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The Future of Packaging: Trends to Watch in 2024

future of packaging

Discover the latest packaging trends that will shape the future of the industry in 2024. From sleek metallic finishes to sustainable solutions, explore the innovative approaches that are revolutionizing packaging design.

Sleek Metallic Finishes: Elevating Packaging Aesthetics

In 2024, one of the key packaging trends to watch out for is the use of sleek metallic finishes. This trend aims to elevate packaging aesthetics and create a sense of luxury and sophistication. Metallic finishes, such as gold, silver, or bronze, add a touch of glamour and catch the consumer’s attention on the store shelves.

For shimmering metallic packaging, Printex Transparent Packaging creates cartons with Hot or Cold foil stamping (https://www.ptpackaging.com/capabilities/foil-printing-and-stamping/).

Some options for packaging Metallic Finishes are:

  • Hot foil stamping
  • Cold foil stamping
  • Metalized Board Options
  • Holographics

These metallic finishes can be applied to various packaging materials, including cardboard boxes, clear PET boxes, or paperboard cartons. They create a visually appealing look that stands out from the crowd. Brands can use metallic finishes to convey a premium image and enhance the perceived value of their products.

Furthermore, the use of metallic finishes can also help to communicate the brand’s identity and create a consistent visual language across different product lines. Whether it’s a shiny gold finish for a high-end cosmetic brand or a sleek silver finish for a tech gadget, metallic packaging can instantly elevate the overall look and feel of a product.

2024 Pinterest says,

“Cool silver tones and bold chrome—so hot right now. Melty metallics will make their way into the mainstream in 2024 as people trade in their trusty neutrals for something a bit more hardcore. Gen Z and Millennials are driving this heavy metal aesthetic.”

Overall, sleek metallic finishes are set to be a major trend in packaging design in 2024. Brands that embrace this trend can create packaging that not only captures attention but also conveys a sense of luxury and sophistication.

Sustainability: The Driving Force Behind Packaging Innovation

With increasing awareness about environmental issues, sustainability will continue to be a driving force behind packaging innovation in 2024. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of packaging materials and are demanding more sustainable solutions.

In response to this demand, packaging designers and manufacturers are exploring new materials and techniques that minimize waste and reduce the use of non-recyclable materials. This includes the adoption of biodegradable and compostable materials, as well as the use of recycled and recyclable packaging.

In addition to using sustainable materials, brands are also focusing on optimizing packaging design to minimize its carbon footprint. This includes reducing the size and weight of packaging, using eco-friendly printing techniques, and incorporating renewable energy sources into the production process.

By prioritizing sustainability, brands can meet the expectations of environmentally conscious consumers and can differentiate themselves in the market. Sustainable packaging design not only benefits the environment but also enhances brand reputation and builds customer loyalty.

In conclusion, sustainability will be a key trend in packaging design in 2024. Brands that embrace sustainable solutions can contribute to a greener future while also capturing the attention and loyalty of eco-conscious consumers.

The Role of Minimalism in Sustainable Smart Packaging

2024 is the year for sustainable, recyclable, and minimalist packaging designs. Minimalism plays a vital role in sustainable packaging design. The concept of minimalism revolves around reducing excess and focusing on essential elements. In the context of packaging, minimalism involves simplifying the design, eliminating unnecessary layers, and using minimal resources.

By adopting a minimalist approach, packaging designers can significantly reduce waste and energy consumption. They can use less material, optimize packaging sizes, and eliminate non-essential components. Minimalist packaging not only minimizes environmental impact but also enhances efficiency in transportation and storage.

Furthermore, minimalist packaging has aesthetic appeal and communicates a sense of elegance and sophistication. It reflects a brand’s commitment to simplicity and sustainability. Minimalism in sustainable packaging design is a powerful tool that combines functionality, efficiency, and visual appeal.

Digital Labels: Interactive Experiences for Consumers

In 2024, digital labels are set to transform the packaging industry by offering interactive experiences for consumers. Traditional paper labels are being replaced by smart labels that incorporate digital technologies such as QR codes, augmented reality, and near-field communication (NFC).

These digital labels enable consumers to access additional product information, watch videos, participate in games or contests, and even make purchases directly from the packaging. This interactive element enhances the overall consumer experience and creates a deeper engagement with the brand.

Digital labels also provide brands with valuable data and insights about consumer behavior. By tracking consumer interactions with the packaging, brands can gather feedback, analyze trends, and personalize marketing campaigns based on individual preferences.

Furthermore, digital labels offer convenience and flexibility for brands. Updates or changes to product information can be easily made without the need for reprinting labels, saving time and resources. Brands can also leverage digital labels to communicate sustainability initiatives and educate consumers about recycling or responsible usage.

Overall, digital labels are revolutionizing packaging design in 2024 by offering interactive experiences and creating opportunities for brands to connect with consumers in new and innovative ways.

