CompanyBox student design competition winners

College Custom Box Design Competition Winners


This summer, CompanyBox held a design competition for college students across the country. Those who entered were tasked with creating a custom box design for a made-up brand. We encouraged innovation, and consideration for the unboxing experience - and we weren't disappointed.  Many talented students submitted their designs and we’re here to announce the winners.

CompanyBox Student Design Competition Winners
Congratulations to our 2020 student Winners

First place: Daniel Agunias

Virginia Tech

Why we dig it: Daniel imagined the future of space travel, when companies are giving tours of the solar system. The box would hold gifts to help new clients prepare for their journey. We loved how Daniel's imagination was translated into his design. His use of a high resolution Milk Way image in combination with the bright white rocket graphic was especially popular with the judges. He explains, "I used a pattern in order to create a visually engaging texture that helps the lettering and artwork stand out. I also used the Milky Way image to give clients a glimpse of what they would see on their excursion."

Second place: Grace Jones

Queens University

Why we dig it: As Grace designed her packaging, she was inspired by the desire to start her own freelance business called 'Designs with Grace'. We liked how she used the Snap2pack to create an inside look - and then paired two complementary patterns for interest. Grace says, "My vision, company name and services are to spread and share Grace throughout the world with my designs."

Third place: Sammy Kuck

The Modern College of Design

Why we dig it: Sammy thought about every panel of her custom box and smartly designed text and graphics to overlay a different design- both on the outside as well as the inside. Naming it 'The Bean', Sammy designed a coffee subscription box for working men and women. We're into the way she used a stripe pattern on the inside, but kept if from being too overpowering by pairing it with a coffee tone brown. She explains, “Most of the customers are very busy people and want a way to try many different types of coffee and be able to customize the products they receive for themselves personally."

Runner Up: Sarah Jane Atkinson

Queens University

Why we dig it: We loved how Sarah Jane used the insides panels on the Snap2pack for her outdoor inspired packaging. Basing the design on a journey through nature, Sarah Jane envisioned the box for companies like REI or Patagonia. "With the current condition of the world, more people are ordering things online," she says. "Going outside is one of the few things we can do, so package design becomes vital in selling a company’s brand since they cannot interact face to face with the customer."

Runner Up: Issac Pollard

Virginia Tech

Why we dig it: Bright and bold! Issac's custom box stood out immediately because of his color choices. It definitely made the unboxing experience more exciting seeing those red and black stripes. He named name his brand 'The Red League' and explains it would be for anyone who wants to know their blood type or to encourage others to donate blood. Issac notes, "This is also why I used a super hero font because I wanted to let the consumer know that they are saving people's lives by being a part of this."

We want to send a big thank you to everyone who participated in our competition and helped make it a success!

Be sure to subscribe to the CompanyBox newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn to find out when our next competition will be!


Pura Vida launched a new packaging strategy to grab more attention on social and stay engaged with a loyal customer base. Learn how.



Sustainable packaging is better for environment and just as safe as single use plastics.

What Safe and Sustainable Packaging Will Mean After the Pandemic For Business Leaders


In recent years, we have seen sustainability dominate numerous conversations across industries. With people becoming more conscious of their individual carbon footprints, bigger companies are more cognizant of their collective environmental impact. Now, more sustainable packaging options trickle into our array of choices and it can be argued that the pandemic has made people re-evaluate their priorities, with safety at the forefront of it all.


Sustainable packaging is better for environment and just as safe as single use plastics.
Sustainable packaging is better for environment and just as safe as single use plastics.
Reverting back to old habits

Months ago, restrictions on single-use plastics were instated in several places as these materials end up polluting our oceans, landfills, and the environment as a whole. These materials sum up the prevalence of our consumerist, throwaway culture. But now that people are becoming more wary of their health due to the pandemic, we are reverting back to old habits.

