Why Do Cats Absolutely Love Cardboard Boxes?

Cats are simply adorable with an extra dose of cuteness added to their furry awesomeness. You can find them chasing birds, their own shadow, lights, and just about anything that manages to get their attention. If you own a cat, then you will relate to all of this instantly. 

Have you ever noticed that your cat has extra affection for boxes, especially cardboard boxes? If you have some old cardboard boxes lying around, then let your cats have fun in them. They will probably spend a good time lying in them or playing around. Watching them play around with a box will make you go “Awwww!!!”

Why do cats love cardboard boxes so much? What is it about the corrugated material that appeals so much to them? Is it the smell? Is it the feel? A group of researchers have come up with an answer to this puzzling question. According to their report, Cardboard boxes helps in reducing stress in cats. In fact, these boxes help them in adjusting to a new environment. Cats with lower stress levels are less prone to diseases. Plus, they are happier than other cats.

The researchers also found that cats seem to love the smell of cardboard. This is why any other box just isn’t good enough for them. Cats also love hiding in the cardboard boxes. It helps them in getting used to a new environment. So if you have used or old boxes, give it to your cat instead of throwing the boxes away. Your cat will be very happy to get its very own hiding box. 

You might even find a cat moving around with its cardboard box just so that it doesn’t get lost. Yeah, cats can get possessive too!

Probably the only downside to a simple cardboard box is that it isn’t visually appealing. If the box is old or used, then it will have torn labels and signs of damage. Cats wont find this cool enough! Use your creativity and craft skills to create the perfect cardboard house for your cat. You can use old boxes as long as you make sure that the labels are removed and damages are repaired. Don’t apply paint as it will mask the smell of the cardboard and your cat wont find it appealing enough. 

Check out some cool “cat house” ideas below. 

The Glamorous Home

Double ‘em Up

“White House” – For Cats Only

The Modern Cat House

So now you know the reason behind cats loving cardboard boxes so much. The next time you think about throwing away those old boxes, just wait and think of the ways in which they can be reused. I am sure your cat (or your neighbour’s cat) will love to get a new hiding place. 

Just let them have fun and you won’t have to bother about scratched sofas and damaged curtains ever again.

Say Hello to PlastiCorrTM - The World's First Plastic Reusable Corrugated Box

You would have heard about plastic corrugated boxes. You may even have heard about reusable boxes. But a plastic reusable corrugated box is the first of its kind to be developed. Orbis Corporation has introduced PlastiCorrTM which happens to be reusable corrugated box made from plastic and compatible with the current system of automated packaging lines.

Orbis Corporation is known for its efforts for creating sustainable reusable packaging and supply chain optimization. As reported by Packaging News UK, “the product brings unprecedented environmental, economic, cleanliness and operational benefits to today’s food, beverage and consumer packaged goods companies.” The need of the hour today is to come up with sustainable packaging ideas that are eco-friendly, cost effective and scalable in order to meet current as well as future demands.

The design of this one of a kind packaging material is such that the flaps return to a straight position after every use. This has been made possible with the use of a flap design. Due to this feature, the box is good enough to be reused, thereby reducing the need to procure new packaging material all the time. From a cost perspective, this allows a considerable amount of investments to be saved up and utilized elsewhere. Perhaps this is the beginning of a whole new line of packaging materials that will redefine packaging solutions in the years to come.

“Historically, fiber corrugated boxes have been the backbone of most automated packaging lines and shipping scenarios within supply chains, but as supply chains have evolved, so too has the need for a comprehensive reusable solution that can holistically address the many needs of modern supply chains. With PlastiCorr, companies are now able to implement reusable packaging solutions that meet the automation requirements of packaging applications with a drop-in replacement while offering significant financial, operational and environmental benefits.”, said Bill McMahon, director of business development for Orbis Corporation.

The new packaging material has been specifically designed to maintain compatibility with modern packaging lines and can be used in all types of low, medium and high-speed lines. The plastic box should provide adequate protection from dust and moisture while the rigid structure of the box will allow greater durability. The presence of proper flaps on the box allow it to be reused without any difficulty. It is features like this that make this box a truly exceptional packaging material that is in reality, the need of the hour.

