Custom Packaging For Small Business – Why It’s Important & How I Can Create Eye-Catching Packaging for my Business?

Introduction

Creating custom packaging for your small business can be a great way to stand out from the competition. It can also elevate your customer’s experience, making them share product photos and unpacking experience on social networks, or more likely to come back for repeat purchases. But how do you create custom packaging, where to start and get it done in high quality? This article will explore these questions and more, so if you’re ready to take your business to the next level with creative custom packaging solutions, read on!

What is custom packaging?

Custom packaging can come in many forms, including custom boxes, inserts, bags, cards, hangtags or labels. It can include special features such as debossing, embossing, letterpress or foil printing. This type of packaging allows businesses to customize their product with custom packaging sizes, materials, colors, logos and other details that reflect their brand identity. Additionally, custom packaging can help protect the contents of the package during shipping and handling.

In general, by investing in custom packaging, small businesses can create a unique and memorable experience for customers, while also protecting their products during transit. Get ready to find out how to create eye-catching packaging for your product!

Creating Custom Packaging

Creating custom packaging for small business requires careful planning at each stage of the process. There are several key stages that must be completed in order to ensure the best possible outcome.

The first step is to determine the overall design and size of the package. This includes deciding on materials, colors, shapes, textures, and any other aesthetic elements that will be used in creating the package.

The next step is to decide on the contents of the package. This includes any inserts or informational materials that should be included, such as product specifications or instructions. It’s important to consider the size and weight of the items that will go inside the package, as this can affect the cost of production.

Once these decisions have been made, it’s time to source a reliable custom packaging provider. It’s important to do your research and make sure that the company you choose has a good reputation for quality, dependability, and customer service.

Finally, it’s time to get your package printed and shipped. This is where working with an experienced custom packaging provider can really pay off. They will be able to guide you through the production process and ensure that your package meets all the necessary requirements.

Designing Your Own Custom Packaging

Designing custom packaging for a small business involves multiple steps and considerations to ensure that the packaging meets the needs of the product, the target audience, and the brand. Here are some of the most important steps to consider when designing custom packaging:

1. Define the packaging objectives: Start by defining the purpose of the packaging. What does it need to accomplish? Will it need to protect the product during shipping? Does it need to be easily opened by the consumer? Is it meant to be reusable or recyclable? Identifying the packaging objectives will help guide the design process.

   The primary objective of any custom packaging should be to protect its contents from damage or contamination during shipping or storage. Packaging materials should be chosen carefully to ensure that they are strong enough and durable enough to protect the product. It is also important to consider the size and shape of the package in order to maximize storage and shipping efficiency.

   In addition, custom packaging can be used as a powerful marketing tool. Designers should think about how to incorporate branding elements such as logos, texts, or images into their design in order to make the packaging stand out and attract attention. Finally, convenience and usability should be considered when designing custom packaging. It should be easy to open and use, with clear instructions and labelling for customers.

   

2. Understand the target audience: For example, if your business specializes in luxury items, such as high-end jewelry or clothing, then you should focus on creating a luxury packaging design. On the other hand, if you are selling affordable products, such as stationery items or cosmetics, then you should focus on creating a more modern and accessible package design.

   By understanding your target audience and what they may be looking for in a product, you can create custom packaging that resonates with them and increases conversions.

   

3. Select appropriate packaging materials: The most important factor is the type of product that needs to be packaged. Different products require different types of packaging materials in order to ensure their safe delivery and storage. For example, fragile items may need extra cushioning or rigid containers, while food products may need moisture-resistant barriers.

   The materials used in product packaging should also reflect the brand’s image and values. For example, luxury brands may opt for more premium materials to enhance the perceived value of the product. When creating a package, it is very important to know what materials are easily available, whether there are the necessary colors and textures, and what technologies can be used to print on them. Additionally, the materials should be sustainable and eco-friendly, if possible.

