13 Tips To Make Your Packaging Unique And Presentable

Ketchup is one of the most popular condiments that lends umami and sweetness to various foods. You probably love to smother fries in this condiment or add it to your fried rice. However, the slow process of pouring ketchup out of a bulky glass bottle isn't fun! Heinz bridged this gap by packaging its ketchup in a squeezable bottle. The innovative packaging design delighted customers, which encouraged the company to cease production of glass bottles. 

There are hundreds of products lined up on store shelves, and the number is even larger online. It would be a mistake to think that packaging is simply something that wraps up your product. The packaging is much more valuable than that. Good product packaging intrigues attracts and excites customers. It urges them to judge a book by its cover and choose your product over other options.

In this post, we're sharing effective ways to make your product's packaging stand out from the crowd. Let's dive in.

13 Ways To Make Your Product's Packaging Stand Out From The Crowd

1) Have A Clear Purpose

Before you start brainstorming design ideas, you should be clear about the purpose. What are you trying to convey with your product packaging? Whether you're hoping to evoke a certain feeling or incite curiosity, make sure to keep these in mind when designing the packaging.

Just like an email sequence outreach, your product's packaging can influence the buyer's journey. Therefore, it should effectively communicate your brand message. In addition to containing and protecting your product, the packaging also serves as a direct and indirect marketing tool. It's a valuable brand asset that allures customers. Right from the colors to the typography, every element on your packaging collectively influences a customer's purchasing decision. Consider the case of brands that provide flexible meal plans. They could use appetizing food colors, illustrations or photos of fresh produce on their packaging, subtly suggesting the freshness and diversity of their meals. These well-executed design elements help convey the flexibility and customization of their meal plans. Just one look at the packaging, customers get a sense of what they can expect in terms of taste, variety, and quality.

2) Utilize 3D Modeling And 3D Printing 

3D modeling and printing is a new technology that will come in handy if you are looking to create eye-catching packaging. The potential of 3D printing is far-reaching. Whether you want to add a unique element to your packaging or make it more interactive, this technology will help you achieve such goals. 

What makes 3D packaging different? With the help of this technology, the sky's the limit in terms of design possibilities. Using 3D modeling, you can add textures, patterns, and even images to your packaging. Moreover, it's also possible to print in full color these days, which implies that your packaging can be as vibrant as possible. 

While plenty of 3D modeling software is available for designing product packaging, we recommend SelfCAD. SelfCAD is a great tool for product packaging. With this 3D design tool, you can create custom packaging for any product, including boxes, bags, and more. SelfCAD makes it easy to design and even prepare them for 3D printing all under a single program without having to switch to another software as it comes with a built-in slicer for generating the g-code to be sent to the 3D printer.  With SelfCAD, you can also add your own logos and branding.

SelfCAD is also a great way to create prototypes of your packaging. You can quickly and easily create a prototype of your packaging, and then test it out before you commit to manufacturing. This way, you can make sure that your packaging is perfect for your wholesale product.

3) Use Unique Colors And Patterns

Colors are one of the most important elements in product packaging. In fact, colors are powerful enough to make you feel a certain way. For example, warm colors like red and orange evoke happiness and passion. On the other hand, cool hues such as blue and green are often associated with calming and refreshing emotions. 

For some brands, black and white or a monochromatic color scheme might work. For example, skincare brand Glossier predominantly uses cream and pink for a minimalistic appeal. 

But why limit your options? We urge you to let your creative juices flow and find a unique color scheme that conveys your brand message. Pick a distinctive color scheme and pattern to make your product stand out.
You can even use color for practical purposes, as is the case with Green Chef’s meal kits. They are packaged in a color coded manner, which not only makes the contents look good, but also helps customers to make use of what they receive as part of their food subscription.

4) Use Texture To Your Advantage

The texture is another underutilized element that can give your packaging a unique appeal. A good product design should stir up different senses. You can target the sense of touch with tactile packaging. From material to printing techniques, there are several ways to introduce texture to packaging. You'll often find high-end skincare products packaged in boxes with a smooth finish. Customers tend to associate satiny packaging with luxury. 

Moreover, this is also an opportunity to make your packaging accessible to the visually impaired. You can include a raised QR code on your packaging, which plays an audio note explaining the product when scanned by customers. 

