How to Design Packaging for a New Product?

Product packaging design is about creating the outer cover of a product that both protects it and shows what brand it belongs to. A good design helps the product look better makes people want to buy it and makes customers feel connected to the brand. The process starts by figuring out what the packaging needs to do, learning about the people who will buy the product and picking the right kind of box and style. 

Packaging helps build a lasting brand image by keeping the look and feel consistent. Companies often look at successful packaging examples to get inspiration. The future of packaging will focus on using eco-friendly materials as more people care about the environment and personal touches.

What is Product Packaging Design?

Product packaging design is a specific area of visual communication and industrial design that deals with the look and structure of a product’s container. It is both an artistic and smart process where choices about shape, materials and images are made. These choices are important because they not only keep the product safe but also make it look appealing. 

Packaging design is a key part of how a brand is shown to customers. It helps shape how people think about a product, gives important information and can even affect whether someone decides to buy it. It brings together ideas from graphic design and user experience to make sure the product catches attention on the shelf while matching the brand’s image. In short, product packaging design connects the product with its customers. 

Why Product Packaging Design is Important?

Product packaging design is important because it directly affects how people see and relate to a product. As a major part of how a brand communicates, it helps build trust, share important product details and make the brand stand out in a busy market. Packaging that looks good and works well improves the experience when someone opens the package and adds value beyond the product itself. 

It also helps with marketing by making the product easier to share and remember. Strong packaging can make the difference between a product being noticed or overlooked on store shelves or online in competitive markets. 

Why Do You Need Packaging Design For Your Product?

You need packaging design for your product because it is the first thing people see when they meet your brand. Packaging is also a strong marketing tool that shows what your product is worth and what it does besides keeping your product safe and stored properly. It helps your product look different from others and makes your brand more memorable. 

Good packaging also helps people decide to buy when they are looking at similar products. Well-designed packaging can grab attention right away and make people trust your brand more whether on a store shelf or on a computer screen which leads to more loyal customers and more sales. 

How to Create Packaging Design for a New Product?

Creating packaging design for a new product is a step-by-step process that involves planning and careful execution. It makes sure the packaging both keeps the product safe and matches the brand’s goals and what customers expect. Here are the key steps to create good product packaging: 

• Research Your Product Packaging Needs
• Understand Your Product Audience
• Select the Type of Packaging
• Choose the Right Box Style for Your Packaging
• Select the Material for Your Packaging
• Create the Artwork Design for Your Packaging
• Determine the Printing Method for Your Packaging Design
• Create a Packaging Prototype and Sample
• Test the Product Packaging Design
• Start the Production of Your Product Packaging

1. Research Your Product Packaging Needs

Understanding your packaging needs is very important when creating custom packaging that matches your brand’s purpose and what customers expect. Research helps you make better choices and lets brands design packaging that fits the product’s size, how long it lasts, and what is needed for selling or shipping. This step makes sure the look of the packaging matches the people you are trying to reach in branding. 

There are different types of packaging like rigid boxes and cardboard boxes and each one has a special job. A report from Smithers Pira says 72% of consumers make buying decisions based on packaging. Knowing your packaging needs also helps save money by avoiding using too much material and making production more efficient. 

1. Understand Your Product Audience

Understanding who your product is for is really important when making custom packaging that truly speaks to what customers want and believe in. It makes the experience better for users, helps them connect more with your brand and makes your brand feel more like a real part of their life. Your packaging should show the age and how people buy things through the way it looks and how it works. 

Packaging that focuses on the audience can boost brand recognition by 35% according to McKinsey & Company reports. It is also smart because it saves money by cutting down on the need for big changes later. 

1. Select the Type of Packaging

Packaging comes in many different forms and it is important to know what options are available before designing custom packaging for your brand. There are rigid boxes and blister packs and each of which is suited for different products and branding goals. Choosing the right type of packaging helps protect your product better which makes it look more appealing and increases its chances of being noticed on store shelves. 

According to The Packaging Company, the type of packaging can influence up to 60% of first-time buyers. It also affects how much it costs to make and how it is shipped. Using the correct packaging type helps build a strong brand image and builds trust with customers. 

1. Choose the Right Box Style for Your Packaging

Choosing the right box style is important for making custom packaging that fits your product’s size and looks good. Different box styles, such as tuck-end, mailer, or hinged lid are used for various branding and structural reasons. Packlane and Smurfit Kappa say that the type of box affects how customers feel when they open it and what they think about your brand.

A box that matches your product well makes it easier to use and helps build your brand image. It is also a smart and affordable way to create a packaging experience that feels consistent and memorable which can make customers happier and more likely to return. 

1. Select the Material for Your Packaging

Choosing the right material is very important when making custom packaging that works well in terms of strength and being friendly to the environment. Materials such as corrugated cardboard, rigid board, and biodegradable films all play a big role in keeping products safe and shaping how the brand is seen. 

The feel and quality of the material give people a sense of how trustworthy the brand is in terms of branding. Using environmentally friendly materials helps improve the brand’s image and cuts down on waste, making the packaging both effective and smart for the brand’s future.

