Pet Snack Product Packaging Solution Example
Project Metrics
【Project Overview】
Industry: Pet (Pet snack brand)
Product: Pet snack color boxes + kraft paper bags
Quantity: Batch by SKU ｜ Variety: Multi-SKU
Material: White cardboard 350g (referencing canonical-specs); Kraft paper (bags)
Process: Four-color printing + 25μ matte film; embossing added as needed
Delivery: Sampling 5-7 working days, mass production 7-12 working days
【Customer Background and Application Scenario】
A domestic pet snack brand plans to launch a series of snack product lines. Sales channels cover pet shops, e-commerce flagship stores, and pet hospital cooperation channels. SKUs are differentiated by product form and function, such as chicken strips, cod chunks, molar sticks, with different weights and specifications. New brands in the early stage need to balance visual identification and cost control.
Packaging needs to balance the flexibility of shelf recognition, e-commerce transportation, and batch replenishment. New product iteration frequency is high, and the solution must support subsequent series expansion and rapid revision.
💬 Customer Needs
【Client Requirements and Original Solution Issues】
The brand initially used generic packaging solutions. Some SKUs utilized standard white cardboard boxes, while others used ordinary composite plastic bags. After the new product was launched for a period, several issues were identified:
1. Low shelf recognition: Generic white cardboard boxes had no exclusive brand printing, making them visually similar to competing products.
2. Weak packaging quality: Ordinary plastic bags were easily deformed during express delivery transportation, with limited printing colors.
3. Long revision cycle: Traditional printing factories required new plate-making for each series expansion.
4. High inventory pressure: Traditional packaging factories had minimum order quantities of 2,000-3,000 sets or more. Sales fluctuated significantly during the new product phase, and excess inventory occupied working capital.
Project Challenges:
✓ Numerous pet snack SKUs requiring unified layout standards and expansion space
✓ E-commerce transportation needs to maintain box integrity and prevent crushing or deformation
✓ Offline shelf requires distinctive identification to differentiate from similar products
✓ Short revision and replenishment cycles to match new product launch pace
💡 Solution
【Solution Overview】
Providing a series of packaging solution examples for a domestic pet snack brand. The main box type is evaluated based on SKU specifications using white cardboard color boxes (350g), with kraft paper bags as secondary packaging for e-commerce. The packaging uses four-color printing and 25μ matte film, with embossing process added as needed. Supports minimum orders of 100 sets and batch replenishment.
【Material Selection Analysis】
Why choose white cardboard color boxes?
White cardboard color boxes are a common box type solution for pet food. White cardboard (350g) has high stiffness, stable printing colors, and balances shelf display and e-commerce express transportation. Box types can be selected based on SKU specifications: lid-and-base gift boxes, double-insertion boxes, or snap-lock bottom boxes, corresponding to different product forms.
Why not F-corrugated color boxes?
F-corrugated color boxes (approximately 2.0mm thickness) are more suitable for outer shipping boxes or e-commerce express boxes. From a comprehensive evaluation of box stiffness, printing colors, and shelf visibility, white cardboard color boxes offer more balanced performance for medium-weight products.
Why not ordinary plastic bag solutions?
Ordinary plastic bag solutions have low cost but weak quality, with insufficient shelf recognition. New brands need to establish distinctive identification, and plastic bag solutions have limited visual expressiveness.
Why choose kraft paper bags for secondary packaging?
Kraft paper bags, as secondary packaging for e-commerce delivery, serve dual functions of brand identification and transportation protection. Kraft paper has a natural texture, matching the gentle and natural product tone of pet food. The bag surface can be printed with logos and QR codes, forming unified visual identity with the white cardboard color boxes.
Why not ordinary express bags?
Ordinary express bags have strong functionality but weak display. Kraft paper bags can be used independently or combined with white cardboard color boxes to form a complete brand packaging solution.
Why unify white cardboard 350g for material specifications?
White cardboard 350g is a typical weight for pet food color boxes (referencing canonical-specs). This weight achieves a balance between stiffness, printing colors, and cost.
Why choose four-color printing + 25μ matte film for the process?
Four-color printing covers most color pattern designs. Matte film (25μ) forms a plastic protective layer on the printed surface, improving friction resistance and moisture protection. The matte texture matches the gentle and natural tone of pet food.
Why not add hot stamping?
Hot stamping process increases per-box cost and sample-making cycle. New brands in the early stage need faster launch and batch replenishment. This solution can add embossing as needed to enhance brand quality.
Why not choose glossy film?
