Creative Packaging Design for Your Next Product Launch (with examples)
Throughout our lives, we have been taught the significance of first impressions. Chances are, your mother or father figures have drilled the importance of making a good first impression into your head.
Well, that significance doesn’t only apply to job interviews and romantic relationships. No, first impressions are important across the board. Yes, this all ties back to your product’s packaging. See, your product’s packaging could likely be one of the first interactions that a consumer has with your business.
Knowing this, it is critical that your packaging is thoughtfully designed to stand out from the rest. If your packaging is boring or doesn’t clearly and effectively communicate your message, your product is likely to get lost in a sea of other products.
So are you wondering how you can make your product packaging rise above the competition yet? We can help!
In this post, we’ll show you what makes packaging so important and what you can do to ensure your packaging exceeds expectations and increases sales.
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Two Reasons Why Great Packaging Design is Essential
Your unique packaging design can be the difference between a prospect passing you up completely or becoming a loyal brand advocate. In the past, a package was just a necessary item used to contain and protect a product while it was transferred from the manufacturer to the hands of the consumer. In other words, people didn’t spend much time on the user experience.
Now, we know that product packaging is a pivotal part of marketing and can increase sales dramatically. Aside from physically protecting the product, what makes packaging so important?
- First, packaging showcases and promotes the product. An important functionality feature of packaging is that it portrays what the product is and how it is used. For example, food packaging features a list of ingredients and nutritional information. This allows the consumer to know exactly what they’re purchasing and what details differentiate it from competitor’s products.
Clear packaging can display the actual product inside while a lot of package designs feature drawn diagrams and written descriptions to communicate what is inside of the package.
Knowing what is contained in the package increases customer satisfaction and the likelihood of purchasing.
- Second, packaging establishes brand recognition and sets you apart from competitors. From a psychological standpoint, branding colors and design can sway consumers to move forward with a purchase.
You don’t have to look too hard to recognize that there are several new and exciting products on the market seemingly at all times. Since many retailers offer similar or nearly identical products, the need to differentiate your product from others is more critical than ever before.
Although the size and shape of competitor’s products may be similar, your packaging design needs to be noticeably different. Colors, fonts, styles, and logos should be thoughtfully curated to emerge from a sea of similar products.
Once your company has an established brand identity, packaging can be used as a tool for brand recognition and recall. When a consumer sees and recognizes the branding of a company, there is a subconscious layer of trust, making them more likely to move forward with a purchase.
Another bit to keep in mind is that your packaging is a billboard inside of someone’s home. It’s important to utilize the packaging to communicate your message and build brand recognition.
Elements of Packaging Design
When considering the design of your product packaging, there are a few essential elements that you need to keep in mind.
- Solve a problem. Before getting too caught up in the design aspect of your packaging, remember that your packaging is meant to solve a problem. Figure out who you are communicating with and how you can show that your product is capable of solving their problem. Ask questions like; who is your demographic? And what sets your product apart from the competition? For example, if a portion of your company’s proceeds is donated to charity, that is something you might want to plaster on the front of your packaging.
- Consider the logistics. This is where you will weigh out the pros and cons of specific materials, manufacturers, shapes, and sizes. You might save money by manufacturing overseas but how do shipping costs factor into the savings? A custom form of packaging could set you apart from the competition but generic packaging could allocate more of the budget toward label design and physical displays. This is a nuanced topic so spend a lot of time here so that you are confident in your decisions.
- Follow the fine print. You must follow established rules and guidelines for your products. The FDA has strict guidelines regarding packaging, manufacturing, and labeling of products. Even using terms such as “natural” or “fruit-flavored” sparks a close examination from the FDA.
- Physically test the packaging before going all in. Once you select your containers and labels, order samples and assemble! Make sure the materials used for your labels work properly with the containers of your choice before placing a large stock for inventory. Ensure that the labels wrap seamlessly on bottles without disruption, that stickers stay properly adhered to boxes, etc. Failing to physically test this combination is a common and expensive mistake that new companies often make.
- Set yourself apart. Packaging designs that evoke emotions are more memorable than those that do not. When a product sparks a sense of nostalgia, joy, aspiration, or curiosity in a consumer, they are more likely to move forward with purchasing. Make sure that your packaging design is unique, true to your branding, and uses well-researched tools such as color psychology in the design.
- Design to sell. Product packaging is a form of visual communication that informs consumers of what your product is and why they need it. The design should first catch the eye of the consumer using colors, graphics, a stunning logo, and design. Then, they should pick it up off the shelf or click on the product to learn about its unique features. After a consumer sees and examines the product’s packaging, it should lead them straight to the checkout line.
Stellar Packaging Ideas
Are you ready to feel inspired? No Limit Creatives has over 300 graphic design experts to help you design the perfect packaging for your product. Here are some examples of label and packaging projects created by our designers.
Want to see more? Click here to view our full graphic design gallery.
Bring Your Packaging Idea to Life
Whether you are starting a company from scratch, releasing a new product, or are in the process of rebranding, No Limit Creatives is here to assist with your one-of-a-kind packaging design. Our extremely talented designers are well-versed in designing the elements that make unique and irresistible packaging.
Ready to have a full design team at your fingertips? Click here to get started.
