Contract packaging companies are able to offer clients complete blister packaging for their products, from a solid design, to the blister packaging materials, and then the final assembly.  The end-goal, of course, is that the product has perfect packaging on the retail shelf, for the quick “sell-thru” of the product.  Contract packaging companies specialize in each step of the process and each provide a unique capability and solution for each client, producing packaging that is just right for the client.

There are great benefits of choosing blister packaging for the good, food item, or pharmaceutical product, which is the reason this type of packaging being very popular.  The client and consumers are pulled toward blister packaging due to the fact that the product is visible through the plastic covering.  This heightened visibility enables the consumer to see exactly what they are purchasing.  The gloss covering gives the product a great sense of worth, for it looks good, and the outer shell can also limit theft.  The blister card size is important as well, for it provides important “billboard” space to describe the product and its use, while attracting the customer with eye-catching images, colors and graphics.

When considering the best blister packaging options, there are certain things to consider, in deciding how the packaging will look, while always being mindful of lower costs.  The size of the packaging, especially the blister card, is a high consideration, balancing how much information and graphics the clients wants or needs on the blister card.  Also, a larger card will reduce the number “up” on the blister tooling which can increase sealing costs.  Another item is how it will be displayed, whether it will be hung on a plan-o-gram (card would require a hang hole) or whether it will stand on a shelf, thus requiring a “foot” designed into the base of the blister.  Quantity of your production run is important and will be a major factor in the final pricing of your project.  Another item to consider is the quality of the artwork or graphics which will be displayed on the blister card.  A good graphic artist who knows retail and understands the color wheel is worth his weight in gold!  A good contract packaging company will then, along with the client, determine final pack-out options once the blister package is designed.  Some options include counter displays, PDQ’s, club packs, twin packs, multi-packs, floor displays, and point of purchase (POP) displays, to name a few.

1.   Proximity – Is the contract packaging facility close to where the incoming raw materials are coming from (or where the finished goods are shipping to) to keep shipping costs down?  Is the facility close to you in case you want to be on site for start up or want to meet regularly and directly with the plant management?

2.   Cleanliness / Certifications – Does the facility meet the government certifications and GMP’s required to run your specific product?  There are many different quality regulations that are industry-specific such as Organic, Kosher, Gluten free, AIB, SQF, GFSI, Allergy programs, HAACP, OTC, FDA and others based on whether you are doing primary (direct contact) or secondary packaging (primary components/ingredients are already pre-packaged).

3.   Flexibility – Is your partner willing to do whatever it takes to make sure your project is successful despite the many interruptions that are common in the contract packaging process, such as non supply of customer provided materials, capacity/machinery used for other clients, etc.?  Are they willing to run a second shift in case there is an unplanned increase in demand or due dates are accelerated?

4.   Equipment / Capability – Is the required equipment in good shape with back up capability available in case tooling or machines used for your project malfunction?  Do they have a broad capability in case you decide to add additional packaging steps to the process at that location?

5.   Space / Capacity  - Is there enough floor space to package your product as well as warehousing space to accommodate the incoming raw materials as well as the finished goods inventory until it is ready to ship?   The cube of a finished product increases after it is packaged so depending on the size of the product being packaged the space requirement may grow accordingly.

6.   Experience – How many years of experience does the plant have in handling the exact type of contract packaging that you need help with?  They need to be able to anticipate the pitfalls and speed bumps associated with your particular needs.

7.   Customer base -  Are there business references available from former or existing customers who have run the same type of packaging with this contact supplier?  Make sure to get a list of customer names in order to support the co-packer’s claims.

8.   Turnkey / Local Material Sourcing – Most contract packaging companies provide “labor only” services and do not like becoming the “bank” for other packaging materials that are required to complete your project.  The best partner is one who can accommodate all aspects of the packaging process and the more they can provide the more valuable they can become for you.  Other packaging materials you may require for your job can be sourced locally by the packager and can save money on freight.  Some of these include corrugated master cases, folding cartons, flexible film, bags, labels, blister cards, skin cards, custom thermoforming (blisters and clamshells), bottles, containers and more.

