Earth Day, celebrated every year on April 22nd, is a worldwide call for environmental protection. This year, however, there's exciting news emerging from the heart of Africa. A recent study revealed that forests certified by FSC® in the Congo Basin are thriving with wildlife!   Published in the leading scientific journal, Nature, the study shows a clear link between FSC certification and healthier ecosystems. Researchers found that FSC certified forests in Gabon and the Republic of Congo boast a significantly higher abundance of large mammals compared to non-certified equivalents. This includes critically endangered species like gorillas and elephants. The secret behind this positive impact likely lies in the stricter regulations on hunting that FSC certification enforces. By reducing hunting pressure, these forests provide safe havens for wildlife populations. This not only benefits the animals themselves, but also contributes to the well-being of local communities by minimising the risk of diseases transmitted from wild animals to humans. These findings offer a powerful message: sustainable forestry and thriving wildlife populations go hand-in-hand. Here at Packaging World, we recognize the importance of responsible practices and their impact on the environment. That's why we're proud to offer a wide range of FSC certified packaging solutions! When you choose FSC certified products, you're not just giving a thoughtful gift, you're actively contributing to a healthier planet. You're making a statement about the importance of responsible sourcing and sustainable practices, and your commitment to making the world a better place to live in. Here's some key points about how FSC benefits wildlife ecosystems: Habitat Protection: FSC standards mandate the protection of High Conservation Value Forests – areas critical for endangered and threatened species. This ensures that vital habitats remain intact, allowing wildlife populations to flourish! Reduced Fragmentation: FSC certification discourages excessive deforestation and fragmentation of forest ecosystems. Connected forests provide vital avenues for species to migrate and find food, promoting healthy populations! Water Quality: FSC certified forests prioritise practices that minimise soil erosion and protect water sources. This results in cleaner waterways, an important resource for wildlife and surrounding communities. By choosing our FSC certified packaging, you're not just selecting a beautiful presentation box to display your products, you're making a powerful statement about your own environmental responsibility. You're aligning yourself with organisations like the World Wildlife Fund, a strong advocate for FSC certification. Studies by the WWF in Peru show that FSC certified concessions boast a greater diversity of species compared to non-certified areas. This highlights the positive impact FSC certification has on overall forest health and biodiversity. This Earth Day, and every day after, let's celebrate sustainability by making conscious choices that benefit our planet and the incredible wildlife that inhabits it. Choose Packaging World's FSC certified gift packaging to be part of the solution - a future where responsible practices and thriving wildlife populations go hand-in-hand!

If you’re reading this, you may have noticed a few changes around here. That’s because in the Spring cleaning spirit, we’ve dusted off the shelves and moved some things around! As time goes on, it’s nice to shake things up and get a different perspective, that’s why we’ve gone ahead and launched a brand new website with a fresh look!  It may not be the most drastic change of layouts, as we’ve opted to simply refine what worked best with our previous website, taking on board feedback from our customers to hone in on a much more optimised user experience that aims to make shopping as easy as possible for you!  So we thought it would be best to focus in on some of the key features we’ve been working on behind the scenes to make this new website all the more special!   Hello Mobile   While there was a lot to love with our previous website (it made our lives a whole lot easier than before!), there was always a big difference between the desktop vs mobile experience. As smartphones have only gotten smarter, and the stats show that more and more people are ditching their computers every year, the necessity for a more mobile-friendly website became more obvious by the day. So with that on board, we’ve redesigned our mobile interface to make it easier than ever to order from your phone, saving you precious time and allowing you to order from wherever is most convenient for you!   Upload Your Own Artwork We’ve heard you loud and clear! One of the most requested features among our customers has always been the ability to upload artwork directly through the ordering process, and we’re so happy to say we’ve finally incorporated this into our new website! There isn’t much more to say about this one, other than go try it out for yourself and see what you think!   Minimum Order? What’s That? We’re always pushing to make ordering from us as easy as possible to as many people as possible. We know not everyone is a huge company with unlimited money to spend on packaging, so we’re happy to say there will be no minimum order quantity on any of our products! This goes for plain or printed packaging. So whether you need a thousand boxes for your product launch, or one gift bag for someone’s birthday, we’re the number one stop to shop!   Bulk Buy Prices Slashed   We’re all about saving money here, and we don’t just mean for us! As a small business ourselves, we understand the struggle our customers go through when it comes to finances, and so we’re always looking for ways to make our products as affordable as can be so you can get the best deal possible! So with that said, we’re excited to say we’re dropping the price on our bulk-buy tiers, meaning you’re now getting more for less! We hope this will incentivise customers to consider upgrading their order quantities so that they save money in the long run! We think it’s a no-brainer!   Say Goodbye to Set-Up Fees   Bulk-buy prices aren’t the only thing we’re adjusting, as with the launch of the new Packaging World website, we’re finally saying goodbye to set-up fees! Now when you place an order for printed packaging, you won’t be greeted by that sneaky add-on fee when you peek into your basket. So now, when you click buy, you know how much you’re spending with no last minute surprises! With all the above features (and many more under the hood) we’re super excited to welcome you all into the brand new Packaging World website, and we can’t wait to hear your experiences! We’re open to any and all feedback as we look to continue improving the experience for our customers day by day, so please let us know what you think!

