Product Description
For brands who wish to improve packaging presentation without changing their boxes or containers, our custom packaging sleeves are the best choice. A packaging sleeve is a printed paper or cardboard sleeve that is used to wrap around a product, tray or box. The sleeves have open ends and are not packaging products for shipping alone and always need to be used in conjunction with a primary packaging structure.
Sleeve packaging is economical for retail brands, subscription businesses, Shopify businesses, and online sellers to brand or include product information and promotional messages without sacrificing the original packaging. Custom printed packaging sleeves are widely used by many brands to re-refresh seasonal packaging, promote limited editions and for more upscale shelf presentation.
There are different sleeve materials available for various products and packaging needs. Apparel, cosmetics, candles, soaps, and retail products are common items that use cardstock and cardboard sleeves. For environmentally friendly brands seeking recyclable packaging options, Kraft paper sleeves are perfect, while SBS cardboard and metallic paper are suitable for luxury packaging.
Sleeve packages can be full box, belly bands or sleeve and tray packages, which have an inner sleeve that is placed over an outer tray base. These structures are beneficial to enhance presentation and make the product accessible.
Additionally, specialty finishes like foil stamping, embossing, holographic foiling, soft touch lamination, matte and gloss coatings can be added to custom cardboard sleeve packaging to enhance shelf presence and improve brand identification.
The products are designed with the intention of improving the brand and increasing the shelf appeal and product presentation.
Packaging Sleeves for Retail, Food & E-Commerce Brands
A major benefit of custom packaging sleeves is their ease of use in changing packaging presentation, without altering the basic box construction. Since sleeves are a second layer of wrapping, brands can easily switch artwork or promotions or product information without incurring high production costs.
Sleeve packaging is used in many businesses to enhance the retail presentation but keep the product display clean and orderly. Luxury cosmetic sleeves are also used for skincare and perfume packaging by cosmetic companies and rigid cardboard sleeves are preferred by electronics companies for charging heads, accessories, tablets and headphones.
Many companies are switching to eco-friendly packaging options without compromising on the presentation. Sleeve packaging with recyclable kraft paper, FSC certified paper, biodegradable lightweight cardboard, and recycled paper are available for eco-friendly packaging needs.
Sock Packaging Sleeves, Collar Sleeves, and Garment sleeves are commonly used for apparel brands to keep their products folded and provide some branding plus sizing details. Belly bands are also great for subscription packages, as they keep the items organized and make unboxing more aesthetically pleasing.
The food packaging application is also another popular use of custom paper packaging sleeves. 40-80 gsm kraft paper or recycled paperboard is generally used for light packaging for sandwiches, wraps, cups, snack packaging and ready-to-serve packaging. The food wrap sleeves are lightweight and meant to be used for single food items, and not for heavy retail packing sleeves.
Sleeves are also one of the most significant branding touchpoints in retail and e-commerce packaging since they are seen right away by consumers when they view the package.
Packaging Sleeves for Retail, Food & E-Commerce Brands
Each industry has different sleeve packaging structure needs. Our custom packaging sleeves can be used for a range of retail, shipping and promotional uses.
Box sleeve packaging is often used in apparel and fashion industry for folded shirts, sweaters, scarves, jackets and luxury garment packaging. Sock packaging sleeves are used to neatly arrange folded socks and to communicate easily product information on retail shelves.
Many other brands such as food and beverages opt for the lightest food packaging sleeves for bakery items, sandwiches, cups, bowls, snacks, cookies, takeaway packaging, and more. Custom printed packaging sleeves are used by cosmetic and skincare manufacturers to improve the visual impact of a printed cosmetics line on the shelf, such as a makeup palette, skincare jars, soaps, candles and perfume boxes.
Rigid cardboard sleeves are common for electronics brands to use on USB drives, headphones, laptops, chargers, and other electronics in order to provide protection of the inner electronics packaging and brand them. Brands in the pharmaceutical and health care industries tend to prefer tamper evident kraft sleeves with perforated seals to increase security.
Custom packaging sleeves are also utilized by subscription box companies, candle brands, Etsy sellers, and Shopify businesses for providing product presentation while maintaining packaging flexibility during seasons and promotions.
Sleeve Packaging Structures for Different Applications
If your brand is looking for a more customizable packaging presentation, there are several different styles of sleeve construction options.
Full Box Sleeves
Full box sleeves are used to wrap completely around the outer box with both ends open. They are normally put to use for cosmetics, electronics, retail gift boxes and subscription packaging.
Belly Bands & Half Sleeves
Belly bands wrap around the middle of the box or product and generally have a sticker or adhesive strip to secure them in place. They are often used to package apparel, bakery items, promotional products, and retail packages.
Sleeve and Tray Packaging
Sleeve and tray packaging is a combination of packaging in which an outer sleeve is placed over a tray base. The tray also pulls out like a drawer, which makes it more of a high quality unboxing experience.
Die-Cut & Window Sleeves
Die-cut sleeves are partially cut-out openings or windows where the product is partially exposed while the package's exterior is still branded.
Tamper-Evident Sleeves
Tamper evident sleeves are closeable with a seal or tear strip for a tamper evident seal in healthcare, food and retail packaging applications.
These sleeve products aid businesses to enhance their presentation while providing versatility in packaging styles and applications.
Material & Printing Options for Custom Packaging Sleeves
Various material and printing combinations are available, depending on the packaging application.
Cardstock: It is one of the most popular materials used for retail sleeve packaging due to its ability to achieve a good balance between durability and printability. The thickness of standard cardstock is 12PT to 24PT; the thickness of cardboard sleeves varies depending on the product's weight and packaging design, ranging from 10PT to 28PT.
Kraft board: These sleeves ranging from 14PT to 24PT are common packaging options that are environmentally friendly, natural, and recyclable. In instances where extra compression resistance is required, corrugated E-flute sleeves of about 1/16" thickness are commonly employed for shipping applications.
Black kraft paper and holographic cardboard are used as choices in luxury packaging and promo applications. Premium branding applications also have a variety of metallic paper options available, including silver and gold.
Printing can be done in CMYK offset print for larger production runs, in digital print for smaller production runs, screen print for smaller production runs, flexo print for large production runs and Pantone/PS print for colour matching.
Eco-Friendly Sleeve Packaging Solutions
Many companies are switching to eco-friendly packaging options without compromising on the presentation. Sleeve packaging with recyclable kraft paper, FSC certified paper, biodegradable lightweight cardboard, and recycled paper are available for eco-friendly packaging needs.
Most custom paper packaging sleeves come with soy-based inks, water-based inks and biodegradable printing materials. Kraft sleeves continue to be widely used in food packaging, apparel packaging, and natural product packaging due to their recyclability and good eye appeal.
Recycled lightweight cardboard and biodegradable inks can also be used for businesses where they want to use more sustainable packaging in promotional packaging and retail display applications.
With the use of these environmentally friendly material options, businesses can ensure that their packaging remains brandable, while also minimizing packaging waste.
