Introduction to Window Patching(What is window patching?, Benefits)
Window Patching is a packaging design that lets customers and buyers get a sneak peek of the goods and products safely packed in their packaging boxes. This packing technique is an amalgamation of the stability or firmness of foldable cardboard boxes with the ease and aesthetic of the window patches.
The visibility panel used in the product design of these packaging boxes gives customers the convenience of seeing what they are buying so that they can make more informed and aware choices with surety and conviction.
These packaging boxes are beneficial not only for the buyers but also for the sellers and manufacturers. It helps them enhance the look and appeal of their product and gain the trust of the buyers by being honest and transparent about what they are offering. It eventually fetches a better and enhanced brand image for the company and boosts sales and profit margins. All in all, the colorful boxes with window patching are a win-win for everyone.
Design Considerations for Window Patching(How to choose the right design, Select the appropriate material, Positioning the window for maximum impact)
To leverage the optimum benefits of using window patches in the packaging boxes, the manufacturer or the company needs to be mindful of a few essential things like the proper design of the box and the patching, the material to be used in the window patching, and the correct positioning of the window to increase its usability in the design. Let us go through these aspects step-by-step in detail.
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Design
The product design of the boxes should be created while keeping the size, storage space, estimated shelf space, safety, and durability of the box. Moreover, the design of the window patch should be according to the desired visibility. It should also be creative to make the packaging boxes look more attractive and presentable.
Die-cut boxes are an ideal alternative to fulfill all of these requirements. You can also go for custom die-cut boxes designed and made exclusively according to the nature of the product and the brand image of the company.
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Material
Cardboard is the most suitable material for making colorful boxes with window patching. It is sturdy, durable, and easily foldable and is widely used by manufacturers as the packaging material for their products. The thickness and quality of the cardboard can be chosen according to the quantity and weight of the product.
As far as the window patches are concerned, there are two types of materials that are mainly used in the visibility panel of die-cut boxes:
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) plastic
However, other materials, like,
- Cellophane
- Glassine
- Polyethylene
- Polypropylene is also used as window patches in custom die-cut boxes.
- Positioning
It is easy to find and fix an appropriate positioning for window patches in a box having a regular shape and size, like rectangular, cubical, or oval. But in boxes with irregular or unique shapes. It could be a little tricky to find the correct positioning for the window. In such cases, you should place the visibility panel in a position from where the product is aptly visible. But it is also necessary to ensure that it does not hinder the strength or the accessibility of the box.
Types of Window Patching Techniques(Traditional window patching, Inline window patching, Rotary window patching)
It would also be beneficial here to know about the various window patching techniques. Essentially, there are three principal window patching techniques, namely,
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Traditional Window Patching Technique
In a traditional window patching process, there are separate machines for die-cutting the cardboard, windowing and gluing. The cardboard goes through a three-fold process for different functions. It also requires more floor space.
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Inline Window Patching Technique
In inline window patching, all the functions are carried out by a single machine in one go. It is an ideal patching process for manufacturers who have just-in-time production requirements. It is speedier and requires less floor space.
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Rotary Window Patching Technique
It is an advanced form of the inline technique, where all the functions are automated, from die-cutting, windowing, and gluing to taking the box to the delivery unit.
Creative Uses of Window Patching(Using window patching to showcase product features, Incorporating window patching into unique packaging shapes and structures, Combining window patching with other design elements)
Along with creatively showcasing the product through unique shapes, designs, and placements, window patching can also be used in other exciting ways. It can be used in an even more creative and artistic manner by combining it with other design elements like fonts, caricatures, logos and stickers. For example, you can hollow-cut the brand’s name and use it as a visibility panel or decorate the sides and corners of the window patch with colorful stickers, caricatures and doodling.
Industry Applications(In the food and beverage industry, Window patching in the beauty and personal care industry, retail and consumer goods industry)
Window patching is more likely and suitable for use in some industries than others. It is usually used in the food, beverage and baking industries to flaunt the tempting appearance and authenticity of the products and lure customers into buying them. Beauty and personal care industries use this packing technique as a symbol of their honesty and transparency to win the trust of the buyers, whereas the retail and consumer goods industry uses it to communicate the quality of their brand.
Best Practices for Successful Window Patching(Working with a skilled printing and packaging partner, Testing and prototyping for quality control, Ensuring consistency and accuracy)
To get the best window patching packaging, it is crucial to team up with a skilled and reliable packaging partner to get a final high-end product packaging. Quality packaging would include thorough testing and prototyping before the finalization of the package design and its components. Having a skilled packaging partner on your side would also maintain consistency in quality and accuracy in the design of each package.
Conclusion
Now it is totally understandable why window patching packing techniques are considered the windows of the product and how they enhance the packaging design as well as the saleability of the products. They act as a window between the product or brand and its customers, through which they communicate value, trust and dependability towards each other in a creative and exciting manner.