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One of the greatest challenges facing any retailer is that of finding the right look for a great product. Before even getting to print and television advertising campaigns, designers are charged with the task of developing the right packaging to not only contain and protect the product during shipping, but also to attract and keep the attention of the consumer. With market and design trends constantly shifting, how can companies stay on top of creative packaging? Consider the following ideas to spruce up your designs and take your packaging to the next level.
Design around the item’s main purpose or material
Instead of just putting your product into a typical square or rectangular box, consider shaping or printing it with something directly relevant to what it does or is made from. Examples might be a fruit juice box with a print of the fruit’s skin on all six sides, a no-tears shampoo in a teardrop-shaped bottle or a pet treat stored in a cat- or dog-shaped container.
Employ transparent film in unique ways
Consider the aesthetic value of your product and how the packaging might emphasize it through a transparent window. If your product is a chocolate-scented, cocoa-colored bath soap, such as, a transparent window in the shape of a bitten chocolate bar could cleverly highlight its unique scent feature.
Give your packaging a secondary use
Some of the most interesting packaging in recent years has been that which has an additional use beyond simply holding the product. A folding box for a soft cheese that turns into a cardboard knife, for instance, provides a secondary use that is directly related to the product itself. Consider designing your package to turn into simple items that might benefit your product or your consumer, like a toothpick or a snack cup. Not only is offering the customer a secondary packaging use clever, it’s also environmentally friendly!
Grab on to trends in minimalism and color
If your product doesn’t quite lend itself to any of the other clever devices, your packaging can still “jump off the shelf” by using an eye-catching design anchored in modern trends. Go for a sleek, minimalist ethic with clean lines and plenty of white space, and/or employ bold colors to distinguish your product from others. Be careful not to get too trendy, though; a trend is only a trend because others are using it, and you don’t want your product to look too similar to your competitors’ products. Be aware of the designs and trends your direct competitors are following, and develop your packaging designs accordingly.
People and companies love to get gifts. People also love to pick out gifts for others. A thoughtful gift can show someone that you care about them and you understand what makes them happy. Part of the creation of any gift is putting the gift in the right packaging. A beautifully decorated gift box can help make the gift giving experience even better. When the recipient of your gift gets an elegant holiday item with dark blue gift wrap that has handmade, individually cut out silver snowflakes on it, they will be even happier and more pleased at your true thoughtfulness.
Commissioning custom designed creative holiday packaging has many advantages. A business owner can use such holiday packaging to send out gifts that will immediately stand out in a crowd from other gifts the person may have received. Holiday packing of this kind can also serve as a subtle means of advertising your own business to others. For example, if you have a company that specializes in home improvement projects, you can have holiday paper decorated with small houses scattered across the paper. If you have a baking business, you can purchase custom holiday wrapping paper that has designs incorporating the kind of holiday treats you bake at this time of the year.
A custom created holiday wrap can also be used in other circumstances. If you have a group of hard working, long-standing employees that you would like to honor, you can arrange to send gifts to them honoring their years of hard work and company contributions. You can delight your children’s teachers with lovely wrapping paper that will also show them how much you care about them and appreciate all the hard work they do to teach your kids. Holiday gift packaging can also help teach your kids about how to help pick out a design that is creative, innovative and fun.
Any gift you send can be made even better with the use of such packaging. Add to the holiday cheer at this time of year with a cleverly designed package that is sure to attract a great deal of attention and admiration from the person who gets it. Work with creative people who can show you how to provide your friends, relatives and all those you care about with a gift that is ideal in every possible way.
Many businesses are having great success using ecologically friendly packaging. Practically all leading packing companies offer a number of products that are made from environmentally friendly components or materials. Using packaging materials which are also eco-friendly comes with a number of advantages, some of which might surprise you.
Improve Your Brand Image
It may not be the first reason so many companies have gone the eco-friendly route, but few fail to let their target demographics know that they are making an effort to be a little greener on the planet. When your customers learn that you are using ecologically friendly materials, particularly in disposable packaging, they will feel better about spending their money with you. In fact, some larger companies and corporations have opted to only work with companies that make sustainability pledges. In other words, you’ll keep more clients, and attract more than you would otherwise.
Benefit the Environment
It may seem painfully obvious, but the benefits of actually being eco-friendly are not just moral benefits. Eco-friendly packing materials is almost always made from re-used or recycled materials. This reduces waste and improves the efficiency of the manufacturing process. Harmful plastics that require special precautions are minimal, if not absent, from environmentally sound packaging. This will save you a tremendous amount of expense and resources to deal with.
More Versatile
A surprising benefit to using eco-friendly packaging is that it is also extremely versatile. These types of packaging materials have uses in nearly every major industry where standard packaging is used. This means you can use it for a wider variety of packages than other packing materials, and you will have more options open to you when it comes to working out creative designs for special marketing purposes. For example, recyclable materials can be used for packaging nearly all consumer goods, promotional products, or commodities of the like. Meanwhile, some other types of materials that may be more harmful to the ecosystem are limiting in their ability to be used for a wide variety of goods. Another plus is that eco-friendly packaging can also be used with most food products without worry.
Easier Disposal
Companies that go through a great deal of disposable packaging material usually spend a great deal of time and expense moving and disposing of the supplies. Eco-friendly packaging is compostable, reusable, and recyclable. That means it can be used after the fact. For this reason, if your packaging is outsourced then some companies will offer discounts for choosing recyclable materials. Furthermore, generally speaking disposal of eco-friendly packing material is a simple process in comparison to other potentially bio-hazardous metals and other aluminum packaging alternatives. There are minimal special regulations for disposing eco-friendly packaging, so consumers will have an easier time disposing or recycling your products which could lead to increased satisfaction.
