The Specifications for Extended Shelf-Life in Food Packaging

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The Specifications for Extended Shelf-Life in Food Packaging

What is Extended Shelf Life Food Packaging?

Food packaging materials have several key roles, one of which is extending shelf life of the food products that are packaged within. Extending shelf life depends on many different factors, including the type of food, the environment the food is stored in, and the material the food is packaged in.

In addition to attempting to extend shelf life, barrier packaging also helps to keep food free from contamination and microbial growth, makes it more convenient to transport, and helps perishable goods maintain its nutritional value while its in storage for an extended period of time.

Simply put, selecting the right plastic packaging will help food producers keep their food fresh, effectively fighting food waste. It helps protect food products from light, moisture, and oxygen, effectively improving the flavor while maintaining its texture. Your consumers deserve the very best, and that's where we come in.

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Things to Consider When Selecting Modified Atmosphere Packaging

There are several things you must consider when selecting modified atmosphere packaging for your packaged food. From material to sealing techniques, we'll break down the main considerations below. When combined, they all work together to extend shelf life of food products consumers love.

Material Choice to Help Extend Food Shelf Life

Material choice is incredibly important to helping food stay fresh longer. Whether you're packaging fruit, vegetables, dry foods, or some other kind of food items, the right packaging material can help the food products inside remain fresh and maintain their flavor.

If the material is too thin it won't have a strong oxygen barrier or proper gas permeability. You want to avoid tiny holes that impact physical protection, while going with the thinnest material possible to save money. We can help you select the proper food packaging for your consumers needs.

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Barrier Properties to Help Avoid Food Waste

As previously mentioned, you'll want your food packaging to have the appropriate barrier properties. Generally speaking, high barrier plastic packaging helps retain flavors and aromas and extend the shelf life of food by creating a tight seal. The barrier protects food from oxygen transmission, organic acids, and helps extend food shelf life during long term storage.

Packaging Technology

In addition to selecting the right packaging material and ensuring your bag has barrier properties, you can also include specific packaging technology in your bag. An example of this technology includes opting for modified atmosphere packaging, vacuum packaging, or active and intelligent packaging technologies like oxygen absorbers.

If you're unsure about what kind of food preservation technologies are currently available for the food industry, we can walk you through all the sustainable packaging solutions we have available. When keeping food fresh is key, we can help!

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Sealing Techniques

We cannot stress the importance of proper sealing. You can select the very best packaging materials and opt for an oxygen absorber and materials with antimicrobial properties, but if there is not a proper seal it's all for nothing. The seal has a direct impact on product shelf life, protecting food from food spoilage. Some popular sealing techniques include heat seal, cold seal, and ultrasonic seal.

Storage & Handling

Once you have your packaging materials in hand, it's important to practice proper storage and handling techniques. This applies to storing and handling the food packaging before it's in use and after it's been filled with your food product. You'll want to keep your bags in a sterile environment, away from mold and bacteria growth, moisture, and UV light. Once packed, the food item should be kept at the proper temperature, and transported with care. Ultimately, you can give your food items a longer shelf life by paying attention to food safety requirements.

packaged meal kit packaged food ingredients The Specifications for Extended Shelf-Life in Food Packaging

beef chicken salmon vacuum plastic bag sous vide cooking scaled The Specifications for Extended Shelf-Life in Food Packaging

Regulatory Standards

Finally, each industry has a variety of regulatory standards that companies must meet. For the food industry, specifically, they'll take into fruit, vegetable, and meat science into consideration when coming up with specific standards to protect food. These standards will protect the nutrient content and freshness of the food items while in long term storage, which will effectively cut back on food waste and food spoilage.

CarePac: Your Partner in Food Product Packaging

At CarePac, we're proud to be your partner in food packaging. With decades of experience with packaging food products, we know just what to do to protect food quality and extend food shelf life. We'll help you select the perfect material because we understanding the role packaging plays in protecting against food spoilage and waste.

From protecting your fruits and vegetables from microbial growth and UV light, to designing plastic packaging that will entice your customers to purchase YOUR product, we're your partner in all things packaging. Contact us today to get started!

modified atmosphere packaging transformed2 scaled The Specifications for Extended Shelf-Life in Food Packaging

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Vertical vs Horizontal Form Fill Seal Machine: VFFS vs HFFS

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Vertical vs Horizontal Form Fill Seal Machine: VFFS vs HFFS

Vertical form fill seal (VFFS machines) and horizontal form fill seal (HFFS machines) are two different variations of a form fill seal machine that seal the bag or packaging film in different ways. So, what does a form fill seal machine do? To put it simply, a form fill and seal machine uses a flat roll to form a package, fill it with a product, and then seal it.

It's important to select the right FFS machine because your materials need to be compatible. Its compatibility affects the efficiency of the packaging process and the quality of the final product. Your packaging provider partner can help you select the appropriate packaging formats.

03 Vertical vs Horizontal Form Fill Seal Machine: VFFS vs HFFS

What is a Horizontal Form Fill Seal Machine?

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A horizontal form fill seal machine is a packaging machine that forms, fills, and seals flexible pouches or bags horizontally. Horizontal machines require more room than vertical packaging machines. Although they can wrap everything from small objects to bulky items, HFFS are best for single (and solid) goods. The types of items you'll often see packaged in horizontal machines are single serving food items, like bakery products and protein bars, making horizontal seal machines a popular choice in the food industry.

Advantages of Horizontal Packaging Machines

The advantages of horizontal machines are many. Here are some of the key benefits:

Minimal material waste, which can lead to cost savings
Cost-effective option for packaging promo items and samples
Packaging shape and construction can support brand visibility when combined with the right packaging design
HFFS bags weigh less than other packaging types, which can reduce transport costs
Available in a range of sizes; can be square and rectangular
Can be combined with gas flushing to ensure that all oxygen is removed before being sealed
A HFFS machine is better for heavier products

What is a Vertical Form Fill Seal Machine?

lenis vertical form fill seal vffs pouch packaging machines 3 Vertical vs Horizontal Form Fill Seal Machine: VFFS vs HFFS

As you probably guessed, a VFFS machine is used in the packaging industry to form, fill, and seal flexible pouches vertically. VFFS machines are suitable for powder, granular, or liquid products that need to be packaged in a stable and leak-proof manner. Though this packaging machine can be used to package some solids, vertical baggers are usually used for liquids and other consistencies that are difficult for HFFS machines to handle. If you're packaging a liquid, VFFS machines are your best bet.