Cytological Principles in Design: Creating Emotional Connections

In 2024, packaging design will incorporate cytological principles to create emotional connections with consumers. Cytology is the study of cells and their structures, and it can be applied to packaging design to evoke specific emotions and associations.

By understanding how different visual elements and colors affect human emotions, brands can strategically design packaging that elicits desired responses. For example, warm colors like red and orange can create a sense of excitement and passion, while cooler colors like blue and green can evoke feelings of calmness and trust.

Additionally, packaging designers can use shapes, patterns, and textures to further enhance emotional connections. Curves and rounded shapes can convey a sense of comfort, while sharp angles and geometric patterns can create a feeling of modernity and innovation.

Furthermore, incorporating storytelling elements into packaging design can also evoke emotions and create a deeper connection with consumers. Brands can use packaging to tell the story of their products, highlighting the craftsmanship, ingredients, or brand values that resonate with consumers.

By incorporating cytological principles into packaging design, brands can create packaging that not only captures attention but also elicits emotional responses and fosters a stronger bond between the consumer and the product.

Personalized Packaging: Tailoring Products to Individual Customers

In the era of customization, personalized packaging is set to become a prominent trend in 2024 and beyond. Brands are recognizing the power of creating unique experiences for individual customers through customized packaging designs. By tailoring packaging to specific customer preferences, brands can forge deeper connections and foster brand loyalty.

Personalized packaging can take various forms, including custom labels, personalized messages, or even packaging designs that reflect the customer’s personal interests or lifestyle. This level of personalization not only makes the product feel special but also creates a sense of exclusivity and uniqueness. With advancements in printing technology and data analytics, brands can easily implement personalized packaging strategies to cater to the individual needs and preferences of their customers.

The Benefits of Clear Packaging With Luxury Brands

The Benefits of Clear Packaging With Luxury Brands cover imageEffective packaging must secure products from manufacturing to market while being structurally sound, sustainable, and dynamic enough to help your brand stand out from the competition. Because product packaging must do so much at once, you need to be able to trust your packaging provider to deliver functional and appealing options, such as transparent packaging, clear folding boxes, paperboard cartons, and window boxes. They must also be able to meet exact packaging specifications and provide design prototypes as needed.

At Printex Transparent Packaging, we have these capabilities and assist our customers throughout the entire manufacturing process, from design to final delivery. By utilizing cutting-edge technology, we offer functional and aesthetically pleasing clear packaging designed for luxury brands. Learn more about the benefits of clear packaging and what to consider when selecting a transparent packaging provider.

What Are the Advantages of Luxury Brand Packaging?

  • Elevates Brand Image: Successful luxury brand packaging communicates product quality and elegance. You can create an impression of luxury and exclusivity by having sophisticated designs and top-quality packaging materials, with textures like embossed print, glitter, gold foil stamping, or embossed silver. Upscale packaging design can reinforce a brand’s high-end image, differentiating it from competitors’ brands.
  • Eye-Catching Designs: The design of a package is essential, and some brands go above and beyond to stand out from competitors. The more extraordinary the design, the more appealing it becomes to consumers, especially for luxury products.
  • Enhances Perceived Value: Luxury brand packaging evokes a feeling of high-end value, and a brand that does not use upscale packaging may appear less valuable. Many companies strive to achieve an aura of grandeur to enhance the perceived value of their product.
  • Product Protection: Packaging must have the ability to withstand volatile shipping conditions so that delicate products, such as cosmetics or glass bottles, arrive to the consumer in pristine condition. Using high-quality packaging materials can reduce the risk of breakage. Custom-designed inserts can effectively showcase a product while providing practical protection during storage, transit, and display.
  • Personalization: For a package to be unique, it can be customized to customers’ tastes to give it a luxury feel.

What Are the Advantages of Transparent Packaging?

  • Clear plastic folding carton for womens perfumeProduct Visualization: A customer’s perception of a product is vital to the final sale. Consumers often envision using a product, and while seeing an image can be effective, seeing the product itself makes the experience more realistic. One of the benefits of clear packaging is that consumers can see firsthand the intricate details, shape, size, and color of the product, enhancing the visualization process and increasing the likelihood of a purchase.
  • Added Product Safety: Clear packaging provides an added level of security for both the manufacturer and the consumer. Durable, clear plastic packaging materials can protect products in transit from the manufacturing plant to retail outlets to the consumer’s home. Clear packaging is also available with additional safety features.
  • Versatile Design Options: Retail stores carry a massive selection of products, so designing a package that captures consumer attention can be difficult. Manufacturers must develop upscale packaging options to catch the eye of consumers and entice a final sale.
Clear packaging materials offer extreme versatility and can accept opaque and translucent inks, showcasing the product while leaving certain areas clear for better visibility of the contents. Clear PET recyclable plastic can be made into window boxes and folding boxes, shaped into various forms, and printed with different images, colors, and patterns. Clear packaging can be custom-printed, embossed, and/or die-cut for truly unique results.

