Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Packaging Explained
Photo by Daily Nouri on Unsplash
In this post, we’re peeling these layers away and breaking down the key differences between primary, secondary and tertiary packaging to help you give your products maximum visual appeal on doorsteps, store shelves and beyond.
What is primary packaging?
Primary packaging is the immediate packaging that surrounds the product - think shampoo bottle, chocolate bar wrapper, milk carton or peanut butter jar. This layer of packaging provides essential protection for the contents inside while also being the final packaging materials the customer encounters when unboxing the product. As such, it’s crucial for primary packaging to be clear, eye-catching, memorable and on-brand as well as secure and durable.
Branding is key with primary packaging - on a business and product level. As well as your company logo and the product’s name, primary packaging will generally also feature your brand strapline as well as details of the product’s contents, ingredients, weight and any associated disclaimers as applicable.
What is secondary packaging?
Secondary packaging forms the outer layer that surrounds the primary packaging, such as the plastic packaging surrounding a multipack of crisps, tins of soup or cereal variety packs, or a box containing a strip of tablets. As well as providing an extra layer of protection for the products contained therein, secondary packaging is also commonly used to bundle together multiple products in a single container - helping to get products ‘shelf-ready’ from a practical and aesthetic standpoint.
Generally, secondary packaging solutions will be made from corrugated cardboard or types of plastic such as polythene - although cardboard is preferable, sustainably speaking. Again, this layer of packaging should be emblazoned with your company and product branding, with product details communicated clearly and distinctly for maximum shelf appeal.
What is tertiary packaging?
Ecommerce retailers will be no stranger to tertiary packaging, which constitutes the final layer of packaging applied to products for storage and shipping - cardboard postal boxes, wooden pallets, polythene stretch wrap and so on. The sole purpose of tertiary packaging is to ensure the contents of the package remain perfectly intact in storage and transit so that they arrive at their final destination in pristine condition.
To protect the products inside from damage as well as dirt, moisture and other external hazards, tertiary packaging should be made from robust and durable high-quality materials such as tough corrugated cardboard, heavy-duty polythene and similar. Where possible, making use of recycled packaging materials is also a win - helping to reduce your business’s carbon footprint while earning the loyalty of your customer base.
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