At Packaging World, we understand the crucial role packaging plays in creating a memorable customer experience. Your packaging shouldn't just protect your products, it should capture your audience’s eye and leave a lasting impression! Our luxury hot foil printing service allows you to achieve both, elevating your brand’s image whilst maintaining your commitment to sustainability. Whether you’re after a metallic shine, a sleek matte texture, or a glossy finish, we offer a range of foils to perfectly complement your brand’s aesthetic. Hot foil printing guarantees your products stand out on shelves, drawing attention and setting your brand apart from the competition! We’re dedicated to offering sustainable solutions that never compromise on quality. This commitment extends to our hot foil printing process, which incorporates eco-friendly and recyclable foils, ensuring your packaging remains fully recyclable and biodegradable. You can embrace environmentally-responsible practices without sacrificing the premium quality your brand deserves. The appeal of hot foil printing extends beyond just looks, offering a multitude of benefits for your packaging: Unforgettable First Impressions: Capture your audience in with a touch of sophistication and elegance. Hot foil printing guarantees your products stand out, setting your brand apart from the competition. Every glance is an opportunity to capture attention and draw customers in, and what better way than with a shiny foil finish? Enhanced Brand Identity: Seamlessly integrate your logo into your packaging, solidifying brand recognition and growing customer loyalty. Each interaction with your packaging strengthens your brand’s presence in your customers’ minds, building lasting connections bringing them back for more! Versatility at its Finest: A foil printed logo beautifully complements various materials, from natural kraft to luxury embossed paper. Whether you prefer a rustic or a polished aesthetic, hot foil printing can fit your vision, offering endless possibilities to create unique packaging that reflects your brand's personality! A Range of Stunning Options: From classic gold and silver to more contemporary colours like storm blue or jet black, you’re free to express your brand's personality and create a unique look that resonates with your target audience, allowing you to stand out from the crowd. We encourage you to embrace luxury sustainability at Packaging World. Click here to explore our range of hot foil printing options available, or alternatively check out our digital printing service which can recreate more complex artworks. And if you need any help, our team is always here to assist you in creating packaging solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing and good for the planet.

