Custom Boxes for Next Level Marketing

It's not a stretch to say that designing custom boxes is kind of our thing. 

Customization can mean many thing, and varies from product to product. For some customers, it might just mean integrating aspects of their brand in the colors and printing design for the package. And for others, it might be a total reimagining of an existing box structure.

But it doesn't matter what premise our customers are starting from, it's about where we can take it. Having the vision for designing something that brings together seemingly disparate elements to create a cohesive package is something we take a lot of pride in being to do. And one of the most popular box styles - the cigar box - is a great starting point for building off of.

Custom Boxes Make the Difference

A cigar box is, on the surface, exactly what you imagine. Flap top, hard sides, maybe wrapped or turned style edges. But level it up to meet your marketing needs. 

Add a magnet for closure. A soft touch lamination. Embossing or debossing. It's immediately a lot more appealing, and a lot more than just a cigar box now. Take a look at the example to the side. In this product, designed for human resources company ADP, we created a promotional marketing piece that combines several box styles like our mag box, the cigar box premise, and more. While the functionality is clear, the design adds another element of customization. ADP has unique content and a clear sense of design. Combined, those factors help us understand their vision and how designing custom boxes aids that vision.

Packaging & Your Custom Marketing Plan

Modern marketing has many faucets. Analytics, social media, traditional print and beyond. Where does packaging figure in?

We'd argue that packaging design should be in the forefront of any marketing plan, whether your business is customer facing or B2B. When you look at your organization's collateral, what's the impression it gives off? If the impression is along the lines of, 'We need some custom boxes ASAP!' we're here for you.

Talk design ideas with our team or look over our marketing packages for inspiration. We'll be waiting!

Designing Sustainable Cosmetic Packaging

Sustainability is a big topic these days. As the world becomes more conscious of the effect that our waste has on... Well, just about everything, the more interested consumers and organizations are in different initiatives. Zero waste, carbon neutral, and other environmentally-friendly terms are becoming more and more common. Cosmetic packaging is one industry that is working to meet these concerns in a different way. 

The Sustainable Packaging Initiative for CosmEtics (SPICE) launched recently. Cofounded by L'Oreal, its primary focus is simple: shaping the future of sustainable beauty and cosmetic packaging across the industry.

The State of Cosmetic Packaging

While Sunrise has yet to create any customized sustainable cosmetic packaging for customers, we're looking forward to the partnership. In our current design mode, we work primarily with customers on concepts and designs. SPICE has created a tool that *grades* the sustainability of packaging on a spectrum of metrics. It brings ecodesign into the overall design process in a seamless way. 

The tool consists of an interface designed for cosmetic packaging engineers. It can calculate the footprint of packaging layer by layer, provide an overview of its environmental impact, and more. It can also allow for variants and simulations within a packaging design build. Overall, it's a malleable tool that can have far reaching impact.

The Future of Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging efforts have varying struggles based on the industry. A tool, like the one SPICE created, can make it easier than ever for organizations to see their impact and make changes. And we know that it's not an overnight process to change. Like many other packaging companies, Sunrise is new to the sustainability game, and relies on consumers to lead the charge. But, as always, we're ready for the challenge!

If you're ready to engage Sunrise on a new cosmetic packaging initiative, let us know. Reach out to our team today!

Designing a User Friendly Medical Kit

Designing a medical kit takes a bit more expertise than some of our other markets. The regulation guidelines, considerations for the design of closure and security, and more make these projects not for the faint of heart. But at Sunrise, we've created many healthcare and medical packages over the years. We're certainly not new to the nuance of medical boxes. 

However, each project does present new challenges, depending on the intent of the product and the parent company. Budget, intended audience, and more all play a part in how we approach the design and construction of each custom packaging job.

