Frequently Asked Questions
We combine in-house design expertise with great supplier relations to ensure we present the very best in contemporary packaging design We are constantly refreshing our stock packaging range, both through design revisions here at Meridian or through working with our suppliers (for instance of polypropylene and paper carrier bags) to stock their latest innovations and designs. For bespoke projects, Meridian can offer full design support or work to contribute structural design input and an awareness of production implications into a project run out of a customer's own design agency. An example of this was the Starpack Award-Winning range launch for the Speciality Farm Foods brand. Click here for more information about Meridian's design philosophy and process.
Our semi rigid bases and lids use thick folding box board with internal cardboard struts to give extra structure. You will find our buffer boxes are rigid and because they come ready assembled these are ideal for premium products. The wibalin board is a thick 640mic thick board which gives extra strength and a premium feel to your packaging.
Payment for Credit Card Fees is not passed on to our customers Here at Meridian we have no plans to pass on credit card fees to our customers. The use of credit card payments has significantly improved the process for taking pro-forma payment from first time and non-credit account customers; therefore we are happy to absorb the fees in order to offer this service to our customers. You can even settle outstanding bills through using your credit card if you wish - log in to the orders section of your secure customer area and you will see a link stating 'settle an outstanding balance'.
Yes - customers can come and pick up an order directly if they wish to save the carriage costs We are more than happy to deal with customers face to face and often this can prove the most effective way to receive the goods, for instance when customers need an order for an exhibition and are passing the door. Please ask your sales contact if you would like to arrange collection of an order. On the Contact Us page you will find a link to Google Maps which shows how to find us.
We accept a wide range of credit and debit cards. Credit card payments can be taken over the phone if you do not have access to our website - call 01684 578441 - Alternatively you can go through our e-commerce functionality in this site. Payments are now secured through Paypal (previously Sage pay) If you want to shop online go to our Product Catalogue. You can even settle outstanding invoices using your credit card either by phoning our accounts team or by using the 'Settle an outstanding balance' from within the orders tab in your secure customer area.
Although you are welcome to collect and pay for an order in person - we have no formalised cash and carry system Meridian's purpose-built site has been developed for storage and manufacturing and has no dedicated cash and carry area or showroom. However, using our brochure to select your products we're happy for you to come along and order and pay on-site - as we have no shop front all we ask is that you call ahead to confirm that you're attending to ensure that we can deal with your request. Cash and carry services are more popular in continental Europe but if we have a high volume of requests from customers who would like to use such a service we would certainly consider having a shop-front in the future. Get in touch if you'd like to show an interest.
Food and particularly confectionery packaging is Meridian's specialism - but we produce non-food packaging for a large range of customers as well. Manufacturing As a manufacturer Meridian produces both non-food and food packaging - but we specialise in food packaging due to the need for strict operating standards, which allows us to compete for food packaging work which other gift and retail packaging manufacturers cannot undertake. But where bespoke requirements are particularly specialist, i.e. requiring specialist coating, hot foiling, embossing or complicated assembly work (hand-finishing) we are able to take on a wide range of projects with non-food applications. However, we apply the same standards to all our production so we are more competitive on short-to-medium runs or difficult jobs. Stock Packaging Wholesale We clearly focus on the confectionery sector for our wide range of off-the-shelf packaging; although many of our customers use the items for non-food applications. This is because all of the packaging we sell is suitable for direct or indirect food contact as specified and as such is produced to more exacting standards than more generic packaging wholesale products.
The answer is often YES and NO! This is very much dependant on site of artwork - but the guideline, particularly if you are in the process of creating artwork, is that we can foil two colours but each area of colour must have clear space between that and the additional colour. The process involves using two dies and putting the job through the machine twice, where the first 'hit' applies the first colour and the second 'hit' the second colour. This is why clear space is needed as the foil will not adhere to another foil and must be applied onto the surface of the board. In some cases, except in particularly low volumes, it may be worth considering having the job litho printed where two (or more) colours are required. Note - we can foil and emboss in the same hit but the cost of the die is roughly double as you require both a male and female die to allow for the emboss.
Credit Account Application Process: To apply for a credit account we will need certain key information which we ask for you to complete through a form obtainable via e-mail. Please note that all first time orders will be on a pro-forma basis (i.e. up-front payment), even where a credit account has been applied for; credit card payment can be completed through the website or through telephoning a member of our sales or accounts team (see related FAQ on credit card payments).
