| This will probably be one of the hardest tasks you | | | | ship to your door and have no minimum order |
| have associated with getting your product to | | | | quantities. Uline is a good example of this type |
| market. Many packaging manufacturers simply | | | | service of carrying a variety of packaging |
| don't handle small quantities so it's important to | | | | products and supplies with delivery in a few days. |
| find a supplier that works with minimum quantity | | | | Trade Associations: |
| or small quantity orders at the very beginning. | | | | Contact the association headquarters for the type |
| Fortunately there are now many resources | | | | of packaging you seek. They help their member |
| available to someone starting the process of | | | | get business so they will know which of their |
| packaging their product. | | | | members deal in small quantities. Many times |
| First you need to decide the absolute minimum | | | | there are member directories right on the |
| quantity you can order. Chances are you may | | | | website. |
| end up ordering more but what you don't want is | | | | The National Association of Container Distributors |
| a lot of excess packaging that you paid for and | | | | is a goodexample. NACD is a professional |
| can't use or packaging that ends up not being | | | | association of rigid packaging distributors who |
| what you were expecting. Your packaging will | | | | supply bottles, tubes, pumps, sprayers and other |
| evolve too so don't be concerned if you can get | | | | closure systems and most of their members deal |
| exactly what you want the first time. | | | | in small order quantities. |
| Start by asking your existing resources or | | | | Internet: |
| vendors who they know and who they use or | | | | With the advent of the Internet you don't need a |
| recommend as a packaging supplier. Believe it or | | | | storefront presence. Many of the companies |
| not sometimes you can find the name of the | | | | broker packaging materials, they source supplies |
| packaging manufacture on existing packaging too. | | | | and do all the work for you. They make carry |
| See what you like then try to find out who made | | | | packaging in conjunction with other products |
| it and give them a call. | | | | especially in the niche markets. |
| Keep it simple to begin with. I know you have | | | | One of my favorite sources for packaging |
| visualized fantastic or exotic package designs and | | | | innovation around the globe is WebPackaging |
| as your business grows you will be able to order | | | | They are the largest global online packaging |
| custom packaging for your products. But in the | | | | resource It just so happens that I write articles |
| beginning you may need to decide to keep it | | | | on packaging for them too. |
| relatively simple and use what is readily available | | | | Niche Markets: |
| Today there are many great options available in | | | | There are many niche market associations out |
| small quantities. Suppliers have finally recognized | | | | there for example if you deal in the hand made |
| that there are many small business clients out | | | | toiletries and beauty industry there is an |
| there too. Before you spend a lot of time and | | | | association dedicated just for them. Indie Beauty |
| development creating a package you can't afford | | | | There are numerous packaging supplier members |
| or can make you need to determine what's | | | | that provide small quantities of packaging for this |
| available at the right price and in the right | | | | market. |
| quantities. I know your product is fantastic, but | | | | Container Stores And Other Retail Outlets: |
| you still may need to start out on a smaller scale | | | | Just by their name you recognize that they are a |
| than you envision. | | | | source to find the most unique containers. Many |
| Here are places to look for suppliers of small | | | | people just go to these stores and buy supplies. |
| quantities. | | | | Other stores include craft stores, hobby andhome |
| Yellow Pages: | | | | centers where they have lost of decorative |
| Pick up your local yellow pages. There are a lot of | | | | containers and accessories. |
| companies known as packaging distributors. They | | | | Lastly don't overlook current suppliers. They have |
| buy in large quantities and the break it down into | | | | existing relationship lean on them to help you find |
| smaller units for resale. Many of them have | | | | appropriate resources. Designers, graphic artists, |
| distribution centers around the country. Look | | | | product producers all have sources. You may be |
| under container, boxes, shipping materials or | | | | able to open a door to a relationship even if your |
| supplies in category headings. | | | | quantities aren't quite large enough. |
| Catalogs: | | | | Don't wait however till you have a product then |
| There are numerous companies that have | | | | end up in a bind to get a package made. This |
| catalogs of packaging supplies and materials. Many | | | | process should start at the very beginning. |
| of whom carry a large variety of stock sizes, | | | | |