Medical Kit Features

It's important not to forget that, behind all the regulatory and instructional content, a medical kit is a marketing piece. The specialty healthcare industry has no small amount of competition, which means even the smallest features can give you a competitive edge. Look at elements that will please your intended customer. Things you should consider include: 

  • Ease of opening 
    How easy is it to open the medical kit? It's a fine line between something that is too easy, and something that is manageable for aging fingers to manipulate. If your kit is meant to be accessible by the baby boomer population or by Gen Z, how you think about the closure will change. 
  • Transportation security and ease
    Does the box insert need to be padded or kept cool? Is this going to contain something weighty or light? Would handles make it easier to carry, or cut outs? Consider what specifications will need to be included upfront for an easy design and construction phase.

These are just two aspects that can have a big impact on construction timeframe and budget. Once you have an idea what the packaging needs are for your medical kit, Sunrise can start working up a quote. 

Future-Proofing Medical Packaging

Like all packaging industries, medical packaging is subject to trends. However, by taking the time to consider all scenarios and use cases for your target audience, you can help future-proof your healthcare boxes to an extent. We know nothing lasts forever. But if it can withstand a bit longer on the market without heavy modifications, it's more efficient for your budget and your time. 

Let us help guide you through all the aspects of medical kit design. Our team is ready and waiting for your partnership!

Luxury Packaging For All

Luxury packaging is about more than just high-end consumer goods. 

When we think about the term, certain things come to mind. Watches. Jewelry. Perfume and cologne. And many more. But in reality, many elements of luxury packaging are found in everyday items. And maybe in places that would surprise you. Medical and healthcare packaging is one industry that frequently utilizes common elements of luxury packaging.

 

Everyday Luxury Packaging

When you think about it, it's not so surprising that medical and healthcare boxes are so similar to luxury packaging. These items are generally expensive--like the products we mentioned above--and need careful and innovative packaging to maintain their integrity. A watch packaged with a fluffy cushion in a hard case looks sharp, but also needs that protection to stay whole. The same goes for many medical devices. In the example to the side, you can see a recent project we created for Starkey Labs. A brand known for quality, service and empathy, we worked closely with them to ensure that this product not only emphasized those brand attributes, but also was also an accessible piece for their clients.

Luxury For All

We used several luxury packaging principles in creating this piece, which houses hearing aids and supporting items. The soft touch lamination and offset printing create an approachable impression full of soothing stability. The thermoformed tray and other elements keep the items safe and secure in place.  These are elements that wouldn't be out of place in, say, a box holding designer perfume. Luxury is more than a price point at Sunrise Packaging. It's a leveler for equality. 

Learn more about how we can use luxury elements to level up your packaging efforts!

Law Firm Branding with the FlashPad

Creating a brand for a law firm is just as important as it would be for any other business. Clients want to know who they're engaging with, particularly if they share and support similar ideals and values. These factors should be integrated into the fabric of a firm, reflected in their mission, promise, and elsewhere. Law firm branding affects design as well, and not only in a logo. 

Creating collateral, and thinking about how a client accesses that collateral, should be part of a firm's overall marketing strategy as well. It affects their brand in different ways. Let's dig in.

 

Artifacts of Law Firm Branding

Take a look at this recent project with a law firm focused on energy and infrastructure projects. What can you infer about their brand from the look and feel of this design?

This particular style of durable promotional packaging speaks to law firm branding in several ways. In the most obvious, their logo and stylized text and icons are prominent on a sea of white. The inside includes a custom foam pad facing a stark global map.  

Consider the semantics of the design. What does white convey that another color, like black, doesn't? What do the icons say?  The map? It all comes together to paint the picture of a global brand with an eye on the environment and the planet as a whole.  This particular firm identifies as a boutique firm, staffed with a passionionate and highly-collaborative approach to their business.

Creating and Fostering Collaboration

Law firm branding in the boutique sphere allows for a high level of customization, and we look forward to input and working closely with partner organizations on projects like these. Sunrise is able to source materials in ways that matter to clients. We do the majority of our work in house as well, which means that everything we put out is carefully constructed to a high standard. 

