Great packaging convinces the consumer to purchase that product. Times are changing, and printed product packaging must evolve to meet the demands of a new, technology-driven, environmentally-conscious consumer.

To stay successful in the race to offer the most profitable packaging, consider a few subtle changes to your existing design. Here are three creative and meaningful new roles for your printed product packaging that go beyond simply sitting passively on a store shelf.

1. Dramatically Impress Buyers with Electroluminescent Packaging

Probably one of the most vivid and unique ways to impress shoppers at the point of sale is with electroluminescent packing. Battery-powered sensors can tell when a product is picked up and instantly activates an intriguing light display on the box. Lasting for several seconds, the lighting effect stops and can be reactivated by picking the box up again.

Electroluminescent packaging technology helps your product leap off the shelf ahead of the rest of your competitors. In a world where buyers enjoy sharing their experiences instantly through social media platforms, this packaging is sure to light up their devices as they click and share with friends and family.

And excited consumers are more willing to try your product simply because it rated a share, pin, like, or tweet from someone they know or follow.

2. Create Experiences for Consumers with NFC Tagged Packaging

Traditional product packaging informs the buyer about the benefits and uses of the product inside. You can offer additional perks with your product when the box or carton contains a Near Field Communication or NFC tag. This small tag resembles a penny-sized sticker and uses radio frequency identification to connect with a user and their electronic device.

NFC tags offer a range of experiences for a user when your package can transmit product information and valuable content. For example, a liquor company has the ability to share drink recipes, music playlists, locations of bars that serve their product, and even enter buyers into contests and drawings.

Additionally, you can imbed NFC tags to allow buyers to authenticate high-end products subject to counterfeit. Retailers and buyers access a unique digital identity to verify a product is the real thing. NFC tags offer greater security over holograms and micro-threading.

3. Inspire Environmentally-Conscious Buyers with QR Codes

Quick Response or QR codes have grown since their 1994 inception to overtake UPC barcodes because they can store more data. Users scan a simple printed code with their electronic device to connect with and access content information about a product. But don't let the fact they've been around a while deter you. You can employ inexpensive QR codes to inspire a new generation of environmentally-conscious consumers.

Use QR codes on your product packaging to:

Display its real environmental, carbon, and water footprint

Encourage consumers to recycle packaging

Alert buyers to the nearest recycling facilities that accept that material for recycling

Reveal nutritional information and meal-planning ideas that help reduce food waste

Helpful and environmentally-friendly content makes your package more meaningful to shoppers, thus increasing its value. You can make further environmental statements with other packaging choices. Choose the most sustainable materials, like paper, cardboard, and cornstarch that consumers can recycle more easily or that biodegrade better. Then include the material information somewhere on the package, so that your customers know how to dispose of the packaging properly and are reassured that your company keeps to best environmental practices.

Sustainable Packaging Options

Finally, use the most minimal packaging you can. Work with Group O to design packaging solutions to contain and protect your product, grab consumer attention, and protect our planet and its resources. Call today and ask how we can tailor a plan to boost your product sales through the important avenue of product packaging.