When designing your product, the choice of packaging is amongst the most important decisions that you’ll make.
What’s more, getting it right first time is far more cost effective than returning to the drawing board. There are lots of things to consider, not least whether you opt for Tamper-proof or tamper-evident packaging – but what is the difference between the two?
What is tamper-evident packaging?
Tamper-evident packaging is designed so that it is obvious to anyone if the product has been tampered with or compromised at any point, from production to final use. These labels are most often associated with protecting food and pharmaceutical products.
Tamper-evident packaging does not necessarily prevent tampering but does show when it has occurred.
Essentially, it includes one or more barriers or indicators which leave visual evidence in case of interference. Your product must have a visible seal, a visible description of how it works or what to look for to verify if tampering has occurred.
You likely come across tamper-evident packaging everyday – with products from mouth wash to salad dressing, herbs to medicine. A tamper-evident shrink band is an excellent option for products that have a lid or cap, for example to secure ice-cream lids.
Main advantages of tamper-evident packaging
Tamper-evident packaging is a sure-fire way to increase consumer trust.
The end-user can rest assured that the product has stayed sealed and protected when they come to use it. This takes on particular importance when thinking of use with food, medicine, and other pharmaceutical products. These visible sealing labels increase consumer confidence when it comes to purchasing (and repurchasing!) products and can strengthen a company’s reputation.
Tamper-evident seals also open the way for a better end-user experience; if done right your product should be protected, but not impenetrable! PDC Europe are on hand to help you design a secure and consumer-friendly product.
Our PDC shrink sleeve applicators can integrate tamper-evident neck seals, making product design & security a one-stop-shop.
What’s more, PDC tamper-evident neck banding equipment can be paired with Inspection/Rejection Systems, which inspect for the presence and correct position of heat shrinkable tamper-evident bands and shrink sleeves. These smart systems gently divert non-conforming packages from conveyors, ensuring product and brand integrity.
What is tamper-proof packaging?
Tamper-proof packaging is purposely designed to make it difficult to get into.
In short, tamper-proof packaging is a deterrent against tampering, although an interference wouldn’t necessarily leave any visual evidence. For example, a tamper-proof child-lock lid, or a sticker or label over the top of a cap, can be removed carefully and reapplied with no visual evidence of tampering.
Tamper-proof can be used during shipping, to prevent a box being opened during transit, for example, and on the individual final product units.
Main advantages of tamper-proof packaging
Tamper-proof packaging can be used throughout the manufacturing of a product, facilitating increased quality control and product security. It goes without saying that a company needs to avoid tampered products at all costs to protect their reputation, and tamper-proof packaging can help ensure that high-quality products reach consumers. As with tamper-evident packaging, this can increase customer loyalty and trust.
By reducing the risk of damaged goods or theft and making quality control at every step of a product’s lifecycle easier to manage, it can have positive financial implications through the elimination of some risk.
Tamper-proof packaging can be achieved with PDC’s shrink or stretch sleeve applicators. Our machines can easily integrate and apply your choices. Stretch and shrink wrap can help bundle products to stabilise them for shipping and holding pallets together or provide security to individual product units.
So, what’s the verdict?
Certain industries have strict packaging regulations and requirements, but to go the extra mile to ensure the integrity of your products and reap the advantages, it could be worth combine both tamper-evident and tamper-proof features to your packaging.
When it comes to anti-tamper packaging, a layer of shrink film works for almost any product, from foods to toys, cosmetics, and other consumer goods, but sometimes stretch film could be a more appropriate choice.
The way we protect products is evolving all the time. Technology is continually advancing, and the world of packaging is no exception. Nowadays, there are an increasing number of options for protecting your products using tamper-evident packaging. It is possible to embed holographic seals, 2D or UV codes into the label to thwart counterfeits. This is particularly significant for companies that prioritise preventing products from being split up and sold individually.
At PDC Europe, we work continuously to stay ahead of these innovations and integrate them into our sleeve applicator machines, ensuring our clients’ products get the protection that they deserve.
To find out more about our machines, about tamper evidence, or to discuss how we can help you get the packaging most suited for your products, get in touch by emailing sales@pdceurope.com. Our expert team can advise you on the right choices for your business.