Bring your ideas, or we can co-design some options. We look forward to chatting with you about your project soon!

Documentation Boxes

Documentation is a wide-reaching term. It can refer the work of technical writers working on software, medical devices, and more. It could be documentation for a mortgage or a different kind of loan, or financial advising of some sort. New employee onboarding usually refers to some documentation, whether it's HR-related or workflows of the organization. Basically, as much as we might want the convenience of accessing things online, paper isn't going anywhere.  And when you need to organize those papers, documentation boxes are your best friend. 

At Sunrise, our documentation boxes take the best elements from two worlds. We combine a binder, with it's efficient ring design, and embed it in a magnetic box. It's dual functionality and provides immense value to our customers. 

Documentation Boxes in Production

In the example to the side, you can see a recent project completed for APITech. These are sample kits that can hold documentation as necessary alongside other materials that this organization shares with their constituents. It allows their team to easily carry multiple pieces of collateral without the hassle of loose sheets or oddly-shaped materials. It also creates a single, clean resource point for their customers, or a kind of presentation packaging. 

This is just one application of this style of boxes. Other industries that have utilized our unique approach to documentation boxes include healthcare, real estate, financial and medical companies. For all of these folks, it's about functionality and ease of use. And with the ability to craft custom inserts, dynamic graphics and more, every documentation box is 100% unique to the client.

Storage and Marketing, Together

It's not often that we see a storage piece that can work for marketing, too. But that's exactly the balance we strike with our documentation boxes. It's just another example of the innovative packaging we love to create.

As we mentioned above, this packaging is customizable in many ways. Need a foam insert? Want embossing on the side? Not sure how to make it work but interested to learn more? Whatever your questions or specifications might be, our team is ready to chat. Contact us now!

Growth Strategies for CBD Packaging

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the most popular wellness products to emerge in the last few years. With revenue in the billions--and no sign of slowing--it's not an understatement to say the market is hot.  And with a hot market comes an influx of products and grades of CBD packaging. 

One of the major difficulties every brand faces is how to stand apart in a market. It's even harder with an increasingly-saturated market. As scientific evidence mounts in support of CBD oil, it's more important than ever for a product to find its footing, its audience and its packaging appeal.

Why CBD Packaging Matters

Brand differentiation is key to gaining a foothold in the CBD market. And one of the most effective ways to do that is to have unique packaging. Depending on how your business operates - storefront, mail order or otherwise - there's a benefit to investing in quality boxes for your CBD products. 

The obvious reason is to protect your products during shipping and transportation in general. Most CBD also benefits from cool, dark spaces, and Sunrise can craft custom foam inserts for this reason. But there's the shelf appeal to packaging, and that extends far from the classic shopping trip. With the popularity of unboxings on Instagram and TikTok, video reviews through Reels and YouTube, the visibility of a product has never been higher. Ensuring that your customers (or influencers) have an experience to share is the best use of your marketing dollars. 

Growing Quality Content

Content creation is another hot part of any marketing strategy. Marketing teams can do this, naturally. But leveraging user generated content is even better. When customers are excited by a product and want to share it, it's definitely a bonus. Crafting experiences that customers want to share starts with crafting unique packaging.

Talk to us more about your ideas for experiential marketing through packaging. Contact our team today!

Handmade Packaging

Call it custom, crafted, creative, whatever synonyms come to mind. But handmade packaging is one of our specialties at Sunrise Packaging. Handmade packaging is far from our most economical offering, but for customers that want something that is truly unique with elements that can't be found anywhere else, it's the only option. 

Crafting boxes by hand is something of a revolutionary thought. Or at least it was in the not-so-distant past. But as people are encouraged to stay home more and avoid public spaces and crowds, there's been a crafting renaissance. More and more people are learning how to do more from home (who hasn't seen someone in their feeds making sourdough?). And while packaging hasn't exactly risen to the highest point of popularity, a respect for craftsmanship and knowledge is surely present.

