On Perforations – “From Tissue Boxes to Toy Fortresses: The Packaging Challenge”
You know those little dotted lines on tissue boxes, delivery bags, and soda cartons? They’re supposed to make life easier, right? Well, lately, it feels like they’re just there for decoration. Since 2020, I swear, perforations have become more of a suggestion than a feature. It’s like the packaging companies decided, “Let’s just draw some dots and call it a day.”
Take tissue boxes, for example. The Puffs company (and plenty of others) always nails the design—flowers, patterns, you name it. But when it comes time to actually open the box, it’s a whole adventure. I poke at the perforation, hoping for a clean break, but nine times out of ten, the box ends up looking like it survived a tornado. Wouldn’t it be easier if they just slapped a sticker on it that said, “Good luck”?
Sometimes I imagine the packaging engineers sitting around, laughing as they invent new ways to make opening things a challenge. Maybe they even have contests: “Who can make the hardest-to-open box this year?”
And don’t get me started on Christmas morning. Kids’ toys come wrapped in plastic that could withstand a zombie apocalypse. You need a knife, maybe even a chainsaw (I’ve considered it), just to get past the first layer. Then you’re met with twist ties that seem to have been designed by a magician—no matter how you try, they won’t budge. So, out comes the knife again, and you’re sawing away like you’re carving a turkey.
Honestly, I’m convinced packaging engineers don’t care if perforations actually work. And as for opening toys on Christmas? They must never have tried it themselves. Here’s hoping they have kids someday and get to experience the struggle firsthand.
