As the holiday season approaches, the excitement of gift-giving fills the air. But amidst the anticipation and joy, it's important to consider the environmental impact of our festive traditions. Traditional gift wrapping, with its shiny finishes and glitter accents, often ends up in landfills, contributing to global pollution and waste.At Packaging World, we believe that sustainability doesn't have to compromise on style. So, let's say goodbye to wasteful practices and embrace eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas that are kind to the planet without sacrificing the festive spirit.Embrace the Natural Beauty of Brown Paper - Step away from the glossy, non-recyclable wrapping paper and opt for natural brown kraft paper. Its rustic charm adds a touch of elegance, and it's fully recyclable, allowing you to enjoy guilt-free gifting.    Repurpose with Recycled Materials - Get creative and give old newspapers, magazines, or leftover fabric a second chance! Use colorful pages from magazines to wrap gifts, or transform old scarves or shirts into reusable fabric pouches. This is a great method to cut down on waste by recycling old materials you have lying around.Personalise with Natural Touches - Elevate your gifts with natural elements like dried flowers, pine cones, or even some holly. These eco-friendly decorations add a festive touch without adding to environmental waste, all while looking hand picked and homemade! Ditch the Tape, Use Natural Alternatives - Skip the sellotape, which is not recyclable. Instead, use ribbons or string to secure your gifts. These eco-friendly alternatives add a rustic touch and are easy to remove and recycle, and show that you put that little bit extra effort into your gifts!Consider the Gift Itself - Make sure the gifts you’re giving are ones that’ll be put to good use! Pick something you know the receiving person will enjoy for many years, or if in doubt, gift them an experience, hopefully one that they’ll cherish forever. This eliminates any waste, and will often be remembered far more fondly than a small gift that they probably didn’t even want anyway! At Packaging World, we're committed to providing sustainable packaging solutions for all your gifting needs. We offer a wide range of eco-friendly gift wrapping materials, from boxes to bags and pouches, ensuring that you can celebrate the holidays with a clear conscience.This Christmas, let's make a conscious effort to reduce our environmental footprint while still spreading the festive spirit! Embrace sustainable gift wrapping and discover the beauty of eco-friendly alternatives. Together, we can make this holiday season a celebration of both giving, and giving back to our planet!

Black Friday – the day when shoppers across the world hunt for the best deals and discounts. It's a day when businesses can thrive, and packaging plays a crucial role in creating memorable experiences for customers. In this blog, we'll delve into the significance of packaging on Black Friday and how it can help your business stand out.   The Power of First Impressions In the world of retail, first impressions matter, and the packaging is the first thing your customers see. As they unbox their Black Friday purchases, the packaging is their initial touchpoint with your brand. Make it count. Eye-catching packaging can enhance the perceived value of your products, creating anticipation and excitement. Whether it's a beautifully designed box, a personalised message, or eco-friendly materials, packaging can set the stage for a memorable unboxing experience.   Branding Through Packaging Your packaging is an extension of your brand identity. On Black Friday, competition is fierce, and your brand's ability to stand out is critical. Create packaging that reflects your brand's personality, values, and uniqueness. Use your brand colours, logos, and slogans to make your packaging instantly recognisable.Remember, Black Friday deals may be fleeting, but the impression your packaging leaves can have a lasting impact. Customers who have a positive unboxing experience are more likely to become repeat buyers and brand advocates.      Eco-Friendly Packaging for Sustainability Sustainability is a growing concern, and customers appreciate businesses that are eco-conscious. Black Friday presents an opportunity to showcase your commitment to the environment through eco-friendly packaging. Utilise biodegradable materials, reduce excess packaging, and communicate your sustainability efforts on your packaging. Not only does this resonate with eco-conscious consumers, but it also enhances your brand's reputation. Personalisation and Customer Engagement Personalisation is key to making your customers feel special. Consider adding a personal touch to your Black Friday packaging, such as handwritten notes or customised product recommendations. Engage with your customers through QR codes that lead to exclusive content or surveys. This not only adds a personal element but also provides valuable data for future marketing efforts. Safety and Protection In the rush of Black Friday, it's easy to focus on the aesthetics of packaging and forget about its primary purpose – protecting the product. Ensure that your packaging provides adequate protection during shipping. This prevents damage, returns, and unhappy customers. Invest in durable materials, cushioning, and secure closures to safeguard your products. Discounts and Coupons on Packaging You can further incentivise Black Friday shoppers by offering discounts and coupons hidden within the packaging. Encourage repeat purchases