By Reynaldo M. Mays

The topic of tamper-evident packaging is vast, and may include shrink sleeves, preforms, cap bands, multi-packs, shrink wrapping film and more. Whether you buy beverages, medicine or even perishable food items, there’s a good chance the package will include tamper evidence in various forms.

Retail markets are abuzz with new product deliveries daily. But before these products are available to consumers, the tamper-evident packaging must pass numerous tests. For this purpose, trial-packaging mock-ups are used to ensure that any preforms fit securely. After these trial runs, the products are shipped to their destinations — millions of retail establishments. Then, the inevitable happens: you make a purchase either impulsively or because of necessity. However, it might surprise you to discover the reasons behind your purchasing choices.

Almost two-thirds of consumer purchasing is linked to strategic merchandising, and packaging and placement are the driving forces. With respect to merchandising, coloring is everything. If you are an impulse buyer, research shows that you are attracted to orange (urgent), red (energy), blue (trust and security) or black (power and luxury) labels and packaging. These color messages are everywhere, including banks or fast food restaurants that use the color of blue, or merchant using the colors of orange or red to package or label products they need to sell quickly.

Conversely, the color green is the simplest color for your eyes to process. Green is used to slow things down and make the consumer feel relaxed during the shopping experience. Additionally, retailers commonly use the color yellow to grab attention quickly, and the color purple is used to calm or soothe consumers. Frequently, the packaging of make up or anti-aging products features purple labeling.

As is evidenced by strategic color use, product merchandising is methodical and deliberate. And while the color of packaging and placement of products is important to shoppers, the safety of said products trumps everything. It doesn’t matter if a consumer is buying dairy products, office supplies or food, each wants to believe in the integrity of the merchandise.

For manufacturers, tamper-free packaging (preforms, shrink wrapping film, etc.) is the perfect way to deliver on the promise of integrity. And while tamper-evident packaging is appealing, it is a visual cue for consumers that the manufacturer is responsible and cares about safety. On your next shopping trip, take notice of the way in which colors are used, but most importantly, make sure tamper evidence seals are intact.

Check out the leading U.S. manufacturer and importer of packaging equipment and shrink film products at Preforms and don’t forget also to visit shrink bags.