Essentials of Packaging Design

You have created a superb product. No doubt it will serve the needs of the customer well but it still needs to reach the customer and it must reach him/her in top condition until it is time to use it. This is the primary function of packaging: To keep the product safe and intact until it is time for the customer to use it. However, it is just one of the functions that packaging serves. An effective packing should do a lot more than just keep the product safe. It plays the following roles to name a few.

 

Function – Packaging should be able to protect your product and keep it safe right from the point of manufacturing, throughout the transit, to your customer’s premises until he is ready to use the product.

Attraction – Packaging should be able to attract your potential customers into purchasing your product. The customer should be enticed to pick your product amongst the available options.

Promotion – The packaging should tell what is being offered and exactly what’s inside. Any information that will help the customer to make his purchase decision should be displayed clearly on the packaging.

Differentiation – The packaging should be unique amongst the comparable or similar products. It should be easily differentiable from the other competitive products.

 

Let’s look at some key points to bear in mind while designing the packaging.

 

Keep it Simple: The packaging should make the decision-making process of the customer easier and simple. The customer should be able to identify your product quickly and easily. If you are launching a new product, then the name, brand, description and other vital information should be easy to read and help in attracting customers.

 

Stand out from competition: You need to attract customers. For that your packaging should be different from your competitors. Scour the market and see how your competitor is packing its products. Figure out what innovation can you use in your packaging. The shape, colour, texture, anything can be used to differentiate your packaging from your competitor’s packaging.

 

Use good quality material: Show that you mean business when it comes to caring for your product. Good quality material conveys a premium image. It says that the product is so good that it deserves high quality packing. Besides this, a high quality material ensures that your product is not spoilt during transit or storage.

 

Enhance user convenience: Will it be better in a bottle or a plastic pouch? Hardcover or soft cover? Think from customer’s perspective. What would be easy for him. For example, if it’s ketchup that you are selling, should it be in glass bottle or plastic squeeze bottle? Remember Harpic? The nozzle design helps in reaching under the bowl’s rim. That’s a great design.

 

Describe the product use and abilities: But do not exaggerate. Never overstate the abilities of your product. If the product does not meet it stated capabilities, it will not only turn away existing customers, but will also turn away future customers. Just state the facts and promise the attainable results. If your product is good the word of mouth publicity will do its work and increase your sales.

 

The text should be legible: The text on the packaging should be large enough to be read clearly. It should be printed in contrast so that it’s easy on the eye. Choose the font, size, colour wisely. These not only help pass the information, but can be used to build a brand image. For food and medical products, the ingredients and expiry dates should be very easily locatable and clearly readable. If your product is packaged in a transparent packing and the product itself is carrying this information, the make sure the product is oriented properly so that the information in clearly visible.

 

Be target specific: Identify who is your customer. Who are you selling to? If your answer is everybody, then you need to do more research. Identify the segment of the market that is your target audience. Design the packaging keep that audience in mind. Just as one product does not work for every segment, same packaging will not work for every segment. It could be the material of packaging, the design, or even as simple as colour combination. So, identify your core audience and design your packaging for them.

 

Provide different packaging sizes: Some like to buy in bulk, others like to buy smaller quantities, because they won’t use it regularly, or like to shop frequently. Perhaps they are travelling and prefer carrying smaller packaging. Others don’t like to shop frequently or are cost conscious and like to buy large quantities. Provide various options of packing sizes to your customers. For example, in shampoos it’s always good idea to provide small 10-20 ml bottles up to 200 ml bottles, so that new customers can try your product and the regulars buy larger bottles.

 

Freshen up your packaging: There is no product that will continue to sell forever with same packaging. Customers are finicky. They get bored quickly. They like to see new things. Keep freshening up your product presentation. Use contemporary shapes, designs and colours. Try to freshen up your brand.

 

Packaging is the first touchpoint your customer has with your product or your brand. While its primary purpose is to protect the main product, it is also a great medium of marketing. There is no reason why you can’t be creative and entice the customer with your packaging. You just need to be creative and know what your customers like to see.