Although plastic gloves, masks, and personal protective equipment are reliant on plastic, the area with the biggest impact is the food and beverage industry. With a resurgence in food delivery services due to lockdowns, single-use plastics are making a comeback. Local economies that are struggling to keep their businesses running may not have established infrastructure to consider compostable or reusable packaging. This also comes with the fear that these options are not as safe compared to regular plastic.

Clarifying Misconceptions

However, it is a misconception that reusable or compostable packaging options are not viable or safe. Greenpeace ocean campaign director John Hocevar says that the movement to convince people that single-use plastic is a safer option is not grounded in fact.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that touching surfaces that have been supposedly contaminated is not the primary means of catching the virus. While it may not seem like a huge issue in the present, denying the importance of sustainability will usher in future problems. We need forward-thinking attitudes that are concerned with the undeniable relationship between our choices and the effects on the environment.

Mitigating Future Problems

This field is growing further as businesses are welcoming sustainability into their strategies and operations. They are even showing interest in the size and volume of their choice of packaging materials. This is a reflection of how sustainability has not only become a government and business priority, but also an educational one. The outlook for graduates of online sustainability degrees is promising. Businesses are looking for professionals who have sufficient qualifications and expertise in the field. To show how important these new graduates are, a 2018 report from New Climate Economy put the worldwide economic benefit of environmental responsibility in the trillion of dollars.

Given the role of packaging in most of today’s businesses, experts who are able to prove that sustainable packaging is just as safe as single-use plastic are needed. Following the impact of the pandemic, there will be a greater need to prove that we can still move forward with innovative packaging options with gentler environmental effects – that are still safe.

Reframing Mindsets

With this, we can value certain suggestions on effectively using packaging post-pandemic. These can range from tamper-proof packaging to the incorporation of QR codes to view menus instead of printing them. Restaurants are giving customers the choice to opt out of single-use containers or utensils. Packaging can also be non-toxic, odorless, and printed with water-based inks to comply with food-safe regulations. As everyone is looking to help struggling businesses, Company Box has created eco-friendly secure takeout boxes that are ideal for recyclable, contact-free deliveries. To show support for eateries, the first 100 will be free for any restaurant.

Reframing people’s mindsets post-pandemic will entail advocating for environmentally sound packaging that ensures safety as a top concern. We don’t have to sacrifice one priority for the other – as they are both necessary in securing a sustainable future for all.


Check out some articles related to sustainability and food safe products:


Written by Jilly Barty, a guest contributor for the CompanyBox blog.



Using Smart Custom Packaging to Deliver Better Health


With the rise of the wellness industry, achieving optimum health has never been more attainable, or more important. Smart branding helps to educate audiences new to industries like Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). As testosterone naturally decreases in men as they age, the demand for TRT as a recommended form of treatment has increased.

Understandably, questions grow with such demands. When does a lack of testosterone become a problem? How should men find solutions? Saad Alam, founder and CEO of Peak, a personal wellness firm dedicated to providing hormone optimization solutions, began having these same questions when he turned 35 and noticed a change in his body. 

Image credit: Peak
which way to a happier life?

Even with a healthy, regimented lifestyle, Alam felt like a shell of his old self. It wasn’t until a consultation with specialists, and his discovery that he had the testosterone of an 80-year-old man, when things clicked. He set out on a journey to learn more about male hormones and to help other men. "I realized I wanted to help men have confidence while they're aging," Alam says. "This changed my entire perspective and opened me up to a new way of looking at life."

Alam’s new outlook gave him the idea to provide a comprehensive platform for testing and optimizing treatment for men with clinically significant hormone deficiencies, as well as helping them plan for the next 50 years of their lives. Even better, they could do all of this from the comfort and privacy of their own homes.

Optimization for the Modern Man 

Peak, which launched in March 2020, provides testing kits, private doctor consultations, supplements and prescription medication specific to each member's needs. It was essential for the company to ship these kits with specific directions for blood collection. Peak also needed a way to send its FDA-approved hormones every 90 days. And every step, Alam notes, required one constant throughout.

“We wanted to make sure it was a complete, branded experience,” says Alam. “From beginning to end.”