What to Consider When Picking a Transparent Packaging Manufacturer

Printex Transparent Packaging can print directly onto clear PET or other substrates like PVC or Polypropylene. The contents of the container and your branding impact the colors on the label, so we can help you make sure your color choices turn out exactly as you intend.

Companies should choose their package type based on the product inside. All products sell better when visible, so a clear folding box or window box (a paperboard box with a clear window) will always sell your product! Transparent or clear packaging requires a film material like recyclable PET, which can be laminated or varnished to protect the graphics from scratches, abrasion, or other damage. Clear product packaging also enables printing on the package interior. PET comes in clear post-consumer recycled form and is the most commonly recycled plastic used worldwide. Window boxes also use recyclable clear PET for their windows.

Plastic-clear-folding-box-package-with-graphics-and-window-for-spirits-industry (1) Contact Printex Transparent Packaging for Luxury Brand Packaging

Printex Transparent Packaging is the largest clear folding box manufacturer in North America. We have over four decades of experience offering cutting-edge luxury brand packaging options and will accept the creative challenge to meet our customers’ needs.

Request a quote to learn more about our upscale packaging options and see how we can deliver exceptional results for your next project.

What are Gable Boxes?

What are Gable Boxes?

Gable boxes get their name because of their tops, which form an angular point similar to that of a gable roof. The bottom of these boxes can be either square or rectangular with angled sides that form a triangular top. Gable boxes are available in transparent plastic materials to show off the product inside, or they can come in a variety of colors with custom printing to meet your branding requirements.

Gable boxes are easy to assemble and often incorporate handles, like a doughnut box. These are often referred to as handle boxes or carrier boxes and often have an auto-locking base. However, some gable boxes may not feature handles, such as a milk carton. Common gable box styles include:

  • Auto-locking bottom
  • Automated full-seal ends
  • Greenleaf lock bottom
  • Tuck-top/straight tuck
  • Straight tuck 1-2-3 bottom

Depending on your particular needs, gable boxes can be constructed from various materials, including clear plastic PET, SBS paperboard, or cardboard.

Gable Box Applications

Gable boxes offer ease of use and versatility. They feature an interesting and unique shape and sometimes include a convenient handle for easy carrying. They can ship flat to take up less space, and with an auto-bottom closure, they quickly pop into place. Because gable boxes can be made from recyclable materials, they offer the added benefit of being eco-friendly, making them a great alternative to Styrofoam food containers, which are not recyclable.

Due to these many advantages, gable boxes are ideal for various applications, including:

  • Appealing gift packaging that impresses consumers
  • Eco-friendly food containers
  • Containers for party favors
  • Donut packaging / bakery boxes
  • Food takeout containers

Although gable boxes are often seen in the food industry, there has been a growing demand for versatile packaging boxes in many markets. Gable boxes are now being used for several types of retail packaging. At Printex Transparent Packaging, we can create clear gable boxes as well as paperboard gable boxes with a window that allows consumers to see the contents of the box. These boxes can be constructed with sustainable materials such as our Eco-PET series, which is made from 100% post-consumer recycled PET.

Features of Gable Boxes

Gable boxes have various features that make them ideal for a wide variety of applications. Their key features include:

  • Versatility. Gable boxes typically feature a handle, combining the benefits of both a bag and a box.
  • Usage. Gable boxes work with many products, including food items in restaurants and delis, gifts, toys, health and beauty products, pharmaceutical products, gift packaging, wine, and spirits.
  • Size. Gable box designs can accommodate products of various sizes and shapes.
  • Printing Options. You can print on clear plastic or paperboard gable boxes using either full color off-set printing, silk screen printing, detail print with embossing, and hot or cold foil stamping.
  • Convenience. All gable boxes ship flat and are packaged to take up less space in storage. When they are ready for use, they can be quickly and easily assembled.

Custom Gable Boxes from Printex Transparent Packaging

Gable boxes provide a versatile and convenient packaging solution for a wide variety of products. For top-quality custom gable boxes, including colored and clear plastic gable boxes, or paperboard gable boxes with windows, turn to the experts at Printex Transparent Packaging. Our capabilities allow us to design and manufacture custom gable boxes that meet your particular needs for branding, functionality, and sustainability.

For more information about our gable box capabilities, contact us or request a quote today.

What Is PET Plastic?


PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a widely used and highly recycled polymer. Known for its durability and glass-like clarity, this material is used to manufacture everything from water bottles to electronics, household items, and more.

Acetate boxes are also made from PET and are referred to as A-PET, which stands for amorphous polyethylene terephthalate. This blog post will provide an in-depth look at PET plastic properties, as well as its advantages and common applications.