Advantages of Vertical Packaging Machines

Here are some of the key benefits of a vertical form fill seal machine:

Though the cost can vary depending on machine size and production volume, in general VFFS machines are a more cost-effective packaging solution than HFFS machines
Due to their compact design, vertical form fill seal machines require less floor space than a horizontal packaging machine, making them a great choice if you have limited space (which many businesses do)
Ideal for sealed sachets and pouches and packaging items of varying consistencies

Key Differences Between Vertical & Horizontal Packaging Machines

The main differences between vertical machines and HFFS machines can be broken down into the following categories: orientation of packaging, machine footprint, product compatibility, sealing mechanisms, speed and efficiency, and packaging format.

Packaging Orientation

As you already know (and as the name indicates) the primary difference between vertical machines and HFFS machines is their physical orientation. HFFS machines seal packaging materials horizontally, while VFFS machines are a packaging solution that seals things vertically.

Machine Footprint

An HFFS machine requires more floor space than a vertical form fill seal machine. The reason for this is that horizontal flow wrappers are typically much longer than they are wide. Unfortunately, some facilities just don't have the room for horizontal seal machines and many businesses make do with a VFFS machine instead.

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Product Compatibility

If you're looking for a sealed bag that is holding liquid, powder, or some other type of granular product, a vertical form fill seal machine is your best choice. Single-use food products, like cereal bars and candy bars, are best suited for HFFS machines.

Speed & Efficiency

While both HFFS machines and VFFS machines offer unique benefits, machines with a horizontal layout have a clear advantage in terms of packaging speed during the packaging process. Since HFFS machines can pack a large number of stand up pouches in a short about of time, these sealing machines are especially useful for high-volume applications, particularly if your warehouse has multiple filling stations.

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01 Vertical vs Horizontal Form Fill Seal Machine: VFFS vs HFFS

Packaging Format

Both seal machines can work with various packaging formats and films, though horizontal filling machines work with more closure types. Though VFFS machines can accommodate bags of different sizes, HFFS machines can work with a plastic film, and pouches, cartons, and heavier bags with zippers or nozzles.

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Choosing the Right FFS Machine for Your Needs

So, how do you choose between horizontal and VFFS machines? It ultimately comes down to your own unique circumstances, as each of these form fill seal machines has its own unique pros and cons. Before you can decide, you'll need to ask yourself these questions:

Which product am I packaging?

HFFS machines are ideal for solid and irregular product shapes. VFFS machines, on the other hand, are the preferred choice for powders, granules, and liquids. If you're packaging electronic components or a user friendly control panel, you'll want to go with an HFFS machine. If you're packaging laundry detergent or liquid dish soap, a VFFS machine is the way to go.

Does production speed matter?

If production speed is of the essence (i.e., you use a conveyor belt and need to seal packages quickly), horizontal form fill seal machines can pack up to 400 bags a minute. A VFFS machine is slower.

How much space do I have?

If you have a lot of space to house your production line, you can get away with horizontal form fill seal machines. A VFFS machine is a good choice for various industries with a smaller facility.

CarePac: Your Partner in All Things Packaging

Regardless of the packaging equipment you choose, both HFFS and VFFS machines allow for precise control, allowing you to maintain high product quality. Though both may have a higher initial investment than other options and have ongoing maintenance costs, they're both great choices.

If you have questions about how to package your diverse product lines, we can help. We know how HFFS and VFFS machines work and have tons of experience with both types of machines. If precise product presentation is important to you, we can help provide the packaging your product deserves. Whether you're a start up or an established company, our packaging design services can help take your brand to the next level.

Vffs machine Vertical vs Horizontal Form Fill Seal Machine: VFFS vs HFFS

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5 Steps of Design Thinking for Flexible Packaging

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5 Steps of Design Thinking for Flexible Packaging

What is the design thinking process?

Design thinking is a design process for creative problem solving that helps design teams and product developers move past the 'good ideas' of their initial brainstorming session and towards a final design that actually solves problems. In the design thinking process, design teams use design thinking frameworks to identify problems and pain points, challenge their assumptions, and create solutions to test during the testing phase.

At its core, this design thinking framework takes a user centric approach vs rapid prototyping, so their product is solving complex problems in a human centered manner. Put simply, it is one of the best ways to find the very best solutions for your customers.

Sometimes referred to as "design thinking workshops", the design team often gathers together to work through the five stages of this specific creative process. The design thinking process is an iterative process that's divided into five phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. In this blog, we'll walk you through the steps of this popular design thinking model, and how each phase works to find creative solutions to as many ideas as possible.

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Phase 1: Empathize

During the first stage of this linear process, marketers try to understand consumer needs, attitudes, and aspirations. During the empathize stage, stakeholders in the company must put aside their assumptions and stereotypes, and gather real insights that are relevant to their product. Standard activities that occur during the first stages of design thinking include observations and qualitative interviews.

Observations

During this activity, stakeholders and marketing managers go where their users go and see firsthand what they are about. Considered a form of user research, the idea here is to observe real users and come up with creative ideas on how to best solve their problems.

Qualitative interviews

Here, stakeholders will hold one-on-one interviews with their users to gather their thoughts and opinions on the topic in question. Since the five steps of design thinking is a human centered design process, it only makes sense that real user feedback contributes to business success.

Phase 2: Define

Once you've completed the first stage, it's time to move onto the second stage of the design process: the define stage. During the define stage, you'll define the user problem you want to solve with your creative solutions. First, gather all of the insights and new ideas you've compiled during the first stage and look for themes, patterns, or other findings.

By this point, you should have a deeper understanding of what your target users are looking for, including their pain points and diverse ideas. Use clustering, themes, and problem statements to identify the most painful issues faced by your customers and how you want to solve them moving forward.

Phase 3: Ideate

The third stage is the ideation phase. During this phase, you collect as many potential solutions and innovative ideas as possible, so your team can work through them and decide which ones they want to test during the usability testing phase. Some common activities that occur during the ideation stage of the design process include brainstorming and the "worst possible idea" activity.

