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Are you setting up a small business, work for one or own one? Use this checklist to make sure you have all the packaging you need when your orders go out the door.

TL;DR Summary Ordering boxes is the easy part. It's everything that goes with them that catches small businesses out. From the tape that keeps your parcels sealed to the void fill that stops your products rattling around in transit, the extras matter just as much as the box itself. Here’s a summary of five essential packaging items to order with your boxes. You’ve found the right b...

TL;DR Summary Packaging prices in 2026 are going up because oil prices are changing, fuel is more expensive and there is pressure on plastic supplies. Since plastics and transport cost more, packaging costs are rising too. The best way to deal with this is to use less material, improve packaging design and work more efficiently to save money and reduce environmental impact. Packagi...

TL;DR If you want to improve productivity, cut waste and control costs in 2026, packaging automation could be the answer.  Entry-level automation offers quick wins with low investment.  Mid-level automation boosts speed and flexibility as you grow.  High-level automation delivers fully integrated, high-speed packing lines.  As costs rise a...

In today’s fast-paced supply chain environment, warehouse operations are under constant pressure to do more with less. Rising order volumes, labour shortages and the ongoing need to improve operational efficiency are prompting many businesses to reassess how they pack and dispatch goods. Packaging automation is becoming a strategic investment — but how do you measure its true return? In thi...

As 2026 approaches, packaging continues to evolve under the influence of new regulation, sustainability goals and changing customer expectations. To help businesses prepare, Macfarlane Packaging’s specialist team experts share their perspectives on the trends that will shape the future of packaging in the year ahead. So, what packaging trends can you expect to see in 2026? In this artic...

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is reshaping the way businesses think about their packaging. As brand owners and distributors, you are now more accountable for the environmental impact of the packaging you place on the market. This means your packaging choices - from design to material make-up - directly influence the financial contributions your business will need to make under the new...

If your business uses packaging, you may have heard the terms RAM and EPR banded about this year – but what do they mean? RAM stands for Recycling Assessment Methodology and EPR is shorthand for Extended Producer Responsibility. The latter is key legislation that will have significant impact on businesses using packaging and putting it on to the UK market. With the first round of EPR lev...

While packaging is often viewed as a business consumable, custom packaging can be a great marketing tool to showcase your brand, your values and key messages… Effectively leveraging marketing channels can help a business generate sales and leads. In this day and age, many businesses focus on digital channels – like web, SEO, PPC and social media. And while online marketing strategies do a l...

As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations continue to roll out across the UK, businesses face increasing scrutiny—not just on what they produce, but how it’s packaged. EPR shifts the financial responsibility for packaging waste from local authorities to producers, meaning packaging choices now directly impact your bottom line. For businesses shipping products nationwide and beyo...