Differentiating Between 3 Levels of Packaging Boxes
Each level of packaging serves a specific purpose. It’s important to be able to distinguish among the three levels, because each is intended for different packaging scenarios.
Introduction
You just read the topic right. There are three levels of packaging. Haven’t heard of these three levels before in your life? It’s not so common among people as well until your livelihood is related to the packaging industry. This is what needs to be addressed. We will discuss what are these three levels of packaging and the role they play in the packaging of products. For those of you who are reading first time about packaging let’s define packaging first to keep everyone on board. Well, the packaging is enclosing products to provide protection, delivery, and even presentation of the brand. These three levels of packaging are mainly primary packaging, secondary packaging, and tertiary packaging. We will discuss these different levels one by one and see why and where is each level used. So, let us begin.
Primary Packaging
Primary packaging is the packaging where the packaging material is directly involved with the material itself. This packaging contains the main item inside. This packaging is also known as retail packaging. Let us have multiple examples. First, let’s have an example of carbonated drinks. Consider a can of drink. This metallic can is the primary packaging as it holds the drink itself and is directly in contact with the product. Now, let’s consider a cereal box. In the example of a cereal box, the box of the cereal is not part of the primary packaging. In this case, the packet inside that contains cereals is part of the primary packaging. This packet is there to store cereals from moisture and provide air-tight space for them to maintain their freshness. As indicated by the above definition, packaging material that is directly involved with the material (in this case cereals inside the packet are the material of use). Having that clear there is another point that needs to be discussed related to primary packaging. And in primary packaging, it is not always important to design or print product and brand information because there is no need. Just as we saw in the first example of a metallic can that had carbonated drinks and being the primary container is also placed on the shelf and can be seen by customers directly. This level of primary packaging requires to have designs and prints because it will be sown directly. Whereas, in the latter example of the cereal box, the packet being the primary packaging does not need to have any design because it will not be shown directly while selling the cereals.
Secondary Packaging
Now let us jump to the next level, which is secondary packaging. Secondary packaging is not directly involved with the material itself and has a role to provide branding during transit and is also used as display boxes or display packaging in retail. Let us have examples to clarify the definition. First, we will have the example of metallic cans having carbonated drinks. In this example, the metallic can is the primary packaging but if multiple metallic cans are placed inside the same pack and are shipped, or placed in retail then this whole pack having multiple metallic cans become secondary packaging. Another example of cereals in which the primary packaging was the packet so what could be the secondary packaging? Yes, you guessed it right. The multiple boxes of cereals that are packed inside bigger packaging will be known as part of the secondary packaging. Let’s make it easier. Any packaging having multiple packages that are used to market, or deliver is known as secondary packaging. Sometimes secondary packaging is confused with primary and tertiary packaging. But having a detailed discussion with multiple examples, we hope it becomes clear and there is no confusion.
Tertiary Packaging
Having two levels discussed, now going a level beyond is the tertiary packaging. This level of packaging can be defined as the packaging that is used for the shipment of products to provide security and is not used for branding or presentation purposes. This level of packaging may not be seen by customers because it is not the part of marketing and the main purpose is to provide shipment. This level of packaging may be made from corrugated material as it is sturdy and provides the best protection. Although many brands have stamped their logos to differentiate between their shipment and others that are included but it is not necessary. It is just to identify their shipment. Let’s explain this level of packaging by giving an example. Having the same above-mentioned example of carbonated drinks. If it’s a single can then it is primary packaging but if these multiple metallic cans are placed inside a single pack for the purpose of display, market, and making a sale then it becomes secondary packaging. But if the stock has hundreds or thousands of metallic cans that need to be shipped then these will be packed inside a simple sturdy box without having any design and style and has no need to be attractive. And the reason for that is because there is no need to market it so there is no need to spend too much and simple packaging works just fine.
Conclusion
We just had such a detailed discussion above and hope that you got all of that and there was no problem. Most people have confusion in understanding secondary and tertiary packaging. Therefore, we had a detailed discussion and tried to explain each and every point. You see all these levels of packaging have their own roles and are used in their own way. Some need to be beautiful and others have no need. It all depends on the packaging purpose. Emenac Packaging Canada is always ready to help you out and if you still have any confusion in understanding any of the points you can contact us.