What Are the Different Types of Products Used for Packaging?

You're ready to package your product, but the endless material options are overwhelming. Choosing the wrong one could mean a broken product, a bad brand impression, or an unnecessarily high cost.

The most common products used for packaging are paper and paperboard¹, plastic², glass³, and metal⁴. For custom gift boxes⁵, specialized materials like rigid paperboard⁶, corrugated paper⁷, wood⁸, metal⁴, and acrylic⁹ are also used, each offering unique benefits.

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Since starting my packaging company in 2010, I've guided countless clients through the critical decision of choosing a material. It’s the very foundation of your package. The material dictates the box's strength, its feel, its look, and a large part of its cost. It’s not just a technical choice; it's a brand choice. Getting it right from the start saves you time and money and ensures the final product perfectly matches your vision. Let's break down the main options so you can choose with confidence.

What are the different types of product packaging?

You're focused on designing the box your customer sees, but you're forgetting about the other layers. This oversight can lead to damaged products during shipping or a disjointed customer experience.

Product packaging consists of three levels: primary (what touches the product), secondary (the retail box you see on shelf), and tertiary (the bulk shipping container). Each level serves a specific function.

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Understanding the different types or layers of packaging is crucial for creating a comprehensive packaging strategy¹¹. It's not just about one box; it's a system designed to get your product to the customer safely and effectively. Each layer has a distinct job to do, from initial containment to final delivery. For example, a single perfume bottle is primary packaging¹², the beautiful retail box it sits inside is secondary packaging¹³, and the large cardboard case that ships 24 of those boxes to a department store is tertiary packaging¹⁰. Thinking about all three levels ensures your product is protected and presented well at every step of its journey.

The Three Levels of Packaging

Level	Purpose	Common Examples
Primary	The layer directly in contact with your product.	A wine bottle, a candy wrapper, the tube for a lotion.
Secondary	Groups primary packages together; the main retail unit.	The gift box holding the wine bottle, a multipack bag of candy, the retail box for the lotion.
Tertiary	Used for bulk handling and shipping of secondary packages.	The corrugated case holding 12 wine boxes, a pallet wrapped with multiple cases.

What are the products used in packaging?

You know you need a box, but you're not sure what it should be made of. You see other brands using wood⁸, metal⁴, or fancy paper, and you don't know what's best.

For gift box packaging, we typically use materials like paper, corrugated paper⁷board, metal⁴, acrylic⁹, and wood⁸. Each material offers a different balance of cost, aesthetics, and protection for the final product.

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When we move beyond basic materials and talk specifically about creating custom boxes, especially for gifts and luxury items, the range of "products" or materials gets more interesting. For a truly luxurious package, we often recommend paperboard. Why? A thick, rigid paperboard⁶ has an excellent hardness, looks very strong, and provides a premium feel. While materials like wood⁸, metal⁴, and acrylic⁹ can be beautiful, their cost is often much higher, and they can be less environmentally friendly. Their weight also increases shipping costs significantly. For most brands, a high-quality paperboard construction offers the perfect combination of luxury feel, design flexibility, and manageable cost. It's the sweet spot for creating a premium unboxing experience¹⁴ without an exorbitant budget.

What are the four types of materials that are used in packaging?

You are trying to choose a material, but the options feel endless. You might pick something that is too expensive, bad for the environment, or not strong enough for your product.

The four main categories of packaging materials are paper/paperboard, plastic²s, glass³, and metal⁴. Paper-based materials lead the market due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and strong environmental credentials.

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While we can use many specific products, they generally fall into four major material groups. Understanding these core categories helps simplify your choice. Paper-based packaging products have a much higher market share than those made of metal⁴ or wood⁸. This is for a good reason. Paper is an environmentally friendly material that can meet FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) standards, which is a huge plus for today's conscious consumer. Because of its sustainability¹⁵, printability, and versatility, we usually recommend that clients use paper to customize their packaging. It provides the best all-around value and brand-building potential for most projects. Here's a quick look at the main four:

• Paper & Paperboard: The most versatile and widely used. Includes everything from flexible paper bags to thin folding cartons to thick, strong rigid boxes. Great for printing and very recyclable.
• Plastics: Lightweight, durable, and offers excellent barrier protection. Used for bottles, bags, and films. Can be rigid or flexible.
• Glass: Seen as a premium material. It's inert, so it doesn't react with the product. It’s heavy but 100% recyclable. Common for food, beverages, and cosmetics.
• Metal: Provides the best protection against light, water, and air. Typically aluminum or steel. Used for cans and high-end reusable tins.

What are the 7 layers of packaging?

You've heard a confusing term, "7 layers of packaging," and now you're worried your packaging strategy¹¹ is too simple. You fear you're missing important steps that could affect your product's success.

The "7 layers of packaging" is a highly conceptual model, not a practical standard. For most businesses, focusing on the three main levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary—is the most effective and actionable approach.

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Don't worry, you're not missing a secret rule. The idea of "7 layers of packaging" is a theoretical marketing concept rather than a a practical industry standard that you need to follow. It breaks down the consumer's interaction with the package into many small conceptual steps, from seeing it on the shelf (the "outer layer") to the feeling it gives the consumer (the "core layer"). While it can be an interesting thought exercise for marketers, it's not how we actually design and manufacture boxes. In my decade of experience, no client has ever asked for seven layers. The universally accepted and practical model is the three-level system: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Mastering these three levels is the key to a successful packaging strategy¹¹. Forget the confusing "7 layers" and focus on making these three work together perfectly.

Conclusion

Choosing the right packaging material comes down to balancing Dcost, protection, and brand image. For most brands, versatile and eco-friendly paperboard offers the best path to creating a premium, effective package.

My Role

About me

Brand Name: Wansa Packaging Slogan: Cosmetic box manufacturer Website: www.wansapackaging.com

Our Mission: Custom printing and packaging turn-key service manufacturer

About me: WANSA has been providing custom packaging and printed products since 2010. We believe every business deserves affordable, high-quality branded packaging. Let us handle your packaging needs while you focus on growing your business.

What We Offer We assist businesses with customized packages and Printing service . Our custom packages include cosmetic boxes, liquor boxes, Luxury packaging , Rigid box , gift boxes, Product boxes , bags.

The packages are designed with sturdy materials to keep your products intact during transit. With our gift boxes and product boxes , you will give your customers a classy, prestigious, and luxurious feel.

At WANSA, we also provide businesses with marketing materials¹⁶ like brochures, catalogs, booklets, etc. Our team of qualified designers will give you the perfect marketing materials¹⁶ for your brand.

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