If you are a start-up company, where do you go to buy custom-designed and printed packaging? I want to address new companies just starting up who are having a hard time finding a packaging vendor that will give them the time of day.
It’s tough out there. If you don’t have the volume, a lot of senior-type packaging professionals or old style manufacturers (which I call dinosaurs) will not think that their time invested in your company will pay off.
Even though these packaging companies may not want to help you, they may know someone who will. So it doesn’t hurt to ask. They may still just brush you off, however, but don’t get discouraged. Keep looking.
Some places to start:
1) Packaging Industry Trade Shows
Some packaging trade shows are:
2) Packaging Industry Directories
Health and Beauty
Beauty Industry West (BIW) is a west coast-based trade organization
Nutritional Information and Ingredients with Some Packaging Info
Nutritional Ingredients and Packaging Regulation Info
Food
Industrial / General
3) Social Networking
Network online via LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Skillpages, social media sites, where you’ll see companies and packaging professionals posting their latest projects and ask them where to find [fill blank] in the U.S.
At some point you will find professionals that are not all in it for themselves and can point you in the right direction OR actually take you in and work with you to try to come up with a suitable packaging solution.
Also, you can Contact Me with questions and I may be able to help you.
This has been a part of my tutorial series called How to Buy Packaging 101. So click the link below to head back if you haven’t finished reading it yet. 🙂
2 Responses
Sara, your information is specific and concise. Thank you.
I want a private label for water with packaging.
What are my next steps?
Robin
Hi Robin, for a private label you need to find a co-packer. A co-packer is essentially a manufacturer, and may have their own brand, but will also offer their services of the same products to include your brand private label.
I suggest going straight to the water company and inquiring about a private label program with them. If they won’t offer that, ask for a reference to a company that will. Companies know their competition and should be able to refer you. You’ll go over who will buy the label, what bottle you use, any special “formula” that makes your product different from theirs, etc. I suspect the volume minimum needs to be high, probably several truck loads.