Brainstorming

This is an incredibly important part of the ideation phase. During this step, the design team considers what they learned in the previous stage. They take those findings and bring their unique perspectives, experiences, and insights to the table to brainstorm some potential solutions. Ideally, you've invited individuals of different ages, economic backgrounds, and racial demographics to the brainstorming session.

"Worst possible idea"

This might sound counterintuitive, but coming up with the worst possible solutions or scenarios is one of the key steps of the design thinking process. The ideation phase is as much about finding a solution to complex problems as it is uncovering why certain ideas are the "worst." Simply put, you cannot solve complex problems without the entire team using creative problem solving to identify additional problems.

Phase 4: Prototype

Once you've interviewed real users and completed the previous stages, it's time to move onto the next step of this iterative process: the prototyping stage. By this point, you should have already taken the time to generate ideas with your entire time, so now it's time to prototype. Typical activities during these stages of design thinking include creating a creative vision board, holding inspirational rapid-sketch sessions, and gathering your design thinkers together for design sprints.

Phase 4 Prototyping 5 Steps of Design Thinking for Flexible Packaging

Phase 5: Test

Once you've gone through the empathize, define, ideate, prototype phases, it's time for the final phase of the design thinking process: user testing. By this point, you should have a user centered design that solves the problems of real users. Now, it's time to put them to the test during this final stage. Although it's a linear process and all the phases are important, user testing is one of the key steps and this stage of the design process should not be rushed.

Observational testing phase

During this exercise, you observe your target users interacting with your user centered design. The goal here isn't just to confirm if your design works as intended, but to gain a deeper understanding of the user centric behaviors of your customer. Your design thinkers should look for any problems or issues with how they interact with your product, as you may need to focus on producing scaled down versions if real users are having difficulty interacting with your product.

Iterative testing phase

Once you've observed real users interacting with your product, it's time to make improves and test again. Think about what your entire team learned during the empathize stage and the ideation stage (+ the other five stages of the design process), and consider user feedback you may have received from your target users during all the five stages. Whether the end result is scaled down versions of your initial idea or something that requires minimal effort to open or close, it's important to take a solutions based approach to the iterative testing phase.

CarePac: Your partner in innovative packaging designs

Now that you understand the empathize, define, ideate, prototype phases and how they impact the testing phase, you may be wondering what's next? Once you've used the design thinking process and user feedback to come up with innovative solutions to your customers problems, you'll need to find a partner that can package your product.

Well, you're in luck. With decades of experience in the packaging industry, we're extremely familiar with the design thinking process. In fact, we ideate, prototype, and test all our own products using the design thinking process. Contact us today to learn at which stage of the design thinking process we should be included in!

Design thinking process FAQs

Here are some common questions we receive about this particular design thinking methodology:

What are the five stages of design thinking?

The five stages of the design thinking process are empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. The design process must be completed in order since it's an iterative process where each phase builds upon the previous stage.

What are the benefits of design thinking?

The benefits of using the design thinking process include increased innovation among design teams, enhanced solving of complex problems, and using user research to truly understand the needs of your customers. If you're completing the ideate, prototype, and test phases appropriately, you'll be taking a solution based approach to your customers problems and fixing them in human centric ways.

Why is design thinking so effective?

The design thinking process is so effective because it uses user feedback and user testing to find innovative solutions to complex problems. Since it's a user centric approach that's focused inherently on finding new concepts to ideate, prototype, and test, many feel that it's an incredibly effective way to generate new ideas that truly solve problems.

What is the define phase of the design thinking process?

The define phase is the second stage of the design thinking process. Since the design thinking process is a linear process, you simply cannot skip one phase before going onto the next. It's goal is to aid with problem solving and find alternative solutions to common problems.

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What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

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What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

What is Bleed?

Bleed refers to the graphic design technique and/or printing process of running artwork to the very edge of a printed document. In doing so, the final printed materials will have elements, colors, and background images that run to the very edge of the page, effectively avoiding unsightly white borders, gaps, spaces, or margins. Many incorrectly assume that bleed elements negatively impact the final print, when in reality bleed is just a technique used by printers and graphic design teams that extends the imagery or background colors to the very edges of the final printed piece.

Adding a bleed margin during document setup is important in certain printing projects, like business cards, brochures, and posters, as the bleed ensures the color will extend fully across the sheet of paper. Full bleed printing allows for more precise trimming and can help prevent misalignment during the printing and trimming process.

If you're unfamiliar with this printing process, we'll walk you through the basics, including mistakes to avoid and how to set up bleed for the printing process.

Can flexible barrier packaging be printed full bleed?

Yes flexible barrier packaging, such as stand up pouches, and box bottom bags can be printed full bleed.

Is bleed important when designing stand up pouch art?

Typically very little bleed is needed for flexible packaging design files, if you do add bleed limit it to 5mm or less.

Setting Up Bleed for the Printing Process

If you want to properly design for full bleed printing during the graphic design stage (i.e., create a bleed line so the finished piece won't have any white space), here's how to add a bleed margin to your design in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign:

Adding a Bleed Trim Line in Photoshop

1. Open Photoshop and click File > New

Bleed Trim Line in Photoshop 01 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

2. Enter the FULL BLEED dimensions. That is, 1/4" extra space both vertically and horizontally. This is often referred to as the "safety margin."

Bleed Trim Line in Photoshop 02 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

3. Set the Resolution at 300 PPI

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4. Set the image Color Mode to CMYK

Adding a Bleed Trim Line in Illustrator

1. Open Illustrator and click File > New

Bleed Trim Line in Illustrator 01 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

2. Enter the TRIM dimensions in the image width and image height boxes

Bleed Trim Line in Illustrator 02 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

3. Enter 0.125 for the top, bottom, left and right bleed

Bleed Trim Line in Illustrator 03 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

4. Set the the Color Mode to CMYK

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5. Set the Raster Effects at High (300ppi)

Bleed Trim Line in Illustrator 05 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

Adding a Bleed Trim Line in InDesign

1. Open InDesign and click File > New > Document

Bleed Trim Line in InDesign 01 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

2. Enter the TRIM dimensions under Page Size

Bleed Trim Line in InDesign 02 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

3. If you do not see "Bleed and Slug" at the bottom of the window, click the "More Options" button.

Bleed Trim Line in InDesign 03 What is Bleed in Graphic Design?

