Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, Package “Integrity” generally refers to a qualitative test where Pass/Fail is the criteria. No numbers are generated. Package “Performance” refers to a quantitative test where numbers are generated to judge the acceptability or performance of the package system.

Compression testing is designed to determine the basic ability of materials, components, or a package system to withstand a top load.

Most products are overpackaged! An optimized package system balances the ruggedness of the product with just enough packaging to provide protection from the point of manufacture to the point of end use. There is a synergy between the product and the package when a package system is properly designed. The basic elements of a package system are:

• The product
• Some type of protection (cushion or barrier)
• An exterior container (shipper)