Some may argue that supporting plastic packaging is not in line with conventional sustainable concepts. Well, as long as the usage is controlled properly and reuse is ensured, there is not much threat to the environment. We need to be responsible while using as well as reusing it. This will ensure that plastic is not misused. Moreover, it will help in reducing the use of paper based packaging material. This will prove to be beneficial for the environment.

School Stationery of the 90’s That Kids Couldn’t Live Without

Before you read ahead, a word of caution to all of you – a huge dose of nostalgia is about to come your way. Prepare to shed some tears and enjoy probably some of the fondest memories of your life if you are a 90s kid. Those were the golden times when back-to-school stationery was a way of proving your cool quotient. Nowadays, it’s all about who has the coolest smartphone or tablet. Back then, the one who had the fanciest stationery was the show stopper. 

Here are some of the back-to-school 90s stationery that every kid yearned for.

Push Pencils

Who needs boring pencils when you can have these push pencils where you only need to replace the lead in the front and push it in the back to get a new sharpened lead. This was indeed a complete package where you no longer needed sharpeners, it looked cool enough, and the eraser on the top (inside the plastic cap) was really handy. 

Chelpark Ink 

Back in the day, the first pen that a child used to get was an ink pen. But what is an ink pen without the ink? Do you remember the times when you used to take up ink in a dropper from one of these Chelpark bottles and then put the ink in the pen? The smell of the ink and the dab of spilt ink on your fingers might have seemed messy back then, but we surely miss it now. Without a bottle of Chelpark ink, your life would have seemed incomplete.

Pilot Pen

I still remember the craze that we had for the pilot pens. Known for their characteristic white casing (body) and the fine tip that allowed greater precision while writing, the humble pilot pen was a rage among the kids in the 90s. Apart from getting an ink pen, this is the only thing that kids actually wanted and would do anything to have it in their hands, even if for a few minutes. 

Wooden Ruler

 

 

Is your palm hurting already? This was the choice of weapon used by teachers to inflict pain on the kids for not doing homework, talking too much in class, or anything that was a breach of discipline. 90s kids will know this dreaded rule very nicely. However, there was that kid in the class who would bring along this wooden ruler and hand it to the teacher when the need arose. This was a sturdy measuring tool and was preferred. The plastic rules might were used more, but nothing could reduce the importance of the wooden ruler. 

Multi-Coloured Ball Pens

When you couldn’t decide on the colour of the ball pen that you needed, this was the best option worth the money. Just push down on the colour that you wanted and voila – the pen would start writing in that colour. This was indeed a life saver and reduced the need to change pens every time you had to write in a different colour. Plus, the bulky grip was comfortable for most kids.

Natraj Geometry Boxes

 

Maths, especially geometry, was one of the things that gave me a nightmare. No kid was ever seen without the geometry box or the compass box which was an aluminium case containing a protractor, a plastic ruler, compass, divider, tangent and a pencil. This was one of the most precious asset that a kid could have in those days.

All in One Pencil Box

 

Oh how I envied that kid who had this fancy pencil box with all sorts of buttons, hidden compartments, a magnetic latch, and some really crazy features. From the soft covers to the pencil holders (which used to double as imaginary missile launchers and the boxes became moving battle tanks), everything about this box was special and kids like me had to achieve something to get their hands on this magnificent beauty. Every box had its own set of buttons and hidden compartments. There was a pencil sharpener built into the side of the box. One just could not get enough of these pencil cases.

Blo-Pens

 One day, a kid in my class came with this drawing where a spray effect had been used. I was surprised because it took a lot of time to get the spray effect with water paints. This guy used to do it in like no time. When he revealed that he used Blo-Pens, I lost no time in convincing my parents to get me a set. These blo-pens worked like a regular sketch pen but when it was reversed and the tube was inserted, you only had to blow and watch colours being sprayed out from the other end. These sets usually came with templates and it was a lot of fun to show off one’s creativity with these blo-pens.

