Packaging Requirements for Cigars and Cigarillos

Packaging Requirements for Cigars and Cigarillos

The basic rules of good packaging design exist whether you are discussing packaging for cigars or baby products. You need to strike a balance between protecting your product from damage, displaying it attractively and making it easy for the consumer to access the product after purchase.

As cigar manufacturers will tell you, cigar and cigarillo packaging includes an added dimension because of the various warning label requirements for different regions.

Packing the Product

A broad range of cigars will be sealed individually in cellophane to protect the cigar from both moisture damage and from drying out too much. Another way to safely package individual cigars and cigarillos is to use metal or plastic tubes - in some cases shock resistant glass is even used! Some bulk packs of cigars are boxed in wood or cardboard without any wrapping-per-item. Cedar is commonly used both to build cigar boxes and as inserts into cigar tubes because it's unique properties. Cedar both draws out excess moisture and prevents the cigar from drying out. Add to this the fact that it repels cigar beetles and encourages the maturing process of the cigar.

It is also an option for suppliers to source cigars from the cigar manufacturers by purchasing bundles of 10 to 50 cigars or cigarillos wrapped in cellophane, paper or both. This allows the supplier to package the items locally and works well for companies that who are confident in terms of packaging the items. Generally speaking, the most cost effective way for a cigar supplier to source stock is to choose a manufacturer who provides a product which is ready to ship and sell at a reasonable price.

Cigar Labels, Branding and Tobacco Warnings

The branding aspects of cigars have been in development since the 1840's when colourful lithographic labels first came into use. Since then the need for brand differentiation has created hundreds of permutations of cigar labels both memorable and unremarkable. Some cigar manufacturers will allow be able to produce smaller bundles or packages for suppliers to test the success of various combinations of packaging, price and flavour. The results of such tests can be quite handy for decision makers when it comes to settling on new products.

A more recent development is that of the almost worldwide standard tobacco warning labels. These additional labels will have different legal design, language, size and placement requirements depending on the region that the cigars or cigarillo's are intended to be sold in. While the messages may vary the general goal is to educate the public on the harmful effects of smoking. Marketing tobacco products provides a unique challenge in this respect.

In the EU warning labels in member states must be displayed in all the official languages of the country. Apart from these bold black-on-white labels the EU also requires contents such as nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar to be displayed on the outer package.

Although the US and Canada started the trend of applying warning labels on Cigarettes, such labels were not required on cigars until 2000. Up until 2010 the prominence of such labels was lower than its European counterparts with clever use of colour and typeface to 'blend' such warnings into the packaging.

With such a wide range of choices and legal requirement is it wise to consult a cigar packaging expert before finalising your requirement with the manufacture.

POST COMMENT

Aging Across The Ages The Latest Trends in Packaging Boxes and Cheap Stickers Taste Loss and Aging Five Emerging Types of Sustainable Packaging Companies Turn Back the Clock on Your Dog's Aging! Anti aging:prevention Natural Anti-Aging: Top 9 Ways Of Looking Younger Shrink Wrap Packaging Sydney Diagnostic Imaging and Coupling Gel How to Clean a Leather Wallet Without Damaging It? Managing A Corporation Effectively Managing Your Doubts When Getting Your Work Published Engaging the Newsletter Readers