[The A to Z of Product Manufacturing and Packaging] #3. Is it enough to just make a good product?! Be thorough right down to the last detail.

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<The A to Z of Product Manufacturing and Packaging>
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Don't forget to bring this! 

• A must-read for makers who have finished producing their products! Basic knowledge about “packaging”
• If you’ve ever felt frustrated because you didn’t know the names of packaging materials, here’s a list of commonly used ones
• Get a comprehensive overview of everything from packaging material manufacturing and purchasing to packaging services

"Packaging" is just as important as the product itself.

Just like the product itself, clothing. This is because it plays avital role in protecting the appearance of acarefully crafted product and showing who made it. That’s why we always include “packaging”at the very end of the production process. In this post, we’ll cover how to source how to source packaging materials. After reading this article, choose the method that best suits you and give it a try. 

1. Search Online to Buy Packaging Materials Available on the Market

Do you want to buy packaging materials and wrap your products yourself? Do you have a specific type of packaging in mind but don’t know its exact name? We’ve compiled a list of commonly used packaging materials, from paper to plastic. 

Did you have a specific type of packaging in mind but couldn’t find it? Try visiting a packaging distributor’s website (e.g., Packaging No. 1). You can compare the product images on the site with the image the maker has in mind. 

2. If you still can’t find the right packaging material no matter how hard you look, check out packaging manufacturers

If you like the design but the material isn’t great, or if the material is fine but the size is an issue, you’ll likely you’ll probably want to. If you’re unsure how to place an order, please pay close attention to the following instructions.

2-1. First, decide what type of packaging to use

You’ll need to decide on the type of packaging before you can find a manufacturer. Choose one of the packaging types listed below. 

If you’re unsure what material to use for packaging your product, check out the two tips below.

• Try searching for keywords like “your product category+ packaging materials (or packaging, containers, etc.)” on a search engine to identify materials. (e.g., snack packaging materials, cosmetic containers)
• Alternatively, check the recycling classificationon the back of products in the same category as yours to identify the materials.(e.g., carbonated drinks—cans) 

Have you chosen your packaging material? Now, simply select one of the methods below to find a manufacturer.

2-2. The easiest method: Searching via a “portal site”

Search a portal site(e.g., Google, Naver) or startup/business communities or forums(e.g., Seller Ocean, “It Hurts to Be a Boss,” etc.) to find a manufacturer.

2-3. Finding Packaging Manufacturers Nationwide: Using the Korean Standard Industrial Classification

Do you want to find all packaging manufacturers nationwide? Use the manufacturing classification provided by Statistics Koreato find packaging manufacturers. You can search for packaging manufacturers by following the steps in Section 1-3, “Finding Manufacturers Nationwide Using the Korean Standard Industrial Classification,” from the previous article, “Finding a Factory: How to Create a Product from Scratch.” Alternatively, you can use the method below.

1) Go to the Statistics Classification Portaland click “Economic Classification.”
2) Then, go to the Korean Standard Industrial Classification.

3) Click “Classification Search” on the left-hand tab.
4) Click the search bar.

5) Enter one of the keywords below into the search field and search. 

6) Enter the name of the relevant manufacturing classification on the portal site.
7) You can find manufacturers that operate in that specific manufacturing sector.

2-4. Visit Trade Shows Related to the Packaging Industry

As you’re reading this, it might actually be during a trade show. If you want to learn about the packaging industry in person, visit a packaging trade show. This way, you canexplore packaging materials, meet companies and see packaging machinery, and connect with industry professionals all in one place. Even ifthe trade show isn’t currently taking place , youcan find information about past events and participating companies on the website, so be sure to check out the site below.

2-5. Using a Packaging Material Matching Platform

If you’re unsure exactly which packaging materials to use or would like someone to help you find the perfect packaging for your product, try using a packaging material matching platform. 

The platforms listed above are just a few examples of domestic packaging platforms. If you can’t find one that meets your specific needs, I recommend searching for others. 

3. What if it’s too difficult to do on your own or requires specialized packaging? Find a Contract Packaging Provider

If you’re a maker who finds it difficult to handle packaging on your own, or if you need specialized packaging like vacuum sealing, you’re probably looking for a contract packaging provider. Are you struggling to find the right one no matter how much you search? This is likely because the logistics industry uses specific terminology for packaging.

In the logistics industry, packaging is referred to as “contract manufacturing” or “distribution processing.” If you’re looking for a packaging service provider, try searching for the keywords below on a search engine. 

(Contract processing*: The act of receiving raw materials, components, or goods based on the design plans or specifications of a product commissioned by a client, and then delivering the finished product after performing simple processing operations at the contract processing facility)

TIP) Makers looking to package food products: When searching for a food packaging company, be sure to verify that it is registered as a food repackaging business. 

4. If you need decorations and promotional materials to showcase your brand, find a printing company or packaging materials supplier

In addition to packaging the product itself, do you want to produce brochures, labels, or other materials to promote your brand more effectively? For paper-based promotional materials, you’ll typically request production from a print shop. Even with the same type of paper, the feel can vary greatly depending on weight, thickness, and texture, so be sure to check the print samples yourself. You can search for them on search engines using keywords like the ones below.

We’ve now covered everything there is to know about finished product packaging.

We’ve covered everything from packaging material manufacturers and distributors to contract packaging facilities. Now that you’ve finished reading this article, does finished product packaging seem a little easier to understand? We hope the products made by the makers are well-protected and arrive safely in the hands of your supporters. Thank you.

Want to ensure your shipping packagingis perfect after finishing the final product packaging?

Check out wadiz’s official shipping kit, “Better Kit”

<The A to Z of Product Manufacturing and Packaging> Series

#1. Finding a Factory: How to Create a Product from Scratch

#2. How Beginners Can Communicate with Factory Owners Like Pros

#3. Is Making a Good Product Enough? Pay Close Attention to Every Detail

Written by Nam Hyun-sol