When it comes to packaging, the entire process of analyzing, designing and manufacturing a package can be considered an art. Beyond transporting your product into your customer’s hands, packaging plays an important role in the perception of your product and how your business approaches sales.
Packaging influences the first impression people have of your product and is often responsible for your product standing out against a sea of competition while in the store. Check out the following five tips to help you optimize your packaging design!
1. Understand Your Audience
Successful packaging is always designed with the customer in mind. If your packaging doesn’t resonate with the people who you want buying your stuff, you’re going to have a tough time marketing and increasing sales. Factors such as age, income and sex influence the colors, shapes, and materials you should use.
Large companies spend considerable amounts of time and money finding out information about their target audience because it makes presenting their product a much easier task. Before any designing is done, you must know who your audience is and how to speak to them.
2. Get Clear On The Production Details
If you’re not cautious, it’s easy to let your packaging costs get out of hand. Getting clear on the production details ensures there are no surprises for everyone involved. It’s important to get clear on the cost per unit, how many packages need producing and where it will be produced. These are three factors crucial to the success of your packing process.
Working with a packaging supply company is an excellent way to gain some insight into the production details. Maintaining control of these three aspects is an excellent way to keep your production on track and within your budget.
3. Don’t Leave The Typography Up To Chance
The fonts and words used on your packaging also play an important role. Plain, generic fonts can easily prevent your product from standing out in the store even if your product is of higher quality than the competition. Any text on your packaging needs to be easy to read and should create a lasting impression on potential buyers.
This is another area where it’s a good idea to consult with a packaging supplies company to ensure the information on your packages is appropriately displayed. It’s also worth investing in a copywriter to refine and optimize the text on your packages.
4. Pay Attention To The Materials
The material you make your package out of has a huge impact on the experience people have with your product. After coming up with a design concept, you’ll have to find a material that can fulfill the design requirements. If you’re selling portable food or drinks, then your packaging needs to take into account how hard it is to eat on the go.
If you sell quick meals but your packaging isn’t microwave safe, you’re creating an extra step and hassle for your customers. The materials you choose for your packaging impacts its functionality and your ability to provide a great experience for your buyers.
5. Pay Special Attention To Practicality
Practicality will always be more important than creativity or uniqueness. It’s pointless to spend all your time trying to come up with a unique package if it makes things more difficult for your customers to use. The more practical the packaging is, the more likely you are to outsell of your competitors. Look at Ketchup, mustard or any other sauce that comes in a bottle. Sales of the easy squeeze bottles far outweigh the bottles you have to leave hanging upside just to use the product.
Consulting with a packaging supplies company is always a good idea since they can analyze the functionality and practicality of your packaging. Always look for ways to make your packing more practical or useful for your customer.
