Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1349974
32 March/April 2021 Tablets & Capsules of the product's "superior energy." When the second eight pouches were sold, the second divider included a message stating that the product was "fast acting." When the third eight pouches were sold, it was time for a new, full carton. The dietary supplement business is very competitive, resulting in cost consciousness at every level. This cost consideration led the client to choose pouches over blister packs for the mint product. Retail sales results indicate that consumers also like the colorful pouches, and retailers are satisfied because the cartons fit on the counter right next to the cash register to stimulate impulse buys. Selecting a packaging type Consider the following questions when choosing your primary packaging type: • Who will use my product? • Where will it be sold? • What type of display is necessary or desired? • What elements such as moisture or oxygen might impact product stability? • Do I want or need high-end graphics to entice a buyer? • How much information is required to be printed on the package? As Figure 1 shows, the answers to these questions will lead you to the optimal packaging. If you have a packaging challenge that requires intimate knowledge of packaging forms and materials, consult an expert in co- packing and use the answers to these questions to begin your conversation. You may have an idea of what will work but being open to alternative suggestions from a packaging professional could help you achieve greater success. Often, the best packaging method is not your first choice. T&C Paul Mierzwa (pmierzwa@ruspak.com) is vice president and Bryan Odle is maintenance supervisor at Ruspak, a contract packaging organization located in Lyons, NY (315 946 9777, www.ruspak.com). Blister packaging produces a flat advertising surface on the lidding material. In some applications it's possible to print on both sides of the lidding material so that your marketing message shows through the clear base material and integrates the blister contents into the message. The product becomes the point-of-purchase marketing message through attention-grabbing graphics offset by product visibility through the clear plastic base material. For certain products, the consumer's ability to see the actual product, such as a tablet, mint, or gum, can positively influence their buying decision and is better than any graphic image on the packaging. Blister packaging is popular in retail settings because it's easy to display. A punched hang hole allows the blisters to be hung rather than shelved. Products with a hang hole do well in point-of-purchase (POP) displays, which can be a bonus to retailers. And if retailers do hang the package near a checkout counter, the product's sales are likely to be boosted from impulse buying. The most common blister material is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is relatively low cost but offers only minimal protection against moisture and oxygen. Multi-layer films made from PVC coated with Aclar (a proprietary fluoropoly- mer film manufactured by Honeywell) or polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) offer much better protection but at a substantially higher cost. Blister packs are easy for consumers to open and are ideal for applications where the packaging must protect the remaining doses as the consumer uses the product. Perforations between the cavities allow individual blisters to be separated from the rest of the package while retaining the packaging's structural integrity. Blister packaging is also ideal for hygroscopic or oxygen-sensitive products because it minimizes the product's exposure to air. Bottles Bottle packaging is a safe, cost effective way to package large quantities of a product. Bottles are often used with cap- sules, tablets, softgels, and even powders. Bottle packaging is easy to open but can be sealed with tamper resistant lids for pharmaceuticals that should have limited access. Bottles are recyclable and shatter proof and come in a variety of sizes and colors. However, the labeling options for bottles are more limited than for other forms of packaging. Case study Recently, Ruspak accepted the challenge of designing packaging for a mint that contained D-ribose. The client preferred blister packs to pouches so our engineers designed an eight-count blister, which was then put into an auto- matically erected, reverse-tuck carton. The final package consisted of 12 cartons in an open tray. Because pouches can be an affordable and brand-sup- portive alternative to blister packaging, the engineers also designed an aluminum foil pouch that held two mints. Three groups of eight pouches were then inserted into a three- section counter display. After the first eight pouches were sold, the first divider included a message reminding customers Figure 1 Choosing the right package and material End user Who will use the product? How will the product be stored? Product What is the form of the product? Will oxygen or moisture impact the product? Compliance How much information needs to be printed on the package? Marketing What graphics are used with this product? What type of display is necessary or desired? Optimal package