To add to the attractiveness of a product, one of the packets / parts of packaging that is important to note is the packaging design. A design may be a trade mark at a certain time but we must also consider how long the product will last in its position. Therefore it is necessary to consider to renew the existing design concept. Innovation in product packaging needs to be done as long as the new packaging retains some old elements.
Things to consider when wanting to change a design is a response from consumers. Do not let a change be done drastically by changing all sides. This will have a bad impact with the loss of the image of the products we market. It’s good we change little by little while introducing the new changes to consumers. Because without communication then the possibility of small new changes can be received quickly.
The packaging design should be as attractive and beautiful as possible to add value to a product. When designing the packaging, some elements that must be listed in the packaging include:
- · Product name
- · Product registration number
- · Composition of the constituent material of the product
- · Production code
- · Product weight / volume
- · Rules of use,
- · Expired date
- · Warning of side hazards
- · How to save
- · The manufacturer’s name
- · Trademark
- · Product quality
The packaging design is then manifested in the form of packaging labels. Labeling techniques can be printed, can also simply by the screen printing. Packaging as a protective and constraining material to the environment can help protect product quality during distribution, increase consumer interest in the product (physical appearance), and facilitate the provision of information about the product. The packaging directly related to the product is referred to as the primary packaging. There are various types of packaging that is from paper (including carton), plastic, metal such as aluminum or stainless steel, composite (mix), and foil in the form of thin films either from metal like aluminum or plastic. Of the various types of plastic packaging is increasingly dominating because it can be formed in various sizes and shapes as needed, lightweight, strong as well as flexible.
Primary packaging for fish products is determined by the type of product to be packaged. Packaging for bulk fish is different from fish at the retail level. For bulk fresh fish, the packaging of high-density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers provides a variety of conveniences that are powerful as well as lightweight, easy to clean and resistant to chemicals. HDPE can be used to pack a variety of fish weights along with ice for cooling for distant distribution distances. For fillet fish packaged in PE containers, should be arranged with a thin stack and plastic barrier. The packaging of polystyrene plastic is difficult to clean and reused, while styrofoam has a weakness and is not easily broken.
For fresh, frozen or processed fish products at the retail level, different types of packaging can be used to meet the needs of maintaining freshness, showing a quality product appearance, being easy to carry by the buyer, and easily labeled.
Plastic shrink is a plastic worn on fish products such as smoked fish or other, which then when heated will shrink and stick in the product according to the original form. This packaging also produces vacuum packaging. The types of plastic films suitable for this retail level are low density PE, linear density PE, PE terephtalate (PET). Plastic polystyrene is less suitable because it is still translucent gas / air so it must be coated again with an airtight film. Composites of PE / aluminum foil coated paper / carton (accompanied by translucent parts for visualization) may also be used for packing more fresh or frozen products.