Wraparound Packaging Versus Regular Slotted Containers. Which Packaging Is Right for Your Business?

Packaging might seem insignificant to a consumer, but it ensures that products reach us in optimal condition.

As for manufacturers of packaged edibles, there’s no element more important than their product packaging. It should be sturdy, suited to the needs of your merchandise, and able to safeguard your finished product from the elements.

Unsuitable primary or secondary packaging can cost your brand lost customers and spoilage of finished goods. It can make your product look low-quality and unreliable.

Maintaining costs is another concern for most businesses in the edibles industry. Rising raw materials prices and evolving manufacturing trends mean we need to re-examine each step of our assembly line. Adhering to outdated methods of packaging food can ultimately result in brands falling behind the crowd. 

Especially with tough competition and new brands emerging every day, you want every advantage you can get on your side. Investing in smart machinery such as robotic case packers extends such benefits for your company. 

Robotic case packers are helping companies save resources across the board. The type of secondary packaging you select can further compound these cost-saving profits.

Regular slotted containers and wrap-around boxes are two of the food industry's most commonly used packaging types. Here, we have compiled a brief introduction of both and some pros and cons for each offer. 

Read on to learn which can be a better fit for your unique products and how you can make a more informed packaging decision for your brand.

Regular Slotted Containers [RSC]

RSC, also known as knock-down cases, is the most widely used type of cardboard box out there. They’re used for almost all categories of retail merchandise. All flaps in this corrugated container are equal and meet in the center to close the box.

RSCs need to be loaded vertically, either by hand or by machines. They come semi-formed with the flap pre-glued or taped. That allows the boxes to be shipped flat and makes them easy to erect and fill. The remaining flaps are sealed using glue or tape after filling the box. 

Here are some benefits of using regular slotted containers for your products:

• Highly recyclable.
• RSCs are sturdy and dependable.
• You can reuse them multiple times before recycling.
• Their durable nature adds stacking stability to pallets.
• Easy to ship, palletise and wrap if all boxes are of uniform size.
• Multiple suppliers in every vicinity, so it’s easier to find a supplier within your budget.
• Since the box design is so common, there is no extra time or expense spent on training staff on erecting and filling them.
• They can be filled manually or via robotic case packers. So, there is no need to invest in new machinery.
• In case of supply chain disruption, locating another supplier is straightforward and keeps operations going.

RSCs have drawbacks. They’re usually manufactured in standard sizes. Meaning there is more room for the box's contents to move around and possibly get damaged. Also, most suppliers charge a fee for partially or fully erecting each case. Which can end up costing more than other end-of-the-line packaging options.

Half-slotted containers are another type of RSCs that differs in one significant way. They come with a separate lid and have flaps only on the bottom side. Half-slotted containers are ideal for places where the flaps of regular slotted containers need to be repeatedly opened to assess the contents. 

Their removable lids make them great for storage units or departmental budget stores. These containers are often used to pack food or drink cans, small gadgets, and stationery supplies.

Wrap-Around Packaging

Unlike RSCs, wrap-around cases come entirely disassembled from the supplier. They are a single flat piece of cardboard with pre-scored flaps. The packaging is formed around its contents and sealed. Robotic case packers load wrap-around cases horizontally before glueing them shut.

Wrap-around packaging is relatively newer. Automated machinery such as robotic case packers has contributed to helping increase their adaptation across the food industry. And for a good reason, wrap-around cases offer many benefits over traditional RSCs, such as:

• They require less corrugated material than RSCs.
• Wrap-around packaging is entirely recyclable.
• Since they require less raw material, they produce a smaller carbon footprint.
• Wrap-around packaging helps reduce the labour force required in your factory.
• Appropriately sized and designed wrap-around cases can be just as sturdy as RSCs.
• They are formed around the merchandise, resulting in a better, more secure fit. Resulting in minor damage and waste.
• They don’t require separate machines to erect and seal them. A single robotic case packer can form, fill, and seal each case. Saving on costs and energy usage.
• Because of their flat design, robotic case packers can hold about twice as many wrap-around cases as RSCs in collapsed form. Fewer re-fills mean less change-over time and fewer bottlenecks.

All these advantages of wrap-around packaging might compel you to make the switch. But remember that wrap-around cases don’t offer the versatility of use that RSCs do. The packaging needs to be recycled after a single use and can’t be used again. 

Also, wrap-around packaging requires automated machines, such as robotic case packers, to form and seal them. If any machinery breaks down, operations stop. The packaging needs to be custom-made for your brand. Any hold-up in the packaging supply chain results in a delay in your products reaching the retailer. 

Regarding edibles with a limited freshness window, delays can mean catastrophe.

Let Us Make the Decision Easier for You

Still wondering which container is better for your products? Experts at Blueprint Automation can help you make the right packaging choice for your edibles. Call us today to discuss which robotic case packer is suitable for your company.