Packaging Customization & Custom Packaging Solutions
Packaging customization can range from modifying the appearance or components of an existing stock package to designing and developing completely new custom packaging and tooling.
Empire EMCO helps manufacturers evaluate the level of customization their project actually requires. That may mean using an existing bottle with custom decoration or dispensing components, combining stock and custom components, or developing a completely new package through custom mold development.
The goal is not customization for its own sake. It is finding the packaging solution that best addresses the product, brand, production, performance, supply-chain and commercial requirements of the project.
Three Paths to a Customized Package
A custom packaging project does not always require completely new tooling. Empire EMCO can evaluate existing, hybrid and fully custom approaches based on the requirements of the project.
Customize a Stock Package
Start with an existing bottle, jar, closure or other package and customize selected elements to better support the product or brand.
- Package color
- Material options
- Decoration
- Closure selection
- Dispensing components
Combine Stock & Custom Components
A project may combine existing packaging with one or more customized components to achieve the required functionality or differentiation.
- Stock bottle + custom closure
- Custom bottle + stock closure
- Specialized dispensing system
- Existing tooling with modified package elements
Develop a Custom Mold
When existing options cannot meet the project's structural, functional or design requirements, new custom tooling can be developed.
- Custom bottle design
- Custom jar design
- Custom closure design
- Specialty components
- Custom mold development
What Can Be Customized?
Packaging customization can involve the container itself, the components used with it, its appearance, its material choices or the way the complete package functions.
Bottles & Jars
Evaluate package size, capacity, shape, material, neck finish, structural design and other container requirements.
Closures & Dispensing
Select or develop closures, pumps, sprayers and other dispensing components around the requirements of the complete package.
Color
Package and component colors can support branding, product differentiation and other project requirements.
Materials
Material selection can be evaluated in relation to package performance, product requirements, manufacturing and sustainability goals.
Decoration
Decoration options can transform an existing package or support the finished appearance of a new custom design.
Structural Design
When an existing package cannot provide the required geometry or function, custom engineering and tooling may be used to create a new structural package design.
Do You Need Stock Packaging or a Custom Mold?
The right answer depends on what the package needs to accomplish. Existing tooling can often provide an efficient solution, while some projects require a package developed around completely new requirements.
Consider Existing Packaging When...
- An available package meets the structural requirements
- Customization is primarily visual or component-based
- An existing neck finish supports the required closure
- A stock bottle can be paired with another component
- Existing tooling provides an appropriate starting point
Consider New Custom Tooling When...
- The required package shape does not currently exist
- The project requires unique structural geometry
- Specific functional requirements cannot be met by stock packaging
- A proprietary or differentiated design is required
- The complete package needs to be engineered around the application
How Empire EMCO Approaches Packaging Customization
The process starts by understanding the package challenge before determining whether the best path involves stock packaging, customized components, engineering or new tooling.
Define the Requirements
Identify what the package needs to accomplish for the product, brand, production environment and supply chain.
Evaluate the Options
Review stock, customized stock, hybrid and fully custom packaging possibilities.
Develop the Solution
Coordinate package design, sourcing, engineering, tooling, components and decoration as required.
Move Toward Commercialization
Support sampling, approvals, production and the transition of the completed package into commercial use.
Custom Mold Development
A fully custom package allows the container or component to be developed around specific design, functionality and production requirements.
Empire EMCO's custom mold development process connects concept, engineering, drawings, tooling, sampling, production approval and commercialization.
Before Building a New Mold, Explore What Already Exists.
Empire EMCO maintains an expanding Custom Mold Library that can help identify whether existing tooling may provide a starting point for a new packaging project.
The library is being developed as a searchable resource for custom bottles, jars, closures and other packaging designs.
Packaging Design & Engineering Support
Customization becomes more complex when structural design, manufacturing requirements or new tooling are involved. Packaging engineering helps connect the desired package concept with a manufacturable solution.
Build Sustainability Into Packaging Decisions
Sustainability considerations can be evaluated alongside performance, manufacturing and commercial requirements during packaging customization and custom development.
Depending on the project, opportunities may include material changes, PCR content, lightweighting and other packaging design strategies.
Packaging Conversion Planner
Evaluating a sustainability change? Use Empire EMCO's Packaging Conversion Planner to organize project goals, requirements, priorities and potential packaging strategies.
Packaging Customization Resources
Custom Mold Development
Learn how custom packaging moves from initial concept through engineering, tooling, sampling and commercialization.
Explore Custom Mold Development →Custom Mold Development Process
Follow Empire EMCO's three-phase workflow from concept and approval through production and commercial launch.
See the Development Process →Custom Mold Library
Explore existing custom packaging molds and design resources available through Empire EMCO.
Browse Custom Molds →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions manufacturers ask when deciding how much customization a packaging project requires.
What is packaging customization?
Packaging customization is the process of adapting a package to meet specific branding, functional, product or production requirements. It can range from modifying an existing package to developing completely new custom tooling.
Does customized packaging always require a custom mold?
No. Many projects can use an existing bottle, jar or other package and customize selected elements such as color, decoration, closures, dispensing components or materials.
What can be customized on an existing package?
Depending on the package and project, customization may involve package color, materials, decoration, closures, pumps, sprayers and other dispensing or component options.
What is a hybrid packaging solution?
A hybrid solution combines existing and custom packaging components. For example, a project may use a stock bottle with a custom closure or a custom bottle with an existing closure.
When should I consider custom mold development?
Custom mold development may be appropriate when available packaging cannot provide the required structural geometry, functionality, performance or package differentiation.
Can Empire EMCO help determine whether I need a custom mold?
Yes. Empire EMCO can evaluate the package requirements and explore stock, customized stock, hybrid and custom packaging approaches before determining an appropriate development path.
Can sustainability be considered during packaging customization?
Yes. Material selection, PCR options, lightweighting and other sustainability strategies can be considered along with package performance, manufacturing and commercial requirements.
Where can I see Empire EMCO custom molds?
Empire EMCO's Custom Mold Library provides a growing resource for viewing existing custom packaging molds and designs.
What Does Your Package Need to Accomplish?
Start with the packaging challenge. Empire EMCO can help evaluate existing packaging, customized components, hybrid solutions and custom mold development to determine the right path for your project.