Types of packaging: what are there and how to choose the one for your brand?
Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2025 10:16 am
If you have already started selling online or if you are about to take that step, you will surely wonder what the best types of packaging are for your business.
Packaging has evolved throughout history and has also adapted to the growth of e-commerce around the world.
Currently, we can say that the 3 most well-known types of packaging are :
Primary : the one that contains, stores belize phone data and protects the product.
Secondary : is a grouping of primary packaging.
Tertiary : groups primary and secondary packaging.
Deciding which one to use is not an easy task and will depend on factors such as content, material, size, delivery area and the company in charge of transport.
You have to consider all of this at the cost level, since it directly impacts the sales price you set for your products and the shipping costs.
In this article we will tell you about the different types of packaging and show you some examples so that you can choose the one that best suits your products and your business.
Read on to learn more.
Boost your brand by creating your own online store.
Classic packaging types
The classic types of packaging are divided into 3:
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Below we tell you what characterizes each one.
1. Primary packaging
Primary packaging is what contains, stores and protects the product. It is in direct contact with it, and must serve to keep it in optimal conditions. Depending on the type of product, primary packaging can be: cans, bottles, bags, etc.
This packaging generally contains all the information regarding the industry standards in which it is registered, and those required in the country of origin or in the countries to which it is exported, as well as recommendations for use, warnings or expiration dates (if applicable).
While it is key that its design is thought out to protect its contents, the primary packaging also carries a lot of branding , because it directly identifies the brand and will be the first impression the consumer has before trying the product.
Read more: Branding Guide Create the best strategy for your brand!
2. Secondary packaging
Secondary packaging is a grouping of primary packaging. It adds more protection and facilitates larger-scale marketing. It is usually identified as large cardboard boxes, although they can be made of other materials.
It is a packaging that must be resistant to stacking and handling during transport, ensuring that the final product is not damaged.
3. Tertiary packaging
Tertiary packaging groups together primary and secondary packaging. This creates a larger load unit, the most common form of which is pallets or modular cardboard containers and boxes.
This packaging aims to make the most of the storage capacity of warehouses and points of sale, as well as the vehicles that transport them.
Example of classic packaging
We can identify the 3 types of packaging with a simple example: a wine cellar .
When a product is marketed, a primary packaging type is chosen to transport it: the bottle. All wineries have the same primary packaging, but it will surely have a special design that makes it unique.
As we said, branding is extremely important. It should also contain all the information that the consumer needs to know.
These bottles are stored in boxes for transport. Wine boxes usually have a capacity to transport 6 bottles inside. This is the secondary packaging.
Finally, these boxes are stacked on pallets to be transported to transport and warehouses. This is their tertiary packaging.
Packaging has evolved throughout history and has also adapted to the growth of e-commerce around the world.
Currently, we can say that the 3 most well-known types of packaging are :
Primary : the one that contains, stores belize phone data and protects the product.
Secondary : is a grouping of primary packaging.
Tertiary : groups primary and secondary packaging.
Deciding which one to use is not an easy task and will depend on factors such as content, material, size, delivery area and the company in charge of transport.
You have to consider all of this at the cost level, since it directly impacts the sales price you set for your products and the shipping costs.
In this article we will tell you about the different types of packaging and show you some examples so that you can choose the one that best suits your products and your business.
Read on to learn more.
Boost your brand by creating your own online store.
Classic packaging types
The classic types of packaging are divided into 3:
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Below we tell you what characterizes each one.
1. Primary packaging
Primary packaging is what contains, stores and protects the product. It is in direct contact with it, and must serve to keep it in optimal conditions. Depending on the type of product, primary packaging can be: cans, bottles, bags, etc.
This packaging generally contains all the information regarding the industry standards in which it is registered, and those required in the country of origin or in the countries to which it is exported, as well as recommendations for use, warnings or expiration dates (if applicable).
While it is key that its design is thought out to protect its contents, the primary packaging also carries a lot of branding , because it directly identifies the brand and will be the first impression the consumer has before trying the product.
Read more: Branding Guide Create the best strategy for your brand!
2. Secondary packaging
Secondary packaging is a grouping of primary packaging. It adds more protection and facilitates larger-scale marketing. It is usually identified as large cardboard boxes, although they can be made of other materials.
It is a packaging that must be resistant to stacking and handling during transport, ensuring that the final product is not damaged.
3. Tertiary packaging
Tertiary packaging groups together primary and secondary packaging. This creates a larger load unit, the most common form of which is pallets or modular cardboard containers and boxes.
This packaging aims to make the most of the storage capacity of warehouses and points of sale, as well as the vehicles that transport them.
Example of classic packaging
We can identify the 3 types of packaging with a simple example: a wine cellar .
When a product is marketed, a primary packaging type is chosen to transport it: the bottle. All wineries have the same primary packaging, but it will surely have a special design that makes it unique.
As we said, branding is extremely important. It should also contain all the information that the consumer needs to know.
These bottles are stored in boxes for transport. Wine boxes usually have a capacity to transport 6 bottles inside. This is the secondary packaging.
Finally, these boxes are stacked on pallets to be transported to transport and warehouses. This is their tertiary packaging.