Packaging Design & Development Flashcards

What design technique is used to prevent a paperboard carton from accidentally opening during distribution due to moisture absorption weakening the glue joint?

Answer: Using a lock-bottom or crash-lock base construction

Lock-bottom and crash-lock base constructions use interlocking tabs that provide mechanical retention independent of adhesive strength, improving moisture resistance.

A packaging designer is conducting a 'shelf impact study.' What is the primary objective of this study?

Answer: Evaluating how visible and distinctive the package is within the competitive retail environment

A shelf impact study assesses how well a package stands out and communicates its brand among competing products in a real or simulated retail setting.

Which concept describes the packaging's ability to communicate product benefits and brand values through tactile and visual cues alone, without text?

Answer: Silent selling

Silent selling refers to the package's capacity to attract, communicate, and persuade shoppers through design, shape, color, and texture without relying on words.

When designing a package for e-commerce fulfillment, which hazard environment is more dominant compared to traditional retail distribution?

Answer: Single-parcel drops and dynamic shock events from automated handling systems

E-commerce packages experience frequent drops and shocks from automated sortation systems and last-mile delivery, requiring enhanced cushioning and structural design.

In flexible packaging, what is the function of a 'reverse-printed' laminate structure?

Answer: Printing is applied to the inner surface of the outer film layer, protecting ink between laminate plies from abrasion and moisture

Reverse printing traps ink between laminated film layers, protecting graphics from scuffing, moisture, and chemical migration from the product.

Which analytical tool helps a packaging development team prioritize consumer needs by scoring them against technical design parameters?

Answer: Quality Function Deployment (QFD) / House of Quality

QFD translates customer requirements into engineering characteristics, allowing teams to prioritize design features that most directly satisfy consumer needs.

A package designer is tasked with improving 'on-shelf freshness perception' for a snack product. Which structural design element most effectively signals freshness to consumers?

Answer: Adding a resealable zipper closure

A resealable zipper communicates that the product stays fresh after opening, directly addressing consumer concerns about snack freshness and reducing waste.