What is the secret to making your product fly off the shelves? Over the years, multiple marketers and business owners have pondered this and come up with a few possible solutions, the most common being creating a genuinely beneficial and attractive product and marketing it effectively.
However, it’s nearly impossible for the consumer to determine the quality of your product just by looking at it. That’s probably why 72% of American consumers purchase based on package design.
Manufacturers get a lot of leeway when it comes to packaging design. There are tons of materials you can use, but most manufacturers prefer kraft paper. This begs the question: what is kraft paper? Why is it so popular? Read on to find out.
What is Kraft Paper?
Kraft paper has been touted to be one of the most sustainable, eco-friendly, and durable packaging materials and for good reason. As the name suggests, kraft paper is a type of paper manufactured through the kraft process.
Unlike other paper manufacturing methods, the kraft process involves converting wood into wood pulp and removing any lignin from the pulp before finally converting the pulp into paper. By removing lignin from the mixture, manufacturers can create a stronger, more durable paper – hence the name “kraft,” which literally means ‘strong’ in German.
What Makes Kraft Paper So Popular?
It’s no secret that kraft paper looks good. Its rustic aesthetics and textured finish give off an earth-centered vibe that appeals to most people. But, that’s not all there is to it. Here’s why many businesses are choosing kraft paper as their preferred packaging option.
Impressive Durability
Product packaging is exposed to various forces and elements during transit and storage. Everything from industrial pressure to heat and moisture could damage packaging, making the product look less attractive.
Besides eliminating lignin, which isn’t very good for making paper, the kraft process also results in a high sulfur ratio and the final product does not require extensive bleaching. This fact alone makes kraft paper significantly stronger and more durable than conventional packaging paper.
Eco-Friendly
82% of consumers are willing to spend more on a product with sustainable packaging. As consumer awareness of the impact their purchases have on the environment intensifies, businesses are having to adjust their packaging choices to align with consumer preferences.
That’s where kraft paper comes in. Kraft paper is considerably more eco-friendly than other alternatives. It is recyclable, requires fewer chemicals to treat the wood pulp, and the major by-products of the manufacturing process (tall oil and turpentine) are commonly repurposed for other goods.
Highly Customizable
Having a unique packaging design goes a long way in making your brand more distinguishable. The right customization can also make your product look more luxurious and appealing.
Kraft paper is an ideal choice for high-end products owing to its rustic look and natural feel. It also blends in well with most brand logos and colors, making it an excellent choice when experimenting with different design options.
Why You Need to Shift to Kraft Paper Packaging
Kraft paper offers a one-size-fits-all solution for most packaging needs. Its impressive aesthetics and durability make it an ideal packaging option for both high and low-end products spanning multiple industries.
It’s also one of the few eco-friendly packaging options available. Considering the accelerating global push for sustainability, kraft paper is bound to become even more popular over the next few years.
