A Detailed Guide to Types of Packaging Materials

Packaging is a multi-billion dollar industry that comprises endless types of packaging. The reason behind this great market volume is the high demand for packaging in multiple industries. Each industry has its distinctive packaging needs that give rise to multiple packaging material options.

Different types of packaging materials are available to fulfill the diverse demands of the market. Some of these materials are sustainable while others are not.

In this blog, we will discuss a detailed guide on the types of packaging materials. We will explore the features, benefits, and subtypes of these materials as well. Read on to find more!

Importance of Material for Product Packaging

The significance of material in the packaging industry is undeniable. Choosing the right material is paramount for product-selling businesses. A robust and reliable packaging is always required that can protect what’s packed inside. The material is one of the major factors that decide the durability of product packaging.

Apart from protection, the packaging material also decides your budget. A luxury and robust material always requires an increased packaging budget. On the other hand, inexpensive material helps you save costs, yet compromises the packaging quality as well.

Product packaging also plays an important role in boosting your brand if you print suitable graphics on them. To do that, you need to choose a material that supports high-quality printing techniques.

Types of Packaging Materials

Now that you know how important it is to opt for the right packaging material for your business, Let’s delve into the types of packaging materials. Endless options are available when it comes to the materials that make packaging.

Let’s take a look at the types and subtypes of packaging materials that you must know to choose the best one for your business:

Paper

Paper holds one of the largest market shares when it comes to its usage in the packaging industry. According to research shared by Fortune Business Insights:

“The paper packaging market size globally was around USD 348.08 billion in 2022.”

This huge market share comes with a lot of paper packaging subtypes. We all know that paper is a wood-based material that is made after processing wood chips in such a way that these chips are converted into thin sheets.

Depending on the method and the form of wood pulp used (recycled, or raw), custom paper packaging can be categorized into the following subtypes:

• Kraft Packaging

Kraft is a rustic brown form of paper that is made up of raw wood pulp. It is considered to be one of the most eco-friendly packaging material options. The reason is that kraft paper is 100 % recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable. Leaving no carbon footprint, kraft paper packaging boxes and bags say a big hello to the greener future of our planet.

Kraft paper packaging is also famous for its ultimate tensile strength. Although kraft paper is naturally brown, it can be printed with the colors and printing of your preferences.

• Cardboard Boxes

Cardboard is another paper-based material popular for its elegant appeal and high-tensile strength. Boxes made of cardboard material are robust enough to protect what’s packed inside them.

Cardboard packaging boxes are also famous for their remarkable customizability. You can easily personalize them to the shapes and sizes of your requirements. You can also print elegant graphics and different color palettes on them that make them persuasive and eye-catching.

• Corrugated Cartons

Corrugated carton is another popular type of product packaging made of corrugated material. These paper-based materials come with fluted layers of paper sandwiched between plain kraft paper or cardboard.

The fluted layer provides a cushioning effect and protects items packed in corrugated boxes from bumps and knocks. For these reasons, corrugated cartons are considered to be perfect for shipping purposes.

• Rigid Boxes

Last but definitely not least, the rigid stock is a hard and appealing material that is perfect for making premium packaging boxes. The luxury rigid boxes are mostly used to pack high-end products like jewelry, perfumes, luxury cosmetics, and more.

The hard make of these boxes makes them perfect for safeguarding fragile and premium items packed in them. These boxes can also be customized in elegant designs like magnetic closure, shoulder-neck, and other styles.

Glass

Glass is an elegant and one of the most frequently used packaging material types. This material is high in demand for its hard make, transparent appearance, and non-reactive properties. According to a report shared by Fortune Business Insights:

“The global market size of glass packaging was around USD 64.97 billion in 2023.”

soda-lime glass is the most popular type of glass used to make packaging jars and bottles. Different forms of glass packaging are available on the market. Each type of glass packaging is used for distinctive purposes. Some of the most popular glass packaging are listed below:

• Glass Jars

Jars are one of the most common types of packaging made of glass material. Glass jars come in various sizes and shapes. These jars are perfect to pack a wide range of products. Some common items that come in glass jars are honey, candles, candies, cookies, etc.