Magic Pens

If you have had the fortune of owning one of these, then you already know the importance of the white pen. That was the one that did the magic. We could change the colour of the ink by simply using the white pen over any  line made with the other pens. These pens turned kids into mini-wizards who now had the power of changing colours. I wish I could have these back.

Neon Coloured Pencil Grips

All of a sudden, there was a rise in these neon coloured grips. Kids used to push their pencils into the grips and do all sort of things, from creating wide grips, to making a long chain of connected pencils. There was nothing too fancy about these grips, except their colour, but it had an appeal that no child could resist back then. 

Which Packaging Materials Are Best For Packing and Shipping Spices?

Have you ever thought about the importance of spices in your life? Without these crucial elements, your food would remain bland and all those mouth-watering delights would never be prepared. Spices have been an important part of cultures around the world and formed one of the first commodities to be traded between international regions. 

When it comes to packing spices, a lot of care is taken these days due to the stringent quality control and the need for enhancing the shelf life of spices. The challenge is to choose the right packaging materials for packing and shipping spices such that they don’t get spoilt on the way and have adequate protection to preserve them in the best manner possible. Let’s check out some of the best packaging materials that can be used for packing and shipping spices around the world. 

Bulk Jute Bags

This is the traditional packaging material for spices when it comes to shipping them over long distances. It is a convenient option for shipping large quantities of spices with proper labelling. When it reaches the destination, the spices may be sold directly from the jute bags. This eliminates the need for the spices to be repacked into smaller packages before being sold. While using jute bags, it is important to first put the spices in a plastic bag and then put the plastic bag inside a jute bag. The jute provides protection from external elements while the plastic protects the contents from moisture and dust / dirt. 

Corrugated Boxes / Cartons

Corrugated boxes or cartons (as they are popular known) are used widely for packing and shipping spices. This works out pretty well for small quantities. However, for large quantities, jute packs are preferred. These cartons may be made in various sizes and have a lot of scope in terms of the addition of branding elements. Just like jute bags, it is not advisable to put the spices directly into these boxes. You would have to put the spices in plastic pouches / ziplock pouches (preferably with foil) and then place them inside the cartons. This provides dual protection from dust, moisture and external forces. 

Wooden Boxes

Wooden boxes are not used widely in packing and shipping of spices. Not only do the wooden boxes add unnecessary weight to the consignment, but it also does not justify the protection requirements for the contents. But if the purpose is to send a properly arranged set of spices (in small quantities), then wooden boxes make for an amazing presentation.

Re-closable Zip Lock Bags with Foil

Reclosable ziplock bags are gaining popularity as the packaging material of choice for spices. The flexible packaging design and excellent barrier properties make this one of the best packaging material for spices today. The bags are lined with foil and keep contents fresh for longer durations. Moreover, there is a huge scope for branding and providing adequate information on the labels used for this packaging design. From a consumer usage perspective, these bags can be used for packing small to medium quantities of spices which may be used directly from the package itself. Ideally, this packaging material is suitable for powdered spices or coarsely ground spices. 

Clear Poly-Sealed Bags

Clear poly-sealed bags are great for packing whole spices that are coarser and have greater volume. This packaging has an advantage wherein customers may view the contents and determine whether it is fit enough for consumption. The transparent packaging material actually works to build greater trust in the brand, apart from protecting the contents and ensuring prolonged freshness. 

4 E-Commerce Packaging Sins That Should Never Commit

Ecommerce is still a growing business model which has achieved a lot of success over the years. Today, we can think about actually visiting a physical outlet to buy things unless absolutely necessary. Technology has made it highly convenient for people to simply visit an ecommerce site and shop away to the heart’s content. Moreover, with dedicated apps being prepared for popular ecommerce brands, shopping has become a really comfortable and convenient experience with the customer being given complete freedom to browse products uncoerced. But is that the end of the process?

