An Explained Guide To Global Packaging Symbols and Signs
Have you ever noticed the symbols on the package you receive? Every symbol in a simple form serves a purpose and gives instructions about handling, storing, and sending. These symbols help senders or receivers understand what type of content inside the package is.
When you are shipping internationally, you must know international packaging symbols before shipping your boxes. If you are not familiar with these packaging icons. Not to worry. This blog is here to educate you about box symbolism and help you learn what packaging symbols mean.
Understanding Packaging Symbols
The packaging symbols represent the type of package and the content inside it regardless of language. The International Organization sets these symbols for Standardization (ISO) which keeps the data of all these symbols and defines their meaning.
Understanding these symbols, which are registered with ISO, helps you learn about the product placed within the packaging. They are easy to understand.
Decoding The Categories Of Packaging Symbols
The most commonly used packaging symbols you see on shipping boxes and cartons are found in four categories.
- Symbols Used For Package Protection
- Symbols To Notify Handling Packages
- Symbols To Indicate Health and Safety
- Recycling Symbols
1st Category: Symbols Used For Package Protection
The first category of packaging symbols defines package protection to avoid suspectable damage during transit.
Fragile: The symbol of a wine glass indicates the item or product inside the package is delicate and can be easily broken or shattered from unexpected shocks or sudden jerks.
Handle With Care: This sign indicates that products will not crack but will get damaged if not properly handled. So, you are advised to handle the package with care and place it gently.
Do Not Open With A Knife: This symbol provides safety instructions and warns you not to use a knife to open the package otherwise it may result in damaging the content inside.
Packing Symbols For Safe Storage
Some types of packages are very sensitive and become weaker through environmental impact like water or UV light. It is essential to give environmental protection symbols for instructions and safe storage.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Using this symbol means the sunlight can easily pass through to degrade the product quality if exposed to UV.
Keep Dry: This symbol with an umbrella and raindrop sign on the box is used to advise you to avoid direct contact with water.
2nd Category: Symbols To Notify Handling Packages
Proper handling instruction makes the transportation of the package efficient. Giving instructions is good for customers and delivery persons to handle the box carefully. Here are the packaging symbols commonly used in the handling and shipping of products.
Package Stacking
Do Not Stack: This symbol defines that the packages should not be placed on top of each other to avoid any damage to the content.
Stacking Height: This symbol indicates the maximum number of boxes that can be safely stacked on top of each other without causing damage.
Package Lifting
Many businesses give moving instructions for users to describe the lifting procedure during loading and unloading.
Requires Two People to Lift: This symbol notified that the package is heavier for one person to lift and does not recommend lifting it by yourself.
Lift Using a Trolley: This symbol signifies heavy products that are hard to carry by hand and indicates you use a trolley to carry the package.
3rd Category: Symbols To Indicate Health and Safety
Unstable and burning materials should be mentioned on the surface of the box to ensure safety. If you are shipping products compliant with health and safety standards, be sure the shipping box shows the product safety symbols on it.
Product Safety
Using safety symbols means the product and packaging have cleared the quality contrition inspection and they are good to go.
Food Safe: The food packaging symbols show that the packaging material is safe for food.
Potential Hazards
Some types of packaging contain unstable material or are susceptible to fire. You must be sure to give proper indications or safety symbols to make product handling and avoid potential damage.
Caution: This is a hazard warning symbol that indicates to be cautious. Chemicals and batteries are examples for better understanding.
Flammable: This symbol is very common to notify that a package is at high risk of flammability. Example: Products made of paper.
Fourth Category: Recycling Symbols
It is not mandatory to give recycling information but it is appreciable when you contribute to saving the environment by giving recycling symbols on the package.
Packaging Properties
Some of the common symbols used on the box are good for educating about packaging materials.
Recycle Symbol: The recycling signs on the packaging signify that the box or the packaging material is recyclable.
Tidy Man Symbol: Using this symbol means reminding you to dispose of the package after use.
Conclusion
Packaging symbols in the packaging industry help you understand what type of product or content is inside the box. You can find various icons indicating their purposes to guide users on how to handle, store, and ship the package.
You may notice more than one packaging symbol on a shipping box when you are shipping internationally.
To understand international packaging symbols on your shipping cartons and boxes, feel free to contact Custom Product Packaging. Don’t hesitate to send us a short email at orders@customproductpackaging.com even if you need stylish and durable packaging for your products. Our packaging experts are here to guide you in the best manner.
FAQs
What are the packaging symbols?
The packaging symbols are icons to convey essential information about the handling, storage, and safety of the content inside the package.
What does an umbrella on a box mean?
It indicates keeping the content dry inside the box.
What does a wine glass on a box mean?
The wine glass symbol represents fragility by indicating fragile items and hints to handle them with care.
What is the heart symbol on the packaging?
The heart symbol conveys a sense of love and care.
