Unique Packaging Insert Ideas for Small Businesses Detailed Guide

Packaging has always been a great tool for advertising, marketing, and sales. The moment a product hits the shelves of retail stores, the real test comes into play. From capturing the attention to providing all the information and unboxing it, everything matters to make or break customers. 

The custom packaging boxes are much more than keeping the products safe and protected. For instance, the unboxing experience is the most important part where customers get in touch with your product. 

To make it more appealing and surprising for customers, packaging inserts are also added to enhance the visual appeal and provide a seamless unboxing experience. 

In this post, we are going to discuss what packaging inserts are and some unique packaging insert ideas for small businesses. Let’s get started. 

Also Read:What is Custom Packaging for Small Business?

What are Packaging Inserts?

Packaging inserts are additional items or materials placed inside a product’s packaging to provide extra information, enhance the customer experience, or promote other products or services. These inserts can serve various purposes, including:

• Product Information 
• Promotions and discounts 
• Branding
• Legal or regulatory information 

Packaging inserts can vary in format, such as cards, brochures, or even small samples, and are often used by companies to strengthen their brand image and improve customer satisfaction.

Custom packaging inserts can be categorized into two parts:

1. Box Inserts 

Packaging box inserts are used for adding protection and enhancing the functionality for a better unboxing experience and additional value. They are a cost-effective and versatile option to build a strong relationship with customers. For instance, small glass jars bundled in a packaging box without inserts would not only ruin the unboxing experience but also damage the product within. With box inserts, an extra layer of protection or cushioning is provided to prevent them from further damage. 

2. Promotional Inserts 

Promotional inserts in packaging boxes are additional printed items or materials that are delivered to the customers within the box to promote a product, engage customers, and increase sales. For instance, including a discount card, a QR code, or a product sample is a great way to wow customers, boost excitement, and create brand loyalty. 

Also Read: How to Get Cheap Custom Packaging for Small Business?

Purpose of Box Inserts in Packaging

The objective of adding box inserts in packaging is primarily for additional function, safety, and customer experience. Here’s a brief overview of the purpose of box inserts in packaging. 

1. Secure Shipping and Handling 

The purpose of using box inserts in custom packaging boxes is to ensure the security and protection of products placed within. In cases when several products are bundled and sent to the customers, the chances of ruining the shape or color of the product are quite high. Moreover, during shipping and transit, fragile and electronic items are exposed to a greater threat. Custom packaging inserts are designed to keep products securely packed within the box without stumbling here and there. 

2. Enhanced Product Presentation 

Presentation is the core of any custom packaging box to convert onlookers into customers. Without providing an enhanced and flawless unboxing experience, your efforts are wasted. Packaging box inserts can help you present your product in an appealing way, especially during the unboxing. The surprise element increases during the unboxing, which further enhances the customer experience, resulting in added brand value, perception, and loyalty. 

3.Boosting Brand Image

One of the reasons to use custom packaging inserts is to drill your brand into the minds of the customers. For instance, adding a brand logo, a personalized message, and attractive colors will further enhance the unboxing experience and create a positive image in the minds of the customers. A well-designed and uniquely formed custom box insert will do much in less. 

4. Organized Display of Products 

The purpose of any packaging box is to protect products and present them in an organized manner. However, when it comes to bundled packaging, there has to be something that would organize multiple products in a single box. 

Custom packaging inserts allow the organization of products in a single box without hither and thither. The inserts in the packaging box give customers a pleasant and memorable unboxing experience and make them feel connected to the brand.

5. Better Unboxing Experience 

Customers nowadays are more concerned about the unboxing experience than the product itself. With a number of social media influencers, they are likely to share their experience in an unboxing video. A packaging box with a bundle of items organized in a better way using a packaging insert would represent your brand positively. 

Also Read:List of Top Packaging Companies in the USA

Purpose of Promotional Inserts in Packaging Boxes 

A lot has been talked about box inserts used in packaging boxes to preserve, protect, and present products in an organized way. Promotional inserts in packaging boxes have been widely popular among brands to capture, engage, and build a strong connection with customers. Here are some of the reasons promotional inserts in packaging boxes are widely adopted by brands. 

1. Develop Brand Awareness and Storytelling 

Promotional inserts are best for creating brand awareness and storytelling. Customers who are ordering for the first time would likely be more interested in getting discounts, product samples, or promo offers. 

 Promotional inserts, whether in the form of a card, QR code, coupon, or loyalty card, will reinforce a strong connection with the customers. The likelihood of ordering more and committing to the brand increases with these types of promotional inserts. 

2. Repeat Purchases and Loyalty 

Customers are looking for benefits and perks offered by brands. With high competition and overwhelming brands and products, staying loyal to a single one isn’t going to last long. The reason is that customers are always in pursuit of benefits, discounts, gifts, and promos. 

Promotional inserts are the best tools to give your brand a boost and let customers stay loyal for a longer period. 

3. Cross Selling 

After unboxing, allow customers to explore more about your products and services with promotional inserts. For instance, you can cross-sell complementary products (e.g, a razor with a shaving foam). Cross-selling is all about informing customers more about your products, instigating desire, and selling. All of it is possible with the help of promotional inserts that can be in the form of a gift card, a QR code, or a discount offer. 

4. Boost Engagement 

You may have come across websites selling products or services with a call-to-action button at the end. Promotional inserts are a physical form of a call to action button that forces customers to explore more, engage more, and buy more. For instance, you can ask for feedback using promotional inserts and offer a gift in return. 