If the reset my password section is not working when you enter your username, you can call the office where one of our website administrators will be able to prompt your account for a password reset- +44 (0)1684 578441
The best way is to use the search feature using the key words for the item you are trying to find. Not sure what you need? We have divided our products into helpful categories, from size to use.
There are four main ways to order.... Online via our website. Call - +44 (0)1684 578441/ Fax - +44 (0) 1684 578442- Our friendly customer service team speaks English, German and French - so please feel free to call if you need any help with your order. Or send us a contact us form with your order.
We offer a simple discount structure: Order more than 500 units or £500 worth of goods (pre VAT) to receive 5% discount. Order more than 1000 units or £1000 worth of goods to receive 10% discount (Terms and conditions apply- discount not available on petit four cases, flat film bags, side gusseted bags, wire ties or clear sealing tabs). Volume discounts will be considered on a per-order basis and will typically be available on quantities of over 1,000 units in any line except bags and glassine cups. Overall customer discounts are considered based on previous order volumes. All discounts are discretionary and will can't be applied retrospectively. From time-to-time discount codes may be made available for specific items - this will be broadcast using Twitter and other social media and also through marketing publications. If you want to find such discounts then please follow us on Twitter or sign up to our mailing list.
Returning goods..... In addition to the cancellation terms, we operate a Returns Policy. If for any reason you are not satisfied with any products bought from us you may return them to us within 28 days of purchase for a refund or exchange, provided that the goods are returned to us in their original condition and packaging. We regret that the cost of returning the item must be met by the purchaser and that the items are subject to an inspection procedure before a refund or credit can be arranged. This is due to the need to ensure that all packaging re-admitted to stock meets our stringent hygiene standards. Damaged goods will be credited or refunded - we simply need evidence of the damage and an indication of the amount of damaged goods. Where components may be inspected and re-admitted into stock we may request the return of the goods but will credit the cost of the return or arrange for collection in this case.
Please find a link below to our information security policy: https://www.meridianspshop.com/information-security/
Most orders will be processed and despatched on the same working day, if the order is received before 12pm. However if the item requires production a lead time of 2-3 weeks may be the case.
We try to update our design range at least once a year but keep an eye out through the year on our website, or subscribe to our mailing list, to check out any new products we launch outside of the brochure being published.
Online Payments are taken through our secure website. Payments are secured through Paypal, although you do not need to use a Paypal account to pay for your goods. Simply select Paypal, pay by credit/ debit card to input your details in the secure payment page.
Free Delivery on orders over £150. We have free delivery on all UK mainland orders over £150 plus VAT. For any orders under this amount the delivery will be charged at £9.95 and sent out via courier. We do charge for all production orders as these are exempt from the £150 free delivery cover, carriage will be estimated based on the weight and dimensions of your order.
Here at Meridian we do not have a minimum order process, we will happily take orders large or small.
Once you register on our site it will unlock lots of useful features for you to manage your orders. You can track your orders, see previous orders or create wish lists, these are just a few of the site features that are worth registering for.
Meridian operates different hours according to different business areas Production Meridian production team operates from 08:00-17:15 Monday to Thursday and 08:00-13:00 Friday. However, with overtime, production hours can often extend beyond these scheduled shut-downs. Sales Meridian's sales team is available 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday. On occasions during the summer the team will go early on a Friday to enjoy a longer weekend - please don't panic if you can't reach us on one of these occasions - we will deal with your enquiry first thing on Monday morning.
If your items are out of stock and you are unable to order online you can call the office to check on stock line availability. If you are happy to wait for your order to be produced, we can take the order over the phone and once your goods are available we can despatch
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancelling an Order
Orders for stock packaging items may be cancelled prior to despatch but may incur a cancelation charge for costs incurred at picking and packing. For production orders, cancelation after ordering may incur part-processing charges or even a charge for the full price of goods. Please click here for a link to Meridian's full terms and conditions.
We combine in-house design expertise with great supplier relations to ensure we present the very best in contemporary packaging design We are constantly refreshing our stock packaging range, both through design revisions here at Meridian or through working with our suppliers (for instance of polypropylene and paper carrier bags) to stock their latest innovations and designs. For bespoke projects, Meridian can offer full design support or work to contribute structural design input and an awareness of production implications into a project run out of a customer's own design agency. An example of this was the Starpack Award-Winning range launch for the Speciality Farm Foods brand. For more about this click here. Click here for more information about Meridian's design philosophy and process.