Branded Tin Packaging: The Gift That Keeps Giving

As young children, we are often more fascinated by the wrapping paper and the box than by the actual present inside and this does not change much as we get older. From the purple Milk Tray box, to the multi-coloured Quality Street chocolate tin, attractive packaging appeals to customers and can become as much a part of the brand image as the product itself. Companies therefore spend millions attempting to find an original way of packaging their products that will not only fulfill the practical need to protect what they are selling, but will also create a lasting impression.

As one of the most reliable packaging solutions, tin has long been used as a material for holding products, being beneficial in both its protective properties and its adaptable aesthetics. During the 1950s, with a substantial growth in canned food consumption, tin, which ensured the safe transportation and storage of food, became a central feature of household life.

Tin is an extraordinarily versatile packaging material, which can be adapted to serve the practical needs of the product it contains. The packaging can be both functional and attractive and can be used for a seemingly endless variety of products including food and beverages, health and beauty products, household goods, and many different types of gift.

In recent years there has been an explosion in tinplate gift packaging. Companies have realized that it is an ideal medium for the creation of original branding. This can be done using litho and screen printing to print the desired image onto the surface of the metal. Alternatively, or in conjunction with printing, the tin can be embossed. This process creates an impression or ‘indent’ into the metal. It is similar to engraving a name onto an identity bracelet, and makes the box stand out from other similar products on the shelf. In addition, a stylish edge can be given to the packaging by using silverglow tinplate.

One of the valuable features of the tinplate gift box is the long lasting impression it can make on the receiver. This is because many people use empty tins to hold items ranging from spare nuts and bolts or buttons to their most precious love-letters. Although the tin has a new function, its original use is still evident.

In a competitive world where creating the right impression means everything, having the opportunity to give your gift box an exciting and distinctive look can be serious business. This is especially true in the multimedia arena where tin has an important role to play. Special release CDs, DVDs and computer games are packaged in metal containers so that they stand out from the crowd and so that the customers know they are getting something special.

Recent CD and DVD packaging projects include the films Terminator 2, and Total Recall; while a 20 DVD James Bond collection was showcased within a single tin box. The music industry is also getting in on the act, and the popular metal band Iron Maiden celebrated their 25th Anniversary with a metal casket containing 3 CDs, a shot glass and a scroll, which won the ‘Best Promotional & Giftware’ entry in the MPMA Best-in-Metal Awards.

Metal gift boxes are a unique way to package a product and make it stand out even in a hugely competitive market. Tinplate is both functional and striking, and can be used to stamp a brand and a style onto a potentially collectable item.