The Trick No One Talks About 

To fully realize Alam's vision, Peak engaged CompanyBox to build a "smart package" solution that incorporated custom packaging with easy access to video instructions. Although QR code technology has been around for some time, many companies fail to integrate it into their packaging.

Peak smartly placed a QR code directly on the inside lid of its kits. Once the package is received, the clients can scan the code with smartphone for instant directions – making the box a part of the experience. 

Image credit: Peak

“We always encourage our customers to think this way,” notes CompanyBox President Kyle DeJesus. “By putting information directly on a package, you remove the need for additional paper materials. Peak got it right.” 

Positioned for a Better Experience 

Peak's CEO says the company exceeded its initial launch projections by at least ten times. “Everything in the medical world feels so sterile, but we wanted this to be fun. The men are so excited for that box to arrive.” 

Alam believes Peak's next step is to build a similar product for women and continue education on TRT. “There are no bounds on what you can do," he says. "If you create balance you can accomplish anything.” 


Can we help to make your packaging smarter? Contact us to collaborate.

This new product we developed and donated is adding an extra layer of protection for students returning to the classroom. Check it out.



Pura vida new designed packaging with inserts

Pura Vida: New Packaging Strategy Allows Customer Engagement to Flourish


Pura Vida, the brand known for its Costa Rican artisan bracelets, recently launched something they've dubbed the Press Box which offers up exciting collaboration campaigns to followers on social. Pura Vida has teamed up with huge brands like O.P.I and Mario Badescu to give away boxes to lucky winners. Their decision to focus on legit eye-popping and functional boxes meant they needed something completely custom.

Pura vida new designed packaging with inserts
Mario Badescu x Pura Vida Summer Spritz PR Box
from a community of artists to Millions of wrists

The brand started in 2010 after two friends returned from a trip to Costa Rica with 400 bracelets. A brand name came to life as both a lifestyle philosophy and translation of the word "Pure Life". Those 400 bracelets would be the beginning of the epic Pura Vida success story and a deep commitment to support communities of artisans worldwide.

Fast forward to 2020 and Pura Vida has grown an incredibly engaged customer base. Above all, people love the brand and what it stands for. With product demands skyrocketing, the company is now offering more, including the newly designed Press Box as part of their packaging strategy.

Pura Vida artist making bracelets
sketches turned reality

Pura Vida wanted the custom design to expand throughout the box, so each product was prominently displayed using inserts. To address their needs, CompanyBox brought in our team of structural designers, customer success managers and graphic designers to provide a box worthy of the PV fan base. 

The CompanyBox team first needed to understand the vision, so we focused on product details and box dimensions as well as the sketches Pura Vida provided. After that, details from the discovery session were used to create a working prototype. Our structural designers were involved at every step to ensure perfect fit.

“With the opportunity to incorporate design in these boxes, it has expanded our visual branding for each launch campaign”, notes Kendra McLeish, Brand Marketing Specialist at Pura Vida. 

When Pura Vida announced the giveaway on Instagram with photos of the completed boxes, over 45,000 fans entered.  

the human touch

The team at Pura Vida now partners with CompanyBox for additional projects. Their creative team works hand in hand with us to turn ideas into real packaging.  

“CompanyBox is extremely proud of our flexibility to communicate and work closely with our customers,” says Amie Ellis, part of the customer success team at CompanyBox. “We’re not some bot on the other side of a computer. We’re real people, with an honest understanding of our customer’s needs.”  

The human touch is something we've built into the CompanyBox promise. Both in our own effort to give back locally as well as our pledge to treat customers as true partners. "We love Amie and the CompanyBox team! They have been super helpful and we love how they're able to get our custom design conceptualizations just how we envision them." says McLeish.


When there is communication between your creative team and ours, the sky is the limit. Let’s connect - human to human. 