1. Create the Artwork Design for Your Packaging

Creating effective packaging artwork design is important for clearly and consistently showing your brand message. This involves choosing colors, fonts, and how things are arranged to match your brand and catch the attention of your customers. Effective design makes your product more attractive on store shelves and helps position your product in the market. 

DesignRush reports that eye-catching packaging can increase the chance of someone buying by up to 45%. Strong packaging artwork helps people recognize your brand and is also a budget-friendly way to stand out in a busy marketplace. 

1. Determine the Printing Method for Your Packaging Design

Choosing the right printing method helps improve both the quality and speed of your packaging production. Different printing techniques such as offset or screen printing, have their own advantages when it comes to cost and how complicated the designs are. Using the correct method makes sure your printed materials look bright and consistent. 

A report from Packaging Digest says that picking the right printing technique can cut down production mistakes by 30%. It also helps your brand by providing clear eye-catching images that make your brand more noticeable and attractive to customers. 

1. Create a Packaging Prototype and Sample

  Creating a packaging prototype and sample is an important part of making custom packaging that works as planned and shows your brand clearly. It lets you check the size and how it looks before making a large batch. Testing with a prototype helps catch any design problems early on and makes sure the customer experience goes smoothly. 

The Packaging School says that using physical samples can increase the chance of getting packaging approved by 40%. This step helps keep your brand looking consistent and makes sure the packaging is both cost-effective and works well in real life.   

1. Test the Product Packaging Design

 Testing your product packaging design makes sure it works well and matches your brand’s goals. It includes checking how strong the packaging is and if the printed details are correct and how customers react to the packaging. You can get feedback from focus groups or internal reviews. 

According to ISTA, which is an organization that sets standards for safe transport, proper testing can cut product damage during shipping by half. This process helps improve how the packaging looks and is built which leads to better customer satisfaction. It also helps avoid expensive mistakes and ensures that your packaging supports both your brand image and how well your product performs.

1. Start the Production of Your Product Packaging 

Starting the production phase brings your custom packaging design to life with all the elements like materials and artwork as well as printing finalized. This step involves working with reliable packaging suppliers and checking the quality to make sure everything is on time. According to Packaging World, making the production process more efficient can cut down the time it takes to make the packaging by 35% and it also helps to make sure that the output is consistent every time. 

In terms of branding, having good quality production keeps your design looking the same across all products which makes it easier to mass distribute and helps customers trust your brand more.

How Product Packaging Design Can Build Brand Identity?

Product packaging design has a strong role in creating and supporting a brand’s image. It shows the brand’s character and place in the market through the use of colors and materials and how the package is made. It helps people recognize the brand when packaging is used consistently and thoughtfully, that they feel a connection and trust it more. Brands that spend time on good packaging often find they have a better presence in the market and more loyal customers. A well-made package works well for its purpose and also shows the brand’s story and goals. 

What are the Characteristics of Good Product Packaging Design?

A great packaging design catches attention and keeps the product safe as well as builds a connection with the customer. Important features include looking good and being easy to understand and working well which can be long-lasting with matching the brand’s style. It should show the brand’s personality which stands out among other products and clearly explain what the product can do. Experts like The Dieline say that effective packaging uses matching colors and easy-to-read layouts to make a positive impression. 

What are some Examples of Product Packaging Design?

Some of the best examples of product packaging come from well-known brands around the world, such as Apple and IKEA. Each of these brands has its own special way of designing packaging. Apple uses a style that is simple and feels good to touch. This helps create a sense of value and makes opening the package feel like a special event. IKEA’s packaging is designed to be easy to assemble and includes clear instructions. It shows their focus on affordable and simple solutions. These examples show how packaging can be more than just packaging.

How to Design Packaging for a Limited Edition Product?

Designing packaging for a limited edition product needs to highlight exclusivity and collectability. This kind of packaging often uses high-quality materials and special effects like foil stamping or embossing with details like numbers or dates. It should show that the product is rare and increase the brand’s value while still working well for its purpose. According to Packaging Europe this type of packaging makes customers more excited and creates a sense of urgency. It helps brands create special experiences and build stronger emotional connections with their most loyal customers. 

What is the Legal Requirement of Product Packaging Design?

Product packaging needs to follow rules set by the FDA, FTC, and CPSC in the United States. These rules require correct labeling and a list of ingredients with proper placements of barcodes such as warning labels and information about where the product was made. This helps make sure that products are safe and advertised correctly.

What Are Some Inspirations for Product Packaging Design?

Some ideas for product packaging design come from brands that focus on simplicity like Muji and Apple which use clean designs and soft colors to create a calm and aesthetic look. There are other brands such as Chanel and Tiffany & Co., which use premium quality materials and stylish details to show luxury. Then there are brands like Lush and Patagonia that use environmentally friendly packaging to show that they care about the environment.

What is the Future of Product Packaging Design?

The future of product packaging design is focused on sustainability and customized options. Companies are moving towards using materials that can break down naturally which adds features like QR codes for extra information and using AI to create custom designs. Studies from Forbes show that customers today care about packaging that is environmentally friendly and uses the latest and modern technology which makes using the product easier and helps protect the environment.