NIKE AIR

When it comes to branding and evolving designs, Nike is at the forefront. Their popular running shoes have given new meaning to comfort and organic design. The Nike Air line of shoes contains this simple, yet ingenious, innovation in packaging in its name: air.

Rather than shipping their shoes in your typical padded shoebox with paper, peanuts, or plastic bags, they did something different. Nike placed their Air shoes inside an air-filled bag. By shipping in an inflated airbag, Nike has reached Inception-level branding.

SARALON

Many packaging services can provide you with bold, vibrant, and eye-popping designs. For some companies, that may not be enough to stand out from their competition. How does a product package jump out even more?

The answer is with light. We're not talking about shelf lights or display lights, we mean a light built into the packaging. Saralon has developed a patented ink technology that turns your printing into a conductive light source.

This ink can be used on top of already existing printing technology and can be printed on paper, foil, glass, and plastic. The special ink is like an extension of the now-famous Circuit Scribe, which lets you draw electric circuits with a pen. There are many applications of an illuminating ink printed into the packaging.

We can't wait to see this type of packaging coming to grocery stores and convenience stores. Dimmer store lights when shopping late sounds good.

METHOD

This next packaging company is going to lead the next wave in sustainable luxury packaging. The company "method" is upping the ante on recyclable packaging. They're sourcing their packaging materials directly from the oceans.

You know, the same oceans that are so inundated with plastic that there's a plastic island the size of Texas floating around. This level of recycling is twice as attractive as your basic blue bin brand of recycling. Look for method's "ocean recycled" packaging tags in the near future.

BIODEGRADABLE COSMETICS

The cosmetic industry has probably been one of the least environmentally-conscious industries for a long time. The products themselves have only started to push for non-toxic alternative ingredients in the last few decades. Apparently, lead and carcinogens are bad for business.

With that said, there are some big pushes for sustainable packaging made by companies like Sulapac. Their packaging is 100% biodegradable made from recyclables or sustainable materials. It looks, feels, and processes just like plastic.

This is the plastic alternative that packaging companies have been waiting for a long time. It is extremely manufacturer-friendly, which combats the concerns over profit margins by going "green" with packaging. Sulapac is pushing their packaging into the luxury brand markets with hopes to start a wave of adoptions.

TETRA PAK

Taking a similar direction as our previous packaging innovation, Tetra Pak is reinventing the plastic-dominated bottling industry. Their carton-based bottles look and act like plastics. Unlike plastics, the Tetra Evero Aspetic bottle is completely recyclable.

The inside comes from sustainable paperboard, while the outside is a recyclable polyethylene for texture and printing all the way around. Both materials separate easily for quick mechanical sorting for recycling.

OPEN-SESAME

Reinventing the wheel is difficult; reinventing the box takes a close second. Multi-functional boxes can help save tons of wasted resources and time. Open-sesame is a shelf-ready shipping box that can be opened up into a display box.

The key is in its easy pulling tape that allows a quick tear around the perimeter. No need for extra cutting and assembly. This is a real game-changer for many industries. Perishable goods that need delivery in large quantity can be quickly retrieved and extracted with both hands free.

INDUCTIVE INTELLIGENCE

Let's switch gears for a moment and check out packaging beyond the structural. Inductive Intelligence is a company that is reinventing the way we look at packaged meals. They have invented a way to heat up packaged foods without buying a separate appliance.

No microwave, no oven, no portable burner. How does it work? A wireless phone charger.

That's right, this packaging technology taps into the technology that transfers power to your phone. Set your container of food, wrapped in inductive packaging, and it will be hot and ready on its own. It takes only 30% longer than a microwave while using 90% less energy.

ESPELMA

This candle company is doing away with traditional packaging. They sell a clean-burning candle wax with refillable glass vessels. This luxury handmade brand highlights sustainability and craftsmanship in their packaging.

They place the story of the founder's summers filled with nature's colors, textures, and scent into everything. The packaging's elegant white arches, still-life images, and textured curves exude luxury. The elements interwoven in this brand don't reinvent the wheel, but they do refine it in splendid displays.

UTILIZING PACKAGING COMPANIES

If these luxury packaging companies have inspired you to rethink your brand's packaging, you're welcome. Great package design should coincide with a rebranding campaign. Start yours today, even if you don't already have a design in place.

Boost your brand's value, build a stronger customer bond, and become a trendsetter with unique product packaging. Contact us now to start creating your new look today.