PET Plastic Properties

PET features many highly desirable properties. For example, it is very strong while also lightweight, making it very easy and fuel-efficient to transport. It also features good moisture and gas barrier properties, particularly with oxygen and carbon dioxide, and can be used in temperatures ranging from -60 °C to 130 °C.

As a practically shatter-proof material, PET is a suitable glass replacement for many applications. It is also recognized as safe for food and beverages by the FDA, Health Canada, EFSA, and other health agencies. PET plastic features excellent resistance to alcohols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, grease, diluted acids, and oils. It exhibits moderate resistance to diluted alkalis, aromatic, and halogenated hydrocarbons.

Other PET properties include:

  • Excellent electrical insulating properties
  • Low gas permeability
  • Suitable for transparent applications

Recyclable PET Plastic Advantages

The unique properties of PET translate into numerous advantages, both for manufacturers as well as consumers. Some of the most significant benefits of selecting PET plastic over other materials include:

  • Fully recyclable. PET plastics are commercially recyclable using multiple methods. It can be washed, ground into pellets, and then re-melted, or chemically broken down into its component materials to create new PET resin.
  • Global safety approval. The FDA as well as many other health safety organizations around the world have approved PET as safe for contact with food and beverages, making it a trustworthy choice for numerous packaging applications.
  • Sustainable. Contrary to popular belief, plastic production generates fewer greenhouse emissions than many alternative materials, such as aluminum or glass. PET is significantly greener as it creates the least greenhouse gases, uses the least energy, and creates less waste than aluminum or glass.
  • Durable. PET features a high strength-to-weight ratio and is virtually shatterproof.
  • Cost-effective. PET is lightweight and ships flat, so you can save money by shipping more quantity, less often. It is also more cost-efficient to store flat as it uses less space. Extruded PET ships flat or comes in rolls to manufacturers. Once manufactured, folded PET boxes are also shipped and stored flat, passing the savings onto the buyer.
  • Moisture resistant. Unlike other popular packaging materials, such as cardboard, PET is resistant to moisture and retains its shape when exposed to water or other contaminants.

PET Plastic Applications

PET is widely utilized throughout numerous industries. The most common markets for PET plastic include:

  • Apparel Electronics, including cell phones
  • Food and beverage
  • Gift packs
  • Health and beauty
  • Household items
  • In-store marketing
  • POP Promo and club
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Stationary
  • Toys and other collectibles
  • Wine and spirits

PET Plastic from Printex Transparent Packaging

PET plastic is a highly beneficial packaging material for numerous industries. It is easily customizable and provides a durable, cost-effective method of transporting and protecting goods. Printex Transparent Packaging provides PET clear plastic boxes tailored to your exact needs. Using CAD software, we custom design innovative packaging that is right for you and displays your product in a way that grabs consumers’ attention.

As North America’s largest clear folding box manufacturer, we have the capabilities and experience needed to get your project done right. Learn more about our design, prototyping, and production services by contacting us or requesting a quote today.

What are POP Displays?

Point-of-purchase (POP) displays are eye-catching displays that house products in high-traffic areas of a store to draw more attention to a specific product. POP displays encompass a variety of display types designed to increase brand awareness and boost sales by setting them apart from similar products on the shelves. These attention-grabbing displays are an effective strategy for manufacturers and businesses that want to motivate customers to make purchases.

what are pop displays

What are POS Displays?

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What are Pop Displays

Point-of-sale (POS) displays are similar to POP displays, but the fundamental difference is location. POP displays are often placed near the merchandise they promote anywhere on the retail floor. For instance, a POP display for plastic tiles will be located in the flooring aisle. Conversely, POS displays are exclusively located at the checkout counter where the exchange of goods takes place.

Both POP and POS displays raise brand awareness. But since their uses vary, here’s how to use either.

Use POP for:

  • Large quantities of products
  • High traffic areas
  • Special promotions and temporary sales
  • Pushing different packaging versions of the same product

Use POS for:

  • Smaller quantities and cheaper products
  • Single-packaged products
  • Impulse purchases
  • New items, promotions, sales, etc.

Temporary Displays, Semi-Permanent displays, Permanent Displays

Point-of-purchase displays designs vary by intended length of use and are categorized as follows:

Temporary Displays

Temporary displays are displays made of cheaper materials. They are designed for short-term use (around 3-6 months) and are ideal for showcasing seasonal products, on-sale items, and new merchandise. Some come with products already stocked and many can be recycled after use.

Semi-permanent Displays

Semi-permanent displays are created from more durable materials and are intended to last anywhere from 6-12 months. Their more robust design means they can withstand frequent customer contact and can be restocked a few times before discarding or recycling. Semi-permanent displays are ideal for showcasing a range of products simultaneously or displaying higher ticket items.

Permanent displays

Permanent displays are made with sturdy materials like plastic and are designed to last from 1 to 3 years. They are heavy-duty and often look like a store or kiosk within a larger store. They are suitable for long-term advertising.

