The Craftsmanship of Hand Assembly Packing

It might seem, in many respects, quite remarkable that hand packing still has a meaningful existence in the packaging industry, given how automation has taken hold to such a great degree in the contract packing world in recent times.

The reality, however, is that hand assembly services very much are still “a thing”, and for very good reasons.

Introduction To the Concept of Hand Packing

Precision and care have always been of great importance in packaging – and this is no less the case when it comes to hand packing.

Hand packing is very much what it sounds like – the process of packing goods by hand, rather than by machine. Although machine packing is now well-established, many brands continue to be drawn to the artisanal and meticulous nature of hand assembly.

As far as a brand is concerned, to decide to hand pack goods is to make a statement about craftsmanship, quality, and attention to detail. After all, some products – especially those of a premium quality (and a similarly premium price tag) – do call for a delicate touch or a tailored arrangement beyond what the typical automated packaging process can provide.

In fact, far from fading in relevance during the ever-more automated 2020s, hand assembly services have been growing in appeal among businesses in niche and luxury markets.

How Hand Packing Enhances Product Quality

A brand might choose to have its products hand packed instead of machine packed, due to a wish to ensure superior quality is reflected in the packaging, and not merely in the item contained inside that packaging.

After all, the manual inspection and direct handling of goods presents an opportunity for particular care to be taken, which helps reduce the risk of defects. Hand packers are trained to apply great attention to detail with each and every package. This enables them to ensure goods are packed securely and attractively.

Hand assembly services often make particular sense for the packing of intricate and/or irregularly shaped goods. Such items might not comply with conventional packaging norms, which means a flexible and careful approach is often needed.

For items such as luxury goods, or products that might be made in limited-run or otherwise small batch sizes, hand packing can help ensure the given items are pristinely presented. This can be of critical importance for goods where a particularly prestigious, luxurious, and/or exclusive image is desired.

Examples Of Industries That Benefit from Hand Packing

Hand packing has long shown its versatility and applicability across a broad range of sectors.

Such industries include:

· Food and beverage: brands that produce and market food and drink products inevitably wish to convey a certain level of desirability – as well as, of course, safety. There are some particularly artisanal and fragile food products and beverages for which hand assembly is especially well-suited, given the need for both immaculate presentation and careful handling.

· Pharmaceuticals: with drugs and pharmaceutical products, there is a particularly urgent requirement to guard against the risk of damage and/or contamination. After all, the safety, efficacy, and stability of the product all depend on this. Furthermore, the packaging materials used for pharmaceutical products must adhere to stringent regulatory standards. A precise and careful approach to the packing process is therefore needed, as hand assembly services can ensure.

· Luxury goods: it can be tempting to imagine that the “truly important” thing with a luxury product is the luxury the item itself embodies, rather than necessarily its outer packaging. In truth, however, customers will expect the manner in which a high-end item is presented to be aligned with the direct experience the product itself provides. Hand packing can help make such premium presentation possible for luxury goods. Furthermore, it can allow considerable scope for customisation – another expectation that audiences in this sector typically have.

· Promotional items: limited-run or otherwise unique items merit a similarly distinctive and tailored packing approach. Your brand’s promotional products will be integral to your efforts to cultivate a certain image. By engaging hand assembly services like ours here at WePack, you can help to ensure every last detail of your promotional items has been carefully considered and handled.

The Meticulous Process of Hand Packing Explained

So, what exactly is involved in the hand assembly process? Below, we set out the key steps.

Through every stage, it is greatly important for the utmost skill and care to be applied. This, in turn, helps to achieve an impressive result in terms of the packaging presentation, durability, and safety.

· Step 1: the items are sorted and inspected, to ensure they are in good condition and ready to be carefully packed.

· Step 2: the products are arranged precisely in the packaging, so that they are well-protected and make the best possible impression when opened.

· Step 3: custom elements are added, such as tissue paper or labels. Much of the appeal of hand assembly lies in the considerable scope for customisation, with great time and care often being taken at this stage.

· Step 4: the packaging is sealed, and finishing touches applied. Certain final alterations – such as artful handwriting or distinctive branding – can help maximise the product’s unique feel. This, in turn, can make the packaged item an eve

The Proven Impact of Hand Packing

Various statistics and research findings over the years have pointed to the difference that hand packing can make to how customers perceive and engage with products.

When customers were asked, for example, about the role of packaging material quality during the buying process, a whopping 86% “agreed” or “strongly agreed” on it being important. There was a similar finding on the topic of package design, with 84% of respondents “agreeing” or “strongly agreeing” that this had an impact at the purchasing stage.

Past research has also found that customers favoured handmade items when they were looking to buy for a loved one; many were prepared to pay as much as 17% more for handmade products in general. Hand packing can help imbue a product with a sense of it having been “handmade”, even if it was literally machine-made.

Why should businesses specifically choose WePack’s hand assembly services? Well, here are a few excellent reasons:

· The utmost care that our proven, expert team takes over the hand assembly process

· Our packers’ ability to take such care while also working quickly, so that your brand’s products can soon be in your customers’ hands

· Our provision of custom hand packing solutions, including for fragile or unique items

· The fact that we’re fully food, alcohol, and quality accredited

· Our more than three decades’ experience in contract packing and hand assembly

The data tells its own story, supporting the effectiveness of hand packing in delivering superior results. To discover the custom services that we can provide to your brand, and to receive a free quote, please don’t hesitate to contact us.