The Differences Between B2C and B2B Packaging Design

With entrepreneurship on the rise and the economy seeing numerous benefits, there’s a greater demand for business-related products and services. And the continued growth trend can’t be ignored, as “entrepreneurs are creating jobs at more than twice the rate of established companies,” according to a Financial Times article.

All of these new employees will be able to increase the capabilities of each small business, bringing in new revenue and allowing founders to hone in on what will help them stand out among the competition. Packaging is one way of doing that – though you’ll want to consider who you’re selling to in order to get the most out of it.

B2C Packaging Design

For small businesses that sell products directly to consumers, packaging can leave a lasting impression that leads to repeat sales and referrals. The idea is to create an unwrapping experience that buyers will want to repeat later on. Sometimes it can be motivated by pride in the purchase itself, as with recognizable high-end product packaging like Tiffany jewelry. And sometimes it’s just the amount of care and thought that went into packaging, similar to unwrapping a gift from a friend or family member that leads to a more personalized experience. Including a note of thanks for the purchase is one way to stand out, along with options like branded tissue paper or packaging that’s printed in the brand’s logo or color scheme.

The main thing you’ll want to focus on is finding a packaging concept that is user friendly, recognizable, and at least somewhat personal. People like dealing with other people, so use that to your advantage when promoting your small business.

B2B Packaging Design

When your primary customers are other businesses, there are a few things that are similar to selling to consumers. You still want the packaging to be recognizable and “on brand,” but you can focus less on the emotional experience of unwrapping and more on ease of use.

Another consideration is stack-ability of packages – since you’re more likely to get bulk orders rather than one-off pieces. So while packaging for consumers can be interesting shapes to get attention, when working with a business, make it more utilitarian so that boxes can be easily stacked up on a pallet and warehoused. You can also use standard corrugated packaging materials for shipping rather than decorative options.

Overall, the main objective is to find packaging options that will reinforce the fact that you’re the right supplier for your customer. Consider various options that are within your price range so that shipping doesn’t eat too much of a hole in your profit margins, and then go from there. Packaging is an important consideration, but it shouldn’t break the bank.

If you have any questions about packaging selection, feel free to call us at 630-282-5400. We’re an experienced distributor of packaging and shipping supplies, so we can help guide you toward the right products.