Want to see more of Pura Vida’s awesome boxes? Check them out.



custom design consultation

The CompanyBox Design Shop: Consultation for Ultimate Packaging


We know Covid has impacted businesses everywhere. But we're here to help. The CompanyBox design shop works with you to turn your ideas into products. We'll give you 60% off all design fees if you promise not to put your big ideas on hold. Deal?

custom design consultation

The CompanyBox design specialists have over 95 years of experience in corrugated packaging. Our Design Shop is here for you every step of the way – whether you need help with small details or aren’t even sure how to get started. We will collaborate with you to create a distinct product. Packaging design is broken into these two areas: 

  • Structural: This refers to the actual construction of the box. Structural designers can help you create a custom architecture and overall look. They will talk through the functionality of your packaging and produce prototypes for your brand. The goal is to create a functional, yet creative look that engages your clients. Many of our customers will send us their product for a proper measurement and perfect fit. (Don’t worry, we send it back.) Need windows or a carrying handle? Require inserts to hold or display products? This is where the structural team comes in. 
  • Graphics: It takes someone 0.5 seconds to form an opinion about your brand. A quality graphic designer can make the difference for those precious seconds. They work closely with you to ensure a brand is well represented throughout the package. This is where colors, logos, and written content comes into play. 
Your Design Brief 

One of the easiest ways to start a with our design shop, is to begin thinking through the following 5 questions. That way, our designers will be able to get a deeper understanding of your needs. 

  1. What is your product? Details around the size and materials are important.  
  2. Who is the target audience? Your packaging should appeal your ideal consumer. 
  3. How are people purchasing the product? E-commerce packaging is very different than retail packaging. 
  4. What are the brand requirements? If this applies, a designer will need to know brand fonts and colors.  
  5. What additional content is needed? Think imagery, QR codes, written copy, social media icons or bar codes.  


"The right packaging will build loyalty long before the sale. Our design team is excited to work with you to make this happen. "

-Adam Ropic | Graphic Designer @ CompanyBox


CompanyBox is thrilled to cut our design consultation fees from $125/hour price to $49/hour until October 1. Plus, you get one revision on us. Here’s to big ideas and the ultimate packaging.  

Check out how you could use Pantone's Color of the Year in your new design.


How can CompanyBox can help to transform your packaging? Let’s talk.



Back to the Classroom: CompanyBox Donates Custom Safety Partitions to Geneva Area Schools


CompanyBox, a Charlotte, N.C.-based web-to-print packaging company, announced that it has developed personal privacy dividers for students in grades K-12. Specifically designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, CompanyBox sees this as a solution for creating additional barriers between students.  

Personal privacy dividers

The 5,500 personal privacy dividers have been donated to the Geneva Area School district in Geneva, Ohio. With plans to open back up on September 1st, the school developed three learning options for families based on their comfort level. "We were looking at dividers for our students coming back to the classroom, but many are cost prohibitive," explains Doug Wetherholt, Geneva High School principal. "The CompanyBox solution is a perfect alternative."

The dividers, offered with a plastic window and twist lock are also structurally designed to fit inside lockers. CompanyBox printed the corrugated dividers to include each student’s name using eco-friendly ink. “Adding names was important to us. It will keep the kids from sharing a common item and cut down on contamination,” says Wetherholt.  

CompanyBox is now offering these exclusive student dividers to other schools. Sold in packs of two to last throughout the year, they are fully customizable and come in two sizes. Geneva Area Schools are using the small size for elementary children and the large size for middle and high school students.  

“This is an extra layer of protection that makes people feel comfortable sending their kids back to school,” notes Wetherholt. “We want the very best for all our students and staff. Their health and safety is our number one priority.”  

About CompanyBox

CompanyBox was formed in 2014 by Louie DeJesus and his family. A company that believes in the power of branded packaging to make customer connections, CompanyBox launched with the aim to make custom packaging available to everyone. Their mission is to set a new standard for print, with cutting edge technology and packaging products that allow companies to elevate their presentation in the e-commerce and retail industries. For more information, visit www.companybox.com  

For additional information about this release or partitions sales, please contact: Cara Walters, CompanyBox Marketing Lead at cara.walters@companybox.com



College Student Design Competition: The Power of Packaging


Students, share your creativity! CompanyBox is hosting a competition to show what innovative packaging looks like. This is an opportunity for student designers interested in pursuing a career in graphic or packaging design to experience real custom packaging first hand. Plus, there are some kick ass prizes to be won.