9.   Quality – How deep is the quality department and what are the routine quality steps taken in each process?  The depth of quality control is directly related to the specific industry or the type of primary or secondary packaging you are contracting, but it should be consistent with quality standards found in your industry.  Ask for copies of documents and certifications that will back up their claims.

10. Price – This is subjective and should be based on the total value that the contract packaging partner is able to add to your project.  Most projects are cost sensitive but you cannot put a price tag on great quality and fast turnaround.  Speed to market and flexibility may “trump” a more expensive solution, especially if they meet all the other non-negotiables in doing business with you.

11. Additional Logistics services – Many CPG’s and start-up companies are depending more and more on their contact packaging partners to fulfill the back-end services of the finished goods.  These include EDI, drop shipping direct to store or DC, pick and pack, warehousing and distribution.  Decide up front the level of fulfillment services that you will require and then select your co-packer if they are fluid and accommodating with those additional services.

12.  Responsiveness / Accessibility – Get a sense for how responsive your packaging partner is as well as how available they are when you need them.  If you see communication delays early in the quoting process it is likely you will see the same behavior once you award the project to them.  Know who your inside contact is and make sure there is a strong commitment for good communication on the front end of the relationship.

Sometimes the end-of-line services of packaging a product is done internally due to line set-ups, difficulty of movement to the outside, stringent manufacturing requirements, environmental considerations, government regulations and more.  But for retail products that are manufactured either in the US or off-shore, most companies have come to rely on outside “Contract Packaging Companies” do this the final packaging work for them.  Even though the term “Contract Packaging” applies to any 3rd party who provides the final packaging and assembly services, there are several categories of contract packagers who may either serve specific industries or provide specific capabilities based on space, certifications and equipment.  Here are the main categories of outside contract packaging solutions that you should become familiar with before outsourcing your next packaging project:

• Contract Packager (a general term that defines most packaging that is done on a contract basis (on the outside and with a 3rd party supplier who already has the necessary machinery and automation).Examples include Blister packaging, skin packaging, shrink wrapping, cello wrapping, clamshell RF sealing, pouching and bagging)
• Primary packaging (direct contact is made with powder or liquid as it is being packaged)
• Secondary packaging (final assembly or packaging of a powder or liquid that has already been primary packaged.  Examples include Bag-in-box and Bundle wrapping)
• Hand Assembly (Manual assembly including kits, gift sets, POP displays, gluing, tipping, folding, repackaging, fulfillment)
• Contract filler (pouching, blending, bottle and tube filling, bagging, filling)
• Rigid bottle filler (filling a rigid container with a powder, solid or liquid, then capping, lot coding and pack out)
• 3rd Party Logistics (warehousing, drop ship, reverse logistics, bulk logistics, pick & pack)
• Turnkey Product Packager (A contract packaging supplier that will manage the complete material supply chain)
• Co-packer (implies some level of contract manufacturing along with primary and/or secondary packaging capabilities)

Blister Packaging Manufacturer’s understand the important combination of a transparent PVC shell which can clearly display the product, and the graphics created on the blister card that is used as the perfect billboard to communicate the products features and benefits of its product.  This retail package, which can be designed to stand on a shelf or hung on a peg within a planogram, if done right can be a very attractive package that screams “buy me”!  Blister Packaging Manufacturers, especially Assemblies Unlimited, has come to rely on this packaging technique to provide key customers with the powerful combination of a secure and rigid outer PVC clear casing sealed to a blister card that allows for high end graphics.

Retail packaging options are ever-changing and it is imperative that you choose the right blister packaging manufacturer, like Assemblies Unlimited, who has the vast experience necessary to guide you with the most current blister packaging options, including right-sizing, security features, adequate/proper billboard space, combination print runs for cost efficiencies, secondary packaging options (display trays/counter displays) and final pallet load optimization.

