What Medieval Packaging Looked Like: How Goods Were Stored, Sealed, and Transported in the Middle Ages
When we think of packaging today, we imagine custom boxes, printed labels, inserts and modern shipping materials. But long before these existed, medieval merchants, farmers and royal households had their own ways of storing and protecting goods. Their packaging was simple, handmade and often surprisingly clever. Exploring medieval packaging gives us a clear picture of how far the packaging industry has come while also showing how some ancient ideas still inspire modern custom box designs. The Purpose of Packaging in Medieval Times Medieval Europe relied heavily on trade. Spices traveled from Asia, silk arrived from the East and wine moved from one kingdom to another. Reliable packaging was important because transportation was slow, dangerous and unpredictable. Roads were rough, weather conditions were harsh and long journeys demanded durable protection. Even though medieval people did not have cardboard or printed labels, their goal was the same as ours today. Keep the product safe, ma...