PRODUCT PACKAGING: DO’S AND DON’TS
Choosing the right product packaging can be overwhelming. There are so many things to think about, from catching a customer’s attention to choosing a material that won’t bend when it’s stuffed into a shopping bag.
Not to worry.
Creative Coco’Nuts has all the design knowledge and practical experience to give you the packaging that’s perfect for you.
Why product packaging is important
While it might be economical to put all your products in brown paper bags, that does nothing to help your business in the long run. By including your logo and colours front and centre, customers can immediately recognize your product and associate it with your brand values.
Product packaging is also important in terms of safety. You’ve come up with the perfect product, spent months designing, testing, and manufacturing it — you don’t want all that hard work to crumble when a customer throws your product into their shopping cart and decides to put a heavy milk jug right on top.
At Creative Coco’Nuts, we’ll help you choose the right material to suit your customers’ needs and create the perfect mix of durability and functionality.
A few factors to consider:
Your market.
Where you’re looking to sell your product (online or in-store) can influence what materials to use for packaging. Shipping is important to keep in mind, especially if the product is going to be hefted from truck to truck and transported across the country.
The type of store (from Costco to a downtown boutique) can also impact the necessary size and durability of packaging.
Your audience.
Your product has to appeal to your target audience, but your packaging does too. Whether you’re looking for a gender-neutral approach or you want to appeal an audience that values sustainability, our design team has you covered.
We will ensure that the finished packaging is everything your target audience is looking for.
Your look.
Yes, packaging has to be functional, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun and eye-catching as well. We’ll design a style for your packaging that meets your brand values, cost requirements, and audience needs.
We’ll take care of everything from colours to the finishing of the package (glossy, matte, soft touch, etc.), and create a finished product that will jump out at customers.
After all, people do judge a book by its cover.
Graphics.
Creative fonts and images on your packaging are essential when customers are trying to choose between two similar products. If your product has an eye-catching design, interesting images, and a clear branding vision, your product will have the edge.
Don’t have a logo or a distinguishable look for your brand? Our design team can take care of that too. Check out the latest logo design trends for inspiration or contact us to get started.
Design Focal Point.
Less is more. Choose the one important product detail that you want customers to know about and leave all the extras (the glowing client testimonials, the high-resolution images of your product in action, the in-depth explanation of how your product is created) in the drawer for other marketing campaigns.
Versatility.
Another important factor for packaging is future versatility. Maybe you have plans to introduce another flavour of chips, a leave-in condition for every hair type, or socks for different types of weather. Our marketing team can design packaging that works for your current product and one that will also work with future variations of that same product.
Legal Requirements.
You may have to include information on your packaging to adhere to federal or provincial laws. Ingredient information, best before dates, warning labels, barcodes, etc. are all important things to leave room for on a package.
Fun Tips!
Create a pattern! If your products are going to be stacked side by side on shelves, consider choosing a design that will create a larger pattern when several of your products are beside each other.
Make it reusable! Reusable packaging is a definite bonus for customers. Not only is it sustainable, but it provides extra incentive to buy your product.
Add some humour!
A witty line of text or a few funny images will make your product stand out and give you an edge.
The design process
Our graphic design team will work closely with your business to understand your brand values and your overall goals.
If you have previous branding and design (a website, business cards, signage, etc.), we will keep your product packaging similar and cohesive with the rest of your brand.
If you’re looking for a branding makeover, we can help bring your vision to life. Our experts will compile all your ideas, note your preferred colours, fonts, and more, and create fresh product packaging that packs a punch.
Contact us today to get started!