With the winter weather leaving us all cold and miserable, it can be tempting to lock ourselves inside and block out the outside world. However the outside world doesn’t just simply disappear, and it’s important that we continue to look after it, even from the comfort of our own homes.  That’s why we’ve come up with a number of ways for you to continue to help out the planet while also saving some money by recycling old items you might have lying around over the winter.   DIY Insulation Repurpose old blankets, curtains, or clothing as effective insulation materials. Hang blankets over draughty windows or doors to block the cold air and retain warmth indoors. Additionally, you can lay down rugs or thick fabric mats on hardwood or tile floors to minimise the loss of heat. These simple yet effective techniques help conserve heat during the winter months, saving you the need to crank the heating up, saving you money and helping the planet!   Homemade Fire Starters   Take cardboard egg cartons and fill them with shredded paper to create eco-friendly fire starters for your fireplace or wood stove. This is a great sustainable alternative to store-bought options, that not only reduces waste but also helps saving money on heating bills!   Glass Jars Make Great Storage  Instead of throwing away glass jars from food like pasta sauces or jam, give them a good clean out and use them as storage containers. They're perfect for organising pantry staples like grains, nuts, and spices. You can also use them to store homemade soups, stews, or leftovers in the fridge or freezer!   Composting Ready For Spring   Start a compost bin in your garden or even indoors using a designated composting container. Food scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells make for great ingredients for soil for your garden. This not only reduces the waste sent to landfills but also provides free fertiliser for your plants as we prepare for the Spring!   Give Old Clothes New Life  Maybe an obvious one, but certainly for a good reason! Instead of throwing away old jumpers with holes or mismatched socks, repurpose them into cosy accessories to keep you warm in the winter. Cut up old jumpers to make hand warmers, scarves, or even patchwork blankets. And if you have kids, mismatched socks can be used to make silly little hand puppets for entertainment. This is the most creative and fun idea on the list, giving you and your kids a great hobby that repurposes old items instead of simply throwing them away!   Implementing these recycling strategies during the winter months not only reduces waste but also saves money and contributes to a more sustainable lifestyle. By repurposing household items like clothes, glass jars, and food scraps, you can effectively minimise your environmental impact while cutting down on your bills!   Additionally, creating homemade fire starters from cardboard egg cartons and repurposing old jumpers and socks as new accessories further promotes an eco-conscious lifestyle. These simple yet impactful actions help create a greener, more cost-effective approach to winter living, aligning with our principles of sustainability and responsible consumption.   To see our environmentally responsible ideology in action, you can check out our range of eco-friendly products here, along with our range of FSC certified packaging here, ensuring all materials come from sustainable sources.

As the holiday season approaches, the excitement of gift-giving fills the air. But amidst the anticipation and joy, it's important to consider the environmental impact of our festive traditions. Traditional gift wrapping, with its shiny finishes and glitter accents, often ends up in landfills, contributing to global pollution and waste.At Packaging World, we believe that sustainability doesn't have to compromise on style. So, let's say goodbye to wasteful practices and embrace eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas that are kind to the planet without sacrificing the festive spirit.Embrace the Natural Beauty of Brown Paper - Step away from the glossy, non-recyclable wrapping paper and opt for natural brown kraft paper. Its rustic charm adds a touch of elegance, and it's fully recyclable, allowing you to enjoy guilt-free gifting.    Repurpose with Recycled Materials - Get creative and give old newspapers, magazines, or leftover fabric a second chance! Use colorful pages from magazines to wrap gifts, or transform old scarves or shirts into reusable fabric pouches. This is a great method to cut down on waste by recycling old materials you have lying around.Personalise with Natural Touches - Elevate your gifts with natural elements like dried flowers, pine cones, or even some holly. These eco-friendly decorations add a festive touch without adding to environmental waste, all while looking hand picked and homemade! Ditch the Tape, Use Natural Alternatives - Skip the sellotape, which is not recyclable. Instead, use ribbons or string to secure your gifts. These eco-friendly alternatives add a rustic touch and are easy to remove and recycle, and show that you put that little bit extra effort into your gifts!Consider the Gift Itself - Make sure the gifts you’re giving are ones that’ll be put to good use! Pick something you know the receiving person will enjoy for many years, or if in doubt, gift them an experience, hopefully one that they’ll cherish forever. This eliminates any waste, and will often be remembered far more fondly than a small gift that they probably didn’t even want anyway! At Packaging World, we're committed to providing sustainable packaging solutions for all your gifting needs. We offer a wide range of eco-friendly gift wrapping materials, from boxes to bags and pouches, ensuring that you can celebrate the holidays with a clear conscience.This Christmas, let's make a conscious effort to reduce our environmental footprint while still spreading the festive spirit! Embrace sustainable gift wrapping and discover the beauty of eco-friendly alternatives. Together, we can make this holiday season a celebration of both giving, and giving back to our planet!

