Packaging concepts: The right cardboard packaging for your product

From secure transport to optimal shelf presentation – together we will find the best solution for your products.

The choice of the right packaging concept determines product protection, logistics efficiency and success at the point of sale. SOMIC offers a range of cardboard packaging concepts that can be flexibly adapted to your requirements. Whether an open cardboard packaging for maximum visibility, a closed carton for secure transport or a classic folding carton for standardized logistics – together we will find the optimal solution for your products.

Packaging determines success at the point of sale.

A well-considered secondary packaging is far more than just a transport wrapper. It protects your products throughout the entire journey from the production site to the shelf, eases handling for retail staff and presents your brand powerfully at the point of sale. At the same time, the choice of carton concept affects your material costs, warehouse logistics and sustainability profile. SOMIC supports you in developing the packaging concept that optimally combines all of these requirements.

Your benefits:

Product protection – Secure arrival of your goods at retail
POS presentation – Attractive shelf-ready packaging for maximum visibility
Efficiency – Fast handling in logistics and retail

Various concepts – an optimal solution for you

Each product places different demands on secondary packaging. SOMIC offers various concepts for cardboard packaging that differ in level of protection, visibility and handling. Click on a concept to learn more.

Tray packaging

Wraparound packaging

RSC packaging

Tray/Cover packaging

Cover/Tray packaging

For these product formats, we offer the optimal packaging solution.

Each product shape presents unique challenges. Together we develop tailored packaging concepts to transport your products safely and efficiently and to present them attractively. With our bespoke packaging technology, we ensure your products are always optimally packaged.

Flat pouches, stand-up pouches, composite cartons

For flexible food products, bags, stand-up pouches and flat pouches are the common packaging formats. They combine good product visibility, space efficiency and often resealable properties, for example for pasta, coffee, muesli, nuts, confectionery and fruit purees.

Corrugated cases

Corrugated cases are suitable for dry, shelf-stable food products as they provide protection, are highly stackable and offer ample space for product information and design. Product examples include pasta, flour, muesli, pudding powder, spices, biscuits, chocolate, pralines, tea bags, dried fruits, nuts, instant soups and coffee.

Cans, cups and trays

The robust construction, frequently airtight closures and extended shelf life make cans, cups and trays a preferred packaging format for highly perishable foods such as canned vegetables, yogurt, quark, ready meals, olives and baby food.

Blister packs and thermoform packs

Blister packs and thermoform packs provide optimal protection and excellent product visibility for sensitive food portions that require hygienic removal. These characteristics are ideal for sliced cheese, spreads, meat, sliced cold cuts and coffee capsules.

Jars, bottles and tubes

Liquid and semi-solid food products are ideally packaged in jars, bottles and tubes, as these provide excellent aroma protection and ensure precise dosing. Some of these packaging formats are also reusable, for example for beverages and yogurts.

Wraparound packaging

To protect fresh and portioned food products, flexible wraparound packaging is a proven solution commonly used for cheese, butter, baked goods, chocolate, sausages and marzipan.

Flat pouches, stand-up pouches, composite cartons

Group in the carton

Upright:
With upright packaging, products are placed upright in the carton. This is a particularly attractive arrangement for retail display. It is suitable for products whose shape or structure allows vertical positioning, such as folding cartons, stand-up pouches, cans, jars and many more.

Horizontal:
Horizontal packaging is often used for more delicate products that cannot stand upright or for which a horizontal position during transport is preferred, such as aluminum trays, tubes or others.

Group in the carton

Single-row:
With this type of group, products are arranged in a single row — either upright or on their side, depending on the requirement. This arrangement is particularly suitable for larger products or goods that cannot be stacked.

Multi-row:
In multi-row packaging, products are arranged in several rows within the carton. This type of group allows more products to be accommodated in a carton.

Group in the carton

Single-component packaging:
In single-component packaging, products are grouped in a single layer within the carton. This method is simple and well suited for larger products or those that are fragile and require individual protection.

Multi-component packaging:
In multi-component packaging, products are grouped in multiple layers within the carton. This form of grouping is often used to pack a larger number of products in a small space.

Upright or horizontal

single- or multi-row

single- or multi-layer

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about packaging concepts

What is the difference between a tray and a wraparound case?

A tray is an open carton packaging without a cover that provides maximum product visibility on shelf. A wraparound, by contrast, is a fully closed, one-piece carton in which a flat blank is folded around the grouped products and sealed with hot-melt adhesive. The wraparound offers maximum transport protection and optimal stackability. In addition, it can be provided with a perforation that enables an optimal shelf-ready presentation in retail.

What is an RSC carton and when should I use it?

RSC stands for "Regular Slotted Container" or American Case – a classic folding carton with four sidewalls and closure flaps. The RSC carton is the standard in shipping logistics and is characterized by its universal applicability. It is particularly suitable for transport packaging, palletization and standardized logistics processes. Unlike the wraparound, the RSC is erected from a pre-glued blank and is not folded around the products.

When should I choose tray/cover packaging?

A tray/cover package is ideal when you require both high transport protection and an attractive POS presentation. The outer cover protects the products during transport and can be easily removed at retail – leaving a sales-ready display tray.

What is the difference between tray/cover and cover/tray?

The difference lies in the sequence of the packaging process and the position of the cover. In the tray/cover variant the tray is erected and filled first, then the cover is applied from the outside. In the cover/tray variant the cover is folded around the products first, then the tray is erected over it from the outside. The cover/tray variant offers the advantage that after the inner cover is removed a pristine, undamaged tray remains on the shelf, making it ideal for attractive shelf-ready presentation.

Which carton materials can be processed?

SOMIC packaging machines process corrugated cardboard packaging in a wide range of material thicknesses – from solid board through the compact E-flute at approx. 1.5 mm and the versatile B-flute at approx. 3 mm to the robust C-flute at approx. 4 mm. Further carton types and material combinations available on request.

Zwei SOMIC Service Mitarbeiter nebeneinander. Einer telefoniert per Headset.

Creating the perfect packaging concept together

At SOMIC, your requirements are our priority. Our experts work with you to analyze your product in terms of size, shape, fragility and weight. We also assess your processes, integration into existing lines, cycle rates and desired format changes. Your objectives regarding POS presentation, transport protection, sustainability and cost efficiency are, of course, also important parameters. Based on this analysis, we recommend an optimal packaging concept and the appropriate SOMIC machine solution.

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