There are diverse ranges of soap packaging but choosing a soap packaging which is just right for your soap needs strategic thinking. The perfect soap packaging is subjective and it depends upon the personality of the soap brand, target audience, sales channel and budget of the soap business. However, the most suitable soap boxes for your soap business are the ones which reflect your brand’s visual aesthetics, marketing objectives, preserve the integrity of soap and cost an amount within the brand's budget.
Below is a complete guide for designing and creating the soap packaging which addresses all the packaging concerns of the soap businesses.
Core Functions of Soap Packaging
Before we get into designing the soap packaging, it is important to understand the primary purpose of soap boxes. Hence, below are three major reasons why soap brands and businesses buy custom soap boxes.
Physical Protection: The exterior packaging on soap bars prevent the soap from dents, structural and texture damage and outside pollutants, finger prints etc. It is also essential for maintaining the hygiene of the soap bars.
Environmental Shielding: It also acts as a shield against environmental factors such as temperature changes etc. The soap packaging copes well with the moisture loss or absorption of the packaging, oil-sweating etc and the loss of fragrance and oil from light and sun exposure.
Communication: It is highly essential in displaying the brand identity, important product information such as net weight, batch numbers, allergens,fragrance, and any other regulatory instructions. Hence, It is very useful for communication with potential customers.
Standard Formats & Box Structures
Full Closure Soap Boxes
These types of soap boxes are the most common in the soap industry. They are tuck end cardboard boxes i.e straight, reverse or bottom and offer maximum surface area for branding and product information. The soap is fully enclosed in these boxes.
Holster Tray Soap Boxes
Holster Soap Boxes are the soap boxes usually used in retail for aesthetic display of the product. The holster tray keeps the product intact while holding the bottom of the soap bar and represents brand identity and essential soap information on the tray.
Soap Sleeves And Cigar Bands
These types of custom soap boxes wrap around the soap in the middle and usually the top and bottom are open. Soap Sleeve is an affordable type of soap packaging and usually preferred by brands who want their soap bars to be easily seen and smelled by the potential consumers.
Flexible Soap Wraps
These are breathable soap wraps such as paper wraps/sheets etc. This type of soap packaging is usually ideal for soap brands who need plastic free, and air circulation for their artisan cold soaps.
Rigid Soap Boxes
These are high end, luxury soap packaging boxes which can be multipieces depending upon the style. Rigid soap boxes are mostly used by premium soap brands who need memorable and long lasting unboxing experience and are also used as promotional gifts, festive packaging etc.
Printing Techniques And Color Matching For Soap Packaging
Digital Printing Technique
It is useful for soap brands who need soap boxes in low volume and small batches. Perfect for soap business printing packaging for seasonal themes, festivities, limited editions etc.
Offset Printing Technique
This printing technique is useful for large volumes of packaging. It created sharp and accurate color results, clear gradients and was very cost effective in high batches.
Pantone (PMS) Color Matching
Excellent for delivering exact and consistent brand colors over different batches. It eliminates the risk of color variation on reorders.
Custom Finishes Which Protect And Enhance The Soap Boxes
Custom Finishes act as an additional layer between the box and any wear n tear. Other than the fact that it adds visual interest, it also prevents the soap box from scratches, fingerprints, smudges, watermarks etc. The finishes are of many type such as:
Matte Lamination
Gloss Lamination
Soft Touch Lamination
Spot UV
Aqueous Coating
Embossing
Debossing
Foil Stamping
Designing Soap Packaging For Retail Vs E-Commerce
In the crowded and competitive soap industry, fundamentals of the soap boxes should be decided based on the sales channel. A wise brand always designs packaging considering their target audience and sales platform. Below are a few essential key points for retail and e-commerce soap packaging. It will help the soap businesses make an informed decision.
Retail Soap Packaging
5 second Test: Soap Packaging test in 5 sec must immediately convey important product information such as soap type, scent, brand name and essential product ingredients.
Sniff Check: Soap Brands should add custom die-cut windows or use a porous material which allows the consumer to check the fragrance of the soap without explicitly opening the box.
Shelf efficiency: It should be attractive enough to grab the attention of the audience on crowded retail isles and stand out. It should also be sturdy enough to tolerate the shelf handling processes.
E-Commerce & Direct To Consumer
Crush Resistance: The soap packaging should be durable and compact enough to withstand any vibrations, movement, transit handling during shipping and takeaway. If the packaging lacks this quality, it doesn’t matter how high standard the product is, it will be at the risk of breaking, leaking and tempering.
Compact Size: The size should be customised according to the weight and dimensions of the soap inside. Fragile packaging would result in damaged product and over sized soap packaging would result in extra shipping charges.
Memorable Unboxing Experience: Use custom interior wraps or linings, personalised sticker seals or small thoughtful “Thank You” cards which make the unboxing moments long lasting, joyful and worth repurchasing.
Mandatory Labeling & Compliance Of Soap Packaging
Identity Statement: It should be clearly mentioned in an easily readable font. It allows the customer to see what the product actually is such as Handmade Shea Butter Soap
Net Quantity placement: Show the exact quantity/weight of the soap in both ounces and grams. It is usually added on the bottom third of the main panel of the soap packaging.
Brand Information: Include the important details such as the name of the manufacturer, city, state, contact information and batch code etc.
Usage Instructions: Display essential usage instructions on the bar to avoid any legal repercussions or customer complaints such as Avoid direct contact with eyes, Keep away from Children and any other sensitive ingredient warnings etc.
Best Practices For Avoiding Common Soap Packaging Mistakes
Measuring uncured (wet) soap bars instead of fully cured bars: Soap bars usually shrink when they cure. Therefore it is important to measure the dimensions and weight of the soap bar when it has been fully cured. It will help the brands get the custom fit dimensions for their soap boxes.
Avoid Extra Empty Internal Space: Having too much extra space inside the box will allow the soap to loosely shake and move inside the packaging which can lead to cracked edges.
Using Reactive Low-Grade Inks: Soap brands must also use food safe and non-reactive inks to avoid any interaction or chemical reaction between the packaging and soap bar. It keeps the packaging and soap bar both in their original form and texture.
Solid packaging can be a silent salesman and brand ambassador for your brand. It shakes hands with the consumer before they even touch the product. Soap Packaging does more than just covering the product, it maintains the product freshness & fragrance, grabs interest from potential buyers and reflects the brand image. Using the right techniques and strategy, you can turn a simple soap packaging into a powerful brand growth tool.
