Antalis: Replacing plastic packaging

Packaging Solutions Print Solutions

Business cards are just one of the digital and wide format print and promotional merchandise offerings from We Do. Print whose workers are young people attending the #NoLimits course run by Commercial Foundation. This social enterprise was established in 2015 and supports disadvantaged young people to develop practical skills to help them find a job or future career.

Commercial Foundation was packing orders for business cards into standard 70 mm high plastic business card boxes which were then packed in a bubble lined mailing bag for posting. As well as not being very environmentally friendly, the packages were also too big to fit through letterboxes.

A drive to reduce its use of plastics prompted the Commercial Foundation to seek a more user and environmentally friendly alternative.

After taking the time to understand the complete process around We Do. Print’s business card service, Antalis Smart Packaging Centre came up with workable solution.

Using the information provided, Antalis’s packaging technologists put forward three options: a box and lid design and two variations based on the 0427 pizza box structure. The team also advised on the possibilities of printing the box to enhance the customer experience.

Commercial Foundation’s preferred design of the three was an 0427 style box with four compartments, made from FSC certified board. It allows the customer address to be affixed to one side of the box and space for a message along with environmental information is printed on the other sides. The new box was put through its paces to assess ease of assembly, durability, and postability. Following the successful trial, the box is now in use and is bringing numerous benefits to both Commercial Foundation and its customers.

Ian Whitcombe, national key account manager for Antalis Packaging, commented: ‘The whole project, from the initial consultation to roll out took just six weeks. It is a great example of how taking the time to really listen to our customers’ needs, challenges and frustrations can result in a really innovative box design that achieves far more than the original goal.’