For good visual packaging for a retail product many companies wonder whether they should blister package their next retail product or skin package it.  There are many similarities between the 2 packaging techniques but there are also many differences.
Of the 2 options it is blister packaging that has the highest “perceived value” on the retail shelf.  That is, the clean lines, glossy protective PVC outer shell and the good card graphics will be accepted as a quality packaging solution by the consumer.  Skin packaging on the other hand is often used with lower cost  items and accessories which end up categorizing it as the lesser expensive, lower value proposition.
There are several considerations you should use when deciding which packaging type would be best for your product:

1.     What will your product sell for?  If it will be be selling for under $5.00 then skin packaging may be the best option
2.     What is the volume of your packaging production runs?  If they are greater than 1 million units then skin packaging may be the more cost effective solution.  For volumes between 25K and 500K both blister and skin may prove to be identical in cost.
3.    What is the item that you are packaging?  If it is related to hardware, accessories, metal components, drill bits, or anything that is small and light, skin packaging may be the best solution
4.     Will your package be holding several different items in it that your want the consumer to be able to view?  Skin packaging is a good format for this
5.    Do you need some images or icons on your package to help explain what it is or what it does?  Blister cards provide the best surface for printing clean graphics as virgin SBS (solid bleach sulfate) is most commonly used.   A mylar film covers the complete front surface of a skin card which can inhibit the clarity and overall printing quality of a skin card.

Here are some advantages of Blister Packaging:
-High perceived value at retail
-Several design options such as trap blister, multiple blister, mock clamshell, full face blister
-Package can offer both a hang hole AND a stand up “foot” option
-SBS card stock is excellent for high end graphics
-Cost affective options are available for printing 4/4 (4 colors on front of card and 4 colors on back of card)
-Accepted by all retail outlets
-Theft resistant
-Transparent, rigid protective PVC blister front to showcase and protect your product
-Can stand on a shelf or hang on a peg
-No die cutting required

Here are some advantages of Skin Packaging:
-Low cost in high volumes (over 1MM units per year)
-Clear film (skin) on front of card gives the consumer a clear view to your entire product
-Hang hole available for hanging on a peg
-Can display multiple components on one card
-Clear glossy film protects product and is theft resistant

If you are considering a Blister Packaging or Skin Packaging project, contact Assemblies Unlimited at 877-273-6259 or go to our web site at www.assemblies.com

The inherent problem with this is that not every company you hire to package or label your product will understand the labeling requirements of your product which may mean you need to have to invest in packaging rework if the label is not done properly. Having your packaging rework often costs a significantly greater financial investment and a delay in your product reaching your customers. To avoid this problem, choose a company that is willing to listen to your needs and make sure your product is labeled appropriately!

When considering a company to do the labeling on your product you also need to be sure the facilities they offer have the equipment to meet your packaging needs. Check out Assemblies Unlimited: here, we have several different ways to label a product. You may be labeling the outer packaging in the cast of food products such as chips or bulk candies, or you may be labeling each individual product in the case of club packs for large retailers that will then be reselling your product individually. You may also need to label individual bottles or tubes or ointment or cream that will need to be labeled with fine print to ensure all of the relevant information about that product is present on the packaging so customers know what they are buying. If your label looks bare and appears to be missing important information, the customer is much less likely to buy it in favor of a product that offers more.

At Assemblies Unlimited, we use only the finest equipment and machinery to make sure we label your products right the first time. Also, if you need a tamper evident band on your product, we have machines capable of performing that task as well. We use pressure sensitive labelers that are perfect for labeling tubes of ointments or creams with fear of damaging the products or its packaging. We also utilize top of the line sleeve labelers that are fast and efficient. Our staff is capable of making sure your order is processed quickly without sacrificing quality. Assemblies Unlimited facilities also offer some of the best hot glue and skip glue labelers which are perfect for labeling bottles. Get in touch with us for a no-cost quote!

Look no further. Avoid delays by giving your contract to Assemblies Unlimited!

