Do you own a patisserie that sells scrumptious pastries, muffins, croissants, and a variety of other delectable savory desserts?
New or not, people find a certain solace in pastry shops, so if you are having or thinking of having one, just go for it.
Get your list ready, pastry ingredients, furniture to suit the ambiance, and most importantly, delivery.
Speaking of delivery, do you perhaps find yourself in a pickle on how to package cakes?
Allow us to warmly present you with a comprehensive guide that will explain everything you need to know about cake packaging ideas and where to discover the best package manufacturer by the conclusion.
Elements to Consider
The art of elegant packaging relies on the patissier’s choice of packaging and the size, condition, and temperature requirements of the cake to ensure that the cake remains fresh and appetizing while garnering contentment from satisfied patrons.
When it comes to choosing the proper cake package, there are a few elements that every baker should consider:
Cake Types
Serving the ordered pastries like macarons, cakes, muffins, croissants, and many other varieties in the same mundane-looking rectangle box is certainly not a good marketing approach. Not only is the packaging boring it also lessens the sincerity of the bakery.
Depending on the cake variety and the occasion for which it is ordered, you can choose from several packing options.
Here are some of the popular packaging varieties for cakes:
- Cake boxes with windows are ideal for decorative cakes ordered for a special occasion such as an anniversary or a celebration.
- Cake boxes with handles are great for smaller portions of pastries or muffins because they are lighter and easier to transport.
- Corrugated cake boxes are great for transporting two or three-tiered cakes rather heavy.
Related Post: How Can Custom Cake Boxes Elevate Your Bakery?
Size of the Cake and Container
In terms of size, the box should be compact enough to accommodate the pastry. Not too big or too tight, the box should exactly fit and be modest sufficient to hold the cakes.
By mentioning the dimensions of the types of cakes, you usually make and the variety of the manufacturer, you can design the right container size, which fits the cake and fits the size of the cake and is easy to carry.
Related Post: Maximizing Presentation: A Guide to Cake Box Sizes
Temperature
A perfect box would be compact enough to fit the cake inside and convenient to transport, and one that can preserve the cake’s zesty aroma and flavor.
To retain the appropriate temperature of the cake, the type of material plays an important role.
Usually, corrugated boxes are the ideal cake shipping packaging choices for almost every variety of cakes.
Why?
Corrugated cartons maintain the proper temperature for preserving the cake’s freshness, and its composition ensures that excess moisture does not degrade the quality of the cakes and icings.
Delivery Period
Pastry shops have a different vibe to them. Once a customer likes your pastries, they surely would want more and become your regular customers and even recommend your shop to their circle.
When your pastry shop becomes well-known, you must be prepared to receive orders from the local community and distant cities.
This is why it is also essential to choose the kind of packaging that preserves the freshness of the pastry and is suitable for remote delivery locations. When your customer opens the packaging, they are met with a fresh, baked aroma and taste.
Here are some tips you should look out for when delivering cakes long distances:
- The cakes should be placed on a non-slip mat to ensure that they stay in place throughout transportation.
- If the distance is excessively long, avoid using a soft filling. If it’s not possible to prevent it, freezing your cake ahead of time will preserve its freshness and prevent the icing from melting.
- We recommend utilizing pillars to keep multiple-tier cakes in one place because they are more likely to collapse even in the slightest movement.
Materials to Keep the Temperature Down
The appearance and size of the packaging matter to appear appealing and captivating to the buyer. The type of material of the packaging ensures the quality of the cakes and pastries.
Since cakes, unlike other food varieties, cakes are pretty delicate. Even the slightest variation in the temperature can result in a significant loss of taste and flavor, so it is essential to pay attention to the type of materials used in the packaging.
Typically, most package manufacturers will prefer FDA-approved materials to maintain moisture and freshness within the box.
Here are some packaging materials that are commonly used for cake packaging boxes and bags if you need some inspiration:
Styrofoam (for Boxes)
Styrofoam boxes have a minimalistic design and are usually suited for petite-sized pastries like muffins and cake slices.
Unlike corrugated boxes and other types of packaging, they are not typically used for long-distance deliveries or large cakes. As a result, it’s best for cakes that will be consumed the same day.
For a limited period, Styrofoam packaging preserves the quality and freshness of the cakes. As simple and inexpensive as they are, these boxes are usually only used once and can quickly break if not handled properly.
Dry Ice
Long-distance cake deliveries mean your brand has reached faraway places, and your patisserie is on its way to achieving fame. However, long-distance deliveries are not that easy.
Since the cake has to go through a long-distance, bakers must pay more attention to packing the cake so that the cake is tasty and safe to consume when it reaches its destination.