What Are the Types of Pop Displays?

POP displays come in a variety of types to best suit the promoted product and the marketing objectives of the manufacturer. Display types include:

Counter Displays

Counter displays are portable displays and gravity-fed dispensers that fit in the smallest places. They’re perfect for checkout counters and encouraging unplanned purchases. Counter displays are ideal for small, single-packaged items like gum, candles, candy, gum, toothbrushes, hand sanitizers, lip gloss, and more. While their design is intended to accommodate small spaces, they can still grab attention through the use of bold graphics and colors.

Floor Displays

Floor displays or floor stands are freestanding units placed in the store aisle, usually at eye level. They include endcaps, display bins, pallet displays that showcase toys, foodstuffs, house items, electronics, DVDs, etc. Most retailers use floor displays for new or seasonal items to influence customers to purchase.

Endcap Displays

Endcap displays can include retail signage, a freestanding unit, or an inner display on gondola shelving. Endcaps are located on the end of aisles facing the most highly trafficked areas of the store. This prime location increases visibility and boosts sales by ensuring that customers who don’t make it down the aisle still have the opportunity to engage with the brand or product. Endcaps are ideal for promoting seasonal products or promotions, such as back-to-school supplies or holiday products.

Inline Displays

These small units sit on the shelf and are effective for advertising items with limited space and pushing customers to try something new or buy impulsively. They often display small, consumable products like gum, candy, and cosmetics, but can also promote newspapers, books, and magazines in checkout areas. Some stores with small spaces use clip strips (or impulse strips) which hang from existing shelving to display items and attract impulse buyers. Shelf talkers are hang tags that attach to existing shelving and are another effective way to draw attention to and provide more information about a product.

POP Displays from Printex Transparent Packaging

Printex Transparent Packaging offers POP packaging production and various design services to meet your specific needs. We use specialized CAD design software to create solid and attention-grabbing displays to help you get the most out of your marketing campaigns. We work with a range of common materials, including PET, HDPE, TerraPET™, and any other material that can be an effective and efficient medium for your product.

Contact us today to learn more about our services. You can also browse through our product inventory or request a quote to get started.

What Is Window Box Packaging?

What is Window Box Packaging

Window box packaging is a hybrid packaging and display solution that combines the protection of an sbs carton with a clear plastic PET window that allows customers to view the featured product. Packaging everything from food items to cosmetics, window box packaging lets the consumer see what they are buying and helps companies increase sales, strengthen customer trust, and enhance their brand image.

In this blog, we provide an overview of window box packaging, including design considerations, key benefits, and common applications.

Window Box Packaging

Window box packaging is usually comprised of SBS (solid bleached sulfate) paperboard material or sometimes a heavier fluted paperboard and features a clear plastic window. The window displays the product itself rather than requiring the consumer to rely on printed images or written descriptions. This provides a more interactive, visually engaging shopping experience and increases the likelihood of purchase. By reducing the amount of plastic required to construct the package, window box packaging is also a more eco-friendly option for companies aiming to minimize plastic use.

Considerations for Window Box Packaging and Benefits

Well-designed packaging is essential for capturing the customer’s attention and creating a positive first impression of the product and brand. Key factors to consider when designing a custom window box packaging solution include:

  • Window size: The size of the window influences the thickness / gauge of transparent plastic used to create the window. In general, larger windows require stiffer, more durable plastic coverings, while thinner and more flexible materials are adequate for small windows. Panoramic, 3 sided windows are structural and may require a higher gauge thickness but extremely small windows sometimes use a thin cello window.
  • Product visibility: The window should be properly located on the box to provide the customer with quick and easy product viewing. When designing the packaging, it is important to consider the product’s positioning relative to the window and how to best promote its selling features.For example, the product may be on a platform and that base does not need to show through. Windows can be irregularly shaped to work around inserts or to leave room for branding.
  • Decoration/embellishments: Embossing, foil stamping, silk screen printing, and other processes can be used to add decorative points to your box design and convey the brand’s desired aesthetic.

Benefits

When designed appropriately, window box packaging will:

  • Increase customer trust: By providing a direct view of the actual product, window box packaging helps establish a stronger sense of trust between the seller and the customer.
  • Enhance the perceived value of the product: Increased product visibility improves the customer’s perceived value of the product by conveying the message that the seller has nothing to hide.
  • Improve brand image: Well-designed window box packaging improves the seller’s brand image by creating a more memorable and positive purchasing experience for the customer.
  • Increase sales: Window box packaging allows customers to assess the quality of the product for themselves, which increases their likelihood of purchasing it.
  • Maintain product integrity: The box’s transparent window allows customers to view the item while keeping it protected from dust and other contaminants.
  • Support sustainability goals: The window insert reduces the package’s overall plastic use. The plastic-covered window can be created using clear, 100% recyclable PET as well as post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET. These options allow eco-conscious companies to offer full product visibility without compromising their sustainability goals.

