There are more than 1 million retail businesses in the United States alone, so it’s no surprise that custom retail packaging is more important than ever before. With So many retailers out there, how do you differentiate your brand from the rest?
The sheer number of retail businesses makes it easy to think that standing out is harder than brain surgery (props to all you brain surgeons out there). But… 64% of consumers buy something off the shelf without ever being introduced to the brand.
And, custom retail packaging is the biggest deciding factor that comes into play.
So, you don’t have to be the top name in your industry to make an impact, grow your brand, and generate more revenue. You need custom retail packaging that screams from the (actual and digital) shelf.
You can let out that breath you’ve been holding because I have some good news. As it turns out, designing custom retail packaging isn’t as hard as brain surgery. Whew!
The Goof-Proof Process Of Custom Retail Packaging Design
Now, you know everything there is to know about custom retail packaging. Except… custom packaging design. So, how do you go about designing your custom packaging?
We’ve worked hard to make the process easy. The six-step process below will help walk you through everything you need to know. Easy peasy – as promised! And, no brain surgery is required.
Pro-tip: If you’re not a designer or can’t get it done in-house, outsourcing custom retail packaging design is easy. Check out this post if you need help hiring a package designer.
Step 1: Know The Dimensions Of Your Product
First things first. What size box do you need?
Start by measuring the height, width, and length of your product and everything you plan to put inside the box. Then, consider the type and size of any protective packaging inserts you plan to use.
Step 2: Determine What Needs To Be Visible On The Outside
First, decide if your box is going to sit on a shelf or go through the mail. For your situation, what components of your brand need to be seen immediately?
In a brick-and-mortar shop, many consumers won’t open the box. So, you need to let shoppers know what’s inside and what to expect. You should also assume they know nothing about your brand. Consider adding:
Informative copy about your brand or product
Instructions on how to use your product
Your logo and tagline
Quotes from happy customers
A photo of your product
A joke or story
With e-commerce retail, you know your customer is going to open the box. So, it’s less imperative to include every piece of information you want them to know on the outside. Consider using:
A prominent logo that stands out against the background
Your brand colors, fonts, and messaging
A short quote or personal message
Step 3: Consider What You Want The Inside To Look Like
The inside is less important with brick-and-mortar retail packaging. But you could consider printing instructions or social media information on the inside.
With e-commerce retail packaging, this is your golden ticket to make a lasting impression. Use this space to tell your story, make them laugh, or encourage them to share on social media.
Step 4: Add Eye-Catching Patterns And Designs To Accent Your Branding
After you know what’s going to go on the inside and outside, consider adding on-brand patterns and other designs. These help differentiate your brand from your competitors. They may also help grab attention in a sea of other boxes on the shelf.
Step 5: Once You Have An Idea, Develop A 3d Proof In Real-Time
You know what you want your product box printing to look like. Now, it’s time to bring it to life!
To get started, choose your custom box style. Enter your dimensions from step 1 and your desired quantity. Then, you’ll be able to start developing your 3D proof and make changes to your design in real time.
You can choose your colors, add images and text, add dielines, and adjust the sizing and placement of everything to your heart’s desire.
Step 6: Tweak, Finalize, And Send In Your Order
Before you complete your order, double-check everything for spelling. It’s a good idea to have a fresh set of eyes look over your design to make sure everything is good to go. If it isn’t, take your time making adjustments.
Once everyone on your team (even if it’s just you) approves, send it over and we’ll get started bringing your vision to life!