by providing a special discount code for their next order. This not only adds value to the customer's purchase but also builds anticipation for future shopping. Leveraging Online and In-Store Packaging While e-commerce has dominated Black Friday sales in recent years, don't forget the significance of in-store packaging. Customers who make in-store purchases still value well-designed bags and boxes. These can serve as walking advertisements for your brand, creating visibility beyond the point of sale. Case Study: Successful Packaging on Black Friday Let's look at a case study to understand the impact of packaging on Black Friday. "ABC Electronics" decided to revamp their Black Friday packaging strategy. They invested in customised, eco-friendly boxes with a sleek design. They also included a 15% discount code for their next purchase and a small note thanking the customer for their support.The result? ABC Electronics saw a 30% increase in online sales compared to the previous year. The personalised touch in their packaging received rave reviews on social media, which attracted new customers even after Black Friday. Their eco-friendly approach resonated with environmentally conscious consumers, resulting in increased brand loyalty. Conclusion On Black Friday, packaging is your secret weapon. It's not just about protecting products; it's about creating lasting impressions, connecting with customers, and standing out in a crowded marketplace. Whether you focus on aesthetics, sustainability, personalisation, or a combination of these factors, your packaging strategy can significantly impact your Black Friday success.Invest in packaging that tells your brand story, engages customers, and leaves a lasting impression. With the right approach, you can turn Black Friday shoppers into loyal customers who keep coming back, long after the sales are over. Make your packaging an integral part of your Black Friday success story.

The gadgets we use every day are designed to make our lives easier, but they also contribute to a negative impact on our planet. With the introduction of USB type C just a few years ago, many technology companies adopted this port as the new standard, making it easier for consumers to charge all their devices with just one cable. However, there was one hold out in Apple. In case you don’t know, USB (Universal Serial Bus) has been around for a long time in many different forms. It’s essentially a port designed to make it easier to connect multiple devices together. You’re probably familiar with the old rectangular version you’ll find on your computer/laptop that you can never plug in the right way round first time. Well USB-C was designed to fix this issue by allowing you to plug it in either way around, while also slimming it down and improving the speed at which data is transferred. But that’s the boring stuff out of the way.For many years, Apple has gone their own way with their Lightning port and cables. If you’ve ever asked a friend with an Android phone to borrow their charger, you’ll understand why this was frustrating to many. But recently, the EU passed a bill that would require all technology companies to use USB-C in any smart devices, in an act to cut down on electronic waste by limiting the need for different charging cables for different devices. So with the introduction of their new flagship iPhone 15 this month, Apple have finally joined the USB-C family for good. So what are the benefits of this?   Reversible Design - USB-C connectors are reversible, meaning you can plug them in either way without worrying about orientation. This eliminates the frustration of trying to plug in a USB cable the right way up, making it more user-friendly.Universal Compatibility - The clue is in the name. USB is Universal, making it the standard port on (almost) every electronic device you own. So gone are the days of needing to carry 12 cables with you on holiday, as everything can be charged with one!Faster Data Transfer Speeds - USB-C supports faster data transfer rates compared to previous USB versions. This is great for tasks like transferring large files or backing up data as the whole process can be done much quicker than ever before.Audio and Video Output - USB-C now supports audio and video transmission, making it a viable replacement for DisplayPort and HDMI. Again, this limits the amount of cables you’ll need to do anything, as USB-C can just about do it all!Future-Proofing - As USB-C becomes the standard for most devices, investing in USB-C accessories and cables can help future-proof your tech setup. You won't have to worry about outdated connectors and can easily adapt to new devices as they hit the market.And of course, E-Waste Reduction - As you slim your cable drawer down to just USB-C, you won’t have to get new cables for new devices, as you’ll already have what you need. This eliminates the need to throw out out-of-date cables, as they’ll still be supported by your new devices, thus reducing the amount of e-waste!   As a company who proudly supports the push towards a greener future, we’re excited to see the positive ramifications of this switch to USB-C from the biggest tech company in the world. We’re one step closer to a cleaner planet, and we hope you’ll join us in moving this direction!We’ve been making the move for the past few years towards sustainable packaging, with many of our most popular ranges being eco-friendly, and some being FSC® certified! From boxes, to bags and pouches, we’ve got what you need to start shifting towards eco-friendly packaging, all at affordable prices!

Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy but often go overlooked. With over 5.5 million small businesses operating across the nation, these make up over 99% of the British private sector, employing roughly 48% of the working population. An incredible 4.1 million of these businesses employ nobody but the sole owner of the company, meaning 74% of UK businesses are one-person operations!     World Entrepreneurs Day With World Entrepreneurs Day just over the horizon (August 21st!), we thought this would be an amazing time to stop and celebrate the incredible work that goes into running a small business, while highlighting some of the issues and hardships these businesses face on a regular basis.As we already mentioned, the overwhelming majority of British businesses operate on a one-person rota, meaning everything from the initial concept, through production, website design, manufacturing, marketing, and finance management has to be handled by the one person running the business! To put that into perspective, think about how many people specialise in just one of these fields while working for a larger company. Most large businesses will even employ teams of people working for each specific department, making it even more incredible to see these small business owners deal with so many different aspects of running a business all by themselves!With the majority of our customers being small businesses, and being one ourselves, we see on a daily basis what these companies have to go through to make ends meet and keep their businesses afloat.     Our Story Our own journey started back in 2004 when Natalie, originally from Guangzhou, China, travelled to Swansea (after a brief stint in Switzerland!) and began selling jewellery online. After noticing the rapid pace that fashion changes, Natalie wanted to focus on something that wouldn’t need to be constantly keeping up with seasonal trends, and decided to produce jewellery packaging instead!Keeping in mind that English was not her first language, Natalie persevered with her idea, slowly growing the business into what it’s become today. With 10 staff proudly putting in the effort every day to help the company grow and improve, Packaging World now offers more than just jewellery packaging, but gift wrapping, bags, boxes, pouches, tissue paper, ribbons, and so much more, including eco-friendly and FSC® certified packaging, all thanks to the incredible work our small team put in regularly, and the support from our loyal customers who always return with a smile on their face! Stand Out With Your Brand  With our branding services, we offer you an amazing way to stand out by incorporating either a luxury hot foil or digitally printed logo onto your packaging, putting your brand directly into your customers’ hands! Choose from a range of foil colours, from metallic to matte finishes, to perfectly compliment your brand and product, or with our digital printing service you can add complex artwork with multiple colours. The possibilities are really only limited by your imagination!While we offer printing on the majority of our products for a small fee, we are currently running an offer that includes free printing on a select range of our packaging options! This is a great deal for customers looking to try out our printing service with no additional cost, just the price of the packaging. You can check out this amazing deal right here for yourself!

With the Summer season in full swing I’m sure we’ve all been looking forward to jetting off to somewhere hot and sunny abroad, and with the past few years we’ve had, who’s to judge? Taking some time off to go and relax by the pool or the beach and see some sights is a great way to relax and recompose for the year!         The Grass Isn’t Always Greener However, we unfortunately have to keep in mind the negative impact all these holiday plans can have on our planet. Heathrow in London is one of the busiest airports in the world, estimated to have 1,300 take-offs and landings every day of the year, making it a leading contributor to the UKs carbon emission output. The aviation industry worldwide makes up 2.4% of carbon emissions, and when combined with related gases and water vapour created during flight, this makes it responsible for 5% of global warming.5% doesn’t sound like a huge number, does it? But when you consider that only a small fraction of the world’s richest countries fly regularly - within those countries less than half of the population fly, with only 12-15% of people flying more than once a year - you start to see how that 5% is unevenly distributed. Roughly 70 million of the world’s highest polluting population contributes as much CO2 emissions as the lowest polluting 3.2 billion people! It’s estimated that if every person in the world took one long-haul flight, the emissions from this would far exceed the United States’ entire CO2 emissions in a single year. See where this is going?That’s why we’re encouraging people to think twice before booking their getaways. Some places are unique enough that the only option is to travel abroad, but with Brits outnumbering the number of locals in Benidorm during the summer months, it’s clear that the majority of people are just looking for somewhere hot and sunny by the beach! Summer On Your Doorstep In this sense, climate change can be a double edged sword, as we can actually thank it for giving us hotter summers than we’re used to experiencing, making this an opportune time to staycation. Being