Entry is free! Open to the first 50 students who apply. Ready to accept our challenge?

Packaging design competition
the brief
Design for Digital: We’re encouraging you to explore using colors, patterns and/or high-resolution imagery.  
Think about the unboxing experience: How can your design enhance this?  
Consider all parts of the box: Inside, outside, side panels- it's your blank canvas.  
Remember the box material: While we cannot print using white ink, think about ways to knock out colors to let the white (or kraft) material show through. 
Read more best practices here
the rules
  1. Open to current students, 2020 grads or enrolled for the fall. Must have an .edu email to enter.  
  2. All works must be designed in the CompanyBox online design studio. No uploaded templates will be accepted.
  3. Designs should be for a made-up brand. Looks that are considered to be plagiarism will not be accepted.  Check out our Terms and Conditions.
  4. Choose from the Snap2pack or Ear Lock Mailer box style.
  5. Designs considered to be morally or ethically questionable and/or offensive will be disqualified at the sole discretion of CompanyBox. 
  6. Submissions will be accepted from July 31 - August 18. 
CompanyBox student packaging design competition
The prizes

The winner will receive a cash prize of $500. Second place will be awarded $250 and third place $50.

All college students will be featured in a blog or video and will have their design available as an artist template in our design studio.  

Each designer will receive a copy of their printed box for portfolios just for entering. Boxes will be mailed out by September 30. Tag us on Instagram @companybox with the finished product and we’ll share! 

How to enter

Step 1: Email Cara Walters at cara.walters@companybox.com. You will then be emailed a contest packet with more details. 

Step 2: Get creative! Follow the packet guidelines to complete and save your design.

Step 3: Save your design with the name "Design Contest 2020_FIRST NAME_LAST NAME". Then add to cart and checkout using the code from your contest packet.

Select Shipping method "Pickup". (We will ship it to you!)

We will announce all winners by September 17, 2020.

The Judging  

All entries will be judged on the following 5 characteristics:  

  • Concept & originality  
  • Use of color 
  • Effectiveness for unboxing 
  • Digital compatibility  
  • Visual appearance   
2020 Judges panel

Kyle DeJesus, President of CompanyBox 

Cara Walters, Marketing Lead at CompanyBox 

Nathan Wente, Graphic Design Manager at CompanyBox 


Submissions will be accepted from July 31 - August 18. Winners will be announced no later than Septeber 17, 2020. You got this!

Check out this post and this post for an example of incorporating box material color into your look. Here's an example of inside and outside print.



Marketing Craft Beer Outside the Taproom: Cabarrus Brewing Co.


The craft beer industry is one of the fastest growing beverage markets in the United States. Most breweries, taprooms and brewpubs rely on the public to turn up en masse and partake in the call to 'eat, drink and be merry.' But pandemics have a way of crushing large group gatherings.

The same people who would have visited a brewery, must now pick up their beer from a store. It competes with dozens of other brands in the same crowded isle. We spoke with Cabarrus Brewing Company about how they are maximizing visibility in a Covid world.

Marketing craft beer for Cabarrus Brewing Co with custom packaging.
beer with a community

Cabarrus Brewing Company, located in Concord, North Carolina is deeply rooted in its celebration of local history and tradition. The brewery, known for its quality craft beer and lively atmosphere draws over 7,500 visitors (pre-Covid) each month.

To keep customers happy, the team jumped into action as soon as their tap room shut down. “Covid has put breweries in a place to look at their operations. They can’t just rely on their tap rooms,” explains Mark Thompson, Chief Operations Officer at Cabarrus Brewing Co.

Even now, with capacity capped at 50%, they need to fill the void.  

selling outside the taproom

70% of consumers form their impression of a brand based solely on packaging. Cabarrus Brewing Co. understood this. “Our marketing team said prominent packaging was the way to go. We wanted the essence of the brand to make it to the hands of the consumer,” says Thompson.