4. Enter 0.125 for the top, bottom, left and right bleed

Before saving any of the above files, make sure to double check the bleed area so that the final trim size and crop marks on the printed pieces will match the safety margin you have in mind.

Common Bleed Mistakes & Best Practices

It's common for first-timers to make mistakes when they try to add bleed margins to their finished product. See below for some common mistakes, followed by some best practices.

Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Adding a white border as the safety area -- avoid white, as this is what you're trying to circumvent.
Putting critical text in the safety margin or full bleed area
Expanding the file size to increase the printing dimensions
Adding cut marks

And here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Account for bleed line safety margins
Extend the design dimension size to 1/8" on all sides to avoid unprinted edges
Be careful during the cutting process to avoid cutting into your full bleed area
Always work with professional printers and make sure to meet the specifications of your printer

CarePac’s Solutions for Flexible Packaging

Since we focus exclusively on custom flexible packaging solutions for a variety of industries and companies, we have exceptional customer service representatives who are committed to making sure your order is completed to perfection. We can walk you through the basics, or handle it all for you. Contact us today to get started on your next printing project.

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Aspect Ratios in Packaging Design: A Guide for Designers

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Aspect Ratios in Packaging Design: A Guide for Designers

What is an aspect ratio?

In graphic design, the aspect ratio is the two numbers (or ratio) used to indicate a video or image's width and height. Aspect ratios for a photo or video are always numbers separated by a colon, with the video or image's width coming first in the aspect ratio, followed by the height. Aspect ratios help create uniformity across different platforms like computer monitors, social media platforms, print photographs, modern devices like a high definition television, and anywhere else the image or video will be displayed.

By deciding on a standard aspect ratio for all your brand's promotional video materials and packaging, you can ensure your image size is accurate and that visuals aren't stretched or morphed in any way. You'll also know how much space your image requires in packaging. Selecting the right aspect ratio majorly influences your customer's perception of the image, and deciding between the different aspect ratios should not be taken lightly.

In this blog, you'll learn more about common aspect ratios, how to choose from the various aspect ratios, and how CarePac can help.

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What are common aspect ratios?

Aspect Ratios Aspect Ratios in Packaging Design: A Guide for Designers

The most common aspect ratios are 1:1 aspect ratio, and 3:2, 5:4, 6:5, 7:5, and 16:9. Here's a little more information about what these common photo and video aspect ratios mean:

1:1 aspect ratios

A 1-to-1 aspect ratio is a perfect square format, meaning the width and the height of the square image are exactly the same (or have a proportional relationship.) You'll see these image sizes used commonly on social media sites viewed by mobile devices, like Instagram posts or profile photos on LinkedIn or Facebook. If you ever see a square video on these sites, it's a 1:1 aspect ratio.

3:2 aspect ratios

This is a wider aspect ratio that resembles a rectangle. It's a popular format for print photos and is a common picture frame size.

4:3 aspect ratios

Though the 4:3 aspect ratio has gradually been replaced by the 16 9 aspect ratio, the 4 3 aspect ratio has widely been used in TV and computer monitors.

16:9 aspect ratios

The 16 9 aspect ratio is often referred to as a "widescreen aspect ratio" and is the standard file format for presentation slides and widescreen TV screens. It also equals ultra HD video resolution, so this video aspect ratio is often used by high definition and medium format cameras. If you're in the film industry, this is a very common video aspect ratios.

9:16 aspect ratios

The 9 16 aspect ratio is a portrait orientation used by the film industry and social media content creators for specific video content for social media, like TikTok videos and Instagram stories. In this digital age, it's incredibly common -- if you've ever viewed a video on social media, you've encountered the 9 16 aspect ratio, one of the most common video aspect ratio options available.

Other ratios

Though there are many other aspect ratios available, these are some of the most common aspect ratio dimensions you'll see. Always confirm the ratio with your design and video team.

Choosing from the different aspect ratios

Aspect Ratios 01 Aspect Ratios in Packaging Design: A Guide for Designers

When it comes to choosing a single aspect ratio from all the common aspect ratios available, it ultimately comes down to your intent and the platform where your image or video will be seen. Ask yourself these questions to make it easier to narrow down an aspect ratio option for your needs:

Where will the image be used?

If it will be used on social media platforms (as an image or as a profile photo), you'll probably want to use a 1:1 aspect ratio, and you'll want to use the same aspect ratio across different social platforms so they all share a common ratio.

If the image or video will be viewed in widescreen formats or in higher resolutions, you'll want to use a 16 9 aspect ratio. Deciding where and how your image will be used is essential to selecting the appropriate aspect ratio and image sizes. This helps avoid unsightly black bars on a wider screen or anamorphic widescreen format. Remember, selecting the right ratio is key!

Will the image be printed?

If the image is going to be printed, you'll want to opt for a 3:2 aspect ratio. This ratio is best for print sizes for framing or advertising. In most cases, the studio or printing company will request the correct size so there's no guesswork involved when you upload images, but it doesn't hurt to be informed about the common resolutions multiple aspect ratios.

Will you need to use the same aspect ratio?

The other important thing to consider is if you'll need to use the same aspect ratio across your entire project, or if you'll need to switch it up. Remember, the ratio differs across different formats, so if you're using the same image in a social media video and print packaging, the aspect ratio and image size will need to be adjusted accordingly

Aspect ratios and print quality

We've discussed common aspect ratios and how they impact images viewed on mobile devices, vertical videos, and wider screens, but is the aspect ratio important for printing? The answer is YES! An image aspect ratio will 100% impact the final print quality. For example, if the aspect ratio of the print is different from the aspect ratio of the image, the visual aspect of the image will need to be cropped. This results in image loss from the width and height, or the left and right sides.

To ensure your aspect ratio is appropriate for the print size and to avoid any lost width and height, connect with your printer or graphic designer to get the total pixels and aspect ratio dimensions. Some even have preset aspect ratios to work with. They will be able to provide you with the best ratio for photo or video, and will help you avoid black bars that appear if wider aspect ratios are not used.

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CarePac's design support

With our design support, you'll never have to worry about selecting the right ratio or image size. We will help you avoid unsightly black bars, and will guide you through how to choose the right pixel aspect ratio for your project.