a fairly small island nation, the UK is hardly short of beaches to choose from, with Devon and Cornwall being just two of the most popular hotspots. It’s becoming increasingly easy to find the summer weather you’re looking for on your doorstep, all without the hassle and cost of travelling abroad, and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re doing your part to cut down on your carbon footprint!For those looking for other ways they can have a positive impact this summer (and the rest of the year!), we’ve compiled a short list of things you can do today to cut down on your emissions.Spend less time driving - Consider whether you really need to drive everywhere you go. What are the alternatives? Walking? Cycling? Even public transport! Spending less time in the car is both cost effective (less money spent on petrol!) and a good way to lower your carbon footprint. And when you do need to drive, check the quietest times to travel. This helps cut down how much fuel is consumed and means you don’t waste your own time stuck sitting in stand-still traffic!Eat less meat & dairy - Raising livestock is a carbon intensive process, from the resources needed to grow the food they eat, and then the machinery needed to slaughter and process the meat, it all contributes massively to carbon emissions. Combine this with places like Brazil that have cut down large areas of natural forestry to create space for these dairy farms, and the emissions start to stack up fast! Experts say that everyone skipping meat one day a week would save the U.S. 100 billion gallons of water and bring greenhouse gases down by 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide!Reduce, reuse, recycle - this phrase has maybe lost its impact in recent years, but it’s still as true as ever! Reducing the amount of products you consume, reusing what you already have, and recycling what can’t be reused is one of the most impactful ways you can leave a positive impact on the planet. Cutting down on plastic products will help massively in fighting pollution and waste, and with so many great alternatives out there now, there’s no real reason not to make the switch!As big promoters of eco-friendly living, we offer a range of sustainable packaging options to help our customers transition smoothly into this new lifestyle! From boxes to bags, or pouches to tissue paper, we have anything you could possibly need for your products available in eco-friendly options. In fact, these are now our most popular products, encouraging us to slowly convert all our products to sustainable materials!You can check out our full range of eco-friendly products right here and start making a difference today!

Plastic bags account for a huge amount of the plastic polluting our planet, with over 500 billion(!) plastic bags being used globally, many of which go to waste as litter.With such a drastic figure, it’s no wonder the world faces a catastrophic climate battle as these plastic particles find their way into all areas of our planet’s ecosystems – including us! Marine Life in Plastic Marine animals are especially compromised when it comes to plastic waste, with more than 31 marine species having ingested plastic and over 100 species of seabirds ingesting plastic artefacts. Figures show that over 250 species have been caught in plastic waste, and roughly 8% of sea lions and seals have become entangled!Humans are not free from this impact either, with plastic polluting our environment leading to the transportation of new invasive species. These are extremely detrimental to our wildlife and biodiversity, all of which finds its way into the food chain, and subsequently into us. I don’t think we need to tell you that consuming plastic isn’t exactly a healthy human diet! Plastic in Landfill The most incredible statistic we can highlight to showcase how unnecessary and avoidable this whole situation could be is that most plastic bags are only used for 25 minutes before being disposed of! That’s one trip home from the shop before throwing away a piece of toxic material that won’t compose for up to 500 years!All this to say that we need to be more conscious of the impact small actions can have on the lives of everyone around the world, not just today, but for hundreds of years to come. Recycling Plastic Plastic Bag Free Day – celebrated every July 3rd – is committed to bringing awareness about this pressing issue to people around the world, encouraging everyone to be more mindful of their actions, and hopefully inspire people to cut down on the amount of plastic – bags or otherwise – they use before needlessly throwing away.This isn’t to say that all plastic is awful, as plastic can be a great material for reusable products that actively help the planet when used instead of cheap disposable products. Instead, we’re just proposing that disposable plastic products, such as plastic bags, can be easily substituted with long lasting replacements that will not only leave a positive impact on the planet, but save you money in the long run! Eco-friendly Products As big proponents of eco-friendly and recyclable products, we proudly offer a wide variety of plastic-free packaging for you to choose from. From jewellery boxes to gift bags and tissue paper, our eco-friendly range of products not only help the planet, but they look great too, all while being gentle on your bank account!Shop our eco-friendly packaging collection today to start on your journey to healing the planet, one small step at a time.