Cabarrus Brewing Company custom packaging used to market craft beer.
Photo credit: Cabarrus Brewing Co.

Instead of offering up 4 or 6 packs like everyone else, they decided to shake things up. CompanyBox teamed up with Cabarrus Brewing Co. and Sublmnl Design to create a new 12 pack for their popular Cotton Blonde Ale. The idea was to create a box to mimic their beer cans. "People are used to that yellow can. The packaging needed to be very obvious to the audience," says Mark Thompson.

"At first it seemed like an intimidating thing. CompanyBox talked us through concepts and we got to hold samples. They made it so easy," explains Thompson.

To kick things off, the team created a buzz on their social channels by releasing a teaser of the new packaging. Adding this visual aspect instantly got people's attention.

Once they made the announcement, fans got excited. Cotton Blonde Ale isn’t a new beer, but the larger package provided a better value and saved consumers from making a shopping trip later. The bright yellow color also helped the brew stand out in the 400 retail stores Cabarrus Brewing Co. partners with.

results

The brewery saw an increase in retail sales for the Cotton Blonde 12 pack. They were also able to pump up a social presence with unboxing videos. "Packaging is what kept us alive and moving. All breweries need to do this," adds Thompson.  

“Covid is altering the craft beer landscape. We want to offer an additional model for breweries to market their beer,” notes CompanyBox's founder, Louie DeJesus. “Our in-house team of designers love to get creative with packaging.” 

Let's work together to shake things up. Contact us to collaborate.



St. Mary's custom packaging used to attract students and build enrollment

New Normal in Education: Custom Packaging Helps Keep Enrollment Steady


Covid-19 is having lasting effects on private educational facilities across the country. Some schools are expecting to see a 25% drop in enrollment for the 2020-2021 year. They know the only way to attract students and keep enrollment steady is to adapt to the new normal: custom education and enrollment packaging.  With limited campus visits, admissions teams can use customized boxes to send educational experiences straight through the mail. 

St. Mary's custom packaging used to attract students and build enrollment

Saint Mary's School is an all-girl college preparatory boarding and day school with students spread over 14 states and 6 countries. With a small student body of just 300 students, Saint Mary's is known for its close community and collaborative environment.

To gear up for each year, the school holds a special full-day event for accepted students. The private school market is competitive. With families checking out other places, showcasing their community is essential.

CHALLENGE

Enrollment events were slated for spring of 2020. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit. To ensure the health and safety of the community, Saint Mary’s made the decision to close their 23-acre campus and cancel this meaningful event.

Then came the question; now what? 

They knew they needed to get something captivating in front of the girls to drive enrollment up. The staff came up with a simple concept: since students couldn't visit, they would bring a little of the school to the newly accepted students.

SOLUTION

Saint Mary’s School collaborated with CompanyBox to create a custom welcome box to attract students. The school’s Senior Marketing Director, Heath Hilliker says “The template was super easy to use. I just downloaded it and then popped in our design.” 

With the clock ticking, everything needed to be sent out in a few weeks. CompanyBox was able to immediately respond and transform the ideas into a cost-efficient solution to drive enrollment. "The money we spent on the boxes and shipping paled in comparison to what we would have normally spent on an event," explains Mary Mills, Assistant Director of Admissions.

The design carried their brand colors and logo from the inside to the outside of the box. Then integrated a personal note with a selection of Saint Mary's swag, weaving in school pride.

awesome admission custom packaging to drive enrollment
RESULTS

In spite of the pandemic, enrollment rates for the 2020-2021 school year are continuing to rise. That’s saying a lot considering these challenging times of the unknown. 

From the moment the custom boxes arrived, the school saw a strong engagement. Families happily communicated it was an extra touch they didn’t receive from other schools. The Saint Mary’s staff was just as pleased. “We loved it," says Mills, "It was a perfect look for what we wanted to represent our brand and for young girls to enjoy."