Have questions about the 1:1 aspect ratio? Wondering if you need to use the same aspect ratio and image size across all your business packaging? Have questions about the appropriate aspect ratio for video? Whether you're confident in aspect ratio or need a little guidance, we are always here to help. Contact us today to get started on your project.

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Understanding Neutral Color Palettes: A Guide for Packaging Designers

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Understanding Neutral Color Palettes: A Guide for Packaging Designers

What is a color scheme?

A color scheme refers to a combination of soft or rich colors that work together to make a color palette. The colors in a color palette use color theory and color psychology to turn on certain moods in your customers, and using a color palette takes a lot of the guesswork out of thinking up a color scheme for your advertising, room design, or print project.

By using a specific color scheme or color palette, your design team already knows that a certain shade of blue works well when used in the same space or room as a particular navy or green. No need for market testing or research and you won't need to paint a room in a sample color to find the perfect, dreamy shades or gray, green, or tan you're looking for.

Though a color palette can incorporate bright shades and tones, like bright pink, orange, neon green, and other colors, this blog will focus on the muted neutrals found in a neutral color palette. The colors found in a neutral color palette include subtle, muted, warm, and neutral colors and shades like beige, wood, stone, slate, gray, cream, tan, taupe, and light blue, green, and navy.

As you can see, if you opt for a neutral color palette for your photo, art, or packaging, there's a wide range of soft and rich neutrals to explore.

Neutral Color Palettes 03 Understanding Neutral Color Palettes: A Guide for Packaging Designers

Neutral Color Palettes 04 Understanding Neutral Color Palettes: A Guide for Packaging Designers

What is a neutral color palette?

A neutral color palette is exactly what it sounds like: it's a color palette that incorporates neutral colors and winter or wood tones. These color palettes invoke a cozy feel and a dreamy or airy vibe. Neutral colors used in a clothing outfit are flattering on many skin types and are quite dreamy and pleasing to the eye. This color palette is often incorporated into art and interior design projects, as neutral colors are luxurious and help create a sense of calm.

Many individuals claim that a neutral color palette limits personality in design, but others claim that it brings out the natural beauty and life in a space and helps provide balance. It can also act as an anchor or base for other more prominent colors used elsewhere in the room or space.

Implementing neutral colors in packaging design

Incorporating a neutral palette into your packaging design is a great choice because it can fit a variety of applications, lighting, and mediums. Sometimes more is less! Similar to monochromatic color schemes used in wardrobe capsules, neutral color schemes evoke a sense of calm and serenity, like a snowy winter day. If you're packaging products that will be used in a spa or beauty shop, for example, going for something a bit more soft and muted can be a great choice.

It's important to note that a color palette is not intended to be restrictive; rather, it's a way for designers to easily find soft colors and shades with similar undertones that will work well together. By relying on a color palette, a designer will know exactly which shade of muted gray works well with a specific hue of green. Here are a few tips for finding neutrals that look great in all types of lighting:

Neutral Color Palettes Understanding Neutral Color Palettes: A Guide for Packaging Designers

Wood tones create a Scandinavian feel

Wood tones (warm brown, blue gray, and white) can help bring a "coastal chic" or Scandinavian feel to your packaging. By incorporating different patterns into your packaging, you can take it a step further and design a truly stunning package for your product.

Light blues and grays create an airy vibe

If you want your packaging to invoke dreamy feelings, you cannot go wrong with a classic mix of shades of light blue and grays. These colors provide just enough contrast to stand out from each other, but won't confuse or overwhelm your customers. This color palette is a classic.

Soft gray and tan make people feel at home

If you're packaging a product that will be used at home, soft neutrals like light gray, beige, pale orange, and tan will make people feel warm and cozy. These shades can be used with other colors, like cream and off-white beiges, to make a look that's versatile and has depth.

Neutral Color Palettes 02 Understanding Neutral Color Palettes: A Guide for Packaging Designers

How CarePac can help

At CarePac, we live and breathe packaging design, and that includes understanding the warm colors of a neutral color palette and how they work together. Though we can fully customize our packaging to incorporate a bright color palette (i.e., deeper beige, orange, or green), we understand that this isn't the right concept for all brands.

If you prefer a neutral color palette and would like to incorporate the perfect and complementary neutral hues of beige, light orange, green, and other natural colors found in the world around us, we're ready to help you design the perfect packaging.

If you're looking for the best packaging provider, your search is over. Get in touch by filling out a form or calling us directly, and we'll help you design the perfect packaging for your product, with just enough contrast.

FAQs about neutral color palettes

Here are some common questions we receive about our design process and neutral color palettes:

What are neutral color palettes?

Neutral color palettes are a color scheme that includes soft neutral colors, like light green, light orange, light beige, and other soft and neutral colors that invoke feelings of winter time.

Is beige included in neutral color palettes?

Although most people think beige isn't a "color" (the way green or orange is), in the design world, beige is included in a neutral color scheme.

Is green considered a neutral?

When it comes to neutrals, it's less about colors and more about shades. For example, a pale green would certainly be lumped in with the other neutrals, but a bright neon green would not.

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Mastering Triadic Color Schemes in CPG Packaging Design

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Mastering Triadic Color Schemes in CPG Packaging Design

What is a triadic color scheme?

A triadic color scheme consists of three colors that are of equal distance on the color wheel. In color theory, opting for triadic color schemes that use complementary colors is a bold move, as it produces an incredibly rich and vibrant effect. When triadic colors are combined and used together in a color palette, it's sure to result in a perfect color combination, regardless of the packaging you're designing.

The most common triadic color scheme is red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and violet. Red, yellow, and blue are primary colors. If you alter the triadic colors a bit, say by using pink, gold, and navy, you're still technically sticking to triadic color combinations that rely on primary colors. To find triad colors, just look at a color wheel and find colors equally spaced out. Are the colors evenly spaced? If so, the three colors are considered to be triadic color combinations.

Triadic color schemes in design

As mentioned, using triadic color schemes in design is considered to be a bold approach in color psychology. Using triadic colors can help leave a lasting impression and create an emotional response among your customers. Whether you opt for bright colors, subdued shades, or pale or unsaturated versions of the colors, using triadic color combinations in your design projects is a great choice.