As summer rolls in, it’s important to take a step back and look at the natural world around us and how we contribute to it every day, both positive and negative.So, in the spirit of World Bee Day and No Mow May, we want to spread environmental awareness and responsibility to all our customers!          No Mow Day No Mow May is an exciting initiative that encourages us to put down our lawnmowers and let nature take its course. By resisting the urge to mow our lawns throughout May, we create a haven for wildflowers and other plants to flourish. Not only does No Mow May result in a stunning display of colourful blooming flowers, but it also provides a much-needed habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. It's a simple yet impactful way to support biodiversity and embrace the beauty of a wilder, more natural landscape. Plus it means you get to relax and feel good about letting your garden grow a little longer than you’re used to.So, this May, let's join the movement, sit back, and enjoy the vibrant wonders that No Mow May brings to our gardens and communities!   World Bee Day World Bee Day is a global celebration dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of bees in our ecosystem. Held on May 20th each year, it serves as a reminder of the vital role bees play in pollinating plants and ensuring the health and abundance of our food supply.World Bee Day provides an opportunity to learn about the challenges bees face, such as habitat loss and pesticide use, and to take action to protect them. It's a day to appreciate the incredible contributions of these beautiful buzzing creatures and to inspire efforts towards their conservation. Let's celebrate World Bee Day by spreading the buzz about their importance and finding ways to support and protect these incredible pollinators!   Sunflower Boxes   We're all about making responsible choices, and that's why our Sunflower Boxes proudly bear the FSC® trademark. FSC ensures that all the materials used in our boxes come from responsibly managed forests. By choosing our Sunflower Boxes, you're directly contributing to the preservation of our precious woodlands and the habitats they provide for bees and countless other creatures.Our Sunflower Boxes are available in four different colours – black, white, kraft, and grey. Not only do they add a touch of uniqueness to your packaging, but they also serve as a constant reminder of the role you play in saving our planet. So go ahead and choose the colour that speaks to your eco-soul!We understand that your packaging needs may vary, which is why we offer our Sunflower Boxes in four different sizes. Whether you're sending a tiny token of appreciation or a grand gesture of love, we've got you covered. From small and medium to large and extra-large, there's a Sunflower Box size that fits just right for you!To sprinkle even more joy into your eco-friendly journey, we're including a free pouch with every Sunflower box you buy. Made from soft cotton and linen, these pouches are perfect for storing trinkets, accessories, and jewellery. It's our way of saying thank you for making a conscious choice and supporting sustainable packaging.By choosing our FSC Certified Sunflower boxes, you're not just embracing style and convenience, but you're becoming a part of the green revolution. Each purchase contributes to a greener future, where we coexist harmoniously with nature and appreciate the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

How to Show Mum You Care this Mother’s Day, Without Breaking the Bank With Mothering Sunday coming up on the 19th of March, many people are thinking about ways to show their mum, or mother figure, how much they mean. Of course, you can go all out with a fancy meal, expensive gift, or day out, but showing your mum you care, doesn’t have to break the bank. There are plenty of ways to show your love and appreciation for your mum on a budget.Here are some ways to pamper your mum this Mother’s Day without splashing too much cash.    Make a Homemade Card You’re never too old for a homemade card. Making or receiving! Your mum will appreciate it, as it shows you’ve put in effort. Making homemade cards can also be adorable if you’re helping your kids come up with a Mother’s Day gift for your wife or partner, as there’s nothing more special than a homemade card from your little one. Don’t forget to add a personal, heartfelt message for extra brownie points! Why not have your kids create ‘ticket books’ of gifts for mum that she can use throughout the year? For example, 1 free car wash, 1 back rub, 1 hour of cleaning, etc. They don’t cost anything, and the kids will have a great time coming up with ideas! Create Some Art If you’re looking for a lovely and inexpensive gift from your children to their mum, there’s nothing better than framing a piece of their DIY artwork. So let your kids get creative with paints, pens, pencils, or anything else you have at home and then frame the beautiful results.     