Window Box Packaging Usage/Applications

Window box packaging is a versatile packaging and display option for a range of consumer products, including:

  • Food items: candy, bakery items, desserts
  • Beverages: drink powder sachets, wine and spirits packaging, promo/club packaging
  • Pharmaceutical & healthcare products: supplements, medications, medical supplies, dental products, gift packaging, promo / club packaging
  • Cosmetics & personal care items: makeup, travel kits, cologne/perfume packaging, gift packaging, promo / club packaging
  • Industrial goods: tools, hardware, equipment parts
  • Electronics: cell phones, cameras, accessories

Window Box Packaging at Printex Transparent Packaging

Printex Transparent Packaging is proud to be North America’s largest clear folding box manufacturer, providing well-designed and easy-to-assemble packaging for a range of applications. With years of experience in packaging design and manufacturing, we optimize each window box packaging solution for maximum product visibility and brand impact. Our paper folding cartons can be designed with one-, two-, three-, or four-sided windows, featuring full seal ends to accommodate automated manufacturing.

We also offer:

  • Clear plastic folding boxes
  • Clear pillow box packaging
  • Clear Sleeves
  • Clear boxes for automated assembly
  • Semi-permanent point-of-purchase (POP) packaging displays and dispensers

Contact Us Today for Your Window Box Packaging Needs

At Printex Transparent Packaging, we work with customers to create unique, visually engaging packaging solutions that increase sales and facilitate a stronger connection between consumers and companies. To learn more about our window box packaging design options and how we can meet your needs, contact us today or request a quote.

Is PET Plastic Eco-Friendly?

PET is the most widely used thermoplastic polymer. PET plastic is durable, lightweight, and transparent, making it ideal for use in food containers, beverage bottles, furnishings, clothing, retail packaging, and various other applications.

With many businesses looking to increase their sustainability efforts, many manufacturers are prioritizing the use of eco-friendly materials. In this blog, we will go over the uses and benefits of PET as well as discuss why it’s an environmentally friendly choice for your packaging products.

What Is PET Plastic?

Polyethylene terephthalate, better known as PET, is a member of the polyester family with a clear appearance and a lightweight yet durable composition. PET was originally invented as a textile material; however, innovations allowed manufacturers to stretch PET into thin sheets or films to fold and use blow molding techniques to produce various products.

While PET used in fibers or textiles is typically called polyester, PET plastic is more commonly used to describe the plastic used in bottles and containers. It is the number one choice in packaging due to its lightweight, shatterproof durability, hygienic properties, and ability to seal in freshness. Since PET resists microbial growth and doesn’t react with food products, it is used in a wide range of products, including:

  • Shampoo bottles
  • Soda bottles
  • Food packaging trays
  • Cosmetic packaging

PET’s desirable properties also make it suitable for various industrial applications, including:

  • Electrical. PET is an excellent electrical insulator, making it an ideal material for smart meters, junction boxes, and electrical enclosures.
  • Automotive. Its lighter weight, thermal range, UV and abrasion resistance, low cost, and stiffness make PET suitable for seat covers, seatbelts, and automobile carpets.
  • Textile. PET is a great insulation material in upholstery padding, comforters, and pillows. Its tear and stain resistance also make it a good choice for clothing.

Is PET Plastic Environmentally Friendly?

PET is the world’s most widely recycled plastic, with more than 2 billion pounds annually collected for recycling in North America. There is a prevalent understanding that PET plastic is recyclable due to the recycling symbol with a number one displayed on the packaging, and PET can be recycled many times.

Consumers see glass and aluminum as eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, but these materials produce higher carbon dioxide emissions and require increased energy consumption to manufacture and transport than PET. A product manufacturer switching from PET packaging to aluminum would produce two times the waste and carbon dioxide while using 50% more energy. Manufacturing PET requires less energy consumption than alternatives and can be recycled to reduce waste further. PET is also lightweight, reducing fuel consumption and emissions when transporting goods packaged in PET containers.

Why Choose PET Plastic?

PET plastic has several properties that make it the optimal choice for packaging products. These beneficial characteristics include:

  • Food-safe
  • Highly transparent
  • Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
  • Inexpensive and readily available
  • Recyclable
  • Shatterproof

PET Plastic From Printex Transparent Packaging

PET is a durable, lightweight, and highly-recyclable packaging solution for bottles and containers. It can reduce your carbon footprint and lower emissions and energy consumption during product manufacturing and transportation.

At Printex Transparent Packaging, we offer clear plastic boxes made from PET as an eco-friendly product packaging solution. We custom design and manufacture your plastic packaging and products, including gift and promo packs, displays and POP, SBS window boxes, and clear folding boxes for retailing your products. In addition to PET, our material options include SBS, PVC, HDPE, and post-consumer recycled PET.