Packaging plays a very important role in the ecommerce scenario. Since customers are only treated to a digital image of the product and there are no physical outlets that may be evaluated, the brand is perceived on the basis of its delivery efficiency and product packaging. This clearly indicates that one can never be too careful while coming up with packaging solutions for ecommerce businesses.

If you are committing any of these 4 sins of ecommerce packaging, then you are putting your sales prospects in grave danger, along with jeopardising your brand’s image.

Sin #1 – Using the Wrong Packing Box

This is probably the most common ecommerce packaging mistake that most businesses make. Packaging needs differ from product to product and you just cannot throw everything in a box and ship it to customers. If you need to put different products together in one box, then make sure that they are properly packed individually before being put together.

Sin #2 – Over-Recycling Packing Boxes

Being eco-friendly in your approach and reusing packing boxes is a good thing, but it won’t do you much good to go over the board with your re-using frenzy. Over-recycling packing boxes can actually damage your products. Every time a packaging material is recycled, it loses 50% of its durability which makes it more susceptible to damage when exposed to shocks and external forces.

Sin #3 – Incorrect Labelling

Incorrect labelling could result in the package being delivered to the wrong address and this would definitely bring the wrath of the customer on your brand. Remember, the average customer today has a lot of social connections and the smallest amount of dissatisfaction is spread like wildfire on popular social platforms. Just focus your efforts to ensure proper labelling and double check the information written on it. if you are able to please the customer, then you could benefit from the good words that would be shared for your brand.

Sin #4 – Wrong Packaging Materials Used

Are you using the wrong packaging materials for shipping the products? You need to understand the cushioning requirements for the specific products and then ensure proper sealing of the package with the use of strong packing tapes. Not every product can be packed in only corrugated boxes. There might be other requirements such as keeping the product upright or adding extra cushioning to prevent harm to the product. Evaluate the product’s requirements before deciding its packaging. 

How to Pack Apparels for Shipping in India

Looking at fashion e-tailers like Myntra and jabong, one would wonder about the kind of packaging required to safely deliver apparel to the customers. The reason behind such curiosity is the lack of “fragility” of clothes. Clothes are not fragile and they can’t get damaged if you handle them roughly. Then why is there so much concern regarding their packaging?

All ecommerce businesses are evaluated on the basis of their delivery efficiency. Since there are no physical outlets or presentations that may be physically visited, the average customer perceives the quality of service on the basis of delivery time, quality of product received, packaging, personalization, and brand appeal. This is why a lot of emphasis is laid on logistics and packaging of apparels. The focus should not be only product quality but shipping quality as well. This would help you to enhance user experience and welcome repeated orders and new customers.

Here are some important considerations that need to be made before packing and shipping apparels in India.

Apparel Should be Delivered Wrinkle-Free

If you think you can impress your customer with wrinkled clothes, then you are grievously mistaken. The apparel may be made of the most exquisite fabric with out-of-the-world designs, but if it has wrinkles, then the customer will be terribly put off. To avoid such situations, make sure that the apparel is ironed and carefully put in the appropriate packaging before being sent off. Using a plastic cover would not only protect it from dust and moisture, but it would keep the apparel intact and properly sealed in a tamper-proof packaging.

Packaging Should Be Perfect

Packaging matters a lot when it comes to online shopping. Put your heart and soul into the package’s design because it will deliver long term benefits in terms of repeat purchases and enhanced brand perception in the eyes of the customer. If you have an attractive package, then customers will be more than happy to share its photos on social media and also spread the good word around. This will bring more benefits than your strongest marketing strategy, and that too at no cost at all. However, it is important that the attractive elements do not come at the cost of safety of contents. 

Package Should be Taped Properly

It is needless to say that all the packages need to be taped off properly. Cover all the (existing or potential) cracks, holes, openings, etc. with a good quality tape so that nothing falls out. A properly sealed package will reduce the chances of tampering and will keep moisture and dust out. No one would want to receive a damp and dirty piece of cloth, no matter how creative it may be.

