The Importance of Packaging Symbols

In the last few years, it has become more important than ever to be able to give easy instructions to couriers, customers and/or end users on the correct use and storage of your products, whether they’re in a box or in a bag. A vast majority of the symbols being used presently tend to revolve around the Recyclability of the packaging, such as the Mobius Loop.

But packaging symbols can convey so much more than just how to dispose of the box once opened. There are a range of standardised symbols which can be used to illustrate the correct orientation of the carton, the temperature range for safe storage, or whether the products packed inside are fragile.

There’s more to it though – as the world moves on post-covid, so too do the regulations around packaging materials and products. With the recent introduction of the Extended Producer Responsibility, DEFRA has also announced plans to introduced mandatory recycling symbols and wording on packaging by April 2026.

So what are some Common Packaging Symbols?

	1. The Mobius Loop The most commonly recognised symbol for recycling in the world. The Mobius Loop was designed to easily convey the three process stages of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
	2. Corrugated Recycles Piggybacking off the Mobius Loop symbol, the Corrugated Recycles design was introduced to place emphasis on the recyclable nature of Corrugated Packaging. It incorporates the ‘swoosh’ commonly seen on supermarket packets, and is increasing in usage in line with the ever growing emphasis on sustainable packaging.
	3. This Way Up One of the most common symbols used on packaging. Whether its standalone on the box or incorporated into a more intricate design, this symbol is very clear in its meaning. It’s perfect for providing instructions to anyone handling your product to ensure safe arrival of goods, and helps the end user know how to store the product until use.
	4. Handle With Care Another very common symbol, this one gives instructions to anyone handling your packaged goods that the contents are fragile and care should be given when moving it around.
	5. Fragile Just like the Handle With Care symbol, the Fragile symbol gives even more emphasis to the sensitive nature of the goods within your packaging. This one often accompanies glassware, but can also be used for highlighting the fragile nature of any product.
	6. Keep Dry In the United Kingdom, we get a lot of rain, and sometimes it can be easily forgotten that corrugated board and rain do not mix. This symbol can be used to remind anyone handling your product to keep it stored somewhere safe from incidental liquids, either due to the nature of goods inside the packaging or just as a precaution to ensure your boxes stay strong.
	6. PAP 20 Logo The PAP 20 Logo is a defined recycling code by the European Commission, and incorporates the Mobius Loop design. This symbol is used to identify packaging made using corrugated fibreboard, and is becoming increasingly common throughout Europe as individual member countries begin to introduce legislation on packaging sustainability and symbols.

Here at FastBox, we keep stock flexographic printing plates of these Common Symbols, so if you’re considering just a standard plain carton, we can add these symbols where required with no additional printing plate cost!*

DEFRA Plans for Recycling Symbols on ALL Packaging by 2026

All packaging, except flexible films, will be required to have a binary logo printed to indicate whether that particular packaging material can be recycled or not by the 1st of April 2026. Defra will be licensing the use of this symbol from the OPRL (On Pack Recycling Label) Programme, which currently requires a paid membership for use of the symbols.

So what next?

Our expert Sales team are here to help you with your packaging design, ensuring you’re conforming with relevant legislation whilst also offering you a fast and cost effective solution to your corrugated packaging requirements.

With our extensive stock plates of these common symbols, and our compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility legislation, you can be confident in knowing that FastBox will be able to support your business needs.

*Charges may apply for changing from a plain to printed spec due to increased setup time, plus for any artwork origination costs incurred.