As a class, we must appreciate the packaging of Apple. Every product has attention to detail in presentation and cushioning.
In spite of shipping 80.5 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2023, Apple’s commitment to packaging is to be appreciated.
When you are in business, you want your purchasers to enjoy the same unboxing experience. You ideally want your product to be viewed as top-of-the-line. But how do you deliver Apple-like packaging?
In this article, I am going to look at Apple’s better packaging, why it is so unique and sustainable, and how you can duplicate Apple’s customer experience.
Why Apple’s Packaging is so Premium
We cannot dispute that Apple products like the iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch, and MacBook are sleek and fashionable.
As an example, packaging of an Apple Watch indicates the minimalist mindset and luxury appeal of the brand.
Plain as it looks, the package is an indication of the beauty of the product within. Apple products are used to be light, intelligent, and networked in their packaging. What’s more, they are very expensive.
Their packaging is consistent with their products, no surprise there. Packaging for a luxury brand must be luxurious, and Apple does not deliver in this regard.
How do they do it? Virtually everything to do with Apple’s packaging is handled by specialist teams, from concept to design, right through to quality checking and testing.
They take a lot of care in everything related to packaging, which guarantees customers that their product is great.
Unboxing could be the same as Apple for tiny or medium firms that don’t have Apple’s resources to hire such large teams.
Apple Utilizes Rigid Boxes
Apple employs a few of the best-quality rigid boxes available. From high-grade materials and meticulous attention to detail, rest assured that their products will always be adequately safeguarded and provide the greatest first impression available.
The iPhone and MacBook, amongst other Apple devices, are contained in full-cover rigid boxes with bases and lids.
When you unbox, most people appreciate how slowly and smoothly the lid slides off the base. As you pull the lid away from the box, it opens gradually, creating an expectation-driven unboxing experience.
Apple has designed its box with great care for a slow, exciting unboxing experience. Apple designed an unboxing experience only possible with Apple’s capability.
To aid proper identification, the boxes are black or white with the picture of the product printed on them. For the added touch, the majority of the pictures are embossed. For the finishing touch, Apple boxes are finalized with an amazing matte finish.
Apple has years of packaging and manufacturing experience and thus can utilize their expertise towards designing the best boxes.
Apple’s packaging is now the standard in the packaging industry because it is gorgeous, functional, and durable.
Apple’s box design is well thought out, but what about what fills the box? You will find the pulp inlay in the following section, which most people overlook.
What is a Pulp Inlay?
In simple language, “pulp inlay” is a packaging jargon, but what exactly is it? Alright, think of a paper tray made out of fibers that holds your goods in place. You can see the common use of this in egg cartons, which use pulp inlay to cushion and hold the eggs in place.
Producing these pulp inlays might seem a piece of cake, but there is more to it than appearances. The final shape of the inlay will be based on the mold being used to produce the pulp inlay.
How much does a mold cost? Though we are still trying to figure out how much Apple pays for them, a single mold could cost up to USD 4000 (without taking into account how much it costs to produce these units).
Pulp inlays are rigid and non-malleable. Pulp inlays can only be modified in shape once they have been created, and so brands will be forced to create the packaging so that it will fit the pulp inlay.
A good example is ensuring that the box where the lay is to be inserted is the right size for the inlay. Any 1-2mm change in size or shape would be a new mold and an additional mold charge.
With Apple inlays, from the iPhone to the AirPods is within its tray, specifically crafted and molded to be the best bed for the products.
The fascinating fact is that, unlike paper or foam inserts, the inlay does not restrain the product. Nevertheless, Apple has taken great care so that its products will not shift positions.
First, they achieve this by placing instructions on top of their products. Second, by designing the box lid to fit precisely the right size. So that, when closed, the products are safely secured in place by the lid pressing down into the pulp inlay. The attention to detail is incredible!
While Apple’s pulp inlay is recyclable and premium, it is also one of the most expensive options – far more expensive than the cheapest alternatives.
Though Apple’s pulp inlays are very popular among many brands, they are far more expensive than standard box inserts and come with other compromises.
How to Order Custom Packaging Like Apple’s
Whether you require Apple-type packing or similar brings the question: do you require Apple-type packing?
More than likely, the response is no, with the exception of businesses that have a surplus to invest in quality packaging like Apple.
You can get a luxury unboxing experience using rigid boxes such as magnetic closure rigid boxes. Rather than the use of pulp inlays, utilize custom box inserts that are paperboard, cardboard, or foam-based to present your products in a stunning manner during shipment.
You can easily replicate the Apple-like unboxing experience with AIP Packaging, a packaging solution company that offers cost-effective solutions for obtaining the best unboxing experience one can have.
Let’s get started! Take your packaging to the next level with our product line.
