Get the best packaging for your instant noodles and boost sales

In today's highly competitive snack food market, instant noodles, as a convenient and delicious food, need packaging to play a crucial role if they want to stand out. So, what kind of packaging can turn those who are just looking into real paying customers? Next, let's explore this in depth.

The Importance of Packaging Design for the Success of Instant Noodles

When you walk into the snack area of a supermarket, there are a wide variety of instant noodles on the shelves. At this time, the packaging is like a silent salesperson. People choose instant noodles for their convenience and deliciousness, and the packaging needs to achieve several goals at the same time. First of all, anti-extrusion materials should be used so that the instant noodles will not be crushed during transportation. Advanced barrier technology should also be applied to keep the noodles fresh all the time. In addition to these practical functions, the visual elements on the packaging are also very important. For example, the color is particularly particular. Warm colors like red and yellow can stimulate people's appetite, and just seeing them makes your stomach growl. And a clean white background makes people feel that the noodles are hygienic. An industry study has found that when trying new brands of instant noodles, as high as 72% of consumers make their purchase decisions just based on the packaging. Just like when we are in the supermarket, sometimes we are attracted by a pack of instant noodles with particularly eye-catching packaging and can't help but put it in the shopping basket. This is the charm of packaging.

Essential Features of High-performance Noodle Packaging

Nowadays, consumers' requirements for packaging are closely related to their lifestyles. Just think, after a busy day, you just want to have a hot meal as soon as you get home. A polypropylene container that can be directly put into the microwave is very convenient, and it also has steam holes. You don't need to find a bowl anymore and can directly heat the noodles in the container. For office workers, sometimes they can't finish a meal at one time, but they want to eat the remaining noodles next time and ensure that the noodles don't deteriorate. Packaging with a resealable zipper closure comes in handy. Also, people now want to know exactly what's in the food. The transparent window on the packaging allows people to see the noodles and dehydrated ingredients inside, meeting the demand for product transparency. In terms of environmental protection, many people are now concerned about it, especially the millennials. A survey shows that 68% of millennials say that whether the packaging is environmentally friendly or not will affect their purchase choices. Therefore, using plant-based biodegradable materials that can decompose within 180 days for packaging can attract this part of consumers. For example, when we see that a brand of instant noodles uses environmentally friendly packaging, we will feel that this brand has a strong sense of social responsibility, and our favorability for it will increase.

Innovative Design Trends to Boost Instant Noodle Sales

With many brands striving to attract consumers' attention, leading brands have put a lot of effort into packaging design. Let's start with the structural design. They will design packaging that stands out more on the shelf. For example, a hexagonal container stands out especially on the shelf compared to the traditional round cup. There is also the design of gradually changing heights, which can display the products in layers and looks very nice. Then, let's talk about smart packaging. Now many brands print QR codes on the packaging. By scanning the code, consumers can watch recipe videos or learn about the cultural stories of the origin of the noodles. According to digital marketing reports, 43% of consumers are interested in the functions of this kind of smart packaging. If you want to position the product as high-end, use a matte surface with a soft touch and add metallic foil stamping, which can immediately make people feel that the noodles are of high quality. Just like when we see a pack of instant noodles with particularly stylish and high-end packaging, even if the price is a little higher, we will want to give it a try.

Economical and Affordable Packaging Solutions for Growing Brands

For those brands that are developing, they need to control costs while ensuring quality. A modular packaging system is a good choice. It can use standardized lids and bottoms, paired with different flavor varieties. Digital printing technology is also very practical, and small-batch customization is possible without the need to meet a certain minimum order quantity as in the past. This is very suitable for launching seasonal flavors or limited-edition products. There is also the lightweighting strategy. By reducing the material usage by 15% - 20%, it can not only reduce transportation costs but also ensure the structural stability of the packaging. In addition, designing dual-purpose packaging is also a good idea. For example, it can be turned into a bowl for eating noodles, and after eating, it can be used as a storage container. In this way, consumers will feel that the packaging is of great value and will be more likely to accept a slightly higher price. For example, when we buy a pack of instant noodles and find that the packaging can be used as a pen holder after eating, we will feel that we have got a good deal.

Sustainable Development Strategies for Modern Food Packaging

Nielsen's research shows that 81% of consumers globally value environmentally friendly packaging more. Therefore, instant noodle brands also need to keep up with this environmental protection trend in packaging. Sustainable development can be achieved in stages. First, start with the outer packaging carton and use Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials. Then, gradually replace the main container for holding the noodles with compostable bioplastics. In terms of printing inks, also switch to plant-based pigments instead of petroleum derivatives. If it is for e-commerce sales, design packaging with appropriate dimensions and remove the redundant gaps. Amazon's "Frustration-Free Packaging Program" has found that using this method can reduce the product damage rate by 34%. Just like when we buy something online, we will be very happy if the packaging we receive is both environmentally friendly and sturdy.

Optimizing Packaging for Success in Digital Commerce

In the era of e-commerce, the packaging of instant noodles needs to withstand the "last mile" of transportation and also give consumers a sense of surprise when they open the packaging. For example, use corrugated cardboard boxes with reinforced corners, which can pass the drop test and ensure that the noodles will not be damaged during transportation. Then, put brand-labeled tissues inside, printed with cooking tips, making consumers feel very thoughtful when they open the packaging. If it is for a subscription service, design stackable containers to reduce the transportation volume. Data shows that 64% of online consumers will share photos of creatively packaged products on social media. Therefore, some elements suitable for posting on Instagram can be designed inside the packaging, such as a patterned lining or an embossed logo. Just like when we receive a pack of instant noodles with particularly interesting packaging, we can't help but want to take a photo and share it on Moments.

Testing and Verifying the Effectiveness of Packaging

Whether the packaging design is good or not needs to be actually tested. Real-world verification can be carried out through focus groups to see consumers' functional and emotional reactions to the packaging. For example, observe how quickly the participants open the packaging and prepare to eat the noodles. Eye-tracking technology can also be used to optimize the hierarchy of the graphics on the packaging because most consumers scan the packaging in a Z-shaped pattern and only spend 0.8 seconds looking at the brand logo. Accelerated aging tests should be carried out to ensure that the noodles have a shelf life of at least 12 months under different humidity conditions. If the products are exported to other countries, all the labels and instructions must comply with the ISO 22762 international food packaging standard. Only after going through these tests can we know whether the packaging can really turn browsers into buyers.