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Fun Packaging Ideas to Catch the Eye

Fun Packaging Ideas to Catch the Eye

5/24/2024

Good marketing is about capturing the consumer's attention. For a product to sell, it needs to catch the eye. One of the best ways to do this is through the product itself, specifically its packaging. Today we've collected a number of interesting and fun packaging ideas to help do just that. If you'd like some help marketing from the shelf, read on. Idea #1: Try Stand Up Pouches Designing a product for a stand up pouch allows for a packaging solution with a lot of benefits even beyond its ability to catch the eye on shelves. One of the most obvious benefits is how versatile pouches are. Almost any shelved product that comes in many pieces (including powders) can be sold in one. Toys, dog treats, and even shampoo all can and have been sold in pouches and that's not an all-inclusive list. Stand up pouches are easy to transport both for businesses and consumers, all while being one of the single most green packaging options on the market today. On top of all that, the cost per unit for pouches tends to be lower than alternatives. Idea #2: Consumers Like Red... This next idea is all about colour. In short, red is the most common colour choice when it comes to marketing and for good reason. People tend to associate red with power and desirability. It also grabs the eye and is very easy to spot from afar. Whether you use it on its own or as an accent, it's hard to go wrong with red. We will say, however, that you should be careful combining red with its complement (green). Red and green combined, for better or worse, is associated with Christmas, at least in the West. Our recommendation is actually a Triad approach. This is where you choose three colours equidistant from each other to produce contrast while maintaining a sense of harmony. In the case of red, this would mean a colour scheme of red, yellow, and blue. If you pay close attention, this is a pretty common combination of colours (especially when companies are marketing multiple products together) and for good reason. Idea #3: ...but Less Common Colours Stand Out The flipside to the above, of course, is that consumers see a lot of red in their day-to-day. There's an argument this has had the unintentional effect of reducing the colour's allure. If you can make a different colour work for your product, it can pay off big time on shelves. If you're taking this approach, however, we recommend first looking at what the competition is doing. If you've decided to choose a different colour scheme, it has to be different. So don't only avoid red; avoid the colours your competitors are tending towards. Of course, there are different levels to this approach. Some companies might avoid making common colours the dominant one on their packages while others might avoid them outright. At the end of the day, it all depends on what looks good and what your goals are. Idea #4: Packaging Should Be Memorable Believe it or not, packaging can be pretty evocative with the right artistic approach. If you've ever seen a package that feels like it's from a different time period or had an elaborate mural or graffiti style to it, then the odds are good you remember it. Even though the purpose of packaging is to hold, and in some ways sell, a product, it can be more. If your consumers can describe your packaging as beautiful or interesting or even "neat" then you have an edge over the competition. It is often said that consumers buy with their eyes. That's is true but you also need packaging they can recall. Design a package that people feel like they're missing out on whenever they decide to walk by it in the store. Good packaging draws the eye. Great packaging keeps the consumer, at least in some small way, engaged with your packaging even once it has left their sight. Idea #5: Aim for a Luxury Look Packaging with a luxury feel can make your product feel far more valuable than the actual cost of materials. Moreover, luxury packaging doesn't have to be all that expensive either. For example, smoky glass combined with a nice label can move large amounts of products. It makes the bottle feel premium and, by extension, the contents of the bottle. There is are certain aesthetics we tend to associate with luxury. Black packaging with gold lettering is one of the most common. A white package with all other elements being black gives a similar feel. While you can't justify packaging costs ballooning, it's worth thinking about whether the luxury aesthetic might be viable for a given product. It's also much easier to achieve the higher the unit price already is since the small rise in price becomes less important. Idea #6: Let the Product Accentuate the Look Sometimes the product within a package can actually be used not unlike another artistic element of the design. If elements of your package are made clear, you can use what's underneath as part of the aesthetic. This is easiest to do with liquids. One could imagine a cutout of lips on a container containing red liquid to colour them in. A cutout of the fruit a drink is flavoured, coloured by the drink itself, is another good example. Done right, it's a fun gimmick that makes a product more memorable. It also has the potential to allow for savings on materials, depending on the nature of the packaging. Idea #7: Consumers Love Eco-friendly Options Packaging that's eco-friendly sells. People worried about the planet love it and those who aren't will, at worst, be indifferent. Combined with a good aesthetic, there are few downsides to going green. In fact, some consumers will do their best to only buy eco-friendly products or will at least be willing to pay more if it means a greener option compared to the competition. This sort of packaging can also make you more appealing to certain businesses with a greener business philosophy. While packaging tends to matter less in B2B transactions, green packaging is definitely something many businesses find attractive. Going eco-friendly isn't as hard as many think. Green packaging used to mean a high premium but costs have gone way down as science and technology improve. Idea #8: Get a Mascot If you can create a brand mascot consumers identify with, it's going to help sell products. Disney is famous for this approach but, if you look hard at shelves, you'll notice they're far from alone. The trick is making a mascot your audience will actually engage with. Children may love cartoons but adults often prefer a human adult to be the face of their chosen brands. It all depends on your core demographic. It's also important to note you shouldn't cheap out when designing a mascot. If you're taking that route, make sure the mascot feels professionally designed and that they can stand a decade or more of representing your products. The reason for this is that suddenly dropping mascots or swapping them out can be confusing. Even redesigns are a mixed bag. Big companies like Kellogg's have gotten some flack for swapping out the designs of mascots people are familiar with. Idea #9: Go Weird This last tip is one of the most risky but it can have a big payoff. Sometimes making your packaging strange pays dividends. Consider Brandless. Their marketing gimmick is their products use very simple designs with minimalist colour schemes. There is almost no branding whatsoever (hence their name). It's weird and it works, in large part because they are the only ones on the shelves with packaging that looks the way it does. It also doesn't look bad to the eye; being the odd-one-out doesn't mean a product is necessarily ugly. If you can come up with a packaging gimmick that is bizarre and draws consumer attention, it has the potential to sell on gimmick alone. The caveat, of course, is things also tend to be designed as they are for a reason. When choosing a "weird" aesthetic, make sure the packaging still indicates what people are buying and doesn't look outright ugly. Done wrong, weird can definitely backfire. Good Packaging Ideas Sell Products The above packaging ideas are only a small portion of the infinite ideas one can use to market a product. Don't be afraid to combine ideas and otherwise experiment to see what your target demographic most connects with. If you need help with packaging or labelling, we'd love to help. Contact us and we can discuss your specific needs! We've helped over 1000 companies and we'd love to help you too.
How to Design Cosmetic Packaging