5) Find Interesting Materials

Plastic is perhaps the most commonly used material in product packaging. However, there are several other options available. While plastic is cheap and versatile, it threatens our environment.

You can use wood, acrylic, or even metal for packaging your products. If sustainability is a core company ethos, you should consider using recycled materials for packaging. That being said, the choice of material depends on your product and budget. For instance, wood is an aesthetically pleasing material but won't be practical or economical for packaging oil. 

6) Add Graphics And Images

Instead of just using words to inform customers what's inside, you also have the option to include images and graphics. Expertly designed imagery will fascinate customers and help them understand what they can expect from your product. 

Additionally, it's a good idea to pair instructions with illustrations to make them easy to understand. Whether you mention a recipe or usage instructions, relevant illustrations can enhance the packaging's functionality. 

7) Get Creative With Shapes

Apart from the color, graphics, and textures, you cannot forget about the shape. Don't hesitate to think outside the box when it comes to product packaging. In a sea of identical products, the unique shape of your packaging can help attract your target customer's attention. 

While juice companies typically package their products in tetra packs or bottles, Goji Juice dares to do something different. The brand bottled its goji berry juice in a lightbulb-shaped packaging indicating the energy-giving properties of the drink. An interesting shape gives you the opportunity to create a statement with your packaging. 

8) Take A Vintage Approach

If modern minimalism doesn't resonate with your brand, you should consider going retro with a vintage design. Take a look at old-school packaging to add timeless flair to your products. This approach makes your product more noticeable. 

9) Make It Memorable

Memorable product packaging is something that will stand the test of time. You can use a clever tagline, incorporate your company's logo in an interesting way or creatively use a unique color. 

10) Support Usability

Visual aesthetics is not the only priority for a winning design. You can take your packaging to the next level by introducing functionality. Let's look at the example of Chinese takeout boxes. Apart from keeping the food upright and preventing spills, these boxes can be easily converted into plates for your convenience. Just pop out the wire handle, and you've got yourself a plate!

Similarly, resealability is another simple yet handy element. There is no need to buy another container to store the product. Though packaging serves multiple purposes, it can also be wasteful. With the growing environmental concern, you also need to consider sustainability when designing product packaging. If you're unable to package your products in sustainable materials, find ways to reduce waste. 

For example, you can consider selling refills so customers can continue using the original packaging. 

11) Ensure Stackability

If your products are going to be displayed in grocery and retail stores, they should be able to stand upright. A particular shape may seem like a good idea but may not translate well in reality. That's why it's essential to pick sturdy packaging which won't constantly topple over. 

Furthermore, we also recommend creating stackable packaging, which will come with many advantages. Firstly, you can display many more products on limited shelf space. Secondly, it also minimizes the number of shipping containers required. 

12) Don't Forget Content

Besides visuals, content is an essential factor in product packaging. The packaging should include all the information you are obligated to mention according to relevant regulations, from the product size to ingredients. 

Other than that, you can also use content to put the limelight on your product. Look at Halo Top. The ice cream brand proudly highlights the calories in front and center on the packaging, which isn't common for such items. That's because the brand prides itself on creating low-calorie and healthier ice creams.

Whether your product offers a certain benefit or contains a rare ingredient, make sure it's mentioned on the packaging. 

13) Keep It Simple

In a quest to be different, some designers end up creating a chaotic design that's too complex to understand. While you want to capture customers’ attention, you don't want to confuse them with too many colors, graphics, or information.

It's imperative to prioritize clarity and simplicity when designing packaging. A person should immediately be able to identify the product, its use, and its brand. At times, less is more. A minimalist design can be just as impactful as an elaborate one. 

The Bottom Line

There's no doubt that the quality and novelty of your product play a key role in its success. That being said, you cannot underestimate the influence of the packaging. Creative packaging can encourage customers to abandon their loyalty to a competitor and choose your product instead. Therefore, it's crucial to invest time and resources in developing a packaging design that catches the eye of your target audience.

 

 

Author Bio:

Stefan Smulders is a SaaS Entrepreneur | Bootstrapped to €3M ARR in just 1year | Founder of Worlds safest software for LinkedIn Automation Expandi.io | Vegan | Father

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