Customize packaging can excite and scare new businesses.

Packaging design can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Your packaging needs depend on what you sell and where.

It’s a marriage of function and form. Too much in one direction can weaken the other. Business and brand identity must be balanced.

To start? Four tips for designing custom packaging.

1. Think about your packaging needs

Before picking Pantones, wait: First, define your packaging design goals.

Whether you’re launching a brand or refreshing one, this is the most important step. Custom packaging transports products, builds a brand, and implements a marketing strategy. Ask yourself:

Every business need packaging. Learn How Custom boxes increase your business?

What selling channels will I be using my packaging in?

Every selling channel has its requirements, which determine your custom packaging priorities. In some channels, practical considerations, like packaging protection, trump aesthetics.

Ecommerce merchants must consider shipping (weight, distance, etc.) when designing packaging. Whatever design you choose, it must facilitate safe, efficient transport.

Shipping is less of a concern for brick-and-mortar retailers, where packaging enhances product appearance and the in-person shopping experience.

What kinds of products do you require packaging for?

Each sales channel has packaging needs. Protection trumps aesthetics in some channels.

Ecommerce packaging must consider shipping (weight, distance, etc.). Any design must be safe and efficient.

Packaging enhances the in-store experience, so brick-and-mortar retailers worry less about shipping.

For Example: Even after using lip liners, the bespoke boxes for lip liners provide the care that they need. Your personalised boxes can be enhanced with features like windows and hanging hooks to increase their adaptability. You can reliably draw customers to your business with the help of the Custom Lip Liner Boxes.

2. Choose your branding elements carefully

Custom packaging promotes brand recognition. Because of this, many brands put their logo on the packaging.

Uniqueness is possible in other ways. Think outside the box to engage and delight customers.

Win-win.

Busy designs can help you stand out. Visual clutter confuses customers.

A pared-back design can help you stand out when competing brands use bold colours or patterns.

Shore Society can create brand-appropriate packaging without logos. One colour and hand-drawn lines represent ocean waves and the brand’s laid-back feel.

Their custom sticker uses an anchor with two ‘S’ letters as their brand monogram.

Brand elements and themes keep designs fresh. Branding consistency is easy with the same symbols. This ensures brand growth and evolution.

Be unique

Your brand is unique despite retail’s saturation. Why? Because of its creators’ expertise. Creative businesses love custom packaging.

Her packaging design extends her art. Her customers will appreciate her signature style because it’s her brand. Her packaging is thoughtful.

Thematic design differentiates you in a specific industry or aesthetic.

Connect sales channels

When designing packaging, consider the buyer’s stage.

They’ll interact with your packaging post-purchase. The market is right before someone opens a package.

Simple packaging highlights Notely’s name and Instagram handle stickers. Smart post-purchase marketing targets the customer when they’re most excited about the product and likely to share it, increasing repeat purchases or word-of-mouth recommendations.

3. Consider how you can use your packaging design to tell a story

In the social media age, the packaging is a brand storyteller. Not long ago, only customers saw product packaging. Today, thousands watch.

A picture must say a lot on Instagram and Pinterest to gain traction. Our feeds are so crowded with brands that it takes something unusual to catch our attention. Your packaging design is a great way to do so.

Flat-lay photos

Flat lay, like the one below, showcases products by theme or collection.

It’s also a popular content style, making it hard to stand out. Whatever you sell, a flat-lay photo should tell a brand story.

Eleanor Bowmer uses custom yellow tissue paper to create visual interest. Her packaging shows how she assembles orders.

This narrative is more unique and engaging than simply showcasing her products.

Quirky

Novel packaging will get you noticed online. It can be difficult to convey your brand’s essence when you can’t interact with customers in person. Creativity helps your audience understand your brand.

Noodoll uses their packaging as blankets for their cuddly toys in this Instagram post. It’s cute, clever, and adds personality to their feed.

4. Keep it green

Brands focus on aesthetics when designing product packaging. However, sustainability is also important.

In 2019, nothing says “out of touch” like burdening customers with unrecyclable packaging.

Walker’s Crisps pledged to make all their packaging plastic-free by 2025 after a social media campaign last year encouraged consumers to send in their empty crisp packets (which aren’t recyclable or biodegradable).

Future brands will adopt green practices. Dear Prudence, a design and illustration company, uses reusable tissue paper for packaging.
Brands design attractive packaging. Sustainability is crucial.

Unrecyclable packaging in 2019 says “out-of-touch.”

Walker’s Crisps pledged to make all their packaging plastic-free by 2025 after a social media campaign last year.

Future brands will be eco-friendly. Dear Prudence’s packaging uses reusable tissue paper.

Conclusion? Wasteful packaging shouldn’t cost customers. Consumers want to support brands that reduce their environmental footprint.

Sustainable packaging scares businesses. Why? Zero-waste packaging. Brands that need protective packaging can’t do this.

When possible, reduce your packaging’s impact. First is preferred. No.

Eco-friendly packaging design:

Never use plastic.

Unethically, 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. Pollution hurts business.

Substitute renewables. Packaging examples:

Paper

Cardboard

Glue

Soyinka

Printing ink affects packaging durability. Traditional petroleum-based inks are costly and harmful.

Renewable vegetable inks are cheaper. Brighter, longer-lasting colours

Recycle

Recycle your packaging. Branded tote bags reduce waste and promote your brand.

Custom packaging helps your brand stand out to customers in 2019. Custom packaging varies.

Bad packaging hurts your business. Consider your needs, brand story, and materials when creating packaging.

Custom packaging design can help you stand out from the competition.