Black Friday – the day when shoppers across the world hunt for the best deals and discounts. It's a day when businesses can thrive, and packaging plays a crucial role in creating memorable experiences for customers. In this blog, we'll delve into the significance of packaging on Black Friday and how it can help your business stand out.   The Power of First Impressions In the world of retail, first impressions matter, and the packaging is the first thing your customers see. As they unbox their Black Friday purchases, the packaging is their initial touchpoint with your brand. Make it count. Eye-catching packaging can enhance the perceived value of your products, creating anticipation and excitement. Whether it's a beautifully designed box, a personalised message, or eco-friendly materials, packaging can set the stage for a memorable unboxing experience.   Branding Through Packaging Your packaging is an extension of your brand identity. On Black Friday, competition is fierce, and your brand's ability to stand out is critical. Create packaging that reflects your brand's personality, values, and uniqueness. Use your brand colours, logos, and slogans to make your packaging instantly recognisable.Remember, Black Friday deals may be fleeting, but the impression your packaging leaves can have a lasting impact. Customers who have a positive unboxing experience are more likely to become repeat buyers and brand advocates.      Eco-Friendly Packaging for Sustainability Sustainability is a growing concern, and customers appreciate businesses that are eco-conscious. Black Friday presents an opportunity to showcase your commitment to the environment through eco-friendly packaging. Utilise biodegradable materials, reduce excess packaging, and communicate your sustainability efforts on your packaging. Not only does this resonate with eco-conscious consumers, but it also enhances your brand's reputation. Personalisation and Customer Engagement Personalisation is key to making your customers feel special. Consider adding a personal touch to your Black Friday packaging, such as handwritten notes or customised product recommendations. Engage with your customers through QR codes that lead to exclusive content or surveys. This not only adds a personal element but also provides valuable data for future marketing efforts. Safety and Protection In the rush of Black Friday, it's easy to focus on the aesthetics of packaging and forget about its primary purpose – protecting the product. Ensure that your packaging provides adequate protection during shipping. This prevents damage, returns, and unhappy customers. Invest in durable materials, cushioning, and secure closures to safeguard your products. Discounts and Coupons on Packaging You can further incentivise Black Friday shoppers by offering discounts and coupons hidden within the packaging. Encourage repeat purchases by providing a special discount code for their next order. This not only adds value to the customer's purchase but also builds anticipation for future shopping. Leveraging Online and In-Store Packaging While e-commerce has dominated Black Friday sales in recent years, don't forget the significance of in-store packaging. Customers who make in-store purchases still value well-designed bags and boxes. These can serve as walking advertisements for your brand, creating visibility beyond the point of sale. Case Study: Successful Packaging on Black Friday Let's look at a case study to understand the impact of packaging on Black Friday. "ABC Electronics" decided to revamp their Black Friday packaging strategy. They invested in customised, eco-friendly boxes with a sleek design. They also included a 15% discount code for their next purchase and a small note thanking the customer for their support.The result? ABC Electronics saw a 30% increase in online sales compared to the previous year. The personalised touch in their packaging received rave reviews on social media, which attracted new customers even after Black Friday. Their eco-friendly approach resonated with environmentally conscious consumers, resulting in increased brand loyalty. Conclusion On Black Friday, packaging is your secret weapon. It's not just about protecting products; it's about creating lasting impressions, connecting with customers, and standing out in a crowded marketplace. Whether you focus on aesthetics, sustainability, personalisation, or a combination of these factors, your packaging strategy can significantly impact your Black Friday success.Invest in packaging that tells your brand story, engages customers, and leaves a lasting impression. With the right approach, you can turn Black Friday shoppers into loyal customers who keep coming back, long after the sales are over. Make your packaging an integral part of your Black Friday success story.