5. Informing Customers and Keeping Updated 

The purpose of promotional inserts is to inform customers about the new products, promos, sales, and discount offers. It is also helpful in keeping customers updated about the latest additions, discount offers, outlet openings, and much more. 

Also Read: Custom Packaging for Small Businesses: Everything You Need to Know

Benefits of Box Inserts and Promotional Inserts 

Packaging boxes are meant to offer protection and security to the products. However, at times, it becomes difficult to retain products in their original form without ruining the unboxing experience. For instance, if you want to deliver 3 perfume bottles to a single customer, you might struggle adjusting and organizing the bottles in a packaging box. Box inserts are not only going to ease the process of organizing the items, but also protect and make the unboxing experience seamless.

Moreover, engaging customers after delivering the package is also challenging. Promotional inserts are 

What are the benefits of adding custom box inserts and promotional inserts? Let’s explore.

1. Optimal Product Protection

One of the reasons to choose box inserts is to enhance product protection, especially in the case of a bundled package. Box inserts also look pleasing and eye-catching as compared to styrofoam or bubble wrap. During shipping and handling, fragile and delicate items such as electronics can be prevented from breaking. 

2. Memorable Unboxing Experience 

Promotional inserts in packaging boxes create a deep connection with the customers, offering them to explore more from the brand. Moreover, a thank you note, a free sample, or a discount coupon is going to make the unboxing experience even more pleasurable. The box inserts, on the other hand, make the unboxing experience seamless and smooth to ensure everything is in its place without losing its originality. 

3. Strong Brand Identity and Recognition 

When it comes to custom packaging for small businesses, the purpose is fulfilled with custom printing and including branding elements such as logos, colors, and brand slogans. However, to create an even stronger impact, a promotional insert works as an icing on top. 

From giving the surprise to the customers to making them feel special, all of these factors play an important role in a strong brand identity, recognition, and loyalty. 

4. Informing and Cross Selling 

A lot of customers may not be in touch with the brand, or the new ones might not have enough information about the products and services. With the addition of promotional inserts, you can not only cross-sell but also provide additional information about the products. 

For instance, if you are selling perfumes, you may add a card printed with the related perfumes based on the customer’s purchase. Or you can add a QR code on a promotional insert to let them explore more perfumes sold by your brand. Thus, in the future, the likelihood of purchasing perfumes from your store increases. 

5. Custom Loyalty and Retention 

Inserts in the packaging boxes are one way to retain customers and develop loyalty. For instance, adding a thank-you note or a promotional discount will make customers feel special, resulting in building a strong connection with loyalty. As a result, you may get an extra edge over competitors who are struggling to get more sales. 

Promotional inserts, such as thank-you notes and discount codes, are more likely to guarantee future sales. 

6. Promotion and Marketing 

Promotional inserts in packaging boxes are an effective and affordable marketing and promotion way to retain existing customers, upsell more products, and yield a high return. At least, this marketing technique works well as a low-cost and high-return tool. 

7. Means of Collecting Feedback 

Promotional inserts are not only effective for the promotion and marketing of products. It is also a great way to collect feedback from the customers and know about their point of view about the brand and its offerings. 

Giving a reward in exchange for feedback will help boost the brand’s credibility and allow others to know more about it. Moreover, it can also help in taking steps to improve anything that turns off the customers. 

Also Read:Types of Tapes for Packaging

Types of Box Inserts 

Box inserts are available in a wide range and are utilized according to the product`s nature and type. 

Also Read:How to Reduce Packaging Cost?

Types of Promotional Inserts

Up till now, we have covered everything you need to know about box inserts and promotional inserts. The purpose of box inserts is to protect products from damage. But when it comes to promotional inserts, it can prove to be a brand booster and customer stealer. 

Depending on the type of products you sell, here are some of the types of promotional inserts you can add to the custom packaging boxes. Here’s a brief overview. 

1. Discount Card Inserts 

One of the ways to retain customers and attract them to come for more is by offering a discount card. The card contains a promo code that needs to be applied during checkout. The discount is offered to customers on product purchases, which is a way to express gratitude and encourage them to come for more. 

2. Thank You Card Inserts 

Don’t let your customers wander in the wilderness after the product is delivered or purchased. Show some gratitude by adding a Thank You insert with a personalized message. It is one of the least expensive ways to connect, interact, and promote your brand, as well as play a vital role in feeling special and connected to the brand. 

3. Instructions and Information

Promotional inserts are useful in providing instructions and information regarding the product, how to use it, warnings, and precautions. The purpose is to help customers use the product without any difficulty, while also reducing the risks associated with it. It can also include a small puzzle, a trick, or a quiz to make things more exciting for the customers. 

4. Review Request 

Reviews play a vital role in converting potential customers to loyal customers. Elevate your brand’s reputation by asking for a review from the customers and, in return, give them a small favor, such as a discount, a free gift, or a product sample. This encourages customers to write a review without any hesitation and makes it clear to potential customers whether to buy or not. 

5. Small Gifts 

Small gifts are also added as promotional inserts to promote a new product, test a new variant, or give customers a chance to try, test, and buy in the future. For instance, if you have added a new line of chocolate brownies to your existing line, you can add it along with a thank you insert to make customers feel more connected and let them buy in the future.

6. Product Samples 

Product samples complement the package while unboxing. People who are reluctant to buy new products because of their belief that other products might not be good enough will find some assurance. Include product samples as a promotional insert to draw attention to other products. 

Also Read:What is Packaging Optimization?

Summing Up

That concludes our blog, where we have discussed some of the types of packaging inserts, their purposes, benefits, and how to use them. Hopefully, this guide will help you make your packaging boxes more attractive and offer a smooth unboxing experience.