A winning product is greater than the sum of its parts. High-quality materials and presentation are important, but the product must also appeal to all five senses to stand out in crowded markets.
However, brands tend to overlook the power of scent when creating their flagship products. In many cases, that means masking odors with smell-proof materials that keep the goods discrete and reasonable to pack, ship, store, and sell in retail environments.
Luckily, smell-proof packaging solutions are now widely accessible and affordable for brands of all sizes and specialties. Here’s the scoop on modern smell-proof bags, why they’re important, how they work, and what to look for when finalizing your next best-selling product.
What Is a Smell-Proof Bag?
Smell-proof bags are part of a broad category that includes any flexible containers that block scents and odors from escaping. While rigid containers can be constructed with odor-resistant materials, they typically have more permeable designs that make it more difficult to maintain the smell-proof standard.
For instance, a rectangular container made of durable smell-proof plastic may be useful to keep leftovers in the kitchen, but the design is meant for easy access and convenience rather than discrete storage and consistent odor containment.
Alternatively, bags are ideal for smell-proof designs due to small openings, heat-sealed constraints, and resealable zipper mechanisms that keep the contents protected and impermeable in most circumstances.
Furthermore, bags are the preferred format for keeping sensitive goods stored away in a discrete manner while also keeping out other unwanted environmental factors. These may include excess oxygen, light exposure, temperature fluctuations, and allergenic particles that could negatively interact with the contents.
With smell-proof bags, brands and consumers can ensure that products are kept safe and fresh while the surrounding environment is not affected or altered by pungent scents and odors.
Fortunately for modern manufacturers, the rise of smell-proof bags coincides with a shift in consumer preferences away from rigid packaging formats and towards flexible packaging standards like BOPET bags and other soft containers with more variability and customization.
Effective smell-proof packaging also happens to benefit retailers, who strive to maintain an inviting and discrete storefront environment that doesn’t overwhelm customers with powerful scents at every turn.
Ideally, smell-proof bags are sized to the exact specifications of the brand, balancing space for the product and additional room for safe storage and presentation. The bags should also be customizable in terms of printing, branding, and labeling. They should be able to meet all legal requirements for the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, among other applicable regulations.
As demand for smell-proof packaging solutions expands, expect to see more brands double down on flexible pouches, bags, and other new formats that offer exceptional odor protection and much more.
What Are Smell-Proof Bags Used For?
It may seem counterintuitive to use smell-proof bags in industries that rely on their products being appealing and accessible. However, odor resistance can also help keep goods fresh, discrete, and manageable — especially when they are stored and shipped in large quantities.
It’s also a matter of respect and privacy for customers who want to transport certain types of goods with discretion. This can apply to a number of different product types.
Here are the top three industries that can benefit from smell-proof bags.
Cannabis
The cannabis industry is in a league of its own, with rapid growth across all metrics. As deregulation and legalization sweep the United States and make their way across international borders, it won’t be long before cannabis products are fully normalized and accepted.
However, if there’s one downside to mass cannabis production and distribution, it’s odor management. Just ask anyone in the cannabis industry about keeping potent smells at bay while maintaining a high standard for product quality.
As a result, those in the cannabis industry have been searching for consistently reliable smell-proof packaging solutions that still offer consumer convenience and check the boxes for branding, labeling, and other stringent compliance needs.
Rigid packaging materials like cardboard and plastic containers proved too permeable early on, even with lightweight layers of plastic wrap surrounding the contents within. It soon became apparent that a more heavyweight material was required, and flexible smell-proof Mylar bags emerged as the new standard in the cannabis economy.
These bags were adopted rapidly, and it has become increasingly rare to find cannabis products packaged in other formats and materials. With the inclusion of child-resistant packaging features for storing concentrates, vials, and other specialty product types, smell-proof bags are now inseparable from the world of cannabis and its many subcategories.
Foods
Although the food industry is far less regulated and variable than cannabis, modern brands face similar problems related to odor resistance and packaging needs for certain products.
Some of the world’s most expensive ingredients and goods are also the most potent in terms of concentration and odor. These include rare spices and herbs like saffron and sensitive confectionaries like chocolates and fine candies.
As a matter of quality assurance and consumer satisfaction, more food brands are raising the bar for odor resistance in their packaging, turning to smell-proof bags in order to meet new standards. Flexible packaging may be less common with products that need an extra layer of rigid protection, but smell-proof materials like Mylar are still utilized for interior packaging needs.
With top-shelf goods, smell-proof bags may only be one of many packaging layers, but they can still play a key role in the final product nonetheless.
Potent Cosmetics and Chemicals
It’s not uncommon to see cosmetics and beauty products sell for hundreds of dollars per container, even for products weighing only a few ounces. As part of their premium presentation, many brands use several layers of flexible and rigid packaging, including smell-proof barriers in the form of bags or pouches.
Form and function go hand-in-hand here, as the look and feel of cosmetic products play a large role in their marketability and sales potential. Adding an extra layer of smell-proof protection can ensure that products are fresh, sealed, and high-quality.
Some cosmetics (fragrances and perfumes, in particular) may feature potent scents that must be kept under wraps during shipping and storage. Other chemical treatments for skin and hair may also contain less appealing odors that manufacturers may want to mask with smell-proof packaging.
Beyond consumer industries, large chemical shipments may benefit from smell-proof wrapping, as well. However, these large-scale solutions usually call for custom fitting and higher volumes of plastic wrapping that go beyond the scope of individual pouches and bags.
What Are the Benefits of Smell-Proof Bags?
Although there are no strict regulations that require brands to use smell-proof bags to distribute products, it’s considered a best practice in many industries and has other benefits as well.
As markets like cannabis, specialty foods, and herbal supplements become more popular, smell-proof packaging may soon be the new standard as retailers and consumers expect more from their favorite brands.
Here are the main benefits of smell-proof bags that can impact the reputation and bottom line of your business moving forward.
1. Safety
From cannabis to cosmetics, safety is always first for any consumer-facing industry. Smell-proof bags offer extra assurance for both retailers and shoppers as they procure sensitive items for personal use.
Since these products also tend to be ingested, smell-proof layers ensure that the goods are not tampered with and meet steep quality standards before use.
2. Preserves Products
Cannabis flowers and edibles must be preserved to maintain their flavor and potency, while standard food products are also best consumed when kept tightly concealed.
Because scent is so potent, smell-proof bags also tend to feature other high-grade barrier properties, such as light and oxygen protection. These forces work together to create an ideal setting for preservation and freshness over longer periods of time.
3. Better Customer Experience
Customers are increasingly picky when it comes to customer experience. The appearance and functionality of packaging can make a dramatic difference in user perception and the likelihood of a repeat purchase.
With smell-proof bags, customers benefit from privacy and discretion when buying items like cannabis and cosmetics. Less risk and more privacy equate to a better customer experience, in addition to a better product altogether.
How Does Dymapak Utilize Smell-Proof Bags?
As a leader in modern packaging solutions, Dymapak is ahead of the competition with smell-proof bags in various formats.
Secure Sack
The Secure Sack is the first of its kind, with lab-certified child-resistant features and a broad range of customizable options. The resealable barrier continues to provide a smell-proof barrier even after opening, as contents are kept private and secure with outstanding protective properties.
The Bottom Line
Smell-proof bags are not just a gimmick or trend. These are in-demand features that retailers and customers expect from today’s brands. Get your personalized packaging with Dymapak and set your business apart from the pack.
Sources:
The Science of Sensory Marketing | Harvard Business Review
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