The gadgets we use every day are designed to make our lives easier, but they also contribute to a negative impact on our planet. With the introduction of USB type C just a few years ago, many technology companies adopted this port as the new standard, making it easier for consumers to charge all their devices with just one cable. However, there was one hold out in Apple. In case you don’t know, USB (Universal Serial Bus) has been around for a long time in many different forms. It’s essentially a port designed to make it easier to connect multiple devices together. You’re probably familiar with the old rectangular version you’ll find on your computer/laptop that you can never plug in the right way round first time. Well USB-C was designed to fix this issue by allowing you to plug it in either way around, while also slimming it down and improving the speed at which data is transferred. But that’s the boring stuff out of the way.For many years, Apple has gone their own way with their Lightning port and cables. If you’ve ever asked a friend with an Android phone to borrow their charger, you’ll understand why this was frustrating to many. But recently, the EU passed a bill that would require all technology companies to use USB-C in any smart devices, in an act to cut down on electronic waste by limiting the need for different charging cables for different devices. So with the introduction of their new flagship iPhone 15 this month, Apple have finally joined the USB-C family for good. So what are the benefits of this?   Reversible Design - USB-C connectors are reversible, meaning you can plug them in either way without worrying about orientation. This eliminates the frustration of trying to plug in a USB cable the right way up, making it more user-friendly.Universal Compatibility - The clue is in the name. USB is Universal, making it the standard port on (almost) every electronic device you own. So gone are the days of needing to carry 12 cables with you on holiday, as everything can be charged with one!Faster Data Transfer Speeds - USB-C supports faster data transfer rates compared to previous USB versions. This is great for tasks like transferring large files or backing up data as the whole process can be done much quicker than ever before.Audio and Video Output - USB-C now supports audio and video transmission, making it a viable replacement for DisplayPort and HDMI. Again, this limits the amount of cables you’ll need to do anything, as USB-C can just about do it all!Future-Proofing - As USB-C becomes the standard for most devices, investing in USB-C accessories and cables can help future-proof your tech setup. You won't have to worry about outdated connectors and can easily adapt to new devices as they hit the market.And of course, E-Waste Reduction - As you slim your cable drawer down to just USB-C, you won’t have to get new cables for new devices, as you’ll already have what you need. This eliminates the need to throw out out-of-date cables, as they’ll still be supported by your new devices, thus reducing the amount of e-waste!   As a company who proudly supports the push towards a greener future, we’re excited to see the positive ramifications of this switch to USB-C from the biggest tech company in the world. We’re one step closer to a cleaner planet, and we hope you’ll join us in moving this direction!We’ve been making the move for the past few years towards sustainable packaging, with many of our most popular ranges being eco-friendly, and some being FSC® certified! From boxes, to bags and pouches, we’ve got what you need to start shifting towards eco-friendly packaging, all at affordable prices!

Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy but often go overlooked. With over 5.5 million small businesses operating across the nation, these make up over 99% of the British private sector, employing roughly 48% of the working population. An incredible 4.1 million of these businesses employ nobody but the sole owner of the company, meaning 74% of UK businesses are one-person operations!     World Entrepreneurs Day With World Entrepreneurs Day just over the horizon (August 21st!), we thought this would be an amazing time to stop and celebrate the incredible work that goes into running a small business, while highlighting some of the issues and hardships these businesses face on a regular basis.As we already mentioned, the overwhelming majority of British businesses operate on a one-person rota, meaning everything from the initial concept, through production, website design, manufacturing, marketing, and finance management has to be handled by the one person running the business! To put that into perspective, think about how many people specialise in just one of these fields while working for a larger company. Most large businesses will even employ teams of people working for each specific department, making it even more incredible to see these small business owners deal with so many different aspects of running a business all by themselves!With the majority of our customers being small businesses, and being one ourselves, we see on a daily basis what these companies have to go through to make ends meet and keep their businesses afloat.     Our Story Our own journey started back in 2004 when Natalie, originally from Guangzhou, China, travelled to Swansea (after a brief stint in Switzerland!) and began selling jewellery online. After noticing the rapid pace that fashion changes, Natalie wanted to focus on something that wouldn’t need to be constantly keeping up with seasonal trends, and decided to produce jewellery packaging instead!Keeping in mind that English was not her first language, Natalie persevered with her idea, slowly growing the business into what it’s become today. With 10 staff proudly putting in the effort every day to help the company grow and improve, Packaging World now offers more than just jewellery packaging, but gift wrapping, bags, boxes, pouches, tissue paper, ribbons, and so much more, including eco-friendly and FSC® certified packaging, all thanks to the incredible work our small team put in regularly, and the support from our loyal customers who always return with a smile on their face! Stand Out With Your Brand  With our branding services, we offer you an amazing way to stand out by incorporating either a luxury hot foil or digitally printed logo onto your packaging, putting your brand directly into your customers’ hands! Choose from a range of foil colours, from metallic to matte finishes, to perfectly compliment your brand and product, or with our digital printing service you can add complex artwork with multiple colours. The possibilities are really only limited by your imagination!While we offer printing on the majority of our products for a small fee, we are currently running an offer that includes free printing on a select range of our packaging options! This is a great deal for customers looking to try out our printing service with no additional cost, just the price of the packaging. You can check out this amazing deal right here for yourself!

