Display Packaging Wiki

Learn all about display packages, point-of-purchase, and carton stands.

What is Display Packaging?

POP display packaging sits at the point of sale to present products, catch shoppers' attention and drive sales. It covers display boxes, floor stands, wall displays, promotional tables and more.

👁️ Attracts Attention

Visual design that draws the shopper's eye

📢 Brand Communication

Presents brand image and product information

🛒 Drives Purchase

Easy to pick up, encouraging impulse buying

🎯 Targeted Marketing

Placed precisely where the target shopper is

Types of Display Packaging

🏪 Counter Display

A small display unit placed at the checkout or counter, catching impulse purchases at payment.

Materials:

Corrugated board (E/B flute), white card, greyboard

Dimensions:

200-400 mm W × 150-300 mm D × 200-400 mm H

Products:

Gum, chocolate, batteries, lighters, small accessories

Design Notes:

Header panel, angled presentation, easy pick-up

🏢 Floor Stand Display

A large free-standing unit with strong presence and high capacity.

Materials:

Corrugated board (BC/BE flute), acrylic, metal frame

Dimensions:

400-800 mm W × 300-500 mm D × 1200-1800 mm H

Products:

Beverages, snacks, cosmetics, household goods

Design Notes:

Multiple shelves, large header, stable base

🖼️ Wall Mount Display

A display fixed to a wall or hook — space-saving and easy to reach.

Materials:

Corrugated board, white card, acrylic

Dimensions:

200-500 mm W × 80-150 mm D × 300-600 mm H

Products:

Hardware tools, stationery, small appliance accessories, toys

Design Notes:

Hang holes, reinforced back panel, forward-tilted presentation

📦 Tray Display

An open tray that lets shoppers help themselves — good for promotions.

Materials:

Corrugated board (E/B flute), white card

Dimensions:

300-600 mm W × 250-400 mm D × 50-150 mm H

Products:

Bread, fruit, promotional items, sample packs

Design Notes:

Pallet stacking, easy pick-up, fast replenishment

🎯 End Cap Display

The display position at either end of a gondola — prime real estate with high exposure.

Materials:

Corrugated board, foam board, acrylic

Dimensions:

Made to fit the end cap (typically 800-1200 mm wide)

Products:

New product launches, promotions, seasonal lines

Design Notes:

Large-scale visual impact with prominent promotional messaging

📏 Shelf Strip / Wobbler

Small advertising material attached to the shelf edge or beside the product.

Materials:

White card, PVC, PET, magnetic material

Dimensions:

50-150 mm W × 50-200 mm H

Use Cases:

Promotion tags, price cards, product feature callouts

Design Notes:

Bold color, concise message, easy to install

Display Packaging Materials

📦 Corrugated Board

Types:

E-flute (1.5 mm) — light, good for counter displays
B-flute (3 mm) — medium strength, the most widely used
BC-flute (6 mm) — high strength, for floor stands
BE-flute (4.5 mm) — balanced strength, low cost

Advantages: Low cost, recyclable, fully printable

Best For: Temporary promotions and short-term display (1-3 months)

✨ Acrylic

Properties:

High clarity (93%)
Weather resistant, ages slowly
Smooth surface with a premium feel
Can be thermoformed and engraved

Thickness: 2-10mm

Best For: Long-term display of cosmetics, jewelry and electronics

🔩 Metal Frames

Types:

Wire frame — light and inexpensive
Sheet steel frame — strong, can be painted
Stainless steel — premium, corrosion resistant
Aluminum alloy — light with a modern look

Surface Finishing: Spray painting, plating, brushing

Best For: Long-term display, large stores, brand boutiques

📄 White Card / Greyboard

White card: 250-400 gsm, clean white surface with excellent print results

Greyboard: 1-3 mm, very rigid, can be wrapped

Finishing: Lamination, UV, foiling, embossing

Best For: Small counter displays and hang cards

🎨 Foam Board / PVC Board

Foam board: Light, easy to cut, low cost

PVC board: Waterproof, durable, UV printable

Thickness: 5-10mm

Best For: Temporary signage, back panels, wayfinding

🪵 Wood

Types: Solid wood, plywood, MDF

Properties: Great texture, customizable, premium

Surface: Baked finish, veneer, clear lacquer

Best For: Premium boutiques and long-term display

Design Principles for Display Packaging

👁️ Visual Impact

• Bold color: Use brand colors or a strong contrast
• Large graphics: Scale up the product shot or brand logo
• Three-dimensional form: A 3D structure catches the eye better
• Lighting: LED strips raise the pull of the display

