In business, “branding” has become the new buzz word. Now, many may read that and, correctly, point out that this “new” buzz is anything but. The concept of branding is only a day younger than the concept of marketing, after all. But thanks to new tools and technology—social media, in particular—many companies are rushing out, trying their hardest to create the newest trends and tweets and blogs to get their marketing message across while forgetting about the fundamentals of branding and what it really means.

Branding, as one expert suggests, isn’t restricted to a company’s logo or its appearance online. Instead, a brand encompasses everything about that company: the aesthetics of the logo, the emotions its product inspires, the appeal those products have to the world at large. Everything a company does affects its brand.

Though it may not seem like it, something as simple as a bag can speak volumes about a company and the philosophy that company represents. Retail packaging plays a major role in this–that’s why you won’t find jewelry store customers carrying their purchases home in t-shirt bags.

The tricky thing about using retail packaging is that it’s such a practical need, that many people don’t consider how it reflects upon the retailer. This can serve a company to its advantage, if done right. Here are a few tips to remember when trying to find the best retail packaging support your brand:

- Know Yourself: Who are you, and how are your products/serviced perceived? Are you known for classing things up? Maybe you’re known for staying green? Your retail packaging is going to be one of the main outlets for reinforcing that perception.

- Know the Customer: Do they look for value? Do they look for luxury? The right bags and boxes can go a long way in helping them tell others what they, as consumers, believe in.

- Know the Experience: The most important thing to remember with branding is that you’re not selling just the products or services; you’re selling a sleek, customized experience that patrons take home with them (and hopefully re-use to carry your brand even further). They take this experience home in the packaging you provide—make sure the packaging is as memorable as the experience!

What do you think? Any lessons you’ve learned about branding that you’d be willing to share?

Bags, bags, bags! Create the packaging look your store deserves with custom printed bags from S. Walter Packaging. The most trusted name in retail packaging, S. Walter stocks a wide variety of plastic and paper shopping bags. Our on-site print shop is ready to take your custom orders. Our shipping times are fast and reliable.

For the best-looking shopping bags with the best service, choose S. Walter Packaging.

It’s easy to put together a coordinated packaging program with a range of blue bows and ribbons, or silver shoppers and gift wrap, or deep red gift boxes with matching tissue, or zebra print packaging . . . Zebra? Yes: zebra.

At S. Walter Packaging, we carry a full line of bags, tissue, curling ribbon, and gift wrap, all with stylish zebra print designs. Unleash your animal side and delight your playful side with these safari-rific packaging products.

Start off with out our Zebra Frosty Collection of plastic shopping bags —  a packaging that’s sure stand out in the herd. Each Frosty Zebra Trifold Bag has two sturdy and comfortable trifold handles and strong bottom boards. These bags can be Hot Stamped and look great with our recommended metallic foil.

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How the Zebra Got Its Stripes: An Old African Folk Tale

Long ago, when animals were still new on earth, the weather was very hot, and what little water there was remained in small pools. One of these was guarded by a proud old baboon.

“I am the lord of the water,” said the baboon, when another animal would come to drink at his pool. “You may not drink from my water.”

One day, a zebra  came down to the pool to have a drink. The baboon, who was sitting by his fire, jumped up. “Go away, intruder,” he barked. “I am the lord of the water and this is my pool. You may not drink.”

“The water is for everyone, not just for you, monkey-face,” shouted back the zebra.

“Oh yes?” laughed baboon. “If you want it, you must fight for it.”

The baboon rushed toward the zebra, and in a moment the two were locked in combat. Back and forth they went, until with a mighty kick, the zebra sent the baboon flying high into the rocks of the cliff behind them. The baboon landed with a smack on his seat, and to this day he carries the bare patch where he landed.

Dazed from the strong punches of his defeated opponent, the zebra staggered back into the baboon’s fire, which scorched him, leaving stripes across his white fur. The shock sent the zebra galloping away to the plains, where he has stayed ever since. The baboon and his family, however, remain high up among the rocks where they bark defiance at all strangers, and hold up their tails to ease the smarting of their bald patches.

Here at S. Walter Packaging’s headquarters in Philadelphia, winter’s cold is slowly giving way to spring. A time of flowers, wildlife, and warmth is approaching. With it comes our new Spring Packaging Collection, a themed collection of high-quality retail packaging in bright but subdued hues of green, blue and other springtime colors.

“Rethinking your packaging several times a year has a proven effect on store sales,” says Marina Kogan, a former clothing company owner now working for S. Walter. Store decorations and window displays change regularly, reflecting customer moods as seasons change. “It makes sense to have packaging which reflects the changing season, too,” continues Kogan.

S. Walter offers several themed packaging collections. Our Holiday Packaging Collection reflects Christmas season colors and has themed gift wrap and other seasonal items; our Valentine’s Packaging Collection has reds, pinks, and heart-emblazoned bags, boxes, and other packaging essentials; and our Fall Packaging Collection compiles the finest autumnal products from our catalog.

The Spring Packaging Collection is the perfect place to plan for your vernal event or retail look. We’ve collected our best springtime paper bags, plastic bags, reusable bags, boxes, retail accessories, and wrap & tissue into one place, making it a cinch to put together a cool packaging ensemble for the spring. Plus, our section of closeout spring packaging helps get into the spring without breaking the bank.

Throughout the Spring Packaging Collection, you’ll find colors that are bright but not gaudy, subdued but not boring. The pick of the collection might be the JellyBag^™. These stylish plastic bags are a truly an unique packaging look. Created from ultra-glossy heavyweight polypropylene film, these stylish shopping bags feature comfortable folded loop handles and a cardboard reinforced bottom insert. Available in Mint, Turquoise, Lavender, and other vernal colors. Some sizes and colors also available at closeout price.

