Packing vs Packaging: Difference and Comparison

The shipping industry has significantly grown over the past few years. With globally available services, what triumphs one product over the other is how attractive it looks.

The words packing and packaging fit into this fast-paced marketing world. People regard them as synonyms.

However, they are very different in meaning and cover.

Key Takeaways

  1. Packing is putting items into a container or wrapping them for protection or transportation. At the same time, packaging is the overall design and production of containers, labels, and wrapping materials used to present and protect products.
  2. Packing focuses on arranging and securing items for transport or storage, while packaging involves the development of visual and functional elements that improve consumer appeal and protect product integrity.
  3. Packing is a logistical task, while packaging encompasses both creative design and technical considerations.

Packing vs Packaging

The difference between packing and packaging is that packing is merely for protecting the product, whereas packaging is for both protection and endorsement.

Packing vs Packaging

Packing is the protective covering for a single product or many similar products. It may be an ordinary cardboard box without any details regarding the product.

Packaging a product is the onus of the manufacturer, who will try to make the cover as attractive as possible so that the profit is eventually maximized.


 

Comparison Table

Parameter Of ComparisonPackingPackaging
DefinitionPacking a product means enclosing it in a safe covering, so it does not get damaged during transportation.Packaging a product means enclosing it in a safe covering to prevent damage during transportation and displaying it for retail.
Primary AimPacking a product aims to render it safe for transportation to retail stores.Packaging a product aims to make it visually appealing for a potential buyer.
Displayed InformationNo product information except the reference number of the carton is displayed when packing.Cost price, manufacturer, representative images, and other information are displayed when product packaging.
Related FieldsPacking applies to the fields such as medicine, agriculture, chemistry and more.Packaging is strictly used in the marketing and advertising industry.
Companies EngagedIn packing, general transport and shipping companies are engaged. They are not bothered about the brand of the product.Packaging engages individual brands that prudently decide the look of their product.
Pin This Now to Remember It Later
Pin This

 

What is Packing?

Packing covers a product with a protective case to prevent its damage during transportation. The covering may be of plastic, cardboard, or metal.

Also Read:  Shall vs Must: Difference and Comparison

Packing a product aims to transport it safely to the retail stores. There may be many products of the same brand in cardboard packing.

The packing only contains the reference number and no other information about the product inside.

General shipping companies are hired to pack and transport the material by the manufacturer. These companies may be lending services to many brands at the same time.

Packing comes under the category of a general act too. It can be used in speech as packing luggage or a gift.

Packing
 

What is Packaging?

Packaging is designing and packing a product for sales and storage. The look of a package is crucial because it decides the visual popularity of the product.

The main aim of packaging is to attract the customer. Protection is a secondary aim in this case.

Packaging includes many types, such as anti-corrosive, pharma, plastic, and flexible. These types are chosen according to different fields that use packaging.

The package for a product contains essential information such as the product’s name, details of manufacture, price, et cetera. Marketing companies mainly design logos and other visuals for the product.

A recent finding suggests that the share in packaging for Asia, North America, and Western Europe is 36%, 23%,  and 22%, respectively.

Packaging

Main Differences Between Packing and Packaging

Packing and packaging sound and are similar in some aspects. They, however, have subtle differences. These are :

  1. Packing is used to transport several products of the same brand together. On the other hand, packaging provides safety to a single product only.
  2. The main aim of packing is the safe transportation of the product, whereas the main objective of packaging is to make the product visually appealing to the customer.
  3. No information about the product is displayed on its packaging. On the other hand, important information, such as the product’s name, date of manufacture, and expiry date, is displayed on a product’s package.
  4. Packing is used strictly for shipping and transporting a product, whereas packaging supports the designing and handling of the product.
  5. Public companies that provide shipping services are engaged in packing. On the other hand, manufacturing, designing, and advertising companies are engaged in packaging.
Also Read:  Coo vs Coup: Difference and Comparison
Difference Between Packing and Packaging

References
  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-4557.1987.tb00859.x
  2. https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.208102
One request?

I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️

Want to save this article for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own articles box!

About Author

Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.