At Assemblies Unlimited, we understand the importance of doing the job right the first time. Whether you are looking for packaging tipping for a pharmaceutical cream or ointment, a cosmetic product or even a food product, we can assure you that you will receive only the highest quality packaging available quickly and efficiently. We can also tip pouches or bags for further packaging in a club pack so you can offer your product to the consumer or to grocery stores and large retailers in bulk. This option significantly opens up the market you are able to sell your product in. Large stores, especially chain stores, almost exclusively deal with buying products in bulk, so if you don’t offer that service, you may miss out on a huge source of revenue!

The machinery we use for tipping our packaging is considered some of the best in the industry. The rotary packaging machines we use were designed specifically for tipping and feature both step-motor orientation and photoelectric switch orientation which each offer benefits for various types of jobs. While you may not be sure which option would best fit your job, we are. We are experience and knowledgeable so we are able to determine exactly which speed settings and operation orientation would best fit the needs of each individual order.

We test all of our machinery on a strict maintenance schedule. Our staff has implemented excellent quality control procedures to ensure every machine in our facility is working its best for each and every package we produce. All Assemblies Unlimited tipping machines are cleaned and maintained on a regular basis and all parts are tested and inspected for signs they may need replacement. Keeping our machines in excellent condition allows us to quickly and efficiently process your orders without sacrificing the quality of your packaging.

Give us a call, and a trained sales specialist will assist you with everything you need!

If you choose to outsource your company’s blend and fill you need to be sure you can rely on the contract packaging service you choose and can count on them to do their job quickly and efficiently. This is an important part of your company’s operation and you need to know your customers will receive their products on-time and packaged correctly the first time. Your product needs to be handled in a safe way and the contract blend and fill supplier needs to be properly certified, be in a clean environment and following SOPs and GMPs as required by the industry. Assemblies Unlimited will be able to provide you with not just a reliable packaging process but and clean and certified blend and fill manufacturing environment.

If you choose to use our blend and fill services you are assured the most complete packaging solution that will guarantee local supply of all the packaging materials. We have the best filling equipment for any blend and fill application from dry chemical to dry food products and everything in-between. We will also source and procure any raw packaging material or raw ingredient to allow you and your managers to focus on other areas of running your company.

Assemblies Unlimited Inc provides a full turnkey blend and fill partnership and complete supply chain management. This ensures that every aspect of final blend and fill project will be a success because of over 17 years experience. You can depend on us to manage your successful product launch, as we deliver exactly what on customer’s request. We offer among the best prices for blend and fill contracts in the industry without sacrificing quality. We commit to strive to make sure your blend and fill contract is completed on-time, every time, and that our work meets or exceeds your expectations.

Assemblies Unlimited offers some of the best services in the industry for pack outs. Simply draw up a detailed inventory and make sure nothing is missing from it and let us do the work. We carefully pack everything you need to move and make sure it gets to the new location safely. Moving companies may not be the best option as they do not offer anything in terms of packing. As anyone looking to move their business knows, the packing is a vital aspect of making the move a smooth process. We can handle the majority of the packing as long as you make sure everything is ready for us to pack up.

You will need to get any documents in order and make sure they are prepared for us to pack and we will take it from there. Assemblies Unlimited offers full packaging and boxing services as well as a fleet of trucks ready and able to handle the actual task of moving your business into its new home. Our trucks are large enough to handle even the biggest move and our professional packers are experienced and trained to make sure your business equipment is handled with the utmost care and caution.

With your detailed inventory close at hand, we will ensure everything is packed into boxes carefully and anything delicate or breakable is appropriately secured and labeled to prevent damage during transport. We will also label your boxes to make the unpacking process less time consuming for you.

If you need to move out of your old location but the new location is not yet ready for your belongings to be moved in, Assemblies Unlimited has warehouse space where everything can be safely stored until you are ready to have them moved. We have worked hard to build a high quality pack out system so we can deliver your business assets to the new location quickly while ensuring they are neatly organized, labeled and ready for unpacking. Call Assemblies Unlimited today for your free quote!