Why Lego doesn't standardize their product box?

[ks6349]

Why some boxe are taped (i.e. opened by cutter usually) but some are glued (i.e.has to be broken open)? I really wonder why

[Lyichir]

To be honest, I don't know! Perhaps it's just a matter of cost (with smaller sets having less budget for packaging, maybe the punch-outs are cheaper?). But there are other potential reasons I can think of as well. Punch-tabs could be considered slightly more kid-friendly, allowing kids to tear into a new set more quickly on their own, without needing a blade or a grown-up to use it—which could be considered a positive for smaller, more kid-targeted sets. Punch tabs also leave a record of sets being opened, which might be seen as a positive for retailers who will more easily be able to tell if a set's been tampered with. Meanwhile, tape seals can allow sets to be opened without harming the packaging itself, and in many cases can be resealed, which is more attractive for many adult collectors who might want to keep their boxes for either storage or posterity.

[Mylenium]

Different packaging production methods. Too lazy for an extended write-up on a friggin' hot Sunday afternoon, but suffice it to say that it all makes sense once consider certain aspects of industrial product packaging and how it's done. The individual decision then simply comes down to the number of sets produced, the stability requirements for the box, sensitivity of the parts, hand vs. machine filling/ packaging and a few other things.

Mylenium

[mvLego]

On 6/26/2022 at 10:38 AM, Mylenium said:

Different packaging production methods. Too lazy for an extended write-up on a friggin' hot Sunday afternoon, but suffice it to say that it all makes sense once consider certain aspects of industrial product packaging and how it's done. The individual decision then simply comes down to the number of sets produced, the stability requirements for the box, sensitivity of the parts, hand vs. machine filling/ packaging and a few other things.

Mylenium

If you're ever inclined, I would be very interested in the extended write-up!

[GlacierPhoenix]

If it has punch holes it's packed by a machine.

If it has taped seals it's packed by a person.

 

That's why sometimes you'll see the same set having both box types. 

[Mylenium]

2 hours ago, GlacierPhoenix said:

If it has punch holes it's packed by a machine.

If it has taped seals it's packed by a person.

Nope.

Mylenium

[GlacierPhoenix]

2 hours ago, Mylenium said:

Nope.

Mylenium

Actually yes. I got to listen in to a talk by the head of LEGO packaging at a LEGO Convention and this is the answer they gave to the question.