News

2024 Packaging Trends

Packaging has become so much more than delivering products safely to consumers. How you package your products, what materials you use and their appearance can contribute to your business’ overall success in the long run. Companies are now using different types of packaging as marketing tools to increase brand awareness and form connections with their customers.

Read More…

Custom Brownie Brittle boxes by Great Northern Packaging

Complete Guide to Packaging Food in Custom Boxes

Packaging protects your products during transportation and storage while also playing a critical role in food safety. Therefore, it’s vital to package food products correctly, following Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards to ensure they arrive at their destination in optimal condition and meet food safety requirements.

Read More…

Great Northern's qualified facility

Oshkosh and Twin Cities Plants Earn G7 Master Facility Re-Certification

Great Northern Packaging is pleased to announce that the Oshkosh and Twin Cities locations have been re-qualified as G7 Master Facilities and have both received a G7 Targeted designation for their digital and offset print presses. This qualification verifies that Great Northern’s digital and off-set presses meet G7 Targeted color specifications for grayscale colors, as well as primary and secondary colors (CMY and RGB).

Great Northern Oshkosh and Twin Cities achieved this certification by demonstrating through production of print and/or proofing, the knowledge, skill, and best practices required to effectively operate the G7 methodology in a graphic communications production environment. “I’m excited that Great Northern has again achieved the G7 Master Qualification,” said Phillip Broat, a certified G7 expert and technical color and graphics workflow analyst for Great Northern. “This allows us to maintain the efficiency and quality that our customers have come to expect.”

To learn more about Great Northern Oshkosh’s printed paperboard packaging capabilities, visit here.

Great Northern Packaging – Oshkosh Renews Their Safe Quality Food Certification

Great Northern Packaging – Oshkosh has completed its SQF audit for 2023 and is pleased to announce its renewal of the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification. This certification validates that Great Northern has robust food safety control systems effectively implemented in its manufacturing process. SQF is recognized by retailers and food service providers around the world who require a rigorous, credible food safety management system.

This year, the Oshkosh facility received its best audit score since it first attained this certification back in 2019. “The Oshkosh Team works hard all year long to make sure our facilities are kept in excellent condition”, said Galen Killam, the general manager of Great Northern Oshkosh. “Receiving a location best 97 out of 100 possible points on our audit reflects that hard work. This SQF annual re-certification allows our customers, both food and non-food, to be confident that they are receiving top quality, food-safe cartons.”

 

Halloween packaging by Great Northern Packaging

Holiday Packaging Guide

During the holiday season, most stores explode into festive colors, and we owe much of that to holiday packaging. Limited-edition packaging can add a fun, exclusive touch to your product and appeal to seasonal sentiments, like the joy of spending time with family or the excitement of special peppermint flavors. Setting up holiday packaging can offer exceptional advantages with little risk, but only if you do it right. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of this technique and how to customize packaging for the holidays.

Read More…

Consumer packaging for Medical Devices

Requirements for Medical Device Packaging

Medical devices are essential pieces of equipment necessary for completing surgeries and evaluating patient symptoms. There are strict regulations for these items, as they must be sterile and in top-functioning condition for medical professionals to use them safely. These requirements make proper packaging essential.

Read More…

Commercial packaging boxes

How to Reduce Packaging Waste

Sustainable packaging has much to offer everyone — including your consumers, your company and the planet. If your packaging is wasteful, you aren’t doing anyone any favors. Still, reducing packaging waste can be challenging. After all, you need to protect your product and accommodate marketing materials. Fortunately, you now have extensive options for efficient, sustainable packaging. Let’s take a look at how you can reduce waste in packaging and better meet your sustainability goals.

Read More…

Club store packaging for cottage cheese cups

How Is Club Store Packaging Different?

Before a product hits the shelves of a club store like Costco, Sam’s Club or BJ’s Wholesale Club, it goes through a unique journey. Club stores have specific packaging requirements, and their customers are shopping in a distinct environment. Packaging designers must keep these factors in mind as they prepare to work with club stores. Let’s explore what you need to know about designing club store packaging.

Read More…

Packaging Trends of 2023

Packaging that communicates your brand’s image, mission and products or services comes in various shapes and sizes. You’re already offering your target audience exactly what they need — now, you need to grab their attention through trending marketing strategies. Your product packaging choices can speak to your audience, making a lasting impression and promoting your brand through visual appeal.

The new year is the perfect time to revamp your brand’s packaging and get a head start on reimagining how you market your products. Trends come and go over time, so it’s essential to reevaluate what your packaging says to your consumers. Consider whether upcoming trends fit your brand’s image or spark an idea for your business’s future marketing.

Read More…

WEBINAR: Paper vs Plastic: Which Solution Is More Sustainable?