Contact us to learn more about our packaging solutions or request a quote today.

Global Supply Chain in Crisis Again… More Reasons to Buy Domestic


As COVID lockdowns in China persist, the world is in for yet another summer of supply chain chaos. We expect further disruptions to the global supply chain and longer port wait times with additional container congestion. Between supply chain shortages and Russia’s war in Ukraine affecting fuel prices, the world economy is facing the perfect storm. Fears of a worldwide recession are real. Now, as the port of Shanghai is running at half-speed due to long weeks under strict lockdown, concerns grow around the globe that this might bring new shortages. The war in Ukraine and the global pandemic have accelerated the return to old protectionist policies. So, what does this mean? North America also needs to protect itself by producing and buying domestic where possible.

Shanghai has been locked down for roughly a month, slowing manufacturing, slowing truck deliveries, and causing container logjams at ports. With infections now rising in Beijing, many expect similar restrictions to be imposed in the Chinese capital. Even if China — which accounts for 12% of global trade — eases its measures, the resulting surge in shipments could overwhelm already strained ports in the U.S. and Europe. Sailing time to US and EU has increased up to 120 days!

  • Shortages of Chinese-made goods will further fuel rocketing inflation in the U.S. and elsewhere, reports Fortune.
  • About 20% of container ships are now stuck at ports worldwide; just under a third of the backlog comes from China.
  • “We expect a bigger mess than last year,” the CEO of the Port of Antwerp, Europe’s second-busiest for container volume, tells Bloomberg.
The shutdown of some of the largest ports in the world has been difficult, to say the least. The current congestion at the ports has led to long waiting times and has had a ripple effect on the Indian market. Due to the backlog of containers, the prices of freight have been dramatically increasing. The airfreight situation is no different, as most flights in and out of Shanghai Airport have been suspended and the air cargo has been rerouted to Zhengzhou, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen airports. This has led to the congestion of air cargo, as there are only limited air pallets with little or no capacity to carry the usual volume of freight. It’s a disturbing delay to manufacturers as well, as they are unable to get their hands on the required materials for manufacturing. This in turn will cause significant delays and price hikes for the end-users.

Last year it became more obvious that in addition to extra transportation costs there are other costs and drawbacks to importing goods from China such as importing problems, long lead times and cancellations, poor quality control, delays, sharp cost increases, and more. “Many other companies tried to offshore a lot of their packaging to try to reduce costs, rather than opt for a more sustainable solution that would be produced domestically,” says Dave Heller, VP of Printex Transparent Packaging in Long Island, NY. “Sourcing domestically is much faster and less expensive than shipping from international suppliers. We need to return to buying made in America, manufacturing, and shipping domestically, here in North America. Buying domestically is better for the local economy.”

The restructuring in consumer demand during the pandemic has led to significant shortages of manufacturing components, order backlogs, delivery delays, and a spike in transportation costs and consumer prices. The world is again in crisis due to supply chain shortages around the world and specifically from shipping backlogs in China, and Russia’s war in Ukraine affecting fuel prices. If we want to protect the economy, we need to return to domestic manufacturing and shipping here in North America.

global supply chain

Printex Transparent Packaging is Awarded a Second Food Safety Certification


Printex Transparent Packaging (PTP), the largest clear folding box manufacturer in North America, has earned the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQF) Manufacture of Food Packaging certification, recognized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The SQF certification builds on  PTP’s existing food safety credential — GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) certification. Printex Transparent Packaging is committed to rigorous continuous improvement. Having a supplier that produces products to meet food safety standards recognized in the industry is important in today’s packaging world. Retailers, brand owners, and foodservice providers need assurance that the food packaging materials they buy have been produced under the guidance of a food safety management program. Using an SQF-certified supplier like Printex Transparent Packaging, which also sources and manufactures domestically, gives the customer the assurance that their very highest standards are being met.

What is SQF Certification?

The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI) is responsible for developing and managing the Safe Quality Food (SQF) program. The SQF Program is recognized by retailers and food service providers around the world as a rigorous, credible food safety management system. It is the only certification system recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) that offers certificates for primary production, food manufacturing, distribution, and agent/broker management.

Once a company implements the SQF food safety management program, it is audited regularly by a third-party certification body. The food safety certification requirements of SQF provide a meticulous process to manage food safety risks and provide safe products for use by companies in the food industry.

Why is food safety certification important today? 

The SQF Program is recognized by retailers, brand owners, and food service providers as one of the most rigorous and comprehensive food safety and quality standards in the world. “Our SQF certification helps our customers prepare for new regulations,” says Dave Heller, VP at the Printex Transparent Packaging Islandia, NY plant. Countries across the globe are making changes to food safety regulations, including the United States and its Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The newest version, Edition 9, prepares your organization to meet many or most of the FSMA requirements.

