The smell of fresh-baked bread! The sight of a perfect cupcake! Yes, baked goods tempt us with more than just taste! Similarly, their smart packaging does more than just make them look good. It keeps your creations delicious, promotes your name, and makes customers happy. Thus, packaging for baked goods becomes a crucial need for a bakery.
When scaling up a baking business, commercial packaging is paramount. Options range from sturdy cake boxes to flexible bags, all designed to protect your products and make them look great. Choosing the right baked goods packaging depends on the type of baked food (delicate items need extra cushioning!), how you want to represent your brand (think custom-printing!), and practical things like storage, shipping, and cost. Thus, It's wise to consider the return on investment through commercial cookie packaging.
This blog dives into the world of bakery packaging, exploring the best options for your products and how the latest innovations are changing the game.
Custom Packaging: The Key to Quality
Baked goods packaging acts as a defensive shield against moisture, light, and air – all of which can affect the edibles’ taste, texture, and aroma. Packaging also prevents cookies from crumbling, cakes from getting squished, and other damage during transport. Bakers use a variety of materials depending on their products, including grease-resistant glassine paper, clear cellophane bags, and sturdy custom boxes.
Choosing the right packaging is essential for maintaining the quality of your baked goods from oven to customer.
How you store your baked goods makes a huge difference in how long they stay tasty. Have a look at the basics:
Airtight:
Cookies, brownies, etc., go into airtight containers for baked goods to lock out moisture and air to prevent them from drying out or getting soggy. One must separate cookies with different flavors so they don't taste alike!
Plastic Wrap:
Perfect for individually wrapped cookies or bars, and sometimes even whole loaves of bread.
Think Eco-Friendly:
If possible, use biodegradable or compostable alternatives to plastic. Your customers will appreciate it!
For Cookies and Other Delicate Treats!
Cookies and other delicate baked goods need special packaging care to prevent breakage and maintain the ideal texture (whether it's crisp, chewy, or somewhere in between!). Options range from simple but effective individual cellophane wraps to custom boxes with windows for showcasing your goodies.
To ensure shelf-stable baked goods for longer life, innovative solutions like modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) slow down spoilage. Intelligent packaging with freshness indicators can even let the customer know if the treats are still edible. Otherwise, traditional methods like airtight sealing in bags or boxes will always be reliable choices for keeping your baked goods delicious and smelling good.
Tips For The Packaging That Will Sell
Let your packaging be as creative as your baking! Think of it as the "outfit" for your treats.
Transparent cellophane bags with a pretty ribbon are a classic for showing off cookies.
Sturdy boxes or tins feel special and make great gifts.
Custom printing with your logo and colors helps customers remember your brand.
Even better if the packaging has a window so people can see how delicious your goodies look!
And don't forget the practical stuff – easy-to-open, resealable bags or boxes make customers extra happy.
How to Preserve Cookies by Plastic Wrapping
Preserving cookies properly can significantly extend their freshness. So do you want to learn how to wrap cookies in plastic wrap? Then follow this step-by-step guide:
a. Allow the cookies to cool completely after baking.
b. Take a sheet of plastic wrap and lay it flat on your counter.
c. Place a cookie in the center of the sheet.
d. Fold the plastic wrap over the cookie, ensuring it's entirely covered.
e. Press out any air trapped inside and seal the wrap tightly.
f. Repeat the process for each cookie. Stored this way, cookies can maintain their fresh
We can consider plastic wrap for cookies as most of them are oven-safe and can be used for baking. Still, one of the questions customers ask the most is, “What kind of plastic wrap can be used in the oven?” The ambiguity can arise due to the endless dose of information from the internet. So, to be on the safe side consider these eco-friendly alternatives to plastic wrap:
Beeswax wraps
Reusable sandwich bags
Mason jars
Cotton bowl covers
A plate and a bowl
Glass storage containers
Organic cotton mesh bags
Aluminum foil
Bonus: Most experts agree that you can use plastic wrap in the oven at low temperatures, but cling film should not be used because it can melt and contaminate the food. Plastic wrap gets wet because it prevents steam from escaping, and the moisture keeps it from getting any hotter than 212 degrees. Most plastic wraps won't melt until they get to 220 to 250 degrees.
A Choice That's Good for the Planet (and Your Brand!)
Customers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of the products they buy, and that includes the packaging. Preferring sustainable options is a win-win: you're helping the planet and showing customers you care.
Brands are advised to look for packaging made from recycled materials, or options that are compostable or easily recyclable. Using less material overall is also a smart move! Also, don't forget to educate your customers on how to dispose of the packaging responsibly. Making eco-friendly choices strengthens your brand's reputation and can attract new, values-driven customers.
The Future of Bakery Packaging
The bakery packaging world is constantly evolving, with a focus on fresher products, better safety, and sustainability. New materials like biodegradable and compostable boxes bring eco-friendly options to the table, while tamper-evident seals give customers peace of mind. Want to see how these innovations are being used? Let's look at a few bakeries leading the way:
Case Study 1: Freshness Redefined
Sweet Delights Innovation: Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
Result: By using MAP technology with a custom gas blend for their delicate pastries, Sweet Delights extended the shelf life of their croissants. It ultimately reduces waste and allows them to expand their distribution area.
Case Study 2: Safety and Style
The Flour Mill Innovation: Tamper-evident seals on individual cookie bags
Result: These discreet but effective seals reassure customers about hygiene and product integrity, especially during the peak of the pandemic, leading to increased trust and sales.
Case Study 3: Sustainability Sells
Green Goodness Innovation: Fully compostable cake boxes and plantable seed paper labels
Result: Green Goodness cultivated a loyal customer base that was attracted to its eco-conscious approach. Their packaging choices became a core element of their brand story.
Read More: The Two Layers of Packaging: Primary & secondary packaging
Wrapping Up!
From the first whiff of freshly baked bread to the moment a customer unwraps a beautiful cake packaging is an essential part of the experience. One must experiment with classic materials like glassine and cellophane or explore the latest eco-friendly and tamper-proof innovations. So go ahead – let your packaging be a reflection of the quality and care you put into every single treat!
Innovation is the hallmark to greater returns in a business. To make sure your returns improve you need a collaborative partner who lives by this principle. Look no further, as we at Half Price Packaging ensure that we bring together expert teams to bring forth the element of innovation to your packaging.
