More Than Just A Box: Guide To Making Packaging [Podcast]

“Packaging is more than just a box,” a phrase that becomes increasingly true the deeper you get into product development. In this episode of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian hosts Kate Oliynykova, Sofeast’s Head of Supply Chain Management, to dive into the often-overlooked yet critical world of packaging. From early-stage design to common pitfalls and emerging trends, this episode is your essential guide to treating packaging not as an afterthought but as a strategic pillar of your product’s success.

Listen to the episode here

Listen: to the podcast episode

Watch: on YouTube

Episode sections

  • 00:39 – Why Packaging Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought
  • 02:41 – Types of Packaging: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary
  • 04:26 – The Four Phases of Packaging Development
  • 07:02 – Retail vs. E-Commerce Packaging: Key Differences
  • 10:03 – Why Unboxing Experience Matters
  • 12:21 – Common Pitfalls That Delay Launches
  • 14:56 – Key Packaging Milestones in Product Development
  • 17:12 – Packaging Timeline: How Long It Really Takes
  • 20:26 – Packaging Trends: Sustainability and Innovation
  • 24:02 – When Sustainable Packaging Doesn’t Work
  • 25:57 – Eco-Friendly Ink, QR Codes & AR Packaging Features
  • 26:57 – Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • 28:58 – The Importance of Reliability Testing
  • 29:58 – Final Thoughts: Packaging as Strategy

Related content…

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ISTA Standards for Testing Packaging Reliability [Podcast]

ISTA Standards for Testing Packaging Reliability [Podcast]Sofeast’s head of New Product Development, Andrew Amirnovin, talks about ISTA standards for testing packaging like shipping cartons.

Any importer shipping product from country to country by road, rail, air, or sea needs to consider the impact that transit will have on shipping cartons. Luckily, the ISTA standards and their sequences of tests allow importers to gain valuable peace of mind that their cartons are up to the task of protecting their valuable products.

 

Listen here to our discussion about ISTA standards and testing!

Listen: to the podcast episode

Watch: on Youtube

 

Episode sections

  • 00:00 – Greetings and introducing the topic of ISTA package testing.
  • 03:02 – Who is ISTA and what testing standards do they offer?
  • 09:28 – ISTA-1a.
  • 10:34 – ISTA-2a.
  • 15:46 – ISTA-3a.
  • 18:49 – Is ISTA testing mandatory?
  • 19:47 – What does it cost?
  • 22:26 – What does an ISTA test pass actually mean?
  • 24:28 – What if your package fails the test?
  • 26:01 – When should importers start thinking about packaging options?
  • 29:33 – Do the tests require real product samples to be used?
  • 31:19 – Wrapping up.

 

Related content…

 

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How Many Product Samples Do We Really Need To Test For Reliability And Compliance?

How Many Product Samples Do We Really Need To Test For Reliability And Compliance

You need to be aware that during new product development, and also during mass production runs, a number of samples will need to be tested in different ways. The objective is generally to assure their quality, their reliability, and their safety, and to get certified for import and sale.

But how many might be needed? Here’s an example for you based on an electro-mechanical product to be tested…

Continue reading “How Many Product Samples Do We Really Need To Test For Reliability And Compliance?”

4 Common Problems Importers Of Paper Products From China Suffer From

4 Common Problems Importers Of Paper Products Suffer From
Sometimes we work for an importer of paper products (we’ll include cardboard and paperboard here, too) such as books, cards, boxes, packaging, etc, and it’s always the same few issues that come back.

What are the potential problems you face, and how to overcome them?

Continue reading “4 Common Problems Importers Of Paper Products From China Suffer From”

My Supplier Didn’t Prepare My Export Packaging For Checking And More… | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 7)

Disputes with Chinese suppliers Volume 7

What happens if your Chinese supplier hasn’t kept up their end of the bargain when inspections happen? In this case, what can you do if a supplier hasn’t prepared export packaging for checking or performed a package drop test, leaving you unsure if it will protect your products during transit?

Also, how do you use your quality inspection report to drive your supplier to improve and what to do if you do have a quality dispute?

Let’s explore these points in this volume of the ‘disputes with Chinese suppliers’ series where our CEO, Renaud Anjoran, answers your questions…

Continue reading “My Supplier Didn’t Prepare My Export Packaging For Checking And More… | Disputes With Chinese Suppliers Q&A (Volume 7)”