Can you imagine a world without packaging designs? How will you know which one contains your favorite M&Ms, or where your detergent is? While the products are essential, their packaging shouldn’t be taken for granted, either! Unfortunately, many companies don’t pay much attention to packaging when designing and conceptualizing their products.
They don’t realize that your chosen packaging is like the spokesperson of your products, which is why you should consider hiring packaging concept design services during your product development process. Continue reading to learn about functional and creative packaging designs for new and existing products for companies.
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What is product packaging?
The product packaging design process refers to developing a product’s exterior. It includes choices in form and material, fonts, colors, and graphics used on a box, a bottle, a can, wrapping, or other containers. While product packaging is a practical tool, it serves more than this. Just like other good designs, the product packaging also tells a story. Sometimes, depending on the package or product, it can also be a sensual experience that engages people through touch, sight, sound, and maybe even taste and smell.
These details help people understand and determine what the product inside is, how to use it, who should use it, and most importantly, if they should or shouldn’t buy the product. Product packaging plays a fundamental role in the following aspects:
- Creating the brand narrative
- Establishing the credibility of the brand
- Increasing brand outreach and awareness
- The overall customer experience
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Your customers get a first impression of your product through your packaging, so always make it count. A product packaging design expert can help. Although product packaging production is relatively straightforward, the secret to producing impactful and effective packaging is making the right choices for your packaging design.
How to develop creative packaging designs for existing and new products
1. Choose your packaging design strategy
Aside from an aesthetically pleasing appearance, packaging serves as an ad for your new or existing product. The materials and cost of your packaging significantly impact critical areas of your business, from customer experience down to your bottom line. Paying close attention to your packaging considerations can make a big difference in how your product impacts the market. Thus, it would help if you had a packaging strategy to guide the design process for the packaging of your product.
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Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to choose your packaging strategy:
- How do you like your customers to feel?
- What makes your product unique from your competitors?
- What narrative do you wish to portray?
- Why did you introduce your product to the market? What is its wow factor?
The answers to these questions will give you a rough strategy for the packaging design and guide you to a more efficient design process. Don’t forget that product satisfaction does not necessarily reflect brand loyalty. Most customers don’t return to a business despite being satisfied with the service or product. It could have something to do with your product’s wow factor and packaging. That is why companies invest in product concept design companies to guide them through the process.
For instance, if the packaging design isn’t memorable, you wouldn’t even remember the milk you loved when you were still a kid or the perfume you tried in the department store a few weeks ago. You will have fewer loyal customers if you don’t offer an unforgettable customer experience. Your packaging is the key to the overall success of your product.
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2. Pick the most suitable type of packaging for product design
Packaging can impact your product’s look, feel, and overall quality. For instance, if you’re developing cosmetics and beauty products, you’ll benefit from hiring a cosmetic packaging designer. Your options may either be limited or endless, depending on the kind of product you have. You also need to consider the materials for your packaging. You might need to wrap your product in several packaging layers, which include the outer and inner layers and the product packaging itself. These different layers are essential to ensure a consistent customer experience.
- Outer layer
The outer layer keeps the product safe and sound, so several considerations are involved here. It protects during shipment or when displayed on store shelves. You need durable materials that can endure rough conditions but is still in line with your company branding.
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- Inner layer
It refers to the additional parts surrounding the outer packaging to ensure the safety of your product itself. It often prevents the product from moving around excessively, depending on the specific type of product.
It can also be a layer that preserves the freshness of the food inside. It may vary depending on the product, although the idea is that it is an extra safety layer for your product to stay intact.
- Product packaging
This one is the most familiar to people. Product packaging is the packaging that contains your product that is protected by the rest of the layers. It can be a bottle, wrapper, box, or anything else that keeps your actual product inside. Functions differ for different kinds of packaging materials. You may have limited packaging options if you have a liquid or food product. Random boxes won’t be enough here. Instead, consider food-grade packaging options with special seals and coating to keep your product fresh, sanitary, and safe.
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Food paper wrapping is also connected with food packaging, particularly in the restaurant industry. Although its purpose is to trap excess oils from baked goods or fast food, this can also be personalized, designed, and custom printed. Aside from food packaging, your choice of material also plays an essential role in communicating the quality of your product. Your packaging options may include the following depending on your product:
- Folding carton
- Rigid packaging
- Corrugated packaging
Your chosen packaging material greatly affects how your product will appeal to customers. This is why you should choose a material that suits your product, target market, and industry.
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3. Consider the packaging’s structural design
Although the aesthetic of your packaging is crucial, functionality is also a key component of your overall packaging design. Be sure to consider how you can develop functional and impactful packaging designs that don’t compromise the customer experience. Structural engineering of your packaging will guarantee that it is user-friendly and safe for customers. You also need to consider the costs of your packaging and product manufacturing services, distributing, and selling it. Your product must be profitable, so your profit margins will suffer if you don’t choose cost-effective packaging.
Using materials like corrugated and folding cartons to construct your packaging can help lower the costs of your materials. Whether you need to ship your products to consumers or distribute them to retailers, the proper packaging can prevent damage to the product to ensure it will arrive intact. It can also enhance freight utilization to reduce freight space and improve your bottom line, which will always be helpful.
Corrugated cardboard box packaging, for example, is versatile and protective and can be recycled when it comes to printing and design. You might also want to consider inserts for your packaging. Inserts provide additional protection while giving your products a higher-end and more customized feel. The different types of inserts include foam, cardboard, plastic tray, and molded pub inserts.
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4. Come up with a packaging artwork design
Again, your packaging serves as the spokesperson for your product. Layering its structural engineering with creative artwork through a graphic designer can help you leave a long-lasting impression among your target customers. You can share your brand’s story through captivating artwork that shares your story, mission, and values.
It creates a positive sentiment and allows customers to align with your brand’s message. The right artwork design for your packaging can help convey critical information regarding your brand and product to your target customers. Artwork can give your product a more premium look and feel, signaling the luxury of your product and making customers anticipate opening the packaging.
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5. Use samples and prototypes to experiment
It takes patience and time to design and develop suitable product packaging. A successful and effective product packaging design can be repetitive, so testing your materials, structure, and artwork before mass production is highly recommended. Rapid prototyping services and samples are crucial steps to evaluate the effectiveness of the packaging vision before you finally introduce your product to the world. It is also essential to validate the fit and sizing of your product in your packaging.
Test your new product’s packaging through prototypes and samples to ensure that your product will have a snug and comfortable fit in the package. It can add to your overall customer experience, as well as the professionalism and credibility of your brand. Remember that happy products mean happy and satisfied customers. Ensure you get insight and feedback by asking your target market directly. After all, the success of your product will depend on your customers. Ensure your packaging design resonates with your product, brand, and customers.
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Always double-check color choices, designs, and structural engineering to ensure your product will be as you envisioned once your customers receive them. Ensure your packaging design is user-friendly, functional, creative, and memorable to boost your sales quickly!
How Cad Crowd can assist
Finding a packaging designer doesn’t have to be difficult, but it does take paying attention to what is available and looking for a designer that is perfect for you and your company. Once you’ve found the perfect designer, you will reap the rewards of your patience with quality packaging for as long as the product is in production. It’s well worth the wait.
At Cad Crowd, we have a network of 3D product modeling services ready to help you design the perfect packaging for your product. Whether you’re in the beauty industry or you work on electronics, we can connect you with someone who knows just what to do. If you’re interested, contact us for a free quote.