   

4. Develop a brand identity: Having a strong brand identity is key to any successful business, especially small businesses that are just starting out. A brand identity is the combination of visuals and messaging that define a company’s unique personality and set it apart from its competitors. A well-designed package can help increase brand recognition and make a product stand out on the shelf.

   

5. Create eye-catching graphics: Graphics can be used on the outside of boxes, bags, or other packages to draw in customers and help them remember what product they bought. It is important to choose colors, images, and fonts that will stand out and reflect the company’s branding. Ensure that the graphics and text are clear and legible and that they stand out on the packaging. A professional graphic designer can help create a cohesive look that is both attractive and memorable.

   

6. Focus on the user experience: The packaging design should be easy to open and use. It should also be user-friendly, with clear instructions and labeling. Finally, it’s important to create a memorable unboxing experience for customers. This can be done by including additional items in the package, such as product samples or thank you cards. Additionally, you can use unique and interesting packaging materials to make the experience more exciting and enjoyable. By creating a memorable unboxing experience, customers are more likely to remember your brand and come back for future purchases or share this unboxing experience with their friends.

   

7. Test and refine the design: After developing a packaging design, it’s essential to test it to ensure that it will meet customer expectations. Always produce a dummy package before the production. It can be done in a few different ways. If it is a box, you can easily print it on any printer, cut die lines with scissors or a razor blade, glue it, and assemble it. Another, more precise method, would be to cut your box by using a laser cutter. In any case, it’s very important to do product packaging testing and show this packaging to your friends or even potential customers. Based on their feedback, the design can be refined and improved.

   

By following these steps, you can design custom packaging that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and effective in meeting the needs of the product, the target audience, and the brand.

Consider Eco-friendly Custom Packaging Options

As a small business, you understand the importance of getting your product out in the market and in front of potential customers. Custom packaging can be a great way to differentiate your product from competitors, stand out on shelves and create brand recognition. Unfortunately, traditional custom packaging is often made from unsustainable materials that can harm our environment and contribute to pollution. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly custom packaging options available for your small business. Biodegradable materials, such as cotton paper, recycled or reclaimed paperboard, corrugated cardboard, and compostable plastics, can provide a sustainable alternative to plastic and other non-biodegradable packaging materials. Additionally, recycled materials are becoming increasingly popular as more brands strive to reduce their environmental impact.

Sustainable packaging for us means:

• Use of recycled or recyclable materials.
• Use less material.
• Zero non-degradable materials.
• Less energy for production.

Unlike other types of paper, pure cotton paper is not made from wood pulp, which requires the destruction of forests and can have negative environmental impacts.

Moreover, we use cotton paper which is produced using recycled cotton, which reduces waste and conserves resources.

Check Minimum Order Quantity Requirements

Custom packaging can be a great way to ensure that product will look exceptional and reach customers in perfect condition, but it also comes with certain minimum order quantity (MOQ) requirements. Depending on the company, MOQs for custom packaging can range from as low as 20-50 units or higher. Small businesses should be aware of the MOQs associated with any packaging they are considering, and factor them into their budgeting plans accordingly. Additionally, some businesses may find that buying generic, unprinted boxes and then applying their own branding elements, like custom labels or inserts, is more cost-effective than ordering custom-made packages in lower quantities.

When ordering a small quantity of completely unique packaging, the big part of the expenses will be the cost of preparation and production of packaging production tools, such as cutting knives, embossing or foiling dies. Sometimes these costs can seem really frighteningly high, but keep in mind that when ordering the next batch, tools production costs will be excluded and the final price per package will be lower. Always discuss your project ideas with the production and design company, and you will find out that there are many options for small businesses to still create unique product packaging, which will create a memorable customer experience while staying within their budgets and MOQ requirements.

Looking for Custom Packaging for Your Small Business?

Contact Elegante Press today to find out how we can help you with custom packaging for your business.

Check out our packaging portfolio – we produce custom boxes, inserts, labels, and thank you cards. We are ready to help you choose materials, consult, design, test, produce and delivery your custom printed packaging.