Any way that a product can stand out on its own in its packaging is usually positive. Design choices, ranging from the type of product packaging to the style in which the packaging is decorated, all have a role in driving consumers to buy.
Maybe you’re shipping directly to your customers. Or perhaps you are simply looking for a way to catch the eye on a shelf. Either way, there are plenty of trendy and cool product packaging ideas to explore for your brand.
Here is a list of twelve cool product packaging ideas:
Idea #1: Minimalist packaging
Minimalism is the single most popular influence in product packaging. A simple package that isn’t typically dressed in a single colour and with your logo and relevant information on the front is sometimes all you need.
A lot of our favourite packaging is minimalism-based. It’s effective. It’s trendy. It works.
Idea #2: Patterns on packaging
You don’t have to go minimalism with every product. Sometimes, a simple two or three-colour pattern can be eye-catching and work even better.
Pay attention to how colours occupy space on your packaging. A simple strip pattern, dot pattern, or something similar will make your product more identifiable to your brand.
Idea #3: Illustrations on packaging
If you aren’t sure where to start in the minimalism v. pattern debate, hire an illustrator to come up with some imagery and textural elements that you can adorn your package with.
A simple illustration in line with what you already have for your logo and brand graphics can be highly effective at turning your packaging into something very meaningful.
Idea #4: Product visibility
Think about whether your product should be visible through the packaging or not, partially or completely. For food product packaging in-store, this is common.
For packaging, shipping over distances, it might not be recommended. If you can’t display a part of the product through the packaging, think about whether there are benefits to putting an image of the product on the front or back.
Idea #5: Custom Tape
Custom tape for product packaging is another highly popular and common brand packaging method. Amazon uses it, as do many brands.
When the tape is put on in a specific way, it adds a human touch to the package and is an opportunity to add a logo or other brand graphics that make your packaging more than just a generic version.
Idea #6: Interior packaging decorating
Don’t forget about the inside of your product packaging. Most brands focus on decorating the outside. The inside is a great chance to add a pattern or visuals to make a box feel luxurious and on-brand.
Try a single colour if a pattern is too much for inside the box. Explore the possibilities.
Idea #7: Unconventional shape
An unconventional shape doesn’t mean designing packaging with nine sides. Assuming you are selling a product that many other brands already produce, it means innovating in displaying yours. For example, something that might typically come in a square offers it in a cylinder.
If you aren’t displaying your product on a shelf, you can use a different presentation to make your brand, product, and packaging stand out.
Idea #8: Packaging lettering
You want your letters or logo to pop out from your packaging. Most brands do this by structuring their colour scheme correctly. They use darker, subdued colours to create a background.
In addition, they also use bbrighter, more attention-grabbing colours for the logo or product name. Another way is by raising the lettering.
Idea #9: Eco-friendly packaging
There are many types of eco-friendly packaging out there. Ensure your brand is matched with what packaging works for you but if there’s an opportunity to make it sustainable, take it and promote it as such.
Eco-friendly packaging is the right move for the environment and is strongly encouraged.
Idea #10: Box opening experience
Think of how your packaging will be opened and how the person will interact with what they’re seeing and feeling in their hands. Create an experience by thinking of how your packaging will open, what will be found inside the packaging, and if you would like a box or bag inside your packaging as a sort of packaging-inside-packaging.
Some of the trendiest product packagings is based around crafting the ultimate opening experience for a brand’s target customer.
Idea #11: Include a gift inside the packaging
Many brands opt to use the inside of their packaging to include things like a discount code, a business card with social media links, or even a gift.
A gift should be inexpensive, reusable, and on-point with your brand. It could be a free sample of another product or something you want to do some A/B testing with. There are lots of ways to convert packaging into something more.
Idea #12: Luxurious packaging
Create a luxurious packaging profile according to what income your target customer has. Price is a determinant of whether a customer purchases a product or not.
Take inventory of your market and how products are packaged, from luxury brands to discount brands. Reinterpret what you observe in your packaging to ensure you’re targeting the right customer.