It’s no secret that consumers today are more environmentally aware than ever before, and that includes the packaging of your product. Product protection and print capabilities are important when developing a package, but what kind of effect does package sustainability have on the consumer’s purchasing decision?

Our recorded Paper or Plastic: Which Solution Is More Sustainable? webinar reviews:

  • Consumer’s impact on sustainable packaging
  • Consumer’s impact on retailer sustainability programs
  • The sustainability of paper vs plastic in each stage of the packaging life cycle

Access the Recorded Webinar

Paperboard Packaging Council

Great Northern Packaging Claims Two PPC Excellence Awards

This year marked the 79th annual North American Paperboard Packaging Competition for carton manufacturers involved in the concept, design, print, performance, and shelf appeal of paperboard packaging. Each and every year the best paperboard package designs from across North America are submitted and judged by a jury of packaging professionals, industry experts, and professors and Great Northern Packaging is pleased to announce it received two Excellence Awards!

Read More…

Great Northern Packaging – Oshkosh Earns Safe Quality Food Certification

Great Northern Packaging – Oshkosh is pleased to announce its renewal of the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Certification. This certification validates that Great Northern has robust food safety control systems effectively implemented in its manufacturing process. SQF is recognized by retailers and food service providers around the world who require a rigorous, credible food safety management system.

When the general manager of Great Northern Oshkosh, Galen Killam, was asked what the significance of this achievement means, he said, “Our team at Oshkosh has worked hard to recertify our SQF certification this year, allowing us to provide top quality, food safe folding cartons to our customers.” The Great Northern Packaging – Oshkosh facility has maintained this certification since 2019.

 

Protective Packaging Solutions foe E-Commerce

WEBINAR: PROTECTIVE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS FOR E-COMMERCE

In the e-commerce marketplace, it is not just your products you are protecting, it is also the reputation of your brand and the potential for future purchases. That is why package integrity is so important through the last mile.

Our recorded Protective Packaging Solutions for E-Commerce webinar covers:

  • E-commerce and protective packaging trends
  • Amazon’s requirements for Frustration Free Packaging
  • Best practices to ensure your package integrity

Access the Recorded Webinar

shelf-ready packaging for produce

WEBINAR: INNOVATIVE SHELF-READY PACKAGING FOR PRODUCE

With brick-and-mortar retailers requiring shelf-ready packaging in their stores and consumers paying more attention to packaging sustainability, the shelf-ready packaging market is soaring. Not only can this style of packaging benefit the retailer, but it can also benefit your brand on the shelf!

Our recorded Innovative Shelf-Ready Packaging for Produce webinar covers:

  • Trends in produce snack and shelf-ready packaging
  • Benefits for brands and retailers
  • What qualities you should consider when choosing a vendor

Access the Recorded Webinar

Great Northern Packaging "Targeted Packaging For Changing Market Needs" Insight Webinar banner with images of custom shelf-ready packaging

WEBINAR: TARGETED PACKAGING TO MEET CHANGING MARKET NEEDS

The retail landscape continues to change dramatically. Learn how you can be responsive, flexible, and adapt to changes in the marketplace from a packaging perspective. We also shared case studies that show examples of how to lower packaging costs and optimize packaging inventory.

This webinar covers:

  • Trends – The rapidly changing face of retail from shopper, consumer brands, and retailer perspectives
  • How you can be responsive, flexible, and adapt to changes in the marketplace
  • Case studies that show examples of how to lower packaging costs and optimize inventory

Access the Recorded Webinar

Beer packaging secrets

WEBINAR: BEER PACKAGING SECRETS TO GET YOUR PRODUCT TO MARKET QUICKLY

The demand for craft brews continues to rise at retail. To keep up with demand, how can you get your products to market more quickly?

We recorded our webinar which discussed what you need to know about packaging to shorten your lead time and get your products to market faster. The webinar covers:

  • Trends that are driving the need for speed to market
  • Packaging structure options that are available to you
  • Package graphic designs and things to look for in the design element

Access the Recorded Webinar

Custom beverage packaging solutions

WEBINAR: BEVERAGE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

The alcoholic beverage market is more competitive than ever due to the emergence and growth of new segments. That is why getting your product to market quickly is critical to your brands success.

Our recorded Beverage Packaging Solutions webinar covers:

  • Current trends that are affecting the alcoholic beverage market
  • How to choose the package structure that is right for your timeline
  • Package graphic design and printing options that are available to you
  • What qualities you should consider when choosing a vendor

Access the Recorded Webinar

Great Expectations

Great Expectations is more than a tagline, it is an attitude. At Great Northern, customer challenges are met by an undying spirit to doing what others can’t or won’t. It’s in our DNA. And it is what our customers have come to expect with Great Northern.

How can we exceed your expectations?