Earlier this year we shared Mashable writer, Matthias Garcia’s annual mobile marketing trends on the rise in our blog “Mobile Marketing Trends to Look for in 2012,” and one of those trends was marketing through augmented reality. This trend is already starting to make its mark in 2012 and can be seen courtesy of Bandai’s new Thundercats, Ben 10, and Power Rangers.

In this augmented reality package design, consumers who want purchase the product may use their smart phone or iPad  to bring the package to life via Aurasma’s augmented reality. Parents as well as kids are presented with a to-scale 3D animated image of the toy that they want to purchase. The benefit of this allows the consumer to see the product from all sides and angles without having to actually open the box.

“The toy industry is always looking for new ways to excite customers so we are thrilled to be the first partner of this pioneering 3D technology creating 21st century window shopping,” said Darrell Jones, Marketing Director at Bandai.

Martina King, Managing Director of Aurasma, expanded on Jones’ enthusiasm:

“Parents will now have to remember not to throw away the packaging which, thanks to Aurasma, looks set to become an essential part of the toy’s experience and something kids keep returning to.”

“Using new technology comes as second nature to kids today and whether using their parents’ or their own mobile phone, this imaginative partnership between Aurasma and Bandai will delight the whole family. And best of all, because Aurasma is free to download, it means that now pocket money can be stretched just that little bit further.”

It’s no secret the music industry has been battered by the growth of online digital music sales. CD sales continue to be way down. The convenience of jumping on iTunes and grabbing some tunes without having to leave your home is unmistakable. Faced with that challenge, artists and labels are choosing not to completely give in to the digital revolution. Custom CD packaging is a way that artists can differentiate and offer something tangible for their fans. Going beyond jewel cases and digipaks, a lot of artists and record companies are having success customizing their packaging. These examples might be an exaggeration, as you won’t see CD packaging this elaborate everyday. Nonetheless, they’re very cool and creative.

DHNN‘s design for Beck’s 8-bit album

Vonnegut Dollhouse by Rethink

Clever Paperboard CD Packaging by Jakebox

Radical Music by SunrisePackaging

Some have speculated that USB flash drives would be a short-lived phenomenon, although market research has projected the USB flash drive market to reach 568 million units by 2015, suggesting steady growth.

This makes sense because of the many benefits associated with flash drives. Whether it’s personal or business, USB drives offer a wide variety of benefits such as ease of use, durability, portability, and increased data storage space among others.

Most businesses are now switching their media to USB flash drives, especially for promotional use, away from dated storage media such as compact discs, floppy drives, and SD cards. Some speculated that there would be no need for USB drives as we go deeper in the digital age but end users still find a lot of value in having a tangible product in their hands.

As a packaging manufacturer for nearly 30 years, we’ve experienced quite an increase in interest for USB flash drive packaging especially in the last year. This suggests that the growth is occurring and the demand for USB drives will persist. Companies who use USB drives for promotional use are differentiating by customizing their flash drives and through packaging.

Megatrax is one of the world’s leading production music libraries, recognized by its quality and innovation in technology and services. The company wanted their promotional material to be presented on a USB flash drive. Expanding on their presentation idea, they needed a creative packaging solution for the flash drive to show their commitment to innovation. That’s when they turned to Sunrise Packaging.

Megatrax wanted  custom USB packaging with a modern look. Being solution-oriented, Sunrise Packaging rep Jason Lowe worked with Megatrax to come up with the ideal case. After working with the customer to understand their needs, Jason suggested a case featuring custom turned-edge technology with a dense presentation foam on the inside to give the case a modern clean look as well as maximum protection for the flash drive.

The foam is custom cut with a literature and USB cavity to tightly hold the company’s brochure and flash drive. The success of the project came in mid-stream as Sunrise was able to adapt on the fly and help the customer create a case that presented the company confidently.

Choosing custom packaging means choosing to differentiate.
More on custom USB packaging
Watch a video on how turned edge products are made

If you have never heard of turned edge packaging, take a look at the turned edge process and technologies by watching our YouTube video.

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Now you should have a better understanding of what turned edge is and the process of making turned edge products. Turned edge can be applied to a variety of products. When a project requires a more professional look and a more durable material, turn to turned edge. The types of products that turned edge can bring a sophisticated look to include:

Boxes: Customization is key to making a product stand out from the others. Turned edge boxes are upscale and are perfect for products wanting to showcase elegance.

Binders: Turned edge binders have the look and feel of a hardcover book and are an impressive alternative to the standard 3-ring binder.

Permavue: These turned edge cases are excellent for showcasing unique and creative designs. The turned edge albums have many options like adding folders for discs and promotional materials. They are also light in weight, making them suitable for direct mail purposes.

Slip/Slant Cases: These turned edge cases are great for organizing program materials, periodicals, marketing mailers, and office papers.

Media Packaging: Turned edge media packaging contains thermoformed trays that are strong and durable, making them ideal for sales kits, multimedia kits, audio books, and promotional materials. They can range from holding one CD or DVD or an entire set of product materials.

Turned edge is unique in that it has an array of customization possibilities. The options include offset and screen printing, foil stamping, embossing, and debossing. There are also many foam shape and size options as well as the use of thermoformed trays. Turned edge works with a variety of materials. From standard paper to suede to linen, there’s a vast amount of materials to choose from. Turned edge packaging can also come in a variety of shapes and sizes that fit whatever a company has in mind.

