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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose contract food packaging services that have a reputation for safety

When you work with food, safety is a priority. This is why it's very important to choose contract food packaging services that also make safety of the food product a priority. Check with previous clients and review a company's safety standards to make sure you choose a safe contract packager for your food products.

I recommend: Aaron Thomas, a contract packaging company that provides food packaging services for major metropolitan areas, lists its ethical standards and practices on its website. Jacobson Companies is another food contract packager that makes safety a top priority. Food & Beverage Packaging has an article that outlines the benefits of contract packaging in the food and beverage industry.

Save money by choosing contract filling from companies that pack their own products

Smaller businesses can save money by focusing on those large companies that package their own goods. Many times, companies that have their own packaging equipment will also provide contract packaging for smaller businesses. This helps the large company garner additional revenue from its equipment, and helps smaller companies get better rates on their contract packing needs.

I recommend: Sturm Foods is a company that packs its own products, and also offers a range of contract food packaging services. RainShadow Labs is another business that provides contract packaging to other companies, plus it offers label design services.

Decide whether contract packaging is cost-effective for your business

Contract packaging is more than simply hiring a business with packaging machines to package your products. You should know what to look for when hiring a contract packager, how to find the best one, and know when contract packaging is less cost-effective than setting up your own packaging department.

I recommend: The Contract Packaging Association offers an article that details the reasons you should (or should not) think about hiring a contract packager. Medical Product Outsourcing has an article that talks about the rising costs of packaging materials and contract packaging services in the medical industry. Packworld.com provides an informative white paper on building partnerships with contract packaging services.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to look at a few contract filling companies and compare their services to find the best quality packaging for the lowest price.

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Refine your criteria for contract packaging services

There are several steps you can take to ensure you'll be satisfied with your contract packager. Find out if the company packages similar products from another client and whether or not the packing facility is clean. Ask potential packers for a list of clients or a portfolio. Consult associations and industry experts for a complete list of what you should consider when it comes to choosing a company to handle your contract packaging.

I recommend: The Contract Packaging Association not only offers a search engine to find you the right contract packager, but also offers a list of what you should look for when choosing the right one. The Beverage Industry also offers an industry guide and a subscription to the Beverage Industry Insider.

Leave big jobs to professional contract packaging companies

Contract packaging companies can be found easily with just one click but industry leaders, for both liquid contract packaging and solid, will also offer a full line of services including mixing, capping and labeling. Industry leaders will also often boast package design and testing. And, unless your product already has a solid reputation, good package design could instantly increase product sales.

I recommend: HPI offers highly customizable services for both liquid, dry and contract chemical packaging. DPL Corporation specializes in package design testing and even offers services for exchanges and returns.

Go 'green' with your contract packaging services

With the recent focus on carbon footprints, consumers are choosing more eco-friendly options in everything from cars to personal products, so it's no surprise that even large contract packaging services are now offering 'green' packaging options. And, they are often as affordable as traditional contact packaging services.

I recommend: Contract packing company Protenergy offers eco-friendly packaging. Contact Sonic for packing samples as well as the company's large client portfolio.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be very careful when choosing a contract packaging company that handles pharmaceuticals. Many contract packaging companies offer labeling as a service, but you'll be responsible any mistakes when it comes to dosing information and packaging sterility for medicine and medical supplies.

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Move ahead of the competition with a degree in contract packaging education and training

You'll discover a whole new appreciation and understanding of the business opportunities once you complete an advanced degree related to the packaging industry. That knowledge will result in additional contract packaging services and improve your bottom line.

I recommend: Earn a Master of Science in Packaging online from Michigan State University School of Packaging. While at the website, click on the links at the top of the page to find other online learning opportunities for you and/or your employees. The University of Wisconsin-Stout offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Packaging. Consider Clemson University’s Sonoco Institute if your passion is packaging and graphics design.

Look within the packaging industry for contract packaging training opportunities

Contract packaging companies can find ample resources for the training they need, whether it be through trade associations or even packaging equipment manufacturers themselves.

I recommend: Joining the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) can provide a wealth of educational opportunities. Attend IoPP seminars, participate in web seminars or arrange for in-house packaging training. Additionally, work towards or apply for Certified Packaging Professional accreditation and recognition using work experience and/or education. Consider training from the manufacturer of your packaging equipment. ARPAC, a manufacturer of shrink bundlers, multipackers, pallet stretch wrappers and other packaging equipment offers training to its products' end users. Machine operators and maintenance personnel can attend free training courses regularly scheduled at its ARPAC University near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Attend conferences, trade shows and other forums important to the contract packager

Conference and trade show attendees will find new contract packaging resources and educational materials pertinent to their particular business, whether it be contract chemical packaging, liquid contract packaging or contract food packaging.

I recommend: For a good trade show resource, start your search by clicking on any of the links for trade shows at the Contract Packaging Association website. Make plans to attend this year's annual Contract Packaging Forum. If you specialize in contract filling and packaging for pharmaceuticals, add the Pharmaceutical Packaging Forum to your calendar.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you carefully document all training and education related to contract packing that you receive to incorporate all training and certification into a professional resume. Take your career a step further with a PMMI (Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute) Certified Trainer program specifically designed for the contract packaging industry.

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Shrink wrapping

Shrink wrapping products is a common service provided by contract packaging companies. Shrink wrapping is a way to seal product boxes or attach marketing materials the product.

I recommend: Shrink Packaging Wrap provides a comparison chart enabling clients to choose the right type of shrink wrapping for their products.

Shrink banding

Shrink banding is a process of wrapping individual items together to offer bulk purchasing. This can also be used to attach promotional products to another product.

I recommend: PackCo provides a glossary of terms related to the process of shrink banding.

Overwrapping, fin seal

Overwrapping, or fin seal technology, is a process that holds pre-packaged items loosely together in a larger container. This container is usually tamper-resistant.

I recommend: Bindagraphics provides information on the technique of horizontal overwrapping. Servi-Pak shows examples of overwrapping packaging.

Tip-on, affixing

Tip-on, or affixing, is a service provided by contract packagers that provides a finishing touch to products. This is done by affixing labels, cards and inserts to the product's packaging.

I recommend: The Datacard Group provides information on affixing and finishing options for product labeling that include gluing systems, windowing and perforation options.

Third-party logistics, 3PL

Third-party logistics (3PL) is a process of outsourcing one or more steps in the warehousing and transportation of products. Contract packaging services are typically performed by 3PL companies because the companies can also offer warehouse storage and transportation to retail destinations.

I recommend: Supervalu provides a list of benefits for a company that uses third-party logistics services for packaging, warehousing or transportation.

Packaging optimization

Packaging optimization is the process of creating more efficient packaging for products. This helps to create more space during shipping, reducing the overall shipping costs per unit.

I recommend: GreenBiz provides information on packaging optimization and how it can save a company money, but is no quick fix for environmental problems created by discarded packaging.