Packaging Fresh & Fragrant Flowers
Giving flowers is an expression of appreciation, gratitude, joy, sympathy or apology, but how do flowers make it from farm to florists? We explore flower growers and cardboard flower packaging. Why Do People Buy Flowers as Gifts? A small bunch of daffodils in spring or an elaborate summer bouquet is a simple way to show […]
Is your Packaging & Print Vegan?
When reviewing their boxes, one customer asked if the packaging we supplied was vegan-friendly. There are no obvious animal products in our packaging materials or processes, but it prompted deeper research. It transpired that we couldn’t evidence that flood printing inks are vegan and that influenced the packaging design. Transparency with Primary Packaging Decisions Minimising […]
Packaging EPR: Latest Guidance
Every UK packaging company is aware of the forthcoming changes to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This comes into play from January 2023, placing greater recycling responsibility on the packaging industry. The aim is to encourage sustainable packaging design and practices. EPR also applies to companies packaging own brand goods to sell in the UK, including […]
A Guide to Garment Packaging
Online sales of clothing increased by 14% in the year until May 2022*, despite e-commerce sales falling in most other categories. This indicates that shoppers are now making up for lost time; getting out and about with confidence. Wardrobe updates are making buyers feel ready for social get-togethers, work events and holidays. As a clothing […]
Impactful Packaging Design
Bold and impactful packaging design helps to make a brand memorable. When a Pets Love Fresh e-commerce box arrives at the door, we’re sure that even the dog associates it with their favourite lunch! Pets Love Fresh Our bodies need nutritious food to function at their best and it is no different for dogs. When […]
Do we Need Bespoke Boxes for Robot Deliveries?
In communities around the UK, bots are providing local delivery services. Following many successful trials, Robot deliveries are likely to become commonplace on our streets. Does this mean a rethink in packaging design? The Benefit of Robot Deliveries Cambourne in Cambridge is one of many UK communities to benefit from a collaboration between Coop and […]
Custom Packaging for an Innovative Product
We enjoy the challenge of applying our cardboard engineering skills to create bespoke boxes that provide the perfect fit, presentation and protection for a product. When we were approached by the founders of Shirinoku, the Aylesbury Box Company team had a fascinating packaging design project to work on. Introducing Noku Canvas Connecting with nature is […]
Are Custom Boxes Worth It?
With soaring prices, every business is looking for ways to keep prices down and remain competitive. When it comes to packaging, buying off the shelf options is cheaper than custom boxes, but which offers the best value? Off-the-Shelf V Bespoke Boxes “I need to keep fulfilment and shipping costs to a minimum, so bespoke boxes […]
Packaging Design for Start-ups
At Aylesbury Box Company, we enjoy playing a small role in helping start-up businesses to get off the ground. Our packaging advice and printed boxes are one small step in the journey to getting a product to market. In a recent article, we focused on a food and wine delivery start-up and in this article, […]
Wined & Dined: Boxes to Delight your Tastebuds
We’d like to raise a glass to one of our newest customers; Wined. Their wine and food pairing delivery boxes make evenings in more tempting than ever. From date nights to simply giving yourself a weekly treat, could this be your ideal delivery? An Education in Wine Many of us enjoy a glass of wine, […]
5 Steps to Improve E-commerce Packaging
As we start a new financial year, we want to sow the seeds for updating and improving your e-commerce postal boxes. How can packaging design benefit your business, customers and the environment? Here are 5 essential steps to consider: 1. Reduce or remove single-use plastic from e-commerce packaging The best way to avoid plastic tax […]
What can we Learn from Easter Egg Packaging?
It’s hard not to notice that Easter Eggs started making an appearance on the supermarket shelves as soon as the Christmas stock had cleared. Perceived as one of the worst examples of excessive packaging, do Easter Eggs deserve their bad press? Excessive Packaging in Decline There is no doubt that the volume of packaging used […]
The Difference Between Retail & Ecommerce Packaging
Retail is shifting online and yet many retailers still approach product packaging with a traditional retail mindset. Why do brands need to think differently when it comes to e-commerce postal boxes? The Purpose of Retail Packaging Let’s start with retail packaging, which is all about shelf appeal. Whether packaged in bottles, jars, tins, packets or […]
Packaging Design Through Time
Retail packaging performs many functions, one of which is grabbing the attention of shoppers. Using a combination of colours, typography, keywords and illustrations, a packaging designer can help a brand and product gain shelf appeal. The aim is to tempt shoppers by appealing to their desires. As times change, so do shoppers’ preferences. Back in […]
Packaging in a Digital World
The rise of digital technology led to many believing that the paperless office would be the norm in the 21st Century. Would this lead to paper mills and packaging manufacturers in the UK going out of business? According to packaging data collated by Ibis World, there are currently 1,442 UK packaging companies. Many of these […]
Does Limited Edition Packaging Work?