Turned edge packaging provides durability, versatility, and the ability for a product to stand out from its competition. The upscale look turned edge packaging possesses gives a product a unique and creative look.

Clamshell packaging is capable of storing an array of products from electronics to toys. Clamshells are often criticized for contributing to wrap rage; the heightened level of anger and frustration resulting in the inability to open hard to remove packaging. Although clamshells have gotten a bad rap, they are a very beneficial packaging option. They provide increased security and protection for products. They may be difficult to open, but they keep products safe and secure.

There are a couple different kinds of clamshells. The first kind is the clamshell packaging most commonly found in retail. These clamshells are thermoformed. This is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, then formed to a specific shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product. Clamshells are named because of the hinge it possesses. They can have one or more hinges. A clamshell with a single hinge usually includes a hanger tab, allowing it to hang from store pegs. Clamshells with multi hinges allow the packaging to have a flat base so the product can stand upright. Although these are the ones that gives us the wrap rage, they are a wonderful way to showcase products. The clear plastic allows great visibility to consumers. They are also very versatile, in that they can be designed in many ways that cater to specific products.

The next type of clamshell packaging is clamshell CD/DVD cases. These are a great alternative to traditional jewel cases and paper sleeves. These cases provide excellent security with is strong center hub to keep discs in place. Clamshell CD/DVD cases are a fantastic way to save on storage space. Their slim design allows for more to be stored at once than standard disc packaging.

Ever wonder how clamshell packaging came to be?
Look familiar?

Custom USB Packaging

UBU Sports specializes in synthetic sports turf that enhances athletic performance and player safety. To educate clients on the significant differences in their various synthetic turf systems, UBU Sports wanted packaging for their promotional materials that would differentiate them and emphasize the uniqueness of their sports surfaces.

Account Manager Steve Sandahl worked with UBU Sports to create a custom turned edge USB case that would be a great representation of their company and products. Style and durability are the two main characteristics. The turned edge technology gives it the feel of a hardcover book that opens up to the inside where a piece of high density foam holds the USB flash drive securely in place. Combined with alluring graphics, this USB case is an innovative promotional package for a cutting-edge company.

Contact Sunrise Packaging today about ways to differentiate your company through packaging.

Head over to our online store this month. We have an Amazon Gift Card with your name on it!

Digipaks are becoming a popular option for CD/DVD packaging. They are an attractive and unique way to showcase products and artwork. People all over the world are switching to digipaks because of the versatility they offer. Digipaks can be customized to fit any type of design. They also have many benefits that make digipaks a great option for media packaging. Digipaks are not your ordinary packaging for CDs and DVDs and are being used by many for a variety of different things.

8 Benefits of Digipaks:

1. Two Products in One: Fuses parts of a jewel case and cardboard together.

2. Eco-friendly: They are made from recycled materials and use less plastic than traditional jewel cases.

3. Quality: Digipaks are made from high quality materials and are less resistance to breaking or cracking.

4. Display Capabilities: Images are easier to print on digipaks and graphics can be put anywhere. They can be UV coated or matte finished; both providing the digipak with a luxury finish.

5. Multi-disc options: Digipaks are not limited to only holding one disc. They can be made to hold as many discs as your project requires.

6. Customization: Digipaks are classified by the number of panels. A panel being a one sided square that is apart of the digipak.  They can have as little as 2 and as many as 8 panels. They can be customized by adding pockets, folds, and booklets. They have various places for printing options as well. There are many possibilities and options available.

7. Marketing Included: Since digipaks have the ability to contain more graphic display, marketing efforts are lengthened. The marketing message that is to be delivered can be done on the digipak, increasing the message’s reach.

8. Creativity Has no Boundaries: Digipaks are a fun way to express a creative side. They have to ability to showcase anything that  comes to mind. Whether you use only black and white or the colors of the rainbow, a multitude of graphics or just a few, a digipak will portray the idea you have and give it life.

I’m sure we have all heard of the famous jewel case, but have you ever heard of a digipak? A digipak is an innovative and patented style of CD or DVD packaging that is similar to the standard jewel case, but typically consists of a gatefold paperboard or card stock outer binding instead of plastic. It also features one or more plastic trays that are attached to the inside. The main benefit of a digipak is that it is shatter proof and allows for greater graphic display. Digipak CD packaging can also be configured to fit specific needs. It can be designed to hold anything from discs to literature and artwork. The way the digipak folds can also be specifically designed as well. From a simple book-like fold to multiple folds, the possibilities using digipak packaging are endless.

Digipaks also allow creative flexibility. Traditional jewel cases only allow artwork to be inserted in the back and front covers, with a place to insert a small booklet on the inside. Digipaks have the benefit of being able to emboss letters and images, which is a technique that creates an impression on materials, giving packaging a unique look and texture.  Bright colors and elaborate graphics are able to be used as well as incorporating literature and booklets if needed. The trays that are used in digipaks are versatile in that they can be configured in multiple ways. They can come in different colors and are impact resistant and eliminate the risk of breakage.

Digipak packaging also enhances promotions and marketing. They are an inventive and creative way to promote a product, service, or company. Digipaks can be easily distributed and are an attractive way to get a message out to attract customers and clients. They also provide a more eco-friendly option than traditional jewel cases because less plastic is used. Digipaks offer many benefits for disc packaging and are used by many companies.