matter which coating you select.

From apparel boxes to magnetic ceco boxes and everything in between, Mid-Atlantic Packaging has you covered for all your packaging needs. With these and other options available, Mid-Atlantic Packaging is poised to help you produce a memorable unboxing experience with every sale you make.

Coatings for Paperboard Boxes

Paperboard is a popular selection for many companies. It is versatile and flexible, and you’ll most frequently see it being used as primary packaging that encases the product itself. Thus, it is the paperboard box that your customers will see on a retail store shelf, or it is the last layer that gets removed when your product is going to be used by the customer.

Paperboard boxes can be designed and styled in a multitude of ways. Moreover, you have choices when it comes to available coatings.

One of these is lamination. Within the industry, this is considered the pinnacle of quality finishes on paperboard boxes. However, this quality does come with a heftier price tag.

In addition to its superior finish, laminating promises the best protection against invasive moisture. This coating also promotes greater shelf longevity and resistance to dust.

Lamination simply gives any packaging a pleasing aesthetic value. It frequently is used in connection with luxury items. Available in both matte and gloss, matte lamination provides an elegant, refined look while gloss lamination is more striking and vibrant.

Not every company can afford to add a laminated coating to their packaging. Instead, they may opt for aqueous coating or UV coating.

Each one is available in varying degrees of matte and glossy finishes. Another option is known as the “soft touch” finish. Regardless of which finish you choose, your packaging will receive greater protection and durability than it would have without an AQ or UV coating.

Brands frequently choose AQ coating when they are looking for a finish that fits in sensibly with their limited budget. Some AQ coatings are even food safe and approved by the FDA, making them fantastic choices if you’re selling edible products.

As you might expect, ultra-violet drying lamps play a role in applying UV coating. This is a more expensive process than AQ coating, but you do receive additional advantages such as:

• More effective and pronounced finishes
• Richer colors
• Shinier glosses
• Duller matte finishes for a more elegant look
• Soft-touch finishes that look and feel more elegant

Additionally, you may discover that UV coating is more durable than AQ coating. This means more protection against abrasions and scuffs. With further options including scents, glitter, and a variety of textures, UV coating can help you further customize your packaging to make it stand out from the competition.

Should You Laminate or Choose AQ or UV Coating?

If cost is by far your most serious concern at this stage, then there’s nothing wrong with AQ coating. However, stepping up to UV coating makes a great deal of sense. It’s not that much more expensive than AQ coating, but you get a lot more bang for your buck.

On the other hand, if you need your products to appeal to a luxury market, then springing for the laminate coating just makes sense. It’s an excellent way to communicate your product’s value to the customer.

Finishes for Corrugated Cardboard

Because it is sturdier and thicker than paperboard, many brands choose corrugated cardboard boxes for shipping. This packaging similarly is a popular choice with eCommerce businesses.

Companies that are considering a low to medium run of boxes may opt to choose no coating or a gloss varnish. This is a sensible approach given that runs of these sizes typically rely on digital printing. Choosing a gloss varnish or no coating at all ensures greater efficiency of production, quicker turnarounds, and lower unit cost.

Keep in mind that these boxes are primarily intended for shipping. Thus, they are less likely to be highly embellished or to feature expensive coating.

Of course, as unboxing videos become an increasingly popular phenomenon, the uncoated, unembellished corrugated box is beginning to fall by the wayside.

If you really want to leverage every marketing opportunity, then it’s wise to consider adding a coating to your corrugated boxes.

The choice is completely up to your brand. If your corrugated boxes will include branding, artwork, colors, or other design elements, it absolutely may make sense to add a low-gloss varnish or other finish.

Like paperboard boxes, corrugated boxes also can be laminated. This provides the best protection. Even when your boxes feature intricate details and designs, the lamination will protect them.

The potential downside to using lamination on corrugated boxes is that it can cause ripples in the base material.

Finishing Rigid Boxes

It is not uncommon to find luxury goods packaged in finely crafted rigid boxes. Most frequently, these boxes are given a matte lamination finish that is the byword for simple, minimalistic, tasteful luxury.

Matte lamination further works well if a brand wants to incorporate a special process into the box manufacturing process.

For instance, adding foil stamping, embossing, or spot UV treatments is typical in producing boxes for high-end products. Many companies make the most of special finishes by choosing an overall matte lamination finish with a highlight of a small glossy area. This use of gloss usually is reserved for the company’s name or logo, ensuring that the customer knows precisely who made the wonderful product within.

Foil stamping and embossing are popular alternatives to the combination of matte and gloss finishes. When you want a design element on your box to stand out but still be tasteful, these are both excellent choices.

If your brand aims to capture the luxury market, consider going the extra mile with finishes that are glittered, scented, reticulated or pearlized. Your company will get maximum attention with every item it sells.

Get Started with Mid-Atlantic Packaging

Is your brand ready to graduate from generic, unbranded packaging to something that communicates more about what your company is all about?

If so, then it’s time to contact Mid-Atlantic Packaging. Visit our custom printed packaging page to request a quote today.