You can have the best product in the world, but if your packaging isn’t up to par, you will not sell many units. In today’s competitive marketplace, product packaging is more important than ever. Here are seven tips for designing attractive packaging to help your product stand out.
Keep it simple
When it comes to design, less is almost always more. A simple design is easy on the eyes and easy to understand. It’s also more likely to appeal to a broader range of people than a busy, complicated design. When in doubt, err on the side of simplicity. Here are a few tips for keeping your packaging design clean and appealing:
- Use clean lines and shapes: Avoid clutter using simple shapes and lines in your design. Stick to a limited color palette to create a cohesive look.
- Make it easy to read: Use clear fonts and legible text to ensure that your packaging can be easily read. Avoid using too much text or small font sizes.
- Keep it relevant: Make sure your packaging design is relevant to your product and brand. Avoid using irrelevant images or text that could confuse customers.
Use high-quality materials
The materials you use for packaging also reveal a lot about your product. High-quality materials convey a sense of quality and care that will make potential customers more likely to purchase your product. If you can’t afford high-quality materials, try to find a happy medium between quality and cost. The last thing you want is for your packaging to fall apart before the customer even gets it home.
Make it memorable
In a sea of similar products, anything you can do to make your product memorable will help it sell. Whether it’s an eye-catching design or a clever tagline, find some way to ensure prospective customers remember your product long after seeing it. For example, if you’re selling perfumes, using round blue glass bottles will make your product more memorable than a standard plastic bottle. This will give the customer something to remember and help them decide to purchase your product.
Consider the environment
An increasing number of consumers are taking the environment into consideration when making their purchases. Suppose your packaging is made from sustainable materials and can be easily recycled. In that case, that will put you ahead of the competition. With that in mind, here are a few tips for creating attractive packaging that’s also earth-friendly:
- Use recycled materials whenever possible. Recycled paper, cardboard, and even plastic can be just as attractive as virgin materials. They’ll help reduce your company’s environmental impact.
- Avoid using excessive plastics. Plastics are one of the most significant contributors to environmental pollution, so using them sparingly is essential. If possible, opt for paper or biodegradable materials instead.
- Choose earth-friendly printing methods. If you need to print on your packaging, choose a printer that uses soy-based inks or other eco-friendly options.
Communicate clearly
Your packaging should do more than look good—it should also communicate clearly what your product is and what it does. Don’t make potential customers work too hard to figure out what they’re looking at—if they can’t tell what your product is within a few seconds, they’re likely to move on to something else.
Don’t forget about the function
While aesthetics are important, don’t forget that your packaging needs to be functional. It should be easy to open, close, and carry—and it shouldn’t damage the product inside (or cause excessive waste). Give some thought to how your packaging will actually be used by consumers—and make sure it works well for them. For instance, if you’re selling coffee beans, ensure your packaging can be resealed easily to keep the beans fresh. On the other hand, a durable box might be a better choice for fragile items that need extra protection. They serve the purpose, plus they can still be used as storage.
Test it out
Once you’ve designed your packaging, put it through its paces with some real-world testing. Show it to friends, family members, and strangers and see what they think. Make sure it’s easy to understand, sturdy enough to withstand being dropped, and visually appealing enough to catch someone’s eye. Getting feedback from real people is one of the best ways to fine-tune your design before sending it off to print.
The bottom line
The success of your product will heavily rely on the perception of your packaging. Make sure to put care into the design of your product packaging, and don’t be afraid to test it out to get feedback from real people. If you follow these tips, you’ll have attractive product packaging that will help your products stand out from the rest!
