QR codes are coming to retail packaging. Are you ready?

     Have you been wondering what these little square codes that resemble a crazy scrabble board are?  They seem to be popping up on everything from beer bottles, menus at restaurants, local news papers, and most recently retail packaging.  These codes are called QR codes (Quick Response Codes). A QR Codes is a two dimensional barcode (datamatrix) that is designed to have its contents decoded at a high speed.  They are getting more and more popular in theUnited States.  Many think that 2011 is the year of the QR Code for retail packaging, and we want to ask, are you ready?  

      QR Codes allow anyone with a smart phone that has a camera to scan the image using an app, such as Google Goggles or QR Droid, which directs the person who scans the image to any number of places.  These places include a company website, Facebook page, contact information or to a YouTube video.  This gives the person instant access to your information instantly.  I have used QR Codes to “like” a business on Facebook numerous times, and it helps me do that without having to go to my computer, log in, and then click “like” their page.  By scanning this code it does it instantly and saves time. 

Using QR Codes on your retail packaging

      Mid-Atlantic Packaging is on board with this idea, and we want to help our customers understand the power of a QR code on their packaging such as bags, labels and boxes.  The QR code can be linked to your website to increase traffic.  Or you can even generate a code that will be linked to a coupon for their next purchase.  There are so many creative ways to use these codes, and as they become more popular you will notice retail packaging stores placing them on everything.  

     There are many FREE QR Code Generators on the internet.  All you have to do is Google, “QR Code Generator,” and pick one to your liking.  Once you are on the site, fill the information out that you would like coded and click generate code. And there you have it!  Your own customized code which your customers can scan to access whatever you would like them to see.  As always, please test scan the code from a few different phones before you have this code printed on your product.  That would be a disaster to have a bad code leading your customers down a dead end road!

Please watch this demonstration on YouTube so you can see how this process works. 

     Please let us know what your thoughts are on QR Codes!  We would like to know if you think that this idea has the potential for being a great marketing idea for your business.  If you are already using QR Codes, are you having any success with them yet?

All the Best,

Mid-Atlantic Packaging

 

Short Run vs. Long Run Custom Printed Bags

     Some of our customers get confused when the terms “short run” and “long run” are used during conversation about custom printed bags. This article will hopefully help you better understand the different terms mean. Depending on the look you want, and also any time restraints, will determine what option works better for you and your business.

SHORT RUN:

     At Mid-Atlantic Packaging we offer in-house hot stamping. This is the best option if you need an order produced in two weeks or less. Hot stamping consists of using a colored foil and metal plate which heat seals the foil to the bag of your choice with your businesses logo. This process is done with either paper or plastic bags that are already made and glued together from the manufacturer. You can hot stamp as little as one case at a time. A case usually consists of 250 bags depending on the size and style of bags. You can choose from regular Kraft, White, and Oatmeal shoppers to many more colors and different styles of bags including merchandise bags. You are able to also use more than one color if needed. There are many color options to choose from. If you are looking from an exact color match to a Pantone PMS color this process may not be the right choice for you. Also, if you are looking to print in the gussets this process does not allow for that to happen. Printing in the gussets can only be done when using ink in the long run process. We will later discuss this in the long run process.

     Another option to the short run process is using ink to print the bags. This process is similar to hot stamping but you have many more color options to choose from. We have a large list of stock colors available but, if you would like a custom Pantone PMS color this can done as well. Like hot stamping this process does not allow for gusset printing but does allow you to print as little as one case at a time.

     Short run ink printing and hot stamping are most commonly printed one color on one side and one color on two sides. They are excellent alternatives for minimum quantity customized bags for smaller businesses and special events.

LONG RUN:

The long run process is very different from the short run. This is when either the plastic or paper are on a long roll and are printed before the bags are constructed. This process usually has a larger quantity minimum per size but it gives you many more options. You can print more than one color and use the entire bag as a canvas for your art. This means you can print in the gussets and pick what color handle you would like on a paper shopper. The Long Run process steps are listed below:

1.) Paper/Plastic is loaded on a roll
2.) The roll is unwinds and feeds the paper or plastic to the ink roller where the logo is applied to the bags
3.) The handles are now either applied or cut out depending on the style of the bags
4.) Bags are then folded and assembled (plastic bags are heat sealed)
5.) Bags are packaged and out the door for delivery

I hope everyone now understands the process. Please feel free to comment and let us know what you think.

Was this article helpful to you?

If you would like, please send us a picture of your bags and we will feature them on our Facebook page and Blog.

All the Best,
Mid-Atlantic Packaging

www.midatlanticpackaging.com

The following are videos provided by our good friends at Tulsack.

This first video is the Hot Stamping Process

This video is a short run inked shopping bag

The Following Video is the long run process.

 

Re-useable Bags For Your Business

For a few years now re-useable “non-woven” bags have been popping up everywhere that I look. Many stores are using them as a way to market their company or brand in very creative ways. Some stores that are customers of Mid-Atlantic Packaging are using these bags exclusively, and have eliminated using paper and plastic bags completely. The store simply gives the customer the bag when they spend a certain amount of money on their purchase. When the customer returns to shop at the store, they bring their bag with them, and if the store is running a “bring your bag back promotion,” they receive a discount at checkout. This idea helps the business and the environment at the same time. By offering an incentive to the buyer to return to the store with their bag for a discount, they are indeed promoting return sales and possible customers for life. The impact of saving bags from the landfills and other places is a great way to help the environment, and this speaks for itself.
Now more than ever I see re-useable bags being used by the populace, whether they are heading to the beach or their local grocery store. They are great bags because you can simply put them in your trunk and use them whenever the occasion arises. They can be washed over-and-over again for continued use. This is true recycling! I have even seen a customer’s bag from Washington, D.C. on the Boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. This goes to show that people love re-useable bags, and I truly feel that they are here to stay for a long time!

Question #1:

Do you currently use “non- woven” re-useable bags when you are going shopping to reduce the amount of paper and plastic bags?

Question #2:

Do you think it is a good idea from a business standpoint for a store to exclusively use re-useable bags and not have any paper or plastic bags for customers?

All the best!

Mid-Atlantic Packaging

http://www.midatlanticpackaging.com

 

Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Packaging Blog

     Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Packaging blog. Since 1981 we have strived to deliver creative packaging at a fair price in a timely manner. During that time we have grown from a 2 person operation, Herb & Kim, to a full service packaging company with warehousing and distribution services, outside sales representatives throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, an inside sales team, graphic design services, full color catalog, e-commerce website, and one of the most knowledgeable and helpful customer support teams in the industry.

     We see this blog as a way to support our goal of providing you product information and creative ideas that can be incorporated in your in-store packaging program and to also make you a more knowledgeable buyer. Packaging is a reflection, and expression, of who you are and what you store represents. In short, we want to educate and stimulate in all areas retail packaging.

     In the next several months you will see articles about how to “dress up” stock products, gift basket packaging, custom printed products, and frequent blogs about Green Packaging. We will also bring you information about new products that are entering the marketplace and how they are used.

     We hope that you will become a regular reader of our blog and exchange ideas and thoughts about what we post. We welcome your input and look forward to reading your thoughts about packaging and how we can help each other.

www.midatlanticpackaging.com