Whether you need blister packaging or medical packaging for fragile devices, there are a number of factors to consider before you choose a medical manufacturer for your needs. It's important to remember that your packaging must serve number of functions. While packaging must deliver the protection your product needs and improve your company's visibility, there are a number of other factors to consider as well. Is packaging optimized for use in the field? How will the device be used? Where will the device be used? On top of design, cost, and turn-around considerations, these are all factors that you must take into consideration when it comes to finding the perfect medical packaging solution for any given device.

First: Is it a one stop solution? By choosing a medical manufacturer that does it all on site, you save more and get more. Many times the best results can come from working with a medical manufacturer that handles the entire process of manufacturing, from design and prototyping to final tooling, manufacturing, and shipping. By keeping all of these processes in house, you get more control, quicker lead times, and greater quality overall.

Second: Find a medical manufacturing company that is willing to work with you. You set your product up for success by choosing a company that is willing to work as a team with you in order to develop the solution that fits its exact application. It doesn't have to be a large company, but when a medical device needs medical packaging, the supplier should have the engineering, design, and marketing expertise needed, working in conjunction to deliver the best possible result for both the manufacturer (you!) and the end-user.

Third: Industry experience is essential. When it comes to developing medical packaging solutions, industry experience can go a long way. Medical device packaging designed by someone with experience in a setting like an operating room will be infinitely more effective and valuable than an unintuitive packaging solution that proves to be a hassle when it matters most.

Fourth: Standards are important. Any medical manufacturing company should have a solid set of standards, certifications, and quality control guidelines in place. Manufacturing processes should meet the requirements of the FDA and all other regulatory agencies. An ISO 9000 certification is also a good indicator of a quality company that has successfully fulfilled a number of rigorous requirements.

Fifth: Time to market is important, but a short lead time should never come at the cost of quality. An effective medical manufacturing company should be capable of establishing a production schedule that is realistic and effective. When it comes to medical applications, quality is more important than anything - but fast turn-around times are equally important in today's competitive market. While the demands of every project are different, a medical packaging company should have processes in place that provide streamlined service and a schedule that helps you stay competitive.

Bonus: Aesthetics. While the primary function of medical packaging should be to protect the device and complement its application, it should also compliment the product, stand out, and provide visibility for your brand. Take a look at a medical manufacturer's portfolio to get a better sense of their ability to accomplish all of this