In this blog, we'll take a deep dive into these beautiful and unique color combinations and how you can use these color palettes in your marketing and packaging materials.

Triadic Color Schemes 02 Mastering Triadic Color Schemes in CPG Packaging Design

Triadic color scheme examples on the color wheel

If you're looking at a traditional color wheel, there are a few triadic colors that pop out. Here are some common examples of triadic color schemes:

Red, yellow, and blue

Though the red, yellow, and blue triadic color scheme may be thought of as elementary, it's the most common triadic color scheme used on the color wheel. These triad colors evoke feelings of comfort and familiarity and are perfect examples of sticking with something that's tried and true.

Orange, green, purple

Like the red, yellow, and blue triadic color scheme, the orange, green, purple triadic color scheme is also a very common color palette. Whether you opt for pastel variation, lighter shades, or an analogous color scheme, this triadic color scheme is another mainstay to consider.

Combinations, like red orange, yellow green, and blue violet

Triadic color schemes don't need to be "basic" -- you can experiment with color theory, and mix primary colors together. Colors like blue violet, yellow orange, red orange, red violet, and yellow green all work well together in triadic color harmony.

Whether you're choosing subdued shades or a triadic scheme that involves an accent color, don't be afraid to get creative with your color palettes. Though these are common triad colors used in combination with each other, as long as the lead color and the third color (or accent color) are equidistant on the color wheel, you have yourself a color palette that uses complementary colors.

Implementing a triadic color palette in packaging design

Primary colors and secondary colors alike can both be used to create balance and harmony. Use triadic colors to achieve visual balance, and don't forget to use white space and neutral tones accordingly. If you're looking to create contrast within your triadic color schemes, don't forget to pay attention to color hierarchy.

Finally, make sure to use the same triadic color scheme throughout your brand's packaging and marketing materials. Regardless of the triadic combination you choose (i.e., the basic red blue and yellow or a cohesive blend of other tertiary colors), using the same triadic schemes and the same colors across your brand's materials is key.

Triadic Color ai Mastering Triadic Color Schemes in CPG Packaging Design

Triadic Color 90750 Mastering Triadic Color Schemes in CPG Packaging Design

Design tips for using triadic color schemes

If you're new to using a triadic color combination, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Understand the color wheel

First, make sure you fully understand the color wheel and its three color groups: primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors, and how they work together to create color harmony.

Pick a dominant color

When creating a triadic color scheme, don't forget to pick a primary color (also referred to as a main color.) This will help set the overall tone and create a focal point -- the other two colors in the color scheme should be used as a secondary color and accent colors, respectively. We cannot stress the importance of selecting one dominant color, and making sure the three shades work together.

Color saturation makes a difference

If you're looking for a more cohesive blend, you can lower the saturation of the secondary and tertiary colors in your triadic color schemes. If you're hoping for a more calming and relaxed effect, use pastel variations of the colors you've selected. Regardless of the triadic color schemes you're working with, it's important to remember that saturation can make a big difference.

Pay attention to contrast

To ensure triadic harmony, make sure the complimentary colors also contrast with each other. The triad colors you choose should be equally spaced on the color wheel, otherwise you are not sticking to color theory and choosing colors that are actually triadic colors.

CarePac: Masters of the color wheel

At CarePac, our designers have mastered the color wheel. We understand color theory and triadic colors, and can help you select color schemes that incorporate a dominant color and secondary colors to match. Whether you opt for red orange, red violet, a golden yellow, or yellow orange as your dominant color, we will help you find secondary colors that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. This way, you're adhering to color theory and using three colors that truly complement each other.

Have questions about how to use a color wheel? Looking for help with crafting the perfect color scheme for your brand? We'll help you craft cohesive color palettes and design packaging materials to match. We're experts in triadic colors, color schemes, and color palettes of all types, and are ready to support you throughout the process. From selecting a dominant color to finalizing your color scheme with triadic colors, we're here to help. Contact us today!

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Rustic Packaging Ideas & Inspiration: Enhance Your Designs

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Rustic Packaging Ideas & Inspiration:

Enhance Your Designs

What is rustic design?

If you like the rustic touch of brown paper bags, DIY ribbons, and items beautifully packaged in a paper or cardboard box, you'll love the elegance and value of rustic design. Not only does this fantastic design style create an unforgettable unboxing experience for your customers, but it puts an emphasis on the natural beauty we can already find all around us.

In interior design, rustic design typically includes aesthetically pleasing elements, like green pine tree branches, ornaments made from wood, lots of warm colors and patterns, and ornaments made from dried flowers and other supplies from nature that help present a personal touch in your home or store.

Rustic Packaging 01 Rustic Packaging Ideas & Inspiration: Enhance Your Designs

But did you know rustic elements can make their way into product packaging, too? From wood imprints on a package, rustic gift wrapping, adding DIY eco friendly upcycled cloth or clothing scraps to jars and lids, and using lots of neutral colors on your boxes, there are several ways you can give your packaging a rustic touch.

So, get inspired and learn how to impress your loyal brand customers with fun and rustic packaging. Read on to learn more about how we can create the perfect packaging for your brand.

Tips for giving your product packaging a rustic touch

Rustic Packaging 02 Rustic Packaging Ideas & Inspiration: Enhance Your Designs

Use a warm color palette

When you think about rustic gift wrapping or interior design, which colors do you think of? The browns of Kraft paper, the muted greens of a pine tree, or the beige of a cool winter morning. If you're selecting a color palette, get creative: look at what other similar products are doing with their branding, and really think about which colors would make you feel special.

When in doubt, opt for Kraft paper or brown paper bags

Packaging your products in Kraft paper, especially if it's eco friendly or DIY, is one of the easiest ways to incorporate rustic design elements into your packaging. Even better if you add natural decorative pieces into the packaging, like a fresh pine cone from a pine tree or a bundle of dried cranberries. Think about the things that make you think "rustic" and incorporate them into your packaging. They'll be sure to help your business stand out!

Natural cardboard with black printing

Another relatively easy way to enhance your packaging by giving it a rustic feel is to opt for natural, brown cardboard boxes. Then, print your brand's logo, business catch phrase, or showcase your differentiating factors with black ink. Rustic design doesn't take a lot of creativity or supplies: keep it simple, use recycled or value materials when you can, and keep an eye on what other brands are doing.

