I recently attended a big packaging trade show that Rose asked
if I'd like to report about. It was one of 6 trade shows running
concurrently at the Anaheim Convention center. There were thousands
of people all seeking new and innovative products - just like
we were.
We tried to quickly make our way to the cosmetics
and personal care section of the packaging pavilion, however,
stopped along the way to check out some really nifty label
printers. The labels were of professional quality and although
this is something you probably wouldn't consider if you're
a very small business or hobbyist, it would be great for those
who sell large quantities of product. It offers more flexibility
than having labels professionally printed too because if you
only need 50 of one specific label, you don't have to buy a
roll of 250 (or however they're priced by your print shop).
Prices were approximately $2400 for the printer and supplies
were reasonably priced. We looked at automatic labeling machines
too. What a nifty way to increase productivity! These were
priced at about $4500
Finally, we arrived at the cosmetics and personal care section
where new containers sparkled and glittered like diamonds under
the bright lights! Yes!!! Aisle by aisle, booth by booth, we
slowly made our way through looking at everything. One of my
favorite little containers was a clear, hinged cube, which
opens to reveal a heart shaped depression filled with lip balm.
These are so sweet! I'll definitely remember to bring it to
the next soap meeting. There were hinged square compacts that
looked very elegant, hinged compacts shaped like tulips, sea
shells, round containers with floral inserts and more.
We talked with vendors representing a wide variety of products
and I enjoyed renewing acquaintences and meeting potential
suppliers. Many of the vendors there supplied the big companies
with products so displays were labeled with Revlon, Mary Kay,
etc. The food packaging show had all the big guys and as we
stopped to watch a clever packaging machine at work, we learned
they made the sauce packets for Arby's. One of the vendors
had beautiful rice paper pouches which would look lovely filled
with potpourri or bath salts.
Of course, no trip anywhere is complete for me unless I get
to do what I've always called "market research". We browsed
through the shops in Downtown Disney and spent some delightful
time at Illuminations. They had some adorable chocolate candy
candles on display for Valentine's day, but were sold out.
I had so wanted to buy some to bring for show and tell at our
soap meeting. They would have made great gifts for my kids
too! They had some gorgeous candles and I had whiffed everything
until I felt sick from fragrance overload!
Next stop was at Basin, a bath shop similar to Lush. Basin
had a large display of bath bombs in sizes ranging from marbles
to softballs. You could buy singles or fill a plastic tube
with your choices. I quickly realized the store was more interactive
than most. The theme seemed to be select a container and fill
it with product. They sold single shampoo bars but you could
create your own set of 3 by filling a paper tube. Bath salts
were colored, scented and displayed in bulk bins, ready to
be packaged into the container of your choice. The same with
creating your own candles. They had colored and fragranced
wax beads you layered into your container. Their M&P soap was
done in the Primal Elements style - all sorts of shapes embedded
making unique bars.
We returned home with tons of literature and catalogs and
lots of grand new ideas. We'll be adding some of the new products
we saw, just as soon as possible.
We tried to quickly make our way to the cosmetics
and personal care section of the packaging pavilion, however,
stopped along the way to check out some really nifty label
printers. The labels were of professional quality and although
this is something you probably wouldn't consider if you're
a very small business or hobbyist, it would be great for those
who sell large quantities of product. It offers more flexibility
than having labels professionally printed too because if you
only need 50 of one specific label, you don't have to buy a
roll of 250 (or however they're priced by your print shop).
Prices were approximately $2400 for the printer and supplies
were reasonably priced. We looked at automatic labeling machines
too. What a nifty way to increase productivity! These were
priced at about $4500
Finally, we arrived at the cosmetics and personal care section
where new containers sparkled and glittered like diamonds under
the bright lights! Yes!!! Aisle by aisle, booth by booth, we
slowly made our way through looking at everything. One of my
favorite little containers was a clear, hinged cube, which
opens to reveal a heart shaped depression filled with lip balm.
These are so sweet! I'll definitely remember to bring it to
the next soap meeting. There were hinged square compacts that
looked very elegant, hinged compacts shaped like tulips, sea
shells, round containers with floral inserts and more. 
Next stop was at Basin, a bath shop similar to Lush. Basin
had a large display of bath bombs in sizes ranging from marbles
to softballs. You could buy singles or fill a plastic tube
with your choices. I quickly realized the store was more interactive
than most. The theme seemed to be select a container and fill
it with product. They sold single shampoo bars but you could
create your own set of 3 by filling a paper tube. Bath salts
were colored, scented and displayed in bulk bins, ready to
be packaged into the container of your choice. The same with
creating your own candles. They had colored and fragranced
wax beads you layered into your container. Their M&P soap was
done in the Primal Elements style - all sorts of shapes embedded
making unique bars.