Collectibles make up a vast market around the world that is often overlooked as economic opportunities for business. Estimates on the global market for collectibles range from $300 to $500 billion, yet it doesn't get as much media coverage as industries that earn less. Here's a look at the appeal of custom fancy tins for special occasions, which can help nurture branding.
Timeless Popularity of Fancy Tins
Fancy tins have been around for generations as both collectibles and efficient metal packaging of products. Since a tin container is made of durable material, it can serve long-term storage needs. As an art form, it has a similar function as a painting, especially when it adds to room decor. Consumer interest in tins and collectibles continues to grow, so it makes sense to include fancy tins as part of branding solutions.
Some of the leading types of collectibles revolve around the themes of art, antiques, toys, memorabilia and comics. Each of these categories can be easily portrayed on custom fancy tins for special occasions. Tin is both a strong and flexible material, so it can take on thousands of different forms. The demand for tin containers has always been strong because people who aren't even collectors like saving multi-purpose containers.
Endless Design Possibilities
Packaging designers have a wide open canvas of creative possibilities for fancy tins. They can depict whatever imagery is appropriate, since it's easy to print full color on tin. For brands that have diverse followings, it's advantageous to design different tins for different market sectors. Other key design factors beyond color include shape, size, texture and emotional value related to the imagery—including metal tins with lids that offer both utility and style.
Mechanical considerations for lids also factor into design. Certain types of products such as candy or other snacks can be stored in tins with hinges or twist-off tops. The lid should be easy to remove but it should also block out air and other environmental elements when it is shut.
The idea of giving away fancy tins to people for special occasions corresponds with the virtues of custom design. It might be more practical for smaller companies to offer highly customized designs, whereas large producers can more efficiently make multiple designs for different types of customers.
Tins for Special Occasions
Some of the most popular fancy tins revolve around the calendar, especially the end-of-year holiday season. These tins often convey imagery such as green and red patterns, snow, trees, stars and colored lights. Then for Valentine's Day, typical specialized tins can be heart-shaped full of chocolates. The versatility of tin allows the metal to take on many other shapes that fit particular themes. A tin container shaped like a diamond, for example, can be considered special for an anniversary.
As a birthday surprise, tin can take the shape of the individual's favorite sport or hobby. For someone who loves golf, for example, they might be delighted to receive a tin in the shape of a golf ball on a platform. Someone whose favorite hobby is music might enjoy a container shaped like a piano, guitar or musical note. Animal lovers may cherish a tin that displays the image of their favorite kind of pet.
Storage Ideas for Fancy Tins
Even people with great memory capacity can forget where they place small items like keys, spare change or jewels. Fancy tins make excellent storage containers for precious items because the outer design serves as a reminder that it contains special belongings.
Within tins, an individual can place their own dividers that allow for storing different types of items. Dividing the container into four compartments allows for coins, watches, necklaces and rings to be stored in separate units within the same box. Tins make a great gift for artists who develop a buildup of pens and other tools that need to stay organized.
Another efficient use of fancy tins includes storing old photographs. Tins can keep pictures safe from air, dust and other environmental elements such as sunlight that degrade imagery on paper over time. Film negatives certainly need better storage solutions than paper envelopes.
Conclusion
Brands can reach wider markets by offering custom fancy tins for special occasions. The key is that the tin container should be either practical for storage or look impressive as decor. Marketing or giving away fancy tins can develop an emotional bond between the brand and its followers. The more the design looks like it was made for someone special, the better chance it will lead to a sense of brand loyalty—especially when integrated with metal packaging with embossing techniques that enhance perceived value and tactile engagement. Learn more about embossing to bring a multisensory touch to your brand’s packaging.