Add handcrafted design elements to your rustic gift wrapping

If you prefer to avoid incorporating natural elements into your packaging (like pine cones or branches), consider adding handcrafted ribbons, a vintage stamp, handmade gift tags, or other DIY elements to your business packaging. Not only is this a perfect way to create a rustic feel with your packaging, but it also lets your customers know that the package was designed and put together by a human. Incorporating a human touch like this is especially impactful during the holiday season.

Holiday-themed rustic packaging

Rustic packaging is especially impactful during the holiday season, as it brings customers back to their natural roots (vs. the consumerist culture they're immersed in.) Here are some tips for incorporating rustic themes into your Christmas wrapping paper and packaging:

Use muted Christmas colors in your wrapping paper (i.e., lighter colors of green and red)
Opt for using gold and black ink on your Kraft paper, ribbons, or cardboard gift packaging
Incorporate your logo, patterns, or brand name onto the rustic gift wrapping or boxes with an eco friendly stickers
When in doubt, err on the side of minimalism vs. doing too much with your boxes and packaging
Consider creative decoration aspects, like embossing or using a hot stamp onto your packaging.

Rustic Packaging 03 Rustic Packaging Ideas & Inspiration: Enhance Your Designs

The above packaging design ideas don't need to be limited to special occasions or holidays, either. Any gift is a special gift, and you can help your customers feel inspired and complete by getting creative with your DIY packaging and stickers. Whether they're gifting for a birthday, holiday, or some other special events, rustic gift wrapping can help finalize the perfect gift.

How CarePac Enhances Rustic Packaging Designs

At CarePac, we live and breathe product packaging of all types, from the complex patterns and elegance of over the top packaging to the simple charm of rustic packaging. We can tailor our packaging designs to meet your unique needs, and use only the highest quality materials and printing techniques to achieve your desired aesthetics. Our customers come first, and our designers are ready to get creative and create the fun, charming, and fantastic package you've always dreamed of.

The appeal and benefits of rustic packaging is undeniable, especially around Christmas time, and we're ready to be your partner in flexible package design. Need packaging that stands out on the shelf? You've come to the right place! From paper packaging to plastic packaging, and everything in between, we're leaders in the packaging market and are ready to make your idea a reality.

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Top Packaging Trends of 2024

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Top Packaging Trends of 2024

Although we're already mid-way through 2024, new packaging trends continue to emerge that will shape the packaging industry through December and beyond. This year's packaging industry trends range from the purely functional to more design oriented; regardless, the packaging industry and the packaging companies within it are keeping an eye on the trends so they can create new packaging processes to meet demand.

In this blog, we'll dive into this year's top packaging trends we're seeing among our customers and how packaging design and the packaging industry is changing to meet the demand. Here are the key trends:

Top Packaging Trends of 2024 Top Packaging Trends of 2024

Sustainable Packaging Solutions Top Packaging Trends of 2024

Trend 1: Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Sustainable packaging made from recycled materials (+ recyclable materials or raw material that can be recycled) is no longer simply a trend: choosing a sustainable packaging material has become the new normal for millions of brand owners and companies around the world.

Technological advancements have made it easier than ever before for brands to reduce their environmental impact and plastic pollution. This can be done by using biodegradable and recyclable materials instead of plastic, or by moving to a closed loop system that's aided by new technology. Many brands are finding that their customers simply demand sustainable packaging from them and are making every effort to reduce their plastic waste and overall environmental impact by avoiding fossil fuel based plastics as often as they can.

CarePac is one of those packaging companies that is proud to offer a variety of sustainable materials for your product packaging, and we're adding more sustainable packaging solutions each and every year! In today's world, there's simply no excuse for e commerce brands to not use eco friendly inks and packaging. Protecting the environment and reducing waste in the packaging industry is NOT just a fad!

Trend 2: AI-Supported Smart Packaging Design

Let's face it: artificial intelligence is everywhere and unlike other innovative ideas, it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. Currently, artificial intelligence is transforming the design process for each and every customer, from design concept to production.

This new technology helps enhance creativity and efficiency, and makes it easier than ever before for companies to come up with innovative packaging that will enhance product shelf life and help attract even more consumers. The main downside to using artificial intelligence is that much of the design work will still fall on the companies themselves, which can be difficult for many brands to swallow.

If you prefer to work with humans (let's face it -- who doesn't!), our consulting services can help make your plastic and paper packaging ideas a reality. By working with humans, you won't have to worry about silly mistakes or oversights ruining your customer's unboxing experience.

AI Supported Smart Packaging Design Top Packaging Trends of 2024

Retro and Nostalgia Styling Top Packaging Trends of 2024

Trend 3: Retro and Nostalgia Styling

Although simplistic packaging material and modern designs continue to be popular among our customers, we're seeing a resurgence in the popularity of vintage designs. These retro designs evoke a sense of nostalgia, and major food packaging brands and companies like McDonald's and Wendy's are jumping on board.

One decade that seems to be exceedingly popular among consumers is the 50s. Think: bright colors, watercolors, and simple line drawings that will wrap your consumers in the arms of comfort. These packaging designs are sure to continue to grow in popularity, so start designing now!

CarePac has the capabilities to produce intelligent packaging that looks like it comes from any decade, and will draw attention to your brand. Playing with memories and mood is a powerful tool in advertising, and brands seeking to evoke those feelings through their packaging should look no further.

Trend 4: Hyper Contrast

With attracting a customer's attention being harder than ever, the visual experience of a package's design is just as important as its functionality. Gone are the days of mono material packaging: today's e-commerce packaging needs to include vivid colors that contrast which each other, which helps create a spark of joy and interest in the things your customers are purchasing. In the past, many packaging companies took a "less is more" approach to their packaging, but those days are in the past.

If you want to infuse your food or cosmetics packaging with vivid colors, we can help. Regardless of the colors or how saturated you want the bag to look, our team can help make your bag a reality.

