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For those who do not know, the action figure market is a big chunk of toys globally. According to an estimated stats it is valued anywhere around 12.8 billion dollars. So, packaging is one of the most important parts that can bring a huge chunk of that market to your plate when used right. That is why this blog is going to help you learn the ins and outs of vintage action figures and how it can have an impact on your toy business. Dive deep with us, and get a glimpse into what the action figure packaging can bring into your pocket.
The Psychology Behind the Boxes
Keep these points in mind when getting such boxes:
- The most important factor for such packaging is the nostalgia you deliver to the customers who are purchasing these action figures.
- On a deeper level understand that the sensory feel like the texture and the smell alongside the visual pattern they see in these boxes triggers a memory from childhood.
- For this purpose, printing must have CMYK, which would make sure to give an organic and rich tone to the box.
- At the same time, you must avoid digital production, as it would not deliver the same nostalgic feel for the customers who are purchasing them.
- Also, there is a problem with modern Spot UV coatings, as they are cheap and dry instantly, which makes the packaging have a feeling of being mass-produced, which would never work for such an audience.
- Apart from that, regular white borders around the dark edges of the box art would deliver a perfect stimulation, creating a feeling of the ink being rubbed off against the box. This is a perfect way to create that nostalgic feel that the customers would love to have in these boxes.
Material Science Behind the Boxes
There is complete materials science behind these kinds of boxes. Here are some points about that:
- One of the most important aspects is the thickness of the boxes. First off, consider that you need to have at least 24 PT to 30PT solid bleach sulfate paperboard.
- Apart from that, you must have an SBS virgin bleached wood pulp with which you get a perfect armor-like quality that the collectors would demand.
- At the same time, you also get a perfect lithographic artwork printed on these colour boxes, as you will not have to worry about losing the vibrancy as well.
- Also, a perfect grain direction pointing horizontally is the best option to make sure the packaging has a perfect tension-bridge to avoid problems that can happen due to humidity.
- Then an archival-grade material makes sure you can protect the product while also making sure that you extract from Polyethylene Terephthalate or PET. What you get with this is that the PET does not get any yellowing, as they are highly resistant to this problem.
How to Seal Your Action Figure Boxes?
When it comes to sealing and action figure packaging, this process is called heat sealing; it’s quite different in comparison to regular processes. So, you need to use precise heat instead of any intense pressure, alongside a specialized coating, to make sure the plastic bubble is fused into the cardboard back. Some important points that come into play here include the temperature, which has to be anywhere between 135 to 165 centigrade.
Alongside that, keep an eye on the dwell time, which is the amount of time the heated plate stays pressed down. So, it has to be 1 and a half to three seconds. Apart from that, the need for perfect pressure is also essential, as the plastic figure needs to be forced completely flat against the card back to get rid of any air gaps where there could be any chances of lifting.
Using the Right Aesthetic Triggers
Vintage packaging comes from offset lithography, where the process has ink transferred to the metal plate. In this, what you get is a rich and organic look with microscopic variations when it comes to the artwork. What happens these days is that digital printing drops ink onto the surface of the paper to create a perfect result, which is not what you are looking for.
Alongside that, the use of matte and soft-touch varnish would get rid of harsh plastic glare and give a perfect organic feel. Use spot UV on portions like the action figure name and the brand logo that would give contrast between the flat and matte background.
Avoiding Acid And Lignin Issues
Lignin is an unnatural growth like a polymer that is found in wood fibers, and what happens with it is that it can create acidic compounds, making the paper board look brown, yellow, and brittle. For instance, if you touch a newspaper or a toy box that is quite old, you can see the results of lignin oxidation in it. The acid would accelerate the decay of the boxes as the paper fiber would lose its structural integrity. What happens in return is that it would completely destroy the ability of entities like AFA to have grading.
Getting rid of this problem is a buffer for longevity with the help of an alkaline agent. What these kinds of agents do is to offer chemical shock absorption to get rid of acidic gases. These gases might come into existence from the environment of the toys themselves, as time passes. Use decade-proof grading to make sure the gem mint score gets the structural perfection they require. So, by making sure that you use acid-free materials, you give perfect tensile strength and bright white aesthetics to the cardboard that lasts for a long time.
You can also use it in your marketing by making sure that you talk about archival-grade packaging, which makes you feel like you are selling a legacy and not just products. This means that your products will be shelf-ready for the next generation of collectors, while you will be working in a market where scarcity is the main currency.
Get Help From Silver Edge Packaging
For vintage action figure sellers, the best help would be the use of a professional packaging provider like Silver Edge Packaging. We not only offer the best packaging but also deliver it up to par while offering a 30% discount on bulk orders and 100% free delivery. Apart from that, you also get an 8 to 12 working-day delivery to your doorstep, which makes your Business operations simple. So, get your quotes today and begin your business journey with a new zeal and zest.
Conclusion
Packaging presents the whole brand, and that is why enabling your brand with the right presentation is already winning the game. The better your packaging looks, the better results you can have. Better value comes with better value perception, and that is where packaging plays a crucial role. Utilize the best packaging partners, as they can lift your game and take your brand and products far if you want to gain better profit margins. Silver Edge Packaging allows you success with complete access to branding and protection qualities that make your cardboard boxes and, hence, the products the attraction they deserve.