Don’t Mess Up The Labels

Consider the situation where you (as a customer) are waiting eagerly for your package, and you receive an intimation that it has been delivered to a wrong address. This is the plight that your customers would go through if you mess up the labelling on the package. Make sure that the package is double checked before being dispatched to ensure that the information mentioned on it is accurate to the last detail. The efficiency of this process would depend on the QA checkpoints implemented by you. 

Add a Personal Note and / or Goodies

It won’t take much efforts to add a personal note of thanks or some goodies like discount coupons, free memberships, etc. Trust me, this goes a long way in ensuring a strong customer bonding with the brand and if you manage to win the heart of a customer, then he / she will not only make repeat purchases, but you will get the benefit of referrals. All this and more can happen with a simple personal note to the customer. After all, a happy customer will result in enhanced business prospects.

Use an Efficient Courier Service

Perform an extensive search for finding the best and most efficient courier service that would be able to deliver your products to the customers in time and without causing any damage to the package. Reliability is the most important factor when deciding upon a courier service as the performance of the courier service would reflect upon the customer’s perception of the business / brand.

Moreover, you need a courier service that is transparent in its approach and offers real time tracking for the shipments. This not only helps to reduce the anxiety of the customer, but also keeps him / her informed about the current position of the package. With such advanced communication technology around us, this should not be difficult to achieve. 

Some Important Points

In India, each apparel type is usually made in keeping with a particular occasion. This gives you a lot of scope to personalize the packaging by incorporating the applicable thematic elements matching the merchandise type, size, and weight. With online shopping comes the convenience of sending gifts to friends and family by purchasing products online and having it delivered to the intended recipient. This is a clear hint that the option of “gift packaging” should be offered to the customers. In my opinion, the packaging should involve customized packing boxes, appropriate padding, and a strong branding approach. These are quintessential to ensure the successful and safe delivery of apparel in India.

Do you have any queries? Would you like to share your views and ideas? Go ahead and pen down your thoughts in the comments section below. 

6 Packaging Design Trends That Will Shape 2015

The year 2015 holds immense prospects for the packaging design and it is being expected that several trends will surface before the year concludes. It should not come as a surprise when you see big strides being taken towards the development of sustainable packaging designs and the use of materials that are bio-degradable in nature. After all, there is a noticeable inclination towards sustainable and green practices and consumers have become conscious towards the “environment friendliness” of packaging.

Here are 6 packaging design trends that would shape 2015 and make a significant impact on the global packaging industry.

Increased Usage of Bio-based Materials

Traditional packaging material has been known to cause wastage that involves time, efforts and cost to recycle. The use of bio-based materials not only helps in reducing the carbon footprint, but it also makes an effective attempt at reducing packaging waste. Since there is immense scope in procuring raw materials from even the most unconventional sources, it is possible to reduce the need for using up natural resources like wood. For example, last year a company called Ecovative Designs had come up with a packaging material made from mycelium (mushroom fibres). Not only was this durable enough to use, but it also degrades naturally when disposed and it has no negative impact on the environment.

Ultra-Pure Design

Photo credit: pinterest.com

This packaging design will definitely appeal to those who prefer a minimalistic approach with respect to packaging. Most of you might not have heard about this term. Ultra-pure is used to indicate minimalism, almost similar to the designs that you would find on pharmaceutical products. There is a certain appeal in these designs that just keeps the focus on the product and strips away any extravagant element that may be present. This particular style of packaging is known for its lack of traditional logos as is pretty evident in the above image. Instead, basic abstract shapes are used to represent a product. In its “ultra-pure” form, the packaging tends to make a better impact than traditional packaging designs.

Visual Authenticity

Image via Sarahkrelle on Instagram

“Visual Authenticity” is a packaging design style that focuses on rustic and raw elements than the utilization of an extravagant visual appeal. One of the most noticeable elements of this design is the use of typography which may range from freeform to a handwritten format. This is not a new concept. Rather, it has been in existence for almost 5 years with design experts relying on raw woods, unaltered metals, and natural inspiration to come up with a craftsman-like approach to packaging designs. You will find that such designs make use of packaging materials which help in creating a handmade and natural appeal.