Most bakers consider dry ice one of the best coolant options for ensuring the quality and temperature of their cakes during long-distance delivery.
When choosing a package, make sure it has enough room to accommodate a few packs of dry ice packets to keep the pastry’s temperature stable.
Ice Pack
Ice packs, or gel ice packs, are one of the most common materials used in the packaging of iced delicacies, particularly cakes.
Ice cream cakes and cheesecakes must generally be kept at a specific temperature to ensure that the taste and quality of the pastry do not deteriorate.
The gel ice packs are usually small, so 3-4 of them will suffice to keep the temperature of the cakes consistent.
Aside from the mentioned ones, here are some other packaging materials bakers can use to retain the quality and temperature of the pastries:
- Metalized Films
The moisture or heat of the cakes is trapped by metalized films, which keeps the temperature consistent for longer.
- Polypropylene Films
If you’re seeking a material that won’t let air in contact with the confections within, Polypropylene Films are the finest option. Polypropylene Films are generally used for smaller pastry varieties and to separate different types of cakes with in the same box.
- Brown paper
Brown paper is another popular and affordable option for cake wrapping. Brown papers are better suitable for creamless cake or bread varieties, as they keep the bread crisp and true in flavor.
Common Packaging for Cake
Scrumptious cakes deserve beautiful packaging. Most package manufacturers usually recommend a popular design to their customers and allow for customization.
There are a plethora of designs to choose from for your packaging.
To give you an idea, here is a list of some popular and attractive packaging options that many bakers use to entice their customers:
Aluminum Foil Bag
The aluminum foil bags are usually ziplock bags to prevent air from entering the package and compromising the food’s quality inside.
Aluminum foil bags, commonly used for cookies and chocolates, can keep food fresh for an extended period.
Paper Box with window
Paper boxes with windows are ideal if you seek a more aesthetic packing option.
These types of packaging reveal to the buyer not only what’s inside but also the decoration, design, and quality of your pastries. Cakes such as donuts, cheesecakes, muffins, and other decorative cakes are usually the cake variety that goes along with window boxes.
These cakes are also ideal for distribution over great distances. If you’re looking for a gift or delivery package, window paper boxes are a good option.
Paper Gable Box
The paper gable box, another type of elegant packaging box on our list, gives off a charming and ambient vibe.
Are you wondering how to package cakes for delivery?
Planning to pack an assortment of pastry slices?
Arrange them all in a cute paper gable box and hand them over to your customer, who will find them cute and easy to carry in one hand.
Paper gable boxes are also the best packing options for muffins and macarons.
More Tips for Cake Delivery
We already have answered the question on how to package a cake for delivery. Until now, we looked at the design, variety, and material that are best suited for safe and sound cake delivery.
When it comes to delivering cakes, packaging matters a lot. Not only for the eyes but also to preserve the cake’s taste, shape, and quality.
Speaking of the shape, shouldn’t we also consider the unlikely possibilities that may occur during the way of delivery.
Even the tiniest tremor can sometimes destroy the cake due to unforeseen circumstances. Though we’ve already highlighted the precautions, here are a few additional outside suggestions for delivering the cake safely.
Mark the Right Side
When packing, include a mark to indicate which side of the box clients can open.
To indicate the area from which the box should be opened, you can use ribbons, stickers, or even cute printed marks.
To mark the opening side and express your gratitude to your consumers for purchasing from you, you can use flowers and ornaments with a small side note, and this gives your customer a positive perception of your shop.
Slide, Don’t Lift
Instead of lifting and placing your cakes into the box, we recommend sliding the cake into the box.
Why?
There are chances of your cake falling off when lifting; also, if the cake is quite heavier or larger, lifting wouldn’t be a good choice, which is why we recommend sliding.
Slide the cake into the box by shifting it on parchment paper or a tray.
You can perfectly fit the cake into the box while avoiding touching or damaging the cake’s decorations by sliding.
Avoid the bumpy route.
The crucial part of the delivery is the journey.
There is no such thing as a smooth road. Some roads are smooth, whereas others are rocky and hence bumpy. No matter how safely the cake is packed, traveling along this route can compromise the shape and decorations of the cake. In a tremor, two or three-tier cakes will collapse.
So, despite how frantic it may seem, try to avoid using the bumpy path when delivering cakes. If you happen to come across one, move slowly to keep the cake’s shape.
Key Takeaway
Ultimately taste is what matters when it comes to running a patisserie; we are not denying the fact. However, having a beautiful package with your brand name on it will increase your brand’s popularity and let your brand name reach further places.
We hope you found the article helpful in choosing packages for your pastries. As mentioned at the outset, we propose that you contact YoonPak, one of China’s most well-known package manufacturers, to receive bespoke and attractive packages for your delectable cakes.