Unique packaging design can elevate a brand favourite, help to launch a new product or support a local initiative. The exclusivity of limited-edition packaging adds to the sense of value; the product can go from an everyday essential to a collectable item. Should your brand be considering limited edition retail packaging as part of your […]
Sustainability in 2022
How are conscious consumers shaping the landscape for manufacturers and retailers in 2022? In December, the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) released research. Dreaming of a Green Christmas revealed that 53% of UK adults were opting for more environmentally-friendly celebrations. From selecting sustainable packaging and reusing delivery boxes to shopping local, decisions were made based […]
Removing Plastic Packaging from Bananas
France has placed a ban on plastic packaging for the majority of fruit and veg, which commences in the New Year. Whilst dramatic actions like this are necessary to turn the tide on environmental damage, there are concerns that such actions may increase food waste and contamination. In the UK, smaller-scale actions are being undertaken. […]
Cardboard Office is a Green Apple Winner
It is widely agreed that radical changes in resource management, business processes, product design and packaging are required to tackle environmental issues. Change is happening because many companies see the financial, social and eco-benefits of energy efficiency and waste reduction measures. We have recently read about Cawleys, an established waste management company. This family business […]
Perfect Beer & Snack Pairings Boxed
Transforming plain shipping boxes into branded packaging doesn’t need to be complex or costly. Take the example of Beer Snack Club, a recently launched craft beer and snack pairing subscription box startup. They wanted to keep things simple and were mindful of budget, but they also understand the value of promoting their brand. Tick the […]
Festive Packaging Design Inspiration
The countdown to Christmas provides an ideal opportunity for brands to raise their profile and entice new customers with festive packaging designs. This can encompass a simple twist to the usual font or colour or a completely fresh packaging concept. Either way, a seasonal design can be the winning formula for boosting sales. Indulgence is […]
Packaging Design Masterclass
Are you a small business or start-up looking to bring a new product to the food and beverage market? Tantalising the public’s tastebuds with fresh flavours is an exciting prospect, but this is a challenging market to enter. You might love the taste of your grandmother’s secret recipe, an innovative infusion or the latest superfood, […]
Supply Chain Sustainability
With growing concerns around social and environmental impact, it’s not enough to know that your processes are sustainable. Companies need to be curious and discerning about their supply chains. Is every step of the process ethical? For some products, the product and packaging supply chains are complex. Materials and parts can be sourced from around […]
What is a Circular Economy?
Terms like ‘Circular Economy’ and ‘Regenerative Production’ come up in conversations around sustainability. They inform product and packaging design, business planning and marketing messages, but what do they mean? Following on from our article about environmental claims, brands need to have a collective understanding of eco terms to avoid greenwashing. To aid understanding, the Ellen […]
Gin Tasting Subscription Boxes
There has been a resurgence in gin production and consumption in the past 5 years. By the end of 2020, over 560 gin distilleries were registered in the UK; that’s double the number in 2016. Many of these are small, independently-owned enterprises, crafting exciting new flavours. When faced with a wide selection of options, the […]
Please Recycle Cardboard
Corrugated cardboard can be recycled, with the same fibres being reused seven times to create new boxes. This recycling process saves on raw materials, energy use and transportation costs. As the supply of cardboard has been lower than demand throughout 2021, as many boxes as possible must be kept in the cycle; manufacture, use, collect, […]
Takeaway Reinvented
When an established, local takeaway business was reinvented for modern tastes, a fresh image accompanied the fresh ingredients. With sustainability on the agenda, recyclable packaging was a must. Aylesbury Box Company was delighted to work with Yumshi to provide bespoke, printed delivery boxes. The Inspiration Behind Yumshi Ken’s Beijing is a small, popular Chinese restaurant […]
Tips on Printed Packaging Design
In our previous Printed Packaging article, we explored print options for cardboard packaging and colour matching. Continuing the printed packaging theme, we now offer some design considerations. Positioning of Design Elements on Packaging Packaging is usually printed flat, then folded in a box. This means that consideration has to be given to the design layout. […]
Colour Printed Boxes: What do I Need to Know?
Don’t be bland. Your retail packaging and shipping cartons are an important part of the customer experience. They are often the only physical contact with your company, so they need to reflect your brand. A pop of colour, a stunning illustration and iconic typography add to the appeal of your packaging and build the excitement […]
Packaging for a New Retailer
Aylesbury Box Company has recently had the pleasure of delivering an order of printed cardboard boxes to a new retailer in Henley-on-Thames. This beautiful town is famous for its Royal Regatta and if you are looking for a delightful place to visit for a staycation, Henley will not disappoint. Benefiting from a riverside location, Henley […]
