Day 1: My First Day in the Packaging Workshop – Excitement and Nerves
On my first day in the packaging workshop, I quickly realized this wasn’t just about “packing”. It was about crafting high-quality, beautiful packaging that protects and elevates products. Cathy and Cindy introduced me to a range of our products:
Foldable luxury boxes (for cosmetics or jewelry)
Rigid gift boxes (sturdy for premium brands)
Hinged lid boxes (elegant for perfumes or watches)
Kraft or matte finish paper bags (eco-friendly and trendy).
My first task was to fold a luxury foldable box. Watching Cindy do it perfectly was impressive. However, when I tried, I misaligned the flaps and creased the cardboard. Cathy smiled and shared a tip: “Press the edges lightly first to guide them.”After following her advice, my next box looked much better. I learned that luxury packaging requires precision in even the smallest steps.
Weeks 1-4: Learning the Basics of Packaging and Quality Checks
Over the next few weeks, I began preparing boxes and bags for shipment. My first challenge was ensuring that the packaging was secure without damaging the contents. I placed each item in a clear sleeve and packed it with bubble wrap. At first, I wasn’t sure how much bubble wrap to use. Cathy gave me a simple rule: “Shake the box gently. If it doesn’t move, it’s perfect.” This made the process easier and helped me feel more confident in my work.
I also learned the art of photography. Capturing clear shots of our packaging—from every angle—was crucial for showcasing our work to clients. It made me feel proud to see our creations highlighted in such a polished way.
Visiting the Factory: Understanding the Full Process
To deepen my understanding, I visited the factory to see firsthand how raw materials transform into luxury packaging. The process begins with pre-production—a meeting with the client to understand their needs. From there, we select materials like thick cardboard for rigid boxes or eco-friendly kraft paper for bags. A printed sample is created for approval before mass production begins.
The production process of the base and lid gift boxes that I observed:
| Step No. | Action | Description/Details |
| 1 | Material Preparation | Production manager analyze the size and gsm of each component, and purchase greyboard and wrapping paper accordingly. |
| 2 | Printing | Wrapping paper goes through printing, varnishing or lamination, embossing, spot UV, hotfoil stamping as to each project’s specification. |
| 3 | Die Cutting & Forming | The inner wrap need to be laminated to greyboard firstly if it is required. Cut and shaped the greyboard, then wrap the greyboard with outer wrapper. Both the base and lids will be processed the same steps. |
| 4 | Quality Control | Quality inspectors are checking the quality of boxes one by one!!! |
| 5 | Packing | Tissue paper will be placed between each layer of rigid box. Special packing requirement like individual polybag, corrugated reinforcement will be used according to client’s requirement or box’s shape. |
Key Takeaways: The Art and Science of Luxury Packaging
My first month in luxury packaging taught me that it’s a perfect blend of art and science. It requires patience, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of each client’s needs. Cathy and Cindy’s guidance helped me grow from someone nervous about the work to someone confidently preparing and photographing packaging.
I’ve come to appreciate that no task in packaging is too small. Every step contributes to bringing a brand’s vision to life. I’m excited to continue learning and growing in this dynamic and ever-evolving industry.