How to Design Cosmetic Packaging

5/21/2024

As of 2020, the European cosmetics industry was valued at a whopping €76.7 billion! The makeup industry has thus expanded to a highly competitive space. Brands and stores are constantly coming out with new products to meet demand. One of the most challenging tasks of making in in the industry is standing out. You can expand your product line and quality to no end, but it needs to stand out to appeal to the consumer. That's where cosmetic packaging comes in - one of the most effective ways to grab attention and make profits. In this post, we'll walk you through the basics of the packaging design process - from the main elements to surefire hacks. Let's get into it! Who's Your Target Audience? When it comes to designing packaging, identifying your customer base is one of the most critical steps. Your design efforts should be targeted towards a specific clientele so that you ensure you're attracting them. An audience strategy will get you a great return on investment instead of trying to advertise to everyone and lose revenue. When you're trying to identify your audience, be sure to ask yourself the following questions: Who is your average consumer? Think about age, sex, region, etc. What are they interested in? For example, clean beauty, anti-ageing etc. What is the price point they'll go for This factor will influence how much you should budget for packaging What would their ideal design aesthetic be? For example, fun and playful versus minimal and sophisticated approaches Once you answer these simple questions, you can move onto the main affair: the packaging itself. What Are the Main Elements of Cosmetic Packaging? There are numerous factors that you will need to design individually when it comes to packaging. Once you have the individual parts, you will need to match them up for a consistent, cohesive look. Beyond that, ensure that different product lines within a brand have similar packaging identities and look like a distinct family. To better understand this, let's take a look at the main elements that comprise cosmetic packaging. Packaging Shell The product's outer packaging is the first thing a customer sees on the shelf or your website. Your external packaging should be spot on - because science has proven that first impressions matter! Typically, the packaging shell comprises a cardboard housing the product, which can be matte or glossy. You will need to ensure the box contains the important elements and information the client needs. Cosmetic Labels Labels are another element that needs to make an impression. Most customers throw away outer packaging after they open up the box. The label, however, stays on pretty much until the product gets used up. Your label design is where you get to shine. While it doesn't need to have as much information as the box, design your label to convey brand identity and highlight key features of the product. Your cosmetic labels need to be made of durable, resilient materials. Ensure that they are moisture-free, grease-free and dust resistant. Many designers use materials like vinyl for this very reason, as vinyl is resistant to oils and creams. You should also test out your labels to ensure they don't fade quickly or peel off with time. Product Container The type of product container you go with depends entirely on what you're selling. Cosmetic companies use spray bottles, droppers, tubes, pots, and more to carry various products. These containers can be made of glass or plastic. However, glass does convey a higher-end finish, while plastic is excellent for brands wishing to save on packaging costs. Another trend in the makeup industry is to use unexpected containers for the product. For example, using a dropper bottle for blush rather than a pot container. You can get creative with your container! Opt for unconventional shapes and sizes to get a significant leg up on your competition. What Are Some Essential Cosmetic Packaging Ideas? The key to successfully designed packaging is to have a great mix of design, information and functionality. Here are some tips for planning your product packaging that experts swear by: Don't forget to add a list of ingredients on your packaging (bonus points for brands that list the key benefits of each component!) Be sure to match the outer shell box packaging with the product container on the inside - both are essential in creating a brand identity If you offer eco-friendly packaging, be sure to state it so that your customers are aware they're 'going green' by buying your product Try different packaging options until you find one that represents your brand and increases the market appeal Your colours, fonts and graphic elements should be uniform, cohesive and overall matching Be sure to take your time during the product designing phase. The more you try different packaging options and revise your strategy, the more your items will stand out! What's Next? The makeup industry is an exciting and lucrative space to be in right now. If you've been struggling with packaging your products appropriately, we hope this article helped you with cosmetic packaging design ideas. If you're looking for innovative solutions, flexibility and excellent customer support in your packaging solutions, look no further than LabelProfi, get in touch with us and we will happily help you get started. Our cutting-edge technology, creativity, and innovation in the field of cosmetic packaging are sure to set you apart from your competition.
Top 6 Benefits of Eco-Friendly Food Packaging

