Before you actually order your company’s packaging run, you need to take the time to design the packaging and ensure it appeals to the audience. The design process can be intricate and time-consuming, but this is always worth it over time. After all, a well-thought-out design will fly off the shelves, while a poor design thrown together in minutes is unlikely to sell. To get you started, here are some of the first steps when designing your packaging run.
Find a Professional Designer
While you will save money initially by designing the artwork and overall shape and style of your packaging, this will hurt you over time. Remember that professional designers know about current trends in the packaging world, letting you take advantage of them. You will likely have a few ideas, which you should definitely share with your designer. Just don’t let your vision for your packaging take over and cause you to disregard professional advice. The best packaging companies will also offer design services so you don’t have to look too hard to find a designer.
Check Out the Competition
Early on during the design process, you want to take the time to see what your competition’s packaging looks like. If multiple competitors use minimalistic packaging, this can either indicate that this is the type of design your customers want or that going in a different direction will give you a way to stand out from the crowd. Although you do want to be unique, it is smart to pay attention to competitors. Remember that their design has been proven to be effective, so it makes sense to take advantage of their research.
Contemplate the Types of Boxes
A key part of the packaging design is the size and shape of your chosen box. After all, it is impossible to plan the artwork in detail if you don’t even know the dimensions that you need to fill. To figure out the right box type for your product, consider the dimensions of the item itself, as well as whether you need to fit anything else inside, such as plastic or Styrofoam to protect the item.
Keep Readability in Mind
During the entire design process, keep in mind that everything on the package must be readable. You don’t want to choose a font or color combination that makes customers strain their eyes to see the details; they will skip your product and go to one they can understand. In addition to being simple to read, your packaging should have a clear flow that takes the customer’s eyes from one spot to another, ideally ending back at the beginning.
Know What You Want
The most important thing to do early on in the packaging design process is to figure out exactly what you want from the packaging. What kind of theme do you want to convey? Who is your audience? How do you want customers to use your product? How should your brand imagery fit into the packaging? A good designer will help you figure out the answers to these questions if you cannot on your own, so your project starts off on the right foot.
