Customized solutions are essential to appeal to customers across nearly every industry, and custom corrugated packaging is no exception. It’s important to customize corrugated packaging solutions to the specific needs of different industries and companies. That’s especially true when it comes to OEM packaging vs retail packaging. Packaging for these two customer bases is very different. Let’s take a closer look at the key differences you need to know.
OEM Packaging vs Retail Packaging
First, it’s important to define OEM packaging so it’s clear what it entails. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) packaging is uniquely designed for parts or components to be used in other products. How does OEM packaging differ from retail packaging? Let’s dive in.
Purpose
Each of these packaging types have completely different core purposes. For instance, OEM packaging is primarily meant to protect components during transportation. These are typically parts that are critical for the assembly of finished products, which means that it’s imperative that they remain undamaged during shipping, otherwise manufacturers may face difficulties during final assembly. OEM packaging must be durable and able to protect the components inside during the shipping process.
Retail packaging, on the other hand, is designed with customers in mind. Protection is important of course, but the main purpose of retail packaging is to appeal to consumers on store shelves. Retail packaging utilizes eye-catching visuals or unique text to grab attention, and durability is a secondary focus.
Contents
OEM packaging typically contains only the components themselves, which also helps save money on shipping costs because that eliminates unnecessary extra weight. In contrast, retail packaging contains excess materials, such as manuals, accessories, warranty paperwork, and more. These materials are helpful for consumers when utilizing the product, but OEM packaging typically just contains the components themselves.
Appearance
When it comes to OEM packaging vs retail packaging, appearance is another key difference. OEM packaging usually prioritizes functionality during shipping. On the other hand, retail packaging prioritizes aesthetics in order to appeal to customers in stores. Appearance is thus a much bigger focus for retail packaging.
Materials
Durability is key in OEM packaging. That’s why packagers utilize high quality, strong materials, such as corrugated cardboard. Retail packaging, however, doesn’t prioritize durability quite as much. Protection is important but so is aesthetics, so retail packaging typically utilizes plastic or regular cardboard.
Arvco Can Provide Durable OEM Packaging for Any Application
Now that we’ve delved into the differences between OEM packaging vs retail packaging, let’s look at the benefits of OEM packaging.
With durability as a key focus, OEM packaging ultimately prioritizes quality. As one of the nation’s leading OEM packaging manufacturers, Arvco understands the importance of quality, and we have a variety of important certifications to prove it, including an ISO 9001 certification which demonstrates our dedication to high standards in corrugated packaging. We also have extensive package-testing services to ensure the durability of your OEM packaging.
In addition to the obvious quality benefits of OEM packaging, it can also be a more affordable option than retail packaging because it is more scalable, enabling large volume production runs and reducing overhead costs since companies don’t need to pay for their own packaging equipment and materials.
At Arvco, we also prioritize sustainability with our packaging services because we understand the importance of using eco-friendly materials, like ink and glue, for our products. Our OEM packaging services are affordable and environmentally friendly.
But best of all, at Arvco we have extensive experience providing customized corrugated packaging solutions for OEMs so you don’t have to choose between visual appeal and durability. You can utilize our custom design services so you can fully visualize your packaging before it goes into production, and our graphic design services can help you add a unique touch to your packaging if you desire.
With our extensive experience serving a wide range of industries, you can rest assured that Arvco can deliver the high-quality OEM packaging you require. If you’re looking for more information about OEM packaging vs retail packaging, the experts at Arvco are more than happy to help. Get in touch with us today to discuss your next project.
