About a decade ago, it was hard to find any company that was willing to invest into simply changing the closure style of their packaging. Today, it is one of the first features that packaging designers think about in relation to value packaging. The addition of magnets in box closures top this change.
This closure style became popular due to media unboxing videos. Also, customers began to expect changes and more safety from their product boxes. But does it have a future?
The Unboxing Economy Changed Everything
In olden times, people had somewhat normal or straightforward demands from a packaging box. It was supposed to protect whatever it had inside of it, and also make it look a bit presentable. With the passage of time, the definition of the word ‘presentable’ went through a three hundred and sixty degree change almost. Now, only the things that can be publicized and liked on social media are deemed presentable and noteworthy.
Magnetic rigid packaging looks and feels different on camera compared with a basic folding carton. The magnet clock and smooth movement is all too exciting and showable. Businesses understood this need and started focusing more on how their product packaging will open in an unusual way.
Customers Now Expect More From A Box
Packaging used to be treated as something practical: get the product from the warehouse to the customer’s doorstep without damage. That still remains, but nowadays, customers are beginning to demand more in the place of paying extra.
The shortest way to get to this zenith is by packing your products in attention-worthy packaging solutions. Put two similar products side by side and the one in a well-made box can easily feel like the better purchase.
Reusability Is Becoming Part Of The Pitch
There is another reason magnetic boxes are getting attention: people are more willing to keep them.
Luxury packaging boxes with magnetic closures are very strong, and thus, they have a longer lifespan as well. A tuck flap can become damaged after several openings and closings, whereas a high-quality magnetic box will retain its quality. Having received the product, a customer continues to promote the brand by using the box, thus providing the company with another marketing opportunity at no additional cost.
Green Options Are Pushing Design In A New Direction
Magnetic boxes are also part of a wider conversation about waste. Tape, extra packaging materials, and boxes for one time use are not especially appealing to customers paying more attention to what they buy and throw away.
Luxurious packaging is not necessarily something that is thrown away right after opening. One can easily open this kind of box. They can also store, reuse and recycle it if it has proper materials. Not that all magnetic boxes are sustainable, but their extended use is an improvement nonetheless.
The Cost Argument Is Shifting Too
Such packaging solutions are significantly more expensive than a regular folding box, and for many products there is no point in spending that much money on closures. Things are changing as more packaging manufacturers offer magnetic formats and production becomes more common. Brands that once saw luxury boxes packaging as something reserved for expensive products can now consider it for mid-range products too.
Where The Trend Is Going Next
Most probably magnetic closure style of packaging will introduce itself into industries that had no interest in this style previously. Cosmetics and jewellery got there early, but tech accessories, gifting, and some food and beverage products are also experimenting with more premium presentation.
This trend would set high standards among clients for other products as well, if they start to use this type of wrapping and distribution method. That is usually how packaging trends become normal: enough brands adopt them, and suddenly the old option looks cheaper.
Not Every Product Needs To Follow The Trend
That does not mean that every brand has to replace its boxes with magnetic ones. The change would benefit more those companies that want to position their product as more premium. For such companies, luxury packaging would help them to justify the prices and make the buyer feel like they are making the right choice.
For brands where presentation matters, that is a strong argument. The box becomes part of the experience. That is a meaningful change for brands selling products where presentation matters to customers.