Even if your customers are happy with your products, you’ll need to ensure that the packaging you use will hold up over time and protect what’s inside from damage.
You need to be vigilant about checking your shipments for problems before they leave your distribution center or manufacturing plant.
This makes sure that only products that meet quality standards go out to your customers and keeps you protected legally in case of damages or returns.
To make sure you’re doing everything you should be doing when it comes to packaging quality control, here are some things to put on your checklist.
Paperboard Material
Paperboard is the most common material used for packaging. It is made up of wood fibers, which are mixed with water and heated to produce a pulp.
The pulp is then mixed with other products to create a variety of paperboard grades. Paperboard offers many benefits, such as the ability to package food or liquid items without the need for additional protection.
However, it also has some drawbacks that should be considered when choosing a material for your packaging needs. First and foremost, paperboard is more susceptible to moisture than other materials like plastic or aluminum.
This can lead to degradation over time if the product packaged in paperboard packaging isn't properly sealed away from contact with moisture.
Printing and Artwork
An important thing to consider when designing packaging is the quality of the printing and artwork. Quality control measures will vary depending on how much you're willing to invest, but should always include a pre-shipment inspection.
Some tips for quality control service include: double-checking colors, fonts, and graphics; checking that artwork doesn't bleed into the paper; and making sure that ink doesn't smudge or rub off.
Die-Cutting
Die cutting is a Quality Control service that is performed to ensure that the shape of the packaging has been cut out properly. This is an essential step before packing because if the shape isn't cut correctly, it can lead to over-packing or under-packing and at worst can cause damage to the product.
A Pre Shipment Inspection (PSI) is also part of Quality Control and includes checking for product defects such as scratches, bubbles, and misalignment during assembly.
It's important to note that this inspection does not replace die cutting; it only checks for defects that may have occurred during assembly.
Folding and Gluing
Many people think of folding and gluing as the final step in packaging, but it is an important part of quality control. As a professional packing company, we fold and glue each package with care to ensure that the product arrives safely and looks its best.
Some items can't be glued because they are sensitive to heat or moisture, but for most products, this step ensures that the box stays intact during shipping. We also do pre-shipment inspections where we check all aspects of your product's packaging before sending it off to make sure everything is as you would like it to be.
Embossing, Debossing, and Hot Foil Stamping
The most common way of applying a design to your packaging is by embossing, debossing, and hot foil stamping. Embossing is a relief process that raises the lettering or design from the surface and creates a 3D effect.
Debossing is when you cut away some of the paper so that it looks like it's coming up off of the surface. Hot foil stamping can also add a 3D effect and feature raised letters or designs that are covered in an adhesive foil with a shiny finish.
UV Coating
To ensure the quality of your product is maintained and to reduce the risk of product damage during transport, it's a good idea to invest in quality control services. Uv coating is an example of one such service.
In addition to protecting your product from exposure to harmful UV rays, UV coating also protects the packaging material by protecting against moisture absorption. Moisture absorption may lead to water spots or smudges that can devalue your product and decrease its aesthetic appeal.
Finishing
The final step in the packaging process is finishing. This includes all of the steps that are necessary to finish and prepare the product for shipping. These can include placing a seal over any openings, adding poly bags or protective sleeves, and applying labels with specific instructions for use.
Wrap up
Since the packaging is your company's first impression, it's important to make sure it's perfect. Always double-check to make sure that you're using the right materials for the job, that you're printing clearly and not running out of ink, and that your product will fit nicely in the box. Ask for samples ahead of time so you can test out different boxes.
And don't forget to pack up any extras- that way, if someone orders more than they need, they'll have them ready to go!
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