SQF standards require the establishment of a detailed, comprehensive food safety program through every step of the supply chain. Being SQF certified lets your customers know that you have gone the extra mile to help them lower their risk and exposure. Brand owners can be confident that their products are in the absolute safest packaging.

What can you expect from an SQF-certified supplier?

  1. Highest quality manufacture for food-safe products – Having an SQF-certified supplier means controls are in place assuring you are getting a consistently produced product that is being properly and continuously evaluated for consistent improvement in process quality and safety.
  2. Material Traceability – Processes are in place to trace a product through the entire manufacturing process. Unique lot numbers allow traceability from raw material to the finished manufactured packaging.
  3. Increased Confidence in a system for food-safe products – Brand owners can trust that an SQF-certified supplier has implemented a food safety program that ensures compliance and safe, quality food for consumers. The third-party certification body performs regular audits of the system. This fact gives owners the assurance that food safety and sanitation issues will not threaten their brand or reputation.

Product packaging plays a significant role in the food industry. PTP knows you want to manufacture quality, safe, food packaging for consumers. Using an SQF-certified supplier such as Printex Transparent Packaging provides benefits to brand owners, food service providers, and retailers that are immeasurable in today’s environment.

Why not take the guesswork and risk out of your supplier selection? Choose a provider that has earned the right to carry the label – SQF Certified Manufacturer.

About Printex Transparent Packaging https://www.ptpackaging.com/ –Brand owners’ first choice for clear plastic folding cartons. PTP has manufacturing facilities in both New York and Montreal to serve North America. Printex Transparent Packaging focuses on the specialized non-paper packaging converting business including supplying and applying clear PET windows to paper folding cartons. Products: Clear folding cartons, point of purchase power chutes, in-store POP displays & dispensers, promo and club packs, clear rigid windows for SBS cartons, gift box covers, and clear sleeves.

Proudly Made in USA and Canada

SOURCE Printex Transparent Packaging

For further information: OR FOR SAMPLES: 1-800-461-8106, info@ptpackaging.com

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Printex Transparent Packaging is the first manufacturer to make clear boxes with 100% Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) PET that is manufactured domestically

Printex Transparent Packaging is excited to be the first North American carton company to offer 100% post-consumer recycled plastic folding cartons sourced and manufactured in North America. New improvements in processing allows for a clear, un-tinted PET that is made from 100% recycled PET plastic bottles. Our Eco-PET 100 is made from domestically sourced post-consumer bottle flakes and can be recycled over and over again. (CNW Group/Printex Transparent Packaging)Printex Transparent Packaging (PTP) has a New clear 100% PCR PET that looks virtually identical to virgin PET and it is made from 100% domestically sourced recycled PET plastic. Up until now, North American PET sheet and film producers have only offered up to 25% and 50% post-consumer recycled content (PCR) plastic for box grade packaging. Previously, it was difficult to produce a clear and un-tinted PET in 100% PCR. PTP calls their new material Eco-PET 100. It’s a sustainable, clear replacement for virgin PET.

Eco-PET 100 can help your company meet its sustainability goals for 2025 and onwards! PTP is committed to supporting sustainability efforts where we live. New improvements in processing allows for a clear, un-tinted PET that is sourced and made here in North America. Producing the 100% PCR PET here in North America uses and cleans up our own recycled plastic. It is important to PTP to support the ecosystem where we live! Printex Transparent Packaging believes that a true circular economy should include reducing carbon emissions by using domestic waste. Importing material does not make sense if you are trying to create a true loop.

PCR material is not new, so what is special about our new Eco-PET 100? Previously, the clarity and quality required for box grade material was not commercially available in 100% PCR and to achieve that was very expensive. The deterrents to its viability were both price and aesthetics. After significant product development and testing, the quality difference to virgin material is virtually non existent to the naked eye. The economics of producing this material and bringing it to market at a price point that is more in line with many companies packaging budgets required us to purchase this material in substantial volume. PTP can leverage the buying power of our 2 manufacturing plants dedicated to clear PET packaging to justify the high volume runs. Working with a key domestic rigid plastic film supplier, Printex Transparent Packaging is excited to be the first North American carton company to offer 100% post-consumer recycled plastic folding cartons sourced and manufactured in North America. Our total PCR offering will now consist of 3 products: ECO-PET 100, ECO-PET 50 & ECO-PET 25.

Now Printex Transparent Packaging can offer two additional ways to make your packaging sustainable, Post-Consumer Recycled PET and “Smart Design for Recycling”. Talk to our designers today about what can be done to make your clear packaging more environmentally sustainable!

Our Eco-PET 100 is made from domestically sourced post-consumer bottle flakes and can be recycled over and over again.

 

For further information: OR FOR SAMPLES: 1-800-461-8106, info@ptpackaging.com