Glossy film presents high reflective gloss, which has lower compatibility with the gentle and natural tone of pet food. The matte texture of matte film is more suitable for visual expression in food categories.
【Production Implementation and Quality Control】
① SKU List Creation: The customer provides product name, specifications, weight, and packaging dimensions for each SKU. Organize SKU list and batch production schedule.
② Sample Confirmation: Complete structural and printing samples within 5-7 working days. Verify box type, printing color difference, and embossing effect.
③ Color Calibration: Verify samples against brand colors or PANTONE color numbers. Focus on verifying color difference control for brand colors and commonly used pet food colors.
④ Printing: Four-color printing. White cardboard material is printed first then formed to ensure registration accuracy.
⑤ Surface Treatment: Apply 25μ matte film after printing as needed.
⑥ Embossing Process: Apply embossing treatment to logos or key graphics as per design requirements.
⑦ Die-cutting and Forming: White cardboard is die-cut into box shapes. Lid-and-base has upper and lower cover structure, double-insertion has insertion structure, snap-lock bottom has locked bottom structure.
⑧ Random Inspection: Inspect each batch randomly. Verify box dimensions, printing color difference, die-cut edges, embossing positions, and folding formation.
⑨ Kraft Paper Bag Processing: Print logos and QR codes according to design requirements, die-cut and form, then package separately.
⑩ Assembly and Packaging: Color boxes are packaged by SKU classification, kraft paper bags are packed by box.
⑪ Delivery and Replenishment: Deliver by batch. Subsequent orders can be scheduled quickly with minimum 100 sets.
✅ Project Results
【Project Results】
【Delivery Data】
✓ Box Type: White cardboard color boxes (lid-and-base/double-insertion/snap-lock bottom evaluated by SKU specifications)
✓ Secondary Packaging: Kraft paper bags
✓ Material Specification: White cardboard 350g (referencing canonical-specs)
✓ Surface Treatment: Four-color printing + 25μ matte film; embossing added as needed
✓ Minimum Order Quantity: 100 sets
✓ Delivery Cycle: Sampling 5-7 working days, mass production 7-12 working days (Class B data)
【Usage Effects】
✓ Shelf Recognition: White cardboard color boxes present stable brand visual in conventional shelf displays
✓ Transportation Retention: White cardboard color boxes with kraft paper bags maintain integrity during conventional e-commerce express transportation
✓ Printing Color Difference: Four-color printing color difference is generally controlled within ΔE≤3 (Class B data)
✓ Multi-SKU Management: Unified layout standards support subsequent series expansion and batch replenishment
【Case Summary】
When a new brand enters the pet food market, packaging needs to balance shelf recognition, e-commerce transportation, and batch replenishment. This solution example uses white cardboard color boxes (350g) with four-color printing and 25μ matte film. Kraft paper bags serve as secondary packaging for e-commerce, extending brand visual. Minimum orders of 100 sets and batch replenishment support brand owners in controlling inventory. Box flexibility and layout scalability are core values.
【LeXiang Experience】
Applicable Scenarios: New pet snack product launch; multi-SKU batch replenishment. E-commerce express compression-resistant transportation; new brand establishment of distinctive identification.
Material Recommendation: Medium-weight pet snacks choose white cardboard 350g; heavier products are recommended to evaluate E-corrugated color boxes.
Not Applicable Scenarios: Large batch transportation exceeding 10,000 sets is not recommended; limited editions or gift boxes are more suitable for laminated gift box solutions.
Notes: After die-cutting, sufficient waste removal is required. Sampling is recommended before new product launch to confirm box type and colors. Establish unified layout standards for multiple SKUs first.
【Professional Knowledge】
White cardboard color boxes vs F-corrugated color boxes:
White cardboard color boxes (350g) have high stiffness and stable printing colors, suitable for medium-spec products for shelf display and e-commerce transportation. F-corrugated color boxes (approximately 2.0mm thickness) have strong compression resistance, suitable for outer shipping boxes or heavier products.
Lid-and-base box vs double-insertion box vs snap-lock bottom box:
Lid-and-base box has separate top and bottom covers, strong opening ceremony feel, suitable for gift boxes or limited editions. Double-insertion box has insertion structure, fast assembly, suitable for multi-SKU and e-commerce color boxes. Snap-lock bottom box has automatic locked bottom formation, strong bearing capacity, suitable for heavier or stack-displayed products.
Role of embossing process:
Embossing (press embossing) creates three-dimensional relief effect on the printed surface, making logos or key graphics stand out from the flat design. Adding embossing to pet food color boxes as needed can enhance brand quality.
