Packaging

Package design trends tend to change every year and while some trends can come and go, we have highlighted 10 of our favorite trends below, which we believe are here to stay.

1. Bold Shapes and Colors

Featuring bold geometric inspired patterns and an array of eye-catching colors is one way to instantly grab your audience’s attention. 

2. Transparency

Opaque white typography is typically printed on transparent items, which allows the product inside to be showcased. It is simplistic, modern, refined, and lets the product speak for itself.

3. Kraft Paper

Kraft paper has been an increasingly popular packaging material choice since 2013. The sustainable material can serve as the perfect canvas for a designer to explore their creativity.

4. Globalization

Packaging inspired by shipping, freight, and travel reflects its global nature and adventurous spirit and appeals to a wider audience. Referencing particular destinations around the world, or flavors from those areas of the world, on your packaging can also transform any ordinary item into a gift.

5. Black Contrast and Black Matte

Black, white, and pure contrast instantly attracts the eye, so they don’t need to rely on bright colors or imagery to stand apart from the other items on the shelf. Black matte is also seeing its way into this trend, especially when it comes to liquor and beer packaging.

6. Watercolor

Watercolor tends to evoke a feeling of calm, so adding watercolor based illustrations can make customers want to sit back and relax with the products.

7. Pure White

Beginning with a pure white canvas and layering colors on top can really make them sing. The result is a bold design that is colorful, but refined.

8. Bring Life to the Product

Using whimsical illustrations, pastel colors, and fun imagery can make customers feel good about the product before they’ve even used it. The branding should be able to engage with the consumer from the shelf so they are more inclined to choose it.

9. Sustainable and Green Packaging

More and more people are doing their part to help the environment. Choosing green, socially responsible packaging is good for your business, the environment, and your bottom dollar.

Most designers believe in the standard that your packaging should be able to stay on the shelf for approximately three to five years. Unless your business has the funds and time for rebranding efforts more often than every three years, it is important that your packaging has staying power.

10. Convenience

Approximately 1/3 of the U.S. population is currently made up of the “New Millennials” or “Gen Y”, which are people born between the mid-1970s and the late 1990s. They have a heavier reliance on convenience and are willing to pay a bit more for higher quality and convenience, like packaging that is more lightweight, contains fewer materials, or has that DIY feel.