{"id":71500,"date":"2022-05-24T09:37:36","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T23:37:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elements.blog-cms.envato.net\/?p=20755"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:45:34","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T06:45:34","slug":"product-packaging-design-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elements.envato.com\/learn\/product-packaging-design-tips","title":{"rendered":"How to Design Product Packaging: 15+ Expert Product Packaging Design Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thanks to the increase in ecommerce driven by the COVID 19 pandemic, the product packaging industry is experiencing a creative boom. With today’s customization tools and digital printing solutions, brands now have endless product packaging options to choose from. And with packaging design trends<\/a> including everything from gradients and holographic colors to pack-vertising<\/a> and sustainable packaging<\/a>, the sky\u2019s the limit. But how do you choose the perfect packaging design for your product?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With 70% of consumers<\/a> forming their impression of a brand based on its packaging, there\u2019s no denying that your product packaging choices can have a big impact on customer experience and satisfaction. Whether you\u2019re designing your packaging for functionality and practicality or creativity and innovation, it\u2019s super important to know your audience\u2019s preferences, needs and values, and design your packaging accordingly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ready to learn how to wrap your products up in the perfect package? We\u2019ve called on a range of industry experts to share their top product packaging design tips, tricks and advice. Enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kristy Campbell<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

CEO of Pink Pony Creative<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Kristy<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

1. Think about the whole package<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Great packaging design is about combining beautiful colors<\/a>, typography<\/a> and photography<\/a>. When you\u2019re creating packaging for a specific audience, everything needs to have a purpose. It\u2019s also crucial to think about how that product will look on a shelf (if it\u2019s being sold in store) or how it will look online and stand out from its competitors. Maybe it\u2019s through the use of bold typography or daring color choices. Think, \u201cWhy am I making these choices and what\u2019s their purpose?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Do a test print<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is KEY when it comes to packaging design. Before printing thousands, test the print, mock it up, and make sure all of your design choices are right, e.g. ensure the font size is correct, the colors are well thought-out, etc. Also think about additional printing techniques that could make the packaging come alive. Maybe it\u2019s a holographic foil, embossed wording or spot UV \u2013\u00a0 this can make your design go from good to excellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a really proud moment to see your packaging design come to life and hold the end result in your hands as a physical product. It’s even better when it\u2019s mass produced and you get to see thousands of them!<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Morice Kastoun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Freelance Product Packaging Designer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Morice<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Think of packaging as problem solving<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s an expectation to come up with a packaging solution that is both unique and appeals to the market or category you\u2019re designing<\/a> for. This is also the most rewarding part \u2013 it\u2019s satisfying finding the solution to the \u2018problem\u2019. Simply determine what problem you want the packaging to solve, then design it to execute this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Know your category <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t stress enough how important it is to know the category you\u2019re working in. Do an audit of your competitors to determine what they\u2019re doing and why. What brand assets<\/a>, such as colors, shapes, or image styles, do they use? This will help you understand what to stay away from and highlight opportunities not already being capitalized on within your category to ensure that the product stands out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Packaging design is so different and liberating. It enables me to utilize strengths, such as illustration and drawing<\/a>, and gives my work a lot more exposure. It\u2019s amazing seeing my work in pubs or on supermarket shelves.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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James Tait<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Print Production Manager at The Sticker Company<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"James<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Keep a tight brief<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

My top packaging design tip is to keep a tight brief. Whether it’s coming from a client or not, make sure you ask as many questions as you can to establish exactly what they want and make it more fun. At least for me, a tight brief is where the magic happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Catch your customers\u2019 attention<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To catch your customers\u2019 attention, you need to make sure that your packaging stands out against the rest. You have more than color schemes and a square box at your disposal \u2013 think about printing techniques, laminates, embossing, white print, and textures. If a competing product uses a glossy laminate, go for a matte laminate. These small things will differentiate your product and redirect your customer’s focus when shopping in highly saturated markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love the problem-solving aspect of package design. Not only is it an opportunity to flex ideas and come up with creative solutions, but it’s also an opportunity to create and manufacture something that no one else has made before.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Phil Forbes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Senior Marketer at Packhelp<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Phil<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7. Make the most of your packaging<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Packaging is more than a box \u2013 you can also use mailer bags, inserts, cardboard tubes, jiffy bags, stand up pouches, envelopes. Don’t default to a box. The type of packaging you use says as much about your brand as the design you put on it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, use all the surfaces of your packaging. When someone opens a box to see the product, that’s an intimate moment. Print info on the inside of your packaging to make your brand part of that initial experience between product and consumer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Stay consistent<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Consistency is key. Your packaging has to fit in the language of your website, stationery and branding<\/a> \u2013 it’s simply another medium to help create a consistent branding experience<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s mind-blowing to see how our customers can take something as simple as a cardboard box, and use colors, patterns, shapes and text to create such a wide variety of designs. That\u2019s what I love about packaging design \u2013 it\u2019s an overlooked medium that can be used as a blank canvas.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Min Ker<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Designer at The Key Branding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Min<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9. Think about how it will look on the shelf<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The thing that keeps me excited about packaging is how integrated it is with everyday life \u2013 you can see it in almost every aspect of peoples\u2019 lives. With this in mind, it\u2019s super important to think about how your design will look on the shelf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Keep it succinct, simple and straightforward<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

To me, successful packaging design should follow the three S\u2019s \u2013 Succinct, Simple & Straightforward! It should be succinct in expressing an idea or emotion, simple in the execution of design and messaging, and straightforward in terms of delivering its core proposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love the ideas that form part of the packaging design process. Even though it can be challenging, it\u2019s so satisfying to work with a team and client to solve a problem. It also doesn\u2019t hurt to see your own designs when you go shopping!<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Phil Bagdasarian<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Founder and CEO at PackWire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Phil<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11. Determine your packaging\u2019s purpose<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A lot of us are rethinking the purpose of packaging. Now that e-commerce<\/a> is king, customer-initiated touchpoints happen on the screen rather than on the shelf. Often, the first interaction a customer has with a brand’s packaging is after they’ve already made their purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of this we’re pivoting from a “pick me!” philosophy to a design approach that reassures clients that they\u2019ve made the right choice. So, it’s important to ask where precisely on the customer journey your packaging enters the picture and what purpose it\u2019s serving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Know your customers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Your packaging has an intimate connection with the individuals handling it. It can offer moments of anticipation, surprise, and even stick around in consumers’ homes long after the product is out of the box (packaging is often repurposed for storing household supplies). Put yourself inside the mind of the consumer and think about how they’re going to interact with your packaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Don\u2019t Overdo It<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One of the biggest mistakes I see companies make with their packaging is that they try to cram every selling point, piece of information, design trend and buzzword onto their box. This results in a jumbled message that doesn\u2019t really say anything at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to effective packaging, whittle your product or brand down to its essentials and showcase them front and center. That isn’t to say that your brand should embrace a minimalist design language<\/a>, but rather that your messaging should remain focused and serve an actionable purpose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never be afraid to take chances. DIY packaging tools and digital printing are making it easier than ever to experiment with your brand messaging and storytelling. Let your creativity take full reign \u2013 when competition is fierce, you want to show that you’re doing things differently.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Asif Muhammad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Co-founder and CEO at Refine Packaging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Asif<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

14. Understand how your packaging will be used<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s crucial to consider how your packaging will be used. This will help guide what type of packaging your product will need. Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n