Have you ever imagined how the products we buy would be without their packaging? Unhealthy, unhygienic, harmful, unappealing… The list is endless!
Packaging plays a significant role in ensuring the safety of a product. The customer feels safe when unwrapping the candy bar and popping it into the mouth. Would it be the same if the packaging was damaged? I don’t think so.
Another vital role that packaging plays is the marketing of a product.
Right from kindergarten, we continue to hear “never judge a book by its cover”. This advice is difficult to follow when it comes to purchasing items. Various studies continue to reveal that many people’s buying decisions are influenced by packaging design.
1 – Do your research
Customers always come first since they make the first decision, and your packaging design is what will make them choose you over your competitors.
Design decisions based on your knowledge of your customers are bound to grant you success in the market. Knowing your customers will positively influence your design decisions.
2 – Know what you are designing around
After figuring out who you are designing for, the next step is to know what you are creating the packaging around. No matter how brilliant your design, if it doesn’t make sense in the context of the product, it could end up becoming a total failure.
At first, a consumer may have bought your product for its packaging. However, if they didn’t like the product on their first purchase, they may never come for a second purchase. Therefore, let your product be as good as the packaging.
Creating packaging based on the type of product can also be a great marketing strategy. However, not every product requires a unique packaging design. Make it easy to handle as well.
3 – Minimalism sells
Minimalism is one of the most popular packaging design trends in recent years. But why is that?
In this complicated world, simplicity is something that many people will appreciate. You want that container to be easy to open. It is always a joy when something works for the first time or when something is easy to understand.
To attract buyers, use basic packaging design to demonstrate how easy it is. Minimalist design is appealing, graceful, and inviting. Simplicity means fewer colors, fewer patterns, and fewer elements.
4 – Reflect the brand image
Whether you’re designing a single product or a line of products, it’s critical to let customers know where the product comes from.
Packaging design is an excellent approach to communicating a company’s identity.
Apple, for example, is one of the world’s strongest brands. It’s not only about their phones and computers; it’s about the way things are displayed. Apple’s enticing TV commercials, attractive web design features, and seductive ad design are just a few examples of how they promote their products.
5 – Study your competitors’ packaging
You have amazing ideas. Great! However, it is always good to research what your competitors are up to.
Know where they sell their products and see how they present them. See what type of style they have, the packaging materials they use, and the amount/ size of the product.
6 – Test the packaging
The main essence of putting in the effort and creativity is to appeal to customers. To ensure that this is achieved, it is advisable to create mockups and test them among a few people (who could be your friends).
The design that you and your friends most prefer is what you should go for. It is essential to consider other people’s opinions because the design is not for you but for your customers.
7 – Prime printing
It doesn’t matter how good the design is; if the packaging is not up to par, you won’t sell. If you do not have the experience to print packaging on your own, choose a printer with package printing expertise. Don’t experiment with your packaging.
This should be considered early on in the design phase to guarantee that all of your hard work pays off.
8 – Make your products look related
When creating packaging for various goods in the same line, it is critical that they look connected. Keep patterns and colors constant.
Variation is allowed, but without detracting too much from the reality that these commodities are related.
