Supplement packaging or protein powder packaging plays a crucial role in attracting consumers and boosting your brand’s identity. As gym-goers and health enthusiasts scan crowded shelves, the right packaging can make all the difference between a sale and a pass.
From eye-catching designs to functional features, protein powder packaging and supplement packages must not only stand out visually but also preserve the product’s quality. The right packaging also has to be made with convenience in mind. We’re going over everything to know about ordering custom protein powder packaging for your brand!
What to Know About Protein Powder and Supplement Packaging
There are various options when it comes to protein powder packaging. Things to consider include materials used, space needed, the freshness factor, and overall design. And remember that when it comes to supplement packaging, there are also rules and regulations to follow.
1. The Power of First Impressions
The importance of eye-catching packaging cannot be overstated. In a sea of similar products, your protein powder needs to grab attention instantly. Custom-printed boxes and labels offer the perfect canvas to showcase your brand’s unique identity. Bold colors, striking graphics, and clear, concise messaging can help your product stand out and communicate its benefits at a glance.
2. Functionality Meets Design
While aesthetics are crucial, the functionality of protein powder packaging is equally important. Consumers value convenience and freshness. Resealable bags, easy-pour spouts, and moisture-resistant materials are just a few features that can enhance user experience and product longevity. A packaging specialist can help you select the right materials and designs to balance visual appeal with practical functionality.
3. Sustainability Sells
Today’s consumers are increasingly eco-conscious, and this trend is particularly pronounced in the fitness and health sector. Sustainable packaging options, such as recyclable materials or biodegradable containers, can be a significant selling point. Highlighting your commitment to environmental responsibility on your packaging can resonate strongly with your target audience.
4. Customization for Brand Identity
Every fitness brand has a unique story and target audience. Custom packaging allows you to tell that story visually. Whether your brand emphasizes scientific formulation, natural ingredients, or hardcore fitness results, your packaging should reflect these values. A skilled packaging partner can help translate your brand identity into compelling visual elements.
5. Compliance and Information
Protein powders are subject to various regulations regarding labeling and nutritional information. Your packaging must clearly display ingredients, nutritional facts, and any required warnings or disclaimers. A packaging specialist with experience in the fitness industry can ensure your products meet all legal requirements while maintaining an attractive design.
6. Rules & Regulations for Packaging Supplements & Powders
Supplements and powders produced in the United States or overseas must follow specific regulations laid out by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The most significant change to these regulations came in 1966 when the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act was passed.
This act determined requirements related to details such as what nutrition labels needed to include, which company produced the product, and the net quantity of contents. Let’s have a quick look at these and other regulations in place. You can also read more about regulations for supplement packaging on the FDA’s website.
General Dietary Supplement Labeling: Every dietary supplement’s packaging must include a label with specific items. General dietary supplements include any vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, and amino acids intended to supplement a person’s diet.
Net Quantity of Contents: The net quantity of contents refers to the amount of supplement in the package. It can be measured in ounces, grams, or pounds.
Nutrition Labeling: For nutritional supplements, packaging must include the nutrition label, also known as the “Supplement Facts.” This panel shows specific vitamins, minerals, and other key ingredients as an amount per serving and % of the daily value.
Ingredient Labeling: If all of a supplement’s ingredients are listed on the nutrition label, there is no need to include an ingredient label. However, if there are additional ingredients not on the “Supplement Facts” label, these ingredients must be listed separately
Claims: Claims show the level of a nutrient within a product. For example, how many grams of protein are in a serving size, or how many milligrams of a vitamin are included in a serving. Make sure to include only evidence-backed claims on your nutritional supplement packaging.
New Dietary Ingredients: Any ingredients that were not marketed in the U.S. before October 15th, 1994, are called new dietary ingredients. Anytime a company creates a product with these ingredients, it must notify the FDA at least 75 days before introducing or distributing it.
How to Package Supplements and Protein Powder
Getting your supplements and protein powder packaging to your consumers’ front doors is a complicated process. There are many steps involved, from filling each package to ensuring it travels safely. But the packaging process is also an opportunity to cut costs without cutting corners.
