Packaging is important; the right packaging will create a good first impression with your customers. In addition, it can attract people to purchase your product when they see it on a shelf or online in pictures. If you’re just getting started with your business or want to change your packaging to make it more creative and effective, this article has a few tips you can use during the design process.

Make it suitable for the purpose

Customers may become frustrated if they receive a large box when they’ve only ordered a small item. They will think it is a waste of packaging and it creates extra rubbish that they need to recycle or throw away. Your packaging should be the right size and shape for your products. If you have several different size products, you may need to design a few different packaging types to make each packaging suitable for the item being purchased. In addition to the size, the packaging needs to protect the product; that’s its primary purpose. Never reduce protection to add more printing or personalisation to the outside of the packaging. Protecting the product always needs to come first. Customers find it useful when packaging can fit into their letterbox without them needing to be in or answer the door to the delivery person. If your product is the right size for it to fit through the letterbox, try not to add any extra bulk with the packaging that will prevent it from being posted through customers’ doors.

Consider the cost

Your packaging needs to be cost-effective for your business to succeed. Expensive packaging can take up extra budget businesses can use to grow and gain more customers. The material used, the size, weight and quantity will all change the cost of a single unit of packaging. A specialised printing company will be best placed to provide you with large volumes of printed packaging at a reasonable price. Speak to several different packaging and printing companies to find the best value based on your specifications. A good printing company will also explain the benefits of different materials, weights and types of packaging so you can make an informed decision before bulk-buying packaging that isn’t suitable. 

Choose environmentally friendly materials

Increasingly, customers want to spend their money with businesses that care about the environment. If you purchase environmentally friendly packaging, you’re less likely to get complaints, and customers are more likely to repeat purchases. There are many different environmentally friendly packaging options available that provide the same protection as plastic-based packaging. So you don’t need to compromise on quality when you’re choosing packaging that’s good for the planet. Avoid adding too many finishes to your printed packaging, as these can prevent your packaging from being recyclable. 

Eye-catching design

The design of your packaging should be interesting and exciting for your customers. When they see the packaging, they should immediately want to open it to get to the product inside. This is all a part of the consumer experience which can change a customer’s view of your product and brand. Special coatings such as a matt colour, gloss or varnish finish can make your packaging stand out from the competition. A good printing service will tell you what finishes and effects you can add to your packaging to make it stand out but still enable it to be easily recycled by your customers. 

Reflect your brand

Your packaging needs to reflect your brand so customers will recognise it when they see the product on the shelves or in pictures online. Use your brand colours, logo and any characters that form part of your brand. If you’re a luxurious, premium brand, you might choose to keep your packaging simplistic and sophisticated to reflect your brand image. Fun brands that appeal to children should be bold and bright to grab the attention of their target market. The language and text you use on your packaging should also reflect your brand and messaging. If you have a fun product, you don’t need to be serious with your instructions. Inject your brand’s personality into the instructions on your packaging to put a smile on your customer’s face.