Hyper Contrast Top Packaging Trends of 2024

Interactive Engaging Designs Top Packaging Trends of 2024

Trend 5: Interactive & Engaging Designs

Another of the trends where where we're seeing a lot of growth is packaging that enhances user interaction, such as using tactile materials and augmented reality features. It can even be as simple as using popular digital tools, like an app or QR codes to make your packaging more 'fun' to the user. Gone are the days when a product's packaging just served to protect what's inside - now your packaging can actively engage your customers and help your brand grow rapidly.

Bonus points if your product's packaging also encourages sustainability by incorporating reusable packaging, or providing warnings against single use plastics. Anything brands can do to increase recycling rates in a cost-effective manner is key.

Trend 6: Working with Leaders in the Packaging Industry

We might be biased here, but we're finding that more and more e commerce companies are choosing to work with leaders in the packaging industry vs newcomers. The truth is, the packaging industry is incredible complex and there's a lot to keep track of: packaging materials, smart packaging, supply chain issues, reducing waste, sustainable, and which materials can be recycled, among other things.

By working with a smart packaging company that focuses exclusively on packaging processes, you can take a lot of the guesswork out of the process. We'll handle supply chain issues, quality concerns, waste management, and know exactly which plastic materials can be recycled. We even have access to state-of-the-art technology and more materials than many other packaging companies do.

Ready to create the paper packaging of your dreams that falls into one of the above trends? Want to cut back on waste without sacrificing quality? In our world, the customer is always right and we're ready to make you a repeat customer. Contact us today to get started!

Working with Leaders in the Packaging Industry Top Packaging Trends of 2024

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Commercial Composting: How it Works

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Commercial Composting: How it Works

What is Commercial Composting?

Collectively, businesses and ordinary citizens can make a major impact on the future of our environment by attempting to reduce our carbon footprint, improve our air quality, and reduce waste in the landfill.

Popular methods used by the zero waste community to reduce waste and preserve natural resources include recycling, going vegan, using solar energy and recycled materials, driving an electric car, shopping secondhand, and composting organic material so it doesn't wind up in the landfill. In this lens, organic waste refers to food waste, yard waste, and even certain compostable plastics.

In this blog, you'll learn more about commercial composting for individuals and businesses and how the composting process can help reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions in the environment.

What is Commercial Composting Commercial Composting: How it Works

How Commercial Composting Works

Curious about how industrial composting works? Commercial composting, also called industrial composting, is exactly what it sounds like: it's a natural process that uses the same biological processes as at-home composting, except on a much larger, industrial scale, to turn compostable materials and waste like grass clippings, yard waste, shredded newspaper, and food scraps into a nutrient rich compost that's then incorporated into soil.

When it comes to commercial composting, there are four main types used by industrial composters: vermicomposting, windrow composting, pile composting, and vessel composting. We'll discuss each of these compostable options for waste below.

Vermicomposting Food Waste

This composting process most closely resembles home composting except it can be used by businesses: compost bins are filled with compostable materials (like green waste and food waste), and worms are then added into the compost bin. Over time, the worms break down the organic materials into a soil that's rich in nutrients. Though this industrial composting method is relatively quick, it's not easy to manage at scale and is typically used by individuals hoping to reduce their landfill waste.

Windrow Composting Yard Waste

Windrow composting is a process that's incredibly popular in high-volume settings. This type of industrial composting collects and arranges organic waste into long rows known as "windrows." Doing so allows biodegradation to occur while air still reaches the core.

This industrial composting method does have some disadvantages: this method of composting requires a lot of space (has minimums for feet high and wide) and must be periodically turned by a machine. If the turned windrow (aka aerated static pile) isn't properly aerated, issues can occur with soil temperature.

Static Pile Composting

In this industrial composting method, piles of organic materials are mixed with debris like wood chips or paper. The compost pile is then aerated using pipes that pump oxygen to different layers of the compost bin, which maintains the appropriate moisture levels and temperature.

The big drawback to this industrial composting method is that different types of organic materials compost at different speeds, so the companies must sift through and separate yard trimmings from greasy items and motor oil before they are added to the compost pile.

In-Vessel Composting

In-vessel composting is considered to be the most cost-effective way to compost commercially. For this method, composting facilities shred and mix organic waste together, and then palace them into a commercial composting machine. This material is sanitized by high temperatures that kill off harmful bacteria. Once complete, it's left to mature in an enclosed space.

Benefits of Composting Organic Waste

There are many benefits to using a commercial composting facility to compose organic waste. The primary benefit is that it prevents food waste and garden waste from winding up in the landfills, where it will release methane and contribute to global warming.

Think of composting like recycling: instead of recycling a plastic bottle to be given a second life as a different plastic bottle, you're giving your organic waste the chance to become nutrient rich soil in a finished compost pile.

In addition to reducing what's in our landfills, compost piles also minimize the amount of chemical fertilizers used by farms and homeowners. Since composted organic matter becomes nutrient rich soil, using chemical fertilizers is not needed as often.

Benefits of Composting Organic Waste Commercial Composting: How it Works

Challenges of Commercial Composting Facilities

Commercial composting facilities do face their own unique set of challenges. First, industrial composting facilities often require a lot of space and must adhere to specific zoning regulations. Next, encouraging individuals to actually recycle their organic matter isn't easy. Finally, in many cases, waste management companies must separate organic matter from each other to ensure the compost quality is at its highest.

Industrial composting can also attract pests and other common contaminant. Additionally, not everyone does it right, which can contribute to more compostable waste in the environment.

Commercial Composting FAQs

What are the different methods of commercial composting?

The different methods that waste management companies use for commercial composting at their facilities are vermicomposting, windrow composting, static pile composting, and in-vessel composting. For more information about which method is used in your area, contact your waste management company for more information. They will also be able to tell you which materials are compostable.

What is the difference between commercial composting and home composting?

The primary difference between commercial composting and home composting is the process, scale, materials, and methodology. Home composting can be done at home, while commercial composting requires special facilities with a broader range of tools and technologies accessible to them. Though the process, in general, is the same, each process is still quite unique.

What does it mean to be commercially compostable?

Only certified compostable products (and food) can be composted at an industrial composting facility. If a product says it can be commercial compostable, that means the materials can be sent to a commercial composting facility for the composting process. Every city has its own guidelines for individuals and businesses interested in composting, so check with your city to learn more.

Regardless of the type or method of commercial composting used, it's certainly a step in the right direction for our environment, as it reduced landfill use and methane production.

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