Personalization

Photo Credit: Bigfoot

Who doesn’t like personalization? Gone are the days when businesses could woo customers by just a fancy tagline or a celebrity endorsement. Personalization goes far beyond the boundaries of visual representation only. The most well-known example of this form of packaging design is Coca Cola’s “Share a Coke” campaign. The company had 250 different first names printed on the labels.

Image Credit: Coca Cola UK

Obviously it would not have been possible for the company to provide first names for all the regions around the world. But it did manage to put in quite a few names. In line with this personalization strategy, Coca Cola Israel has brought out 2 million individualized bottle designs for Diet Coke.  This is the form of personalization in packaging design that is gaining popularity and will be one of the most prominent trends in 2015.

Shared Stories

Image Credit: Flip Flop Design UK

The main purpose of branding is to establish a connection with the customers so that they may relate more with a particular product. For consumers, this means searching for an emotional value in the product. For businesses, this may turn out to be huge advantage with which it would be possible to manage the competition in the market. A really good way of achieving this is with the use of shared stories. With this, it would become possible for brands to come closer to the customer instead of seeming like a distant unapproachable entity.

Using Innovation to Achieve Widespread Appeal

Image Credit: Gurukul

Even though you may have a specific consumer group in mind while designing your product’s package, but it is important that a wider audience be targeted, especially on a global level. It is only through innovation, compassion, creativity, and adherence to green practices that it would be possible to reach out to people everywhere. No exact parameters are defined as such. The appeal may be brought out by any means necessary and as deemed to be fit for the product.

Role of Clean Label in Driving Changes in Packaging Materials and Designs

We have all seen labels on various packages, but do we really take the time out to read all the information that is provided in it? It might be because some of the information is not relevant or it could be that the amount of information is not sufficient enough. not only is it important to keep the food product simple in terms of the number of ingredients, but the names of the components also needs to be kept simple enough for the average customer to understand it easily. 

According to David Schmidt, CEO and President – International Food Information Council Foundation, a clean label is a term that the “food industry recently coined to describe the trend to reduce the number of ingredients that are used in the respective food product and to have the ingredient names to be more pronounceable for the average consumer reading the information on the labels.”However, this does not relate to the safety of the product so any component that is added to the food product must be approved by the FDA before it is brought out in the market. 

A clean label also means that the customers are familiar with the ingredients contained in the food or beverage. A “wholesome” perception of the product is achieved with the help of clean labels. The benefit of having uncomplicated ingredients and a simple information format is less regulatory hurdles that the product may be subjected to. This advantage becomes crucial when the product is marketed and sold in different regions around the globe. However, the decision to remove or add an ingredient in the product depends completely on the target market. 

But how does clean labelling have an impact on packaging materials and design? There are three ways in which clean labelling affects packaging for the respective product.

• If the contents of the product are modified, then the same has to reflect on the copy mentioned on the packaging. This would require a change in the packaging to accommodate the new information.

• “Transparency” is becoming a challenge for businesses as the packaging needs to strike a balance between visibility (for the product contained in the package) and protection. Too thin a layer would compromise the safety of the package. However, from a customer’s perspective, such transparency is quintessential to develop trust in the brand’s products, especially if the products belong to the F&B category.

• When it comes to packaging food product, the presence of anti-oxidants plays an important role in determining the significance of package for that respect product. Without appropriate quantities of antioxidants, the food product would become rancid, thereby spoiling it completely. For some products, the weaker the antioxidant preservative system, the more important the packaging becomes.

• Moreover, packaging requirements vary on the basis of distribution/storage systems. In accordance with this, products that are distributed in colder systems require less anti-oxidants as well as cheaper packaging due to the fact that rancidity slows down with decrease in temperature.

With changes in the contents and variations in the storage / distribution conditions, the packaging materials and designs would change in keeping with the specific requirements. Brands need to start using simplified information for their products as it would help them in reaching out to their customers in a better manner, in addition to overcoming legal hurdles in foreign markets. This is the power of clean labelling which is just beginning to be utilized to its full potential.