【Why Choose LeXiang】
✓ Supports minimum orders of 100 sets, matching pet food new product trial sales stage
✓ Complete packaging boxes and kraft paper bags in one-stop, reducing multi-supplier coordination costs
✓ Digital printing and traditional printing methods selectable as needed
✓ Short sampling cycle, structural samples and printed samples available in 5-7 working days
✓ Multi-SKU batch production, facilitating flexible replenishment by brand owners according to sales rhythm
✓ Unified layout standards support subsequent series expansion and flavor adjustments
❓ FAQ
What is the minimum order quantity for pet snack color boxes?
White cardboard color box solutions support minimum orders of 100 sets. With digital printing, smaller batch SKU trial sales can be accepted. During the new product stage, it is recommended to place trial orders of 100-300 sets first, then replenish in batches based on sales feedback.
What material is used for pet food color boxes? Is food-grade required?
Pet food color boxes commonly use white cardboard 350g as the face material (referencing canonical-specs). As external packaging, color boxes do not directly contact pet food, and food-grade certification is generally not mandatory. However, if the inner lining or inner packaging layer contacts food, it is recommended to use materials meeting GB 4806 series requirements. Confirm the product contact method with the engineer before sampling.
Are kraft paper bags compression-resistant in pet food e-commerce transportation?
Kraft paper bags, as secondary packaging, mainly serve brand identification and supplementary protection functions. In conventional e-commerce express transportation, kraft paper bags with white cardboard color boxes can maintain transportation integrity. For liquid or fragile pet food (such as glass-bottled nutritional products), additional cushioning lining or outer box protection is recommended.
How long does it take to sample pet food color boxes? What about costs?
Structural samples (white boxes) generally take 5-7 working days. Printed samples (with process) take 5-7 working days. Sampling fees are determined by process and size, generally ranging from hundreds of yuan per style. After batch orders reach the agreed quantity, the sampling fee can be offset against the payment.
What is the typical delivery cycle for pet food color boxes? Can it be expedited?
Conventional white cardboard color box production cycle is 7-12 working days (excluding sampling). The complete process including sampling takes about 2-3 weeks. Small batch orders of 100-500 sets can be compressed to 7-10 working days. Medium batch orders are recommended to reserve about two weeks.
How many sets are recommended for the first batch of pet food color boxes for new product launch?
During the new product trial sales stage, it is recommended to start with 100-300 sets for the first batch. Covering one to two months of sales cycle is sufficient. Pet food color boxes differ from conventional gift boxes in that excess inventory increases capital occupation. It is recommended to verify market feedback with the first batch before replenishing in batches.
How to choose the box type for pet food color boxes?
Evaluate based on product form and packaging experience needs. Lid-and-base boxes have strong opening ceremony feel, suitable for gift boxes or limited editions. Double-insertion boxes are fast to assemble, suitable for multi-SKU and e-commerce color boxes. Snap-lock bottom boxes have strong bearing capacity, suitable for heavier products. Provide product parameters and transportation scenarios, LeXiang will assist with evaluation.
How to choose between matte film and glossy film for pet food color boxes?
Matte film presents a matte texture, matching the gentle and natural tone of pet food, with stable friction resistance and moisture protection. Glossy film presents high reflective gloss, more suitable for electronic products or trendy fast-moving consumer goods. Pet food brands usually prefer matte film.
How to manage the layout of multi-SKU pet food color boxes?
It is recommended to first establish unified layout standards (such as font, logo position, brand color, embossing position), then differentiate variable information such as flavor, specifications, and weight by SKU. Separate fixed areas and variable areas for management to reduce omissions during subsequent revisions.
Can embossing process be applied to pet food color boxes?
Yes. Embossing (press embossing) can make logos or key graphics stand out from the flat design, enhancing brand quality. The embossing process works stably with four-color printing and matte film lamination. The cost increase is within a reasonable range, suitable for brand upgrade needs.
What is the replenishment process? Is there a minimum order requirement?
The replenishment process is: Customer submits replenishment request → Engineer confirms layout and material according to original version → Arrange sampling or direct production → Production delivery. The replenishment minimum order is consistent with the first batch (starting from 100 sets), with flexible batch addition according to sales rhythm.
Can the box type of pet food color boxes be custom designed?
Yes. Need to provide box expansion diagram (AI or CDR format, with dimension annotations) and print design draft (PDF or AI format, CMYK color mode). If no design files are available, LeXiang can provide box structure design and print layout services, with separate pricing based on project complexity.
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