Top 6 Benefits of Eco-Friendly Food Packaging

4/22/2024

Most UK consumers are concerned about environmental impact. But their practices don't always align with their claims. So how can businesses ensure that they let that happen? How can they address consumers' demand while adopting a competitive edge? Your brand's main mission doesn't have to centre on sustainability. But it's crucial to both profits and the environment that your company tries to be more sustainable. Part of this effort can happen through a switch to sustainable food packaging. Not convinced yet? Then keep reading to learn about the top six benefits of using eco-friendly food packaging. 1. Incentivizes Customers UK customers general lack of abidance by their eco-friendly intentions do not make those intentions less pure. The fact of the matter is that consumerism with a lower carbon footprint isn't as accessible. Many strides have been made in terms of sustainable materials and recyclability. Nonetheless, sustainability still is not a dominant norm. Increasing that access incentivizes consumers to buy from your brand. If your business sells carbonated water, you'll stand out from other competing carbonated water companies by sourcing sustainable packaging materials. You could even let customers know how eco-friendly their packaging decisions are by printing that fact on their packaging. This will encourage passionate environmentally-conscious consumers to repurchase from your brand. 2. Convenient Disposability These types of packaging boxes will make customers feel good about adopting an eco-friendly aesthetic. But they're also more practical, at least in terms of disposal. At the very least, biodegradable packaging is easier to throw away in the trash with no guilt. But they can even dispose of your products' packaging in a compost bin without risking land pollution. All this can encourage your customers even further to buy from your brand. They can do so with no environmental anxiety and make general waste disposal a much easier job. 3. Positive Branding Once again, it's great to be eco-friendly whether or not environmental impact is at the forefront of your brand's message. This will secure your customer's positive experience with your brand. It will also modernize your brand's image and set it ahead of your business's industry. Customers' eco-friendly consciousness is increasing. It only makes sense to meet your consumers' demand and improve your brand's reputation as a result. Doing so can key your customers into your brand's sustainability efforts and give them another great reason to purchase from your brand. 4. Non-Toxicity Substances like lead, mercury, and other certain chemicals are notorious for being circulated through shipping, particularly with plastic packaging. A lot of progress has been made to reduce this circulation - and with great success. But using eco-friendly materials can cut down on this potential even further. Plastic packaging may have substances such as phthalates, dioxins, and more. These materials can trigger allergic reactions, particularly for those that are eczema-prone. Not only that, but some of these substances can even stunt learning development. Again, many shipping/packaging practices have improved to reduce this risk. But many customers are still concerned enough to minimize this risk the best they can, especially parents of babies and young children. Eco-friendly packaging may be a particularly great option if your brand caters to family-oriented products. But this also makes it one of the best types of food packaging, since non-toxic food consumption is bound to be a concern some customers have. 5. Energy-Efficiency Eco-friendly packaging is also energy-efficient. That is because the materials are more lightweight, placing a lighter strain on your production process. While one package may not seem like it makes a difference, this effort can accumulate to a ton of savings through your business's utility bills. This material can also take up less space, using less storage in your packaging facilities. Perks like these can also accumulate to a major cut in business costs by curtailing the need for extra storage space. All this will also make your products easier to ship. Since weight and volume determine shipping costs, you have even more reason to invest in eco-friendly packaging for financial purposes. 6. Variety Other types of packaging are the dominant norm. But eco-friendly packaging has improved since its popularization. So if you thought that it only comes in limited, flimsy forms, think again. Of course, there are indeed very flexible packaging options, such as parchment bags or steam bags. Parchment is paper-based and is generally at the very least, recyclable. Steam bags can also be compostable if made out of biodegradable material. More rigid packaging is still lighter in weight than alternative, more popular forms of plastic packaging. This is because bio-based polyethylene resin coating is made from sugar cane. This makes the material plant-based, biodegradable, and a safer alternative to other plastics. All this can provide plenty of strength for your products. The sum of these benefits can lower consumers' and your company's environmental impact. Stay Ahead of the Industry With Eco-Friendly Food Packaging As the planet's requirements for sustainability increase, it is time that everyone adapts accordingly. Although making the full push takes time, finally making a switch to eco-friendly food packaging can do wonders for your business. Not only will it lower your brand's environmental impact, but it can also help you cut down on production costs. At LabelProfi, we're dedicated to providing companies with quality packaging materials. This includes sustainable and eco-friendly materials, of which we have many. So if you're interested in making the switch, send us an inquiry so we can customize to your business's individual needs!