For example, if you plan on distributing your supplements in plastic bottles, you can purchase generic bottles in bulk and then add your branding to them. You can do the same for glass bottles, resealable pouches, packets, and boxes.
The Number One Challenge
The biggest challenge of protein powder and supplement packaging isn’t the packaging itself, it’s the time and effort that it can take away from a business owner’s busy schedule.
Because there are stricter guidelines to follow for health packaging, a lot more time and care is required to make sure it’s done properly. It can be challenging to find the packaging resources you need cost-effectively. It’s essential to find the best deals on the appropriate packaging, but resources are available to make the process less complicated.
How Third-Party Logistics Fulfill Supplement Orders
Of course, you want your supplement packaging to make its way around the world, but that might feel like an overwhelming task to accomplish. To ensure your eCommerce fulfillment goes smoothly, consider outsourcing it to a third-party logistics company or 3PL.
3PLs don’t just cover the shipping step of the supply chain—they can cover the entire order fulfillment. From production to packing to inventory, a reliable 3PL can warehouse your goods and manage shipping and receiving.
3PLs like Print Bind Ship not only take care of order fulfillment for supplement and protein powder brands – but we also print custom packaging, boxes, and labels to ensure your product is set up and sent out in the most efficient way possible.
Packaging
Another way a 3PL can help is by producing your custom-designed boxes and packaging. If your packaging is too generic, it won’t hook your audience as you had hoped. But if you try to do all the custom work yourself, when you can outsource the time-consuming kitting and assembly process. A 3PL company takes the time to do it right and can ultimately make you more money in the process by increasing sales.
Order Management
As your supplement and protein powder business grows, it’s vital to keep up with incoming orders! The last thing you want is to keep customers waiting. A reliable 3PL can help find efficient ways to streamline your production process and avoid waiting for shipping supplies to arrive.
3PLs are already experts in the business, so they can utilize software and tools to track orders, make predictions, and adjust other aspects of the supply chain, all in one place.
Warehousing
Trying to store hundreds or thousands of products when you’re a small business can quickly eat a hole in your pocket. With a 3PL, warehousing space is a part of the deal and one more thing you can cross off your list.
Inventory Management & Product Returns
Your products will be coming and going faster than you can count them. Thankfully, a 3PL manages inventory for you, including when returns come in.
How Fulfillment Grows Your Audience
Another great benefit of working with a 3PL is that while they deal with everything else above, you can focus on improving marketing and scaling your business. It’s a win-win situation.
Expand Your Brand
Once your supplements and protein powders are doing well, it will be easy to consider expanding into other products when you’re working with a 3PL. They can help with DVDs and other multimedia, as well as books.
Marketing Engagement
3PLs can also help you find other marketing initiatives to engage with your customers; like creating those t-shirts you’ve always wanted to design or other brand swag.
Choosing Print Bind Ship for Supplement & Protein Packaging
Creating customized packaging for your health supplements and protein powders is just the beginning. Once you can get your business off the ground, a 3PL fulfillment partner like Print Ship Bind can provide you with all sorts of solutions, from printing and warehousing to fulfillment and returns.
FAQ
The most common materials for supplement packaging include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, glass jars, and flexible pouches made from materials like polyethylene or polypropylene. Each material has its own benefits in terms of protection, cost, and sustainability.
Child-resistant packaging is crucial for many supplements, especially those containing ingredients that could be harmful if ingested in large quantities. In many countries, it’s a legal requirement for certain types of supplements. Child-resistant caps or containers help prevent accidental ingestion while still allowing adults to access the product easily.
Work closely with your packaging designer and a regulatory expert to ensure all required information is included and formatted correctly. This typically involves listing ingredients, nutritional facts, warnings, and usage instructions in compliance with FDA or relevant local authority guidelines.
Yes, most custom supplement packaging suppliers like Print Bind Ship offer a range of special features. We can print boxes, labels, and packaging that includes QR codes, embossing, spot UV coating, foil stamping, and more!
Eco-friendly options include recyclable materials (like PET or HDPE plastics), biodegradable or compostable materials, and packaging made from recycled content. Some suppliers also offer refillable containers or packaging made from sustainable sources like bamboo or sugarcane.