"We want to make sure that apart from promoting a great education, there is a human touch to admissions - and this is it."

-Mary Mills | Assistant Director of Admissions @ Saint Mary's School


DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT

While most of the country is still practicing social distancing, Saint Mary’s was able to create a connection with a personal touch that helped to drive enrollment. “We want to make sure that apart from promoting a great education, there is a humanlike touch - and this is it," notes Mills. 

The school is now considering developing additional campus visit boxes. “We’re seeing a huge uptick in education and enrollment packaging,” says CompanyBox president Kyle DeJesus.  "There's an opportunity here to make an impact."

With 36 faculty and staff members living on campus, Mills notes, “It’s been tough to not be face to face with our students and faculty - so now we have to be creative about building a community.” 


How can CompanyBox can help to transform your education packaging and drive enrollment? Let’s talk.



e-commerce shopping with a woman

How To Effectively Use Packaging Post Covid-19


This week we had the opportunity to partner with the AICC and HP for a live webinar titled: E-Commerce & Corrugated Packaging Post Covid-19. Our founder and CEO, Louie DeJesus joined a knowledgeable panel of packaging experts. 

The group talked through the recent increase in e-commerce sales, why those numbers are skyrocketing and how people can use packaging to cut through the clutter to make connections with other humans. Over 175 people tuned in for the panel discussion, but if you missed it, no worries! Here are 4 key takeaways about post Covid-19 packaging:

e-commerce shopping with a woman

1. The pandemic has given a boost to e-commerce

Ron Sasine, principal of Hudson Windsor pointed out that we've seen e-commerce growth rates in the last 3 months that are equal to the forecasted growth for the next 4 years. So companies like Target, Walmart, Amazon and Kroger have reported end of first quarter and second quarter numbers that are ahead of all predictions for this year and next year. According to Retail Drive, 32.8% of shoppers are purchasing goods as much as they did before the Coronavirus outbreak. The big difference? Now they are making those purchases online.

2. Packaging can help make real connections

In the current conditions, it’s difficult to physically connect with customers. When a package arrives on a doorstep, people must go through that package to get to your product. That mean a box is not just a shipping vessel, but an important opportunity to display your brand’s human essence. Mark Mathes of Vanguard Packaging gave these actionable items for e-commerce companies to make connections:

  • Use the entire box- outside, inside and even the flaps
  • Incorporate imagery with people interacting with the product
  • Add QR codes directly on the box for a connection to loyalty programs
  • Set QR codes to trigger automated coupons 
  • Encourage customers to snap a picture of themselves using product and tag you
  • Offer ideas for additional uses for box once it’s opened.

3. Tamper-proof packaging puts people at ease

Let’s just say it. People are hyper focused on everything germ free right now, and justifiably so. Finding sanitizer or bleach in a store is like stumbling upon a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Then, you read reports of food delivery drivers sneaking a bite of your food. Louie DeJesus, the founder of CompanyBox explained post Covid-19 packaging will include sealed boxes, especially for food and medical products. That seal could be as simple as a well placed sticker or a box designed with an adhesive closure like the Snap2pack or Secure Pizza Box.

Tamper proof box with hand opening

4. Digital levels the playing ground

The introduction of digital printing has done a lot for small and medium sized businesses who could never play in the same space as large enterprises. In the past, box makers couldn’t run small quantity orders because it didn’t make sense economically. It "democratises design", explains HP’s Ted Samotis.

The panelists each spoke about these new possibilities. Now that high graphics, quick turn-arounds and variable sizing are options, marketing teams can create multiple campaigns and use A/B testing to gather data. Companies can quickly change out designs and use cause marketing or address real world events. If used right, packaging will become your marketing vehicle.

A big thank you to the AICC, HP, the panelists and everyone who tuned in for the discussion. Covid-19 has affected the entire retail and e-commerce ecosystem. It has set the stage for a new way of connecting that could actually benefit your company if you’re willing to reshape your customer experience. Let’s continue the conversation.