Spend Time Outside A day out doesn’t need to be expensive, so why not head out and enjoy the Great Outdoors with your mum this Mother’s Day? Go for a walk, cycle, potter around the garden, hike, or whatever else your mum will enjoy. You’ll get to spend precious time together, enjoy the fresh air and keep healthy whilst you’re at it. You could give your mum a tree as a gift and use this time outdoors to find a great place to plant it. Good for the environment and a fun and unusual gift too!    Cook A Meal Another inexpensive option is to cook your mum a nice meal to mark Mother’s Day. It can be as simple as a breakfast of toast and eggs or as lavish as a multi-course dinner, but either way, your mum is bound to appreciate the time and effort you’ve spent. If you want to go all out on the eco-theme, you could even look up recipes for a great vegan meal! The bonus is that you can spend time together eating and enjoying the meal.     Choose Eco-Friendly Packaging If you’re giving the gift of a beautiful bouquet this Valentine’s Day, ensure you purchase organic flowers, as these have less impact on the environment. Organic flower farming helps build soil fertility using composting techniques and crop rotation. This method reduces the use of artificial fertilisers, which can negatively affect the environment.If you’re given lovely flowers this Valentine’s Day, why not try flower pressing to preserve them and enjoy them for longer? You could press the flowers and then frame the most beautiful ones. Choose Sustainable Packaging   If you buy your mum a gift this Mother’s Day, no matter the cost, ensure you opt for eco-friendly packaging. If you have any gift bags around the house, you can reuse these and save on buying new ones. Use any rolls of wrapping paper you have at home, and only purchase new (recyclable) gift packaging when you need to, as this is the kindest choice for the environment.We have a range of eco-friendly, sustainable packaging options if you need to buy new gift packaging. In addition, we have a range of packaging from Forest Stewardship Certified Forests, so you can celebrate Mother’s Day while caring for the planet. Shop our FSC Certified packaging by clicking here.

As a small business owner, you understand the importance of creating a memorable and delightful experience for your customers, and packaging plays a vital role in achieving that. With the proper packaging, you can showcase your brand's identity, add a touch of creativity, and make a lasting impression on your customers. In this blog, we will explore some creative packing ideas that can elevate your brand using packaging materials and solutions from Packaging World.     Branding Adding hot foil or digital printing to a product is a powerful way to establish your brand identity and create a professional look for your packaging. Custom branding adds a touch of sophistication and reinforces your brand image, making your packaging unique and memorable. Packaging World offer two options for branding: hot foil printing or digital printing. Hot foil printing creates a luxurious and premium finish, while digital printing allows for intricate designs and vibrant colours. You can add your logo, brand name, or other brand elements to your boxes, bags, or gift pouches using either method.    Creative Fillers and Cushioning Fillers and cushioning materials not only protect your products during shipping but can also add a touch of creativity to your packaging. Tissue paper is a versatile filler option that can add a pop of colour and softness to your packaging. Packaging World stocks tissue paper in various colours and finishes to suit your brand's aesthetic. You can use tissue paper to wrap fragile items, create attractive folds, or add a finishing touch to your packaging presentation. This simple yet creative filler can elevate the unboxing experience and create a wow factor for your customers.    Eco-Friendly Packaging In today's eco-conscious world, eco-friendly packaging has become popular for many brands and customers. Packaging World offers a variety of eco-friendly packaging materials, such as FSC® certified boxes, bags and paper; packaging made from recycled materials and 100% biodegradable packaging. Using eco-friendly packaging materials can showcase your brand's commitment to sustainability and attract environmentally conscious customers. You can highlight the eco-friendly aspect of your packaging on your website, social media, or product descriptions to differentiate your brand and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.     Gift Pouches If your business specialises in small items such as jewellery, gift pouches can be an excellent packaging solution to add elegance and luxury to your products. Packaging World offers a range of gift pouches in various colours, materials, and sizes. You can choose cotton, organza, satin, velvet or suede pouches to suit your brand's style and theme.In conclusion, creative packaging can significantly impact your customers and help elevate your brand to the next level. From branding with hot foil or digital printing to using fillers and cushioning, eco-friendly packaging or gift pouches, there are many ways to unleash your brand's potential and make a lasting impression on your customers. Packaging World offers a wide range of packaging materials and solutions to help you implement these creative packing ideas for your small business. For more information, visit our website.