Custom packaging your products gives your business an edge over the competition. Many small businesses that ship products to customers often treat their packaging as a second thought.
Packaging your item can be an essential marketing and communication tool for your business as it leaves an impact on the product’s feel and looks for maximum customer experience.
Depending on what you are packaging, here are a few necessary do’s and don’ts of custom product packaging you need to look into for your growing business:
The Do’s
1. Packaging Right for Right Customers
You need first to determine your customers before you start packaging. Even though it might seem obvious, take the time to research and test what kind of packaging attracts the attention of your target market. Make sure that your product stands out from the rest.
You need to know your product first. If your customer base is female, you will want your custom package to match colors and hues that go well with their liking.
Receiving the right custom box simply makes you feel better as a consumer. It gives off a professional appearance and gives the impression that the product is of higher quality.
2. Giving Something Extra
Accept it. We all appreciate something extra for free. Offering clients gifts is a fantastic way to improve the consumer experience. Consider the following tips for freebies, which can help to gain more sales and positive feedback:
● Vouchers
Adding vouchers or gift cards to the package is an effective way to attract customers to repurchase in the future. They provide validation and satisfaction, which helps in fast business growth.
● Token of Appreciation
A simple “THANK YOU” on a card with the custom package helps the customer feel that you care about them. Express your gratitude to your customer and clearly state the purpose of your appreciation.
● Seasonal Free Samples
If your products are edible or can be applied to your body, consider adding one or two samples of related products to the package. This is an excellent way to spread holiday cheer and receive goodwill in return.
3. Use Recyclable Packaging
Instead of plastic, try different alternatives for your custom product packaging, like paper, cardboard, and recyclable options. From an ethical point of view, avoid contributing to the growing issue of worldwide plastic pollution.
Traditional petroleum-based inks are harmful and not eco-friendly. Soy or vegetable-based inks are cheaper and more renewable. They also produce long-lasting, vibrant colors. Also, use plastic-free labeling.
Use water-based customizable tape and bonds for your custom packaging. Encourage your customers to reuse your packaging elements rather than throwing them away. This creates a sense of awareness among the people and gives a good impression of you and your business.
Zero waste packaging is neither cheap nor able to replace the convenience of plastic packaging fully. But it must be considered more often as a balance between plastic and zero-waste materials.
4. Being Creative with Design Branding
Custom packaging doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive. If you have a limited budget, there are other ways to promote your brand besides printed boxes. You can even stand out with brand packaging tape on your product or a simple stamp or logo on plain paper wrapping with minimum effort.
Think outside the box to achieve your design’s goal of engaging and delighting your customer. Choosing a design with a lot of elements can be tempting.
However, this could backfire because your customer might find it challenging to process anything if there are too many events happening at once. Visualize how your final packed product will look next to your competitors’.
The Dont’s
1. Going Overboard
Keep the whole process as simple as possible. Custom packaging is particularly advantageous for established businesses in crowded markets that must stand out from the competition. Avoid overdesigning product packaging.
But if you are a small start-up, go for the basics like cardboard boxes and simple wrapping papers with your logo. For the initial outcomes, focus more on the brand quality than the branding itself.
2. Limiting your Options
If your product has similar varieties, try to give a matching custom packaging to the same range of products with a change in contrast and colors, rather than designing a new custom package.
Do not limit yourself to the same packaging design for all products. A subtle change helps your customers distinguish one product from another in the same category.
3. Creating Wastage
Do not over-pack your product. A good unboxing experience is one with optimum packaging experience. An ideal package uses the minimum number of packaging elements in quantity.
Too many wrappings and tapes create waste and hassle for the consumer. While packaging fragile items, don’t take it too far with excessive layers of bubble wraps and void fillers. Use the proportionate size of boxes that fit your product just right.
For customers who care about the environment, finding a balance between functionality and eco-friendliness is critical. You can spend less money on non-fragile items like tools, books, and clothing by using a mailer box or padded envelopes.
4. Giving Less Thought to Shipping
A proper shipping strategy directly reflects a positive customer unboxing experience. Shipping is all about the delivery of the product to your customer’s doorstep.
The carrier rates also play a good role in safe and secured delivery. You need to make sure you are using a shipping box for different items to be delivered to only one customer or separate packages with proper packaging for different recipients.
Too much free space in the shipping box or custom package can cause unnecessary shakes, damaging your product. And you wouldn’t want a damaged parcel delivered to your customer.
Conclusion
It’s important to consider the significance of custom packaging for your business. When done properly, it can help customers feel more content with your business’s perspective.
A great deal of research and planning is involved with product packaging. But fortunately, the best practices for packaging are simple. If you can communicate with customers through your packaging skills, you are a step ahead of your competitors.
