PLATFORMS MORE INFO
Platforms provide a visually pleasing product presentation.
A platform is a single or multi-cavity tray that can hold various products.
It is used as an insert in a corrugated cardboard box.
The platform keeps the product secure in shipping and handling and can provide a convenient reusable container for the consumer.
Any product can be placed in a platform tray and a carton, however, this setup is normally used for consumer products sold at retail stores or by mail order companies. Typical products found in platform trays are cosmetics that are packaged in tubes or bottles. Glasses, bottles of liquor, gift sets, and computer components, like a mouse or an accessory PC board, are also found in platform trays.
Options
There are many options for a platform design. The carton can have a printed outside surface or a printed outside surface and a glassine, or cellophane, window which allows the consumer to view the product without opening the package. Occasionally, the outer carton is plain white or natural chipboard. It is placed in an outer corrugated carton to facilitate parcel shipping.
The tray can be straightforward - a four-walled cavity with an open top - or complex – a double-walled male/female cavity with tight fitting, contoured cavities matching the product’s shape
Tunnel cuts are made in the tray to provide a tight fit. By cutting out the corners of the tray, the platform sits properly in the carton despite variations in the size of either part. Standoffs or lugs can also be added. Posts are another feature that can ensure a snug fit.
Identification
Hot stamping and other methods of identification are available. These techniques are used to display the company logo on the tray or to identify various parts within each internal cavity. Single or double platforms can be produced to suit many different needs by using this technology.
Materials
The plastics, or polymers, used to make the platform trays are colored or clear depending on the design of the product and the company selling the product. HIPS, PVC, PET, and HDPE are the most widely used materials in a platform tray. Flocked, or felt-like, materials are commonly used as well. Flocked materials give the platform a soft feel and a quality high-end appearance. Typically watches, jewelry, and some cosmetics are packaged in these flocked platforms. A jewelry box can be used to hold the platform instead of a corrugated carton for superior presentation.
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