Packaging inserts are great for brand promotion and a superior unboxing experience. They motivate the customers to buy again by providing a superior buying experience. Along with a marketing perspective, these inserts are useful in providing high-grade protection during transit against bumps. 

Different product categories require particular types of inserts with custom boxes, and they are easy to customize in any style to meet specific branding requirements. If you are also looking for suitable box inserts for your products, then you are at the right place. Here, we will provide details about all types of customized inserts and a buying guide for the best choice.

Types of Packaging Inserts

The following are the common types of packaging inserts that brands consider for different product categories:

Corrugated Inserts

These inserts are perfect for delicate products like electronics. They have thicker walls with flutes in between, providing enough cushioning against bumps during travel. They are expensive compared to other materials and are best for products like electronics. Corrugated inserts are suitable for conventional-shaped products like square and rectangular ones, as they are less flexible when transforming into unusual shapes. 

Chipboard Inserts

They are also sturdier than paperboard, with thicker walls without flutes, and are made by combining various recycled paper sheets with glue. Most are used to make partitions inside packaging for storing multiple products. 

Paperboard Inserts

Because of their thinner walls, paperboard inserts are cost-effective and easy to customise. They are also great for designing or labelling with accuracy and clarity. Lightweight products are suitable for them.

Foam Inserts

They are best for delicate products with a soft texture and provide enough cushioning for shock absorption. They are easy to customise in any shape to fit in the packaging perfectly. These inserts are commonly used for cosmetics, jewellery, perfumes, etc. 

Molded or paper pulp

They are made with recycled paper and cardboard and are one of the most cost-effective inserts on the market. They are easily modified into various shapes to accommodate different product categories.

Mushroom packaging

This is one of the nature-friendly inserts made from mycelium, the root system of mushrooms. They’re also recyclable and perfect for brands looking for sustainable packaging. 

Molded plastic

These are plastic inserts that are molded with the application of heat to accommodate the size and shape of any product. They are not eco-friendly but highly flexible in taking perfect shapes to accommodate various shapes. 

Promotional Inserts

Other than traditional ones, insert cards are available in the market for various purposes, such as awareness, launching campaigns, or a higher user experience. They can be any one of these:

Thank you card

For a pleasant unboxing experience and to make a customer feel special about a particular brand, a thank you card works like magic. They come in various sizes and attractively present gratitude.

Social share/product review request

Reviews matter a lot in building a brand’s reputation. Motivating customers to share their experience with social share/product review request cards is also effective. In these cards, brands share their social platforms and website links for customers to post their comments.

Referral cards

These cards are effective in motivating the existing customer to act as your salesperson in exchange for a discount or any other perk. This strategy helps expand the customer base with such attractive cards.

Stickers

Stickers are cost-effective and make the inside view more attractive. Depending on the product category, they can take any form or simply represent the brand name with style. 

Warranty Guide

Providing conditions and other details about the warranty policy is also convenient with the warranty guide. They are mostly available in paperboard, and the labelling is highly accurate for easy readability.

Usage and Care Instructions

For safe usage and care, instructions are necessary for delicate products like electronics. For them, adding inserts covering all such information displays a brand as a professional one. 

Coupon or Discount Offer 

Customers often search for discount codes to get price reductions. By adding these inserts, they feel motivated to try other products on which the coupon is applicable. 

Interactive Elements

Mixing inserts with augmented reality turns them into different interactive elements, which increases customer engagement. Brands add puzzles, tips, or secrets about the product to enhance buyers’ interest. 

Custom Die-cut inserts- Perfect Presentation with Protection

Customization is the key to having a perfect branding strategy. Custom die-cut inserts are made using die-cut machines to turn large sheets of materials into various shapes. They often come with slots, cut-outs or holes to manually transform into the right shape. The product fits in completely and provides an organized inside view to the customers. 

Buying Guide

In order to choose the most suitable and powerful packaging inserts for your products, keep in mind the following factors:

Specific Product Requirements

Every product has its own protection requirements. Some are heavy and require strong inserts with enough cushioning, like corrugated inserts. On the contrary, some lightweight or small products need lightweight inserts, like paperboard inserts.

Aesthetic Features

Inserts are not only for marketing or promotion; they are vital in making the unboxing experience pleasant. Inquire about your target audience’s likes and dislikes to understand their preferences before choosing a design theme.  

Flexibility

Go for flexible materials that are easy to customise and can take various shapes, especially if your product is unique. Paperboard and cardboard are good choices in terms of flexibility. 

Branding Aspects

Go for inserts that are perfect for printing the logo and brand name accurately. This approach will reinforce the brand’s identity against other alternatives. 

Eco-Friendliness

Check the recyclability of different materials before choosing any particular type. If sustainability is your core strategy, then foam inserts are not the right option. You have to choose materials like paperboard and Kraft for your packaging inserts. 

Budget

Set a budget before evaluating all the available options. For example, corrugated or cardboard inserts are more expensive than paperboard. Likewise, the selected printing and finishing methods also determine the production cost.

Final Verdict

Packaging inserts are one of the most powerful marketing tools, increasing sales by improving customer retention. Remember to choose only reliable packaging suppliers to get high-quality and durable inserts for your product packaging. Rapid Custom Boxes is a professional platform offering unlimited customisations with quality prints and finishing for different inserts.