The importance of glass jars for candle packaging is undeniable. These jars give luxurious candles an elegant touch and help boost candle brands.

• Glass Bottles

The most widespread usage of glass as a packaging material is in making bottles. Whether you want bottles for capsule pills, syrups, oils, or beverages, glass is the best material to make these bottles. The reason is that glass is famous for its non-reactive ability.

Glass bottles do not interact with medicines, food, or chemical products packed in them, nor do they let environmental factors come into contact with these items.

Metal

Aluminum, tin, and steel are some of the most popular types of metals used to make product packaging. Like other materials, metal packaging is also quite high in demand due to its distinctive properties. According to a report shared by Fortune Business Insights:

“The global metal packaging market size was valued at USD 146.70 billion in 2023.”

Being malleable, metals can be molded in your desired shapes. Whether you want to make boxes, cans, or other packaging shapes out of them, you can do it without hassle. Some commonly used metal packaging types are:

• Steel or Tin Cans

Steel or tin cans are non-reactive robust and long-lasting packaging material options. These cans are commonly used to pack food products like pickles, oils, powdered milk, and more. They enhance the shelf-life of food products and prevent them from outside contamination.

• Metal Jars

Metal jars are another famous option for your products if you want to go for metal packaging. These jars are durable and look appealing as well. You might’ve heard of tin jars for candles. They look persuasive and prevent the candle wax from melting.

Plastic

The significance of plastic can’t be overlooked when talking about packaging materials. According to Statista:

“The plastic packaging’s global market volume was around 265.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2022.”

Various types of plastics are available to make robust and reliable packaging for your products. Some commonly used plastic packaging subtypes based on their materials are listed below:

• Polythene Bags

Polythene bags are quite common in the packaging industry. Whether it's a brick-and-mortar, shopping mall, grocery store, or other retail shop, polythene bags are widely used as retail packaging. These inexpensive and durable bags are perfect to protect products packed in them from damage and save your budget as well.

• Mylar Bags

Mylar is made with a combination of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and metal. Bags and sachets made out of mylar are widely used in the food and other industries. These bags can be customized in various forms depending on the products that you want to pack in them.

You can get stand up mylar pouches, mylar sachets, ziplock mylar bags, resealable bags, and more depending on your specific needs.

• Acrylic Boxes

Acrylic boxes are widely used as a product display packaging. The transparent appearance and robust make of acrylic resembles glass. However, unlike glass boxes, it does not break into pieces when smashed.

Acrylic boxes present your product persuasively on the retail shelves encouraging customers to buy. These boxes are especially an excellent display for showcasing high-ticket items like jewelry, perfumes, watches, and more.

• PVC Cartons

PVC is one of the most robust and highly durable forms of plastic. If you want to make crates and cartons for heavy-duty items, opt for PVC cartons. They can bear heavy loads without getting cracked. PVC boxes can be customized in various sizes and colors as well. It allows you to make appealing and perfectly sized packaging for your products.

Fabrics

Fabric is a kind of packaging material that is mostly overlooked due to uncommon usage in the packaging industry. Although it is not as popular as plastic or paper, it has widespread use across multiple industries.

Some commonly used fabric packaging includes canvas bags, cotton bags, denim bags, etc. All these bags are commonly used to pack grocery products and retail items. These bags can be printed with brand logos as well making them an effective marketing tool for businesses who use them.

Where to Source Quality Packaging Material?

Various kinds of packaging materials of multiple qualities are available in the market. But the question is where to buy the right and excellent quality material to make standout product packaging. Your one-stop shop for packaging needs is OXO Packaging.

You can get packaging made from any material of your choice from us. One thing we promise is the uncompromised quality of packaging material.

And if you are facing challenges in choosing the appropriate material for your product packaging, we can help you with that. Just tell us your product and brand requirements, and our experts will tell you which packaging material you should go for.

Wrap-Up!

Now you know everything about the types of packaging materials available. From paper, plastic, and metal to glass and fabric, we’ve discussed in detail all the packaging materials. If you are still confused about anything, get in touch with us.

Or, if you are planning to buy robust and persuasive packaging for your products, share your requirements. We will get back to you with a custom quote.