With the Summer season in full swing I’m sure we’ve all been looking forward to jetting off to somewhere hot and sunny abroad, and with the past few years we’ve had, who’s to judge? Taking some time off to go and relax by the pool or the beach and see some sights is a great way to relax and recompose for the year!         The Grass Isn’t Always Greener However, we unfortunately have to keep in mind the negative impact all these holiday plans can have on our planet. Heathrow in London is one of the busiest airports in the world, estimated to have 1,300 take-offs and landings every day of the year, making it a leading contributor to the UKs carbon emission output. The aviation industry worldwide makes up 2.4% of carbon emissions, and when combined with related gases and water vapour created during flight, this makes it responsible for 5% of global warming.5% doesn’t sound like a huge number, does it? But when you consider that only a small fraction of the world’s richest countries fly regularly - within those countries less than half of the population fly, with only 12-15% of people flying more than once a year - you start to see how that 5% is unevenly distributed. Roughly 70 million of the world’s highest polluting population contributes as much CO2 emissions as the lowest polluting 3.2 billion people! It’s estimated that if every person in the world took one long-haul flight, the emissions from this would far exceed the United States’ entire CO2 emissions in a single year. See where this is going?That’s why we’re encouraging people to think twice before booking their getaways. Some places are unique enough that the only option is to travel abroad, but with Brits outnumbering the number of locals in Benidorm during the summer months, it’s clear that the majority of people are just looking for somewhere hot and sunny by the beach! Summer On Your Doorstep In this sense, climate change can be a double edged sword, as we can actually thank it for giving us hotter summers than we’re used to experiencing, making this an opportune time to staycation. Being a fairly small island nation, the UK is hardly short of beaches to choose from, with Devon and Cornwall being just two of the most popular hotspots. It’s becoming increasingly easy to find the summer weather you’re looking for on your doorstep, all without the hassle and cost of travelling abroad, and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re doing your part to cut down on your carbon footprint!For those looking for other ways they can have a positive impact this summer (and the rest of the year!), we’ve compiled a short list of things you can do today to cut down on your emissions.Spend less time driving - Consider whether you really need to drive everywhere you go. What are the alternatives? Walking? Cycling? Even public transport! Spending less time in the car is both cost effective (less money spent on petrol!) and a good way to lower your carbon footprint. And when you do need to drive, check the quietest times to travel. This helps cut down how much fuel is consumed and means you don’t waste your own time stuck sitting in stand-still traffic!Eat less meat & dairy - Raising livestock is a carbon intensive process, from the resources needed to grow the food they eat, and then the machinery needed to slaughter and process the meat, it all contributes massively to carbon emissions. Combine this with places like Brazil that have cut down large areas of natural forestry to create space for these dairy farms, and the emissions start to stack up fast! Experts say that everyone skipping meat one day a week would save the U.S. 100 billion gallons of water and bring greenhouse gases down by 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide!Reduce, reuse, recycle - this phrase has maybe lost its impact in recent years, but it’s still as true as ever! Reducing the amount of products you consume, reusing what you already have, and recycling what can’t be reused is one of the most impactful ways you can leave a positive impact on the planet. Cutting down on plastic products will help massively in fighting pollution and waste, and with so many great alternatives out there now, there’s no real reason not to make the switch!As big promoters of eco-friendly living, we offer a range of sustainable packaging options to help our customers transition smoothly into this new lifestyle! From boxes to bags, or pouches to tissue paper, we have anything you could possibly need for your products available in eco-friendly options. In fact, these are now our most popular products, encouraging us to slowly convert all our products to sustainable materials!You can check out our full range of eco-friendly products right here and start making a difference today!