This is just one of many great products in this seasonal collection. Check it out today! Fresh packaging makes better branding, so let your retail packaging bloom with our Spring Collection.

You’ll fall in love with our Valentine’s Day collection — quality retail packaging at unbeatable prices.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, a time for retailers to push products in the otherwise dreary months of winter. Get your customers in the romantic mood and send them home glowing with stylish V-Day packaging from S. Walter. We have organized our catalog into an easy-to-browse collection of themed bags, boxes, wrap & tissue, accessories, and more.

All these items come in attractive reds or pinks, some with romantic themed imagery already printed. Our Valentine’s themed bags are divided into three groups of carriers: paper bags, plastic bags, and reusable bags. Each contains dozens of resplendent items, ideal for communicating a romantic spirit.

It’s easy to match these stylish bags with suitable gift boxes, apparel boxes, and of course jewelry boxes. Then top off the collection with a Valentine’s gift bow, some heart-filled gift wrap, or Valentine’s tissue paper.

Plus, we offer a selection of cut-price Valentine’s closeout items at prices up to 60% off! Put together a Valentine’s Day look with select bags, bows, and boxes at amazingly low prices.

For a limited time, take 10% off any items in our Valentine’s Day collection when you spend $150 or more. Use coupon code E11V in checkout by January 30, 2011, to take advantage of this special offer.

This coupon applies to regular price, in-stock Valentine’s Day retail items only while supplies last and does not apply to any sale or closeout items. Coupon may not be combined with any other offer and must be used by January 30, 2011.

It’s just around the corner, the special date in lover’s hearts: February 14th, Valentine’s Day. The annual holiday is firmly established as a time to express romantic appreciation and more platonic love to those around us. Almost everyone does some sort of retail shopping in the weeks before the date, purchasing flowers, jewelry, and other gifts.

As customers think about Valentine’s Day shopping, it makes sense for businesses to gear their store appearance to the upcoming holiday, creating a marketing opportunity and a natural affinity with their shoppers. To help stores accomplish this, S. Walter Packaging offers a full range of themed Valentine’s Day packaging.

We’ve arranged our Valentine’s-suitable packaging into a easy to navigate section of our website, under “Valentine’s Collection” (click to visit). Browse to find the best in high-quality retail packaging in reds, pinks, and whites perfect for romantic purchases. The selection includes stylish bags like the high-gloss paper shopper in bright red. With dozens of styles of attractive paper bags, plastic bags, and reusable bags from which to chose, you’re sure to find the right Valentine’s look for your store.

There’s also a variety of red and white Valentine’s gift boxes in high gloss styles. These are ideal for dressing up with ribbons and bows from the collection’s page of retail accessories. Items like the 2¾” Star Bow in splendorette red are ideal for dressing up Valentine’s packages.

Best of all, the cost-conscious will find a variety of great Valentine’s packaging at low low prices in our holiday closeout section.

A Little About Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is named after an early Christian martyr of the Roman period (or perhaps two or more saints named Valentine). Saint Valentine’s feast day of February 14th became associated with romantic love by the early middle ages, with legends built up around the saint’s sacrifices in the name of love. By the nineteenth century, Valentine’s Day was firmly established as a romantic holiday, with fancy Valentine cards, lace, and ribbon already part of the annual custom. Today, almost 200 million Valentine cards are exchanged in the United States alone!

Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
—Ophelia in Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5 by William Shakespeare

It’s that time again! The new S.Walter Packaging Resource Guide will be showing up in your mailbox in the next 7-10 days. This year’s redesigned catalog is loaded with information to help you customize your packaging using our coordinated styles. There are thousands of products, value priced and ready to be custom printed, with information on print capabilities and imprint areas listed for each product.

Whether you need paper shoppers, plastic soft-loop bags, kraft gift boxes, splendorette ribbon or custom labels, this catalog has got you covered. Now with more eco packaging options, more “green” info, more themed product collections, more coordinating ideas and tips, and many new products and food service choices. Also make sure to check out the great deals in the new inventory reduction section, where hundreds of everyday products are available at closeout prices.

Can’t wait for the mail to arrive? Don’t despair. See the new packaging product catalog online today (follow link) or browse our website to see all our product choices at the same competitive prices.

Also available now: check out our new online Bag Builder, which allows you to customize your bag in 8 easy steps from the comfort of your own office.

To request your own copy (or more copies) of the S.Walter Packaging 2010/2011 Packaging Resource Guide or for more information on any of the products or features we offer, contact S.Walter today in one of three ways:

1. Email swalter@swalter.com with your name and address

2. Call 1.800.523.8888

3. Visit www.swalter.com

Here at S. Walter Packaging, we believe Fresh Packaging is Better Branding.

This season, Fresh’n Up Your Packaging with the Spring Stock Collection at SW!

In this collection you will find many of our favorites in the beautiful shades and designs of spring! Check out the popular Kaleidoscope Shopping Bags in 4 colorful patterns and 3 standard sizes. One of the four patterns is the Botanical Lattice pattern, which is perfect for this time of year with its green design printed on white kraft and natural handles. These bags are also part of our “Bag It! Box It. Green” Program, as they contain up to 50% recycled fibers.

Another great Spring Collection item is the Satin Wrap Color Medley Mix.

This Satin wrap designer color tissue will brighten any packaging display. It is available in a variety of solid color options, is made of up to 100% recycled fibers, and combines perfectly with gift bags and boxes from S. Walter.