Packaging Design: Tips for 2024  

Packaging design isn’t an afterthought. In fact, many well-loved brands place a priority on packaging design to enhance their customers’ experiences and develop a strong brand identity. As online shopping has become increasingly popular, packaging design is more important than ever. Pel Hughes offers some helpful tips to help you put your best packaging foot forward.  

Best Tips for Packaging Design 

Showcase Sustainable Elements of Your Packaging 

Did you know that 70% of consumers in North America care about brands’ commitment to eco-friendly, sustainable practices? While packaging should be striking and memorable, it shouldn’t be overdone or wasteful. If you’re using recycled or biodegradable materials, showcase that. Dedicating a paragraph or bulleted list of your sustainability efforts on your website as well as adding eco-friendly labels to your packaging can go a long way with earning your customers’ respect and trust.  

Use Minimalist Packaging Practices 

Minimalist packaging design is appealing across broad demographics. It also allows you to place an emphasis on your products without distracting from them with cluttered, overly done packaging. From a consumer psychology standpoint, minimalist design lends a luxurious and upscale appeal, which further enhances the customer experience. Lastly, minimalist packaging design aligns perfectly with eco-friendly business practices.  

Engage Customers with a Sensory Experience 

Researchers estimate that 95% of purchases will be made online in the next 15 years. This shift to e-commerce will make packaging all the more important in developing a great customer experience. The days of using music, lighting, and specific scents in brick-and-mortar stores will soon be a thing of the past. 

 Fortunately, packaging can provide a sensory experience, which helps create strong bonds between consumers and brands. Adding QR code-generated media with video and sound is one method for evoking the senses. Scents can also be injected into packaging as well as pleasing tactile elements to help curate memorable experiences for consumers.  

Add Personalized Touches 

Personalized touches can go a long way with building brand identity and consumer loyalty. Using variable data printing, packaging can contain thoughtful notes as inserts, which are addressed to specific customers. Adding custom links (PURLs) and QR codes that are generated for individual customers are helpful for fostering a personalized experience, too.  

Test New Packaging Design on Small Groups 

If you’re planning on levelling up your packaging game, one cost-effective method for trying out new designs is to run small test groups. These small groups can provide beneficial feedback and help you gauge the appeal of new designs. Smaller runs also mean you can work out any kinks in production before deploying large scale packaging overhauls.  

Pel Hughes provides innovative packaging design to businesses, non-profit organizations, and higher education institutions throughout the United States. We pair advanced printing technology and cross media marketing support with client-centered service. Give our team a call at (504) 486-8646 to request a quote.  

Corrugated Packaging: Uses & Benefits 

Selecting great materials for packaging can be overwhelming. Today’s global business climate affords more options than ever before. One emerging trend, corrugated packaging, has become increasingly popular because of its versatility, eco