How to Choose Packaging That Keeps Eggs Safe – and Sells Them Too
There are two facets to packaging design: protection and aesthetics. When it comes to transporting something as fragile as eggs, safety is key – but standing out on the shelf shouldn’t be ignored either. Whether you’re a small business looking to expand beyond the farmer’s market or a larger business looking to update its packaging, its important to strike a balance between effectiveness and design of packaging in order to not only deliver eggs to retailers safely but to sell them too.
Safety First
Beyond preventing the shells from cracking, packaging is also crucial in preventing eggs from tainting, being exposed to harsh temperatures, and losing moisture. As a result, packaging must be sturdy before all else. Originally designed in 1911, then updated in the late 1950s, the classic egg carton has stuck around for over 100 years for good reason. The cone shapes that cradle each egg act as shock absorbers, preventing any jarring movements from breaking the delicate shells. These cartons can be made of paper pulp, plastic, styrofoam, or other materials, but they all function in a similar way and are easy (and generally affordable) to produce.
While the egg carton itself is responsible for the safety of the eggs, labeling on the outside is responsible for the safety of the consumer. It’s important that egg producers have effective coding equipment as well, making it easy to print readable use-by dates or nutrition information.
Check out an egg carton coder we installed in action below.
Packaging Design
Like any other consumer product, the packaging isn’t just for safety – it’s to sell from the shelf, too. The American Egg Board conducted consumer research to determine best practices for packaging design, boiling their findings down to a few key points. Among these included emphasizing nutrition facts with clear labeling on the front of the package and using bright, bold colors that stand out at the point-of-sale. Interestingly, the research also found that 79% of consumers look to the inner lid for potential messaging, such as instructions on how to boil an egg or other simple recipes.
Although many people likely think of the classic egg carton for packaging, designers are looking for new and more effective ways to transport eggs. From folding cartons that offer a handle to options that fit a baker’s dozen to designs that use fewer materials, there are a wide variety of innovative ideas that may one day become commonplace.
Even if your company opts for the classic molded shape, there’s still plenty of room for creativity. Colored cartons or unique logo or label designs are simple ways to stand out. Packaging is an opportunity to make it clear to the shopper why they should buy your product. Are your chickens cage free? Offer a brief bio about them. Are your eggs extra delicious? Let everyone know with green colors that suggest freshness. If you’ve got a lot to say to the shopper, consider adding a QR code or your social media handles to your packaging so buyers can connect with your company online.
Although they may seem simple, the egg carton presents endless opportunities for package and label design. That’s where we come in. Schedule a free consultation or call us today at (904) 263-2804 to discuss custom designs, coding equipment, and more.