The Magic of Handmade Packaging

We've all experienced the disappointment of packaging that doesn't hold up over time. The corners become dogeared and dented, the colors fade. Maybe even worst of all, the packaging contents become damaged or unusable for some reason. Simply put, the quality that enhances the value in a literal way and for the product itself. 

Viewing packaging as an investment is one way to justify the cost and time. Custom boxes do tend to see a return on that investment, though, by being more stylish and eye-grabbing than the standard box formats. In the example to the side, you can see the custom foam insert, the matte-scuff free lamination, all encapsulated in the magnetic closure box. It's an effect garnered from the sum of the whole. Packaging like this is about creating an experience. And that's part of the magic of handmade packaging.

Bring Your Vision To Reality

Handmade boxes and packaging can be time-intensive. It depends on what elements needs to go into the end product. We're confident in our ability to create unique experiences for consumers, but we need the input and vision of our customers to make sure that we're on the same page. We view these type of projects as partnerships. 

When you're ready to partner up on your next packaging experience, we'll be waiting!

Uses for a Binder Box

Packaging is sometimes a bit of a hidden art form. It's something that's always present in multiple forms in your life. But when it's done well, we don't always notice it. That's the case with a sturdy binder or binder box. 

A three ring binder is fairly utilitarian thing. We need it when we need it, and we take it for granted when it's sturdy and made to withstand usage. It's when it falls apart that we notice it. That's why we're making the case for *not* being the organization with the bad binders. 

Using a Binder Box for Durability

One way to not be that organization? Invest in quality binders. One way to be the organization that people remember for great binders? Use a binder box. 

A binder box uses a tray with the metal rings attached. The classic binder style uses a magnetic flap to keep the entire thing enclosed, and the inserts firmly in place. It's a great tool not only for marketing, but for weathering the elements as well. Think of it as useful on a construction site or in a shop. Blueprints, receipts, timesheets, and more can be kept securely in one place. Additionally, this type of packaging can be fully printed and customized to your needs. Whatever colors, watermark, logo, and other branding needs you might have can be included. 

A Box for All Industries

The binder box lends itself well to a variety of industries outside of construction. And it's not limited to work sites or marketing presentations. It's great for training materials and classroom use, to keep syllabuses in order while giving you the ability to take notes and add your own materials. Basically, no matter what your business is, there's a business use for the binder box. 

Teaching, training, project management, and beyond. The binder box can make your life easier and the lives of your employees and customers. Get a quote and get started with your binder design today.

Sample Kit Case Study

We often think of a sample kit as a way to introduce people to a new product. But sometimes, it's part of a strategy to reintroduce folks to a brand.

Bose is a well-known brand (to put it mildly). Words like quality and innovative are synonymous with their products. But in recent years, an increase in competition has led them to rethink their strategy.

Sample Kit Design

You're getting ready to listen to some music - what are you using?

There are a few choices these days. Maybe you said Air Pods, or Beats by Dre. Pods, buds, or over ear headphones, there's no lack of options nowadays for music. This is where Bose opted to revitalize their marketing strategy, and worked with us to create a sample kit for their flagship product. 

The sample kit we designed with them is a cigar style box with soft Nuba wrap, popping with 4 color printing in their trademark brand. The die cut sleeve teases a glimpse of the color, and adds a pop of flair to the kit. Overall, the effect is classic and enticing.

Where a Sample Kit Fits in an OmniChannel Campaign

Sample kits play an important part in any omnichannel marketing campaign. They're the perfect point to pull together the messaging and graphics utilized via media outlets. By balancing branding and marketing, sample kits can be used to reach influencers, the target market, and beyond, all while reinforcing a brand built on high quality products. 

Creating custom boxes for Bose is an important project on a big stage. But at Sunrise, we bring our A game to projects of every size. Are you looking to revitalize your brand? Whatever the scale, we can help. Give our sales team a call to get started.