📐 Sound Structure

• Stability: Depth-to-height ratio ≥0.3 to prevent tipping
• Load capacity: Reinforce the structure for the product weight
• Modularity: Easy to ship and assemble
• Durability: Choose materials to match the service life

🛒 Shopper Experience

• Easy reach: Place product between 800 and 1500 mm high
• Clear information: Prices and promotions must stand out
• Easy replenishment: Design a restocking opening or a removable section
• Safety: No sharp edges — round off the corners

💰 Cost Control

• Material choice: Match the material to the service life
• Size optimization: Standard sizes reduce material waste
• Simpler finishing: Fewer complex processes means lower cost
• Volume production: Scale brings the unit price down

Printing Processes for Display Packaging

🖨️ Board Printing

• Offset: High quality, multi-color, suits large runs
• Flexo: Low cost and fast, suits corrugated board
• Screen printing: Heavy ink film, vivid color, spot UV
• Digital: Small runs, fast proofing, personalization

✨ Special Finishing

• UV printing: High gloss with good protection
• Gold/silver foiling: Premium feel that highlights the brand
• Embossing/debossing: Three-dimensional effect and rich tactility
• Lamination: Gloss or matte film to protect the printed surface

🎨 Acrylic / Plastic Printing

• Screen printing: Traditional process, low cost
• UV flatbed printing: Prints directly with rich color
• Heat transfer: Works on curved surfaces, long-lasting color
• Laser engraving: Fine detail with a premium feel

🔩 Metal Printing

• Electrostatic spraying: Even color with strong adhesion
• Baked finish: Hard and abrasion resistant
• Water transfer printing: Suits complex patterns
• Plating: Metallic sheen and a premium look

Typical Use Cases

🏪 Supermarkets / Convenience Stores

Counter displays, end caps, pallet stacks

Products: beverages, snacks, household goods, promotional items

💄 Cosmetics Stores

Acrylic displays, lightbox displays, tester counters

Products: lipsticks, fragrances, skincare, makeup

🔧 Hardware Stores

Wall displays, tool racks, sorted display boxes

Products: screws, tools, fittings, small hardware

📱 Electronics Stores

Acrylic plinths, lit displays, interactive displays

Products: phone accessories, earphones, chargers, digital devices

🍞 Bakeries

Open trays, tiered displays, clear covers

Products: bread, cakes, biscuits, pastries

🎁 Gift Shops

Rotating displays, tiered display boxes, window displays

Products: creative goods, accessories, toys, souvenirs

💡 How to Choose Display Packaging

1. Choose materials by service life:

Short promotions (1-3 months) → corrugated board ($30-80 per unit)
Medium term (3-12 months) → white card or foam board ($50-150 per unit)
Long term (1 year+) → acrylic or metal frame ($200-1000 per unit)

2. Choose the type by product characteristics:

Small impulse items → counter display (next to the till)
Large hero products → floor stand (prime in-store position)
Hanging goods → wall display (saves space)
Loose goods → tray display (easy to pick up)

3. Design essentials:

Header height ≥150 mm so it reads from a distance
Product zone between 800 and 1500 mm high for easy reach
Base depth ≥300 mm to keep the unit stable
Brand color plus a contrast color for visual impact
Promotional copy at ≥50 pt so it stays legible

Factory Direct Custom Packaging & Prototypes

Need Production Quotes or Custom Sized Boxes?

TadaPack (www.tadapack.com) offers direct factory manufacturing for corrugated shipping cartons, mailer boxes, rigid gift boxes, and eco-friendly protective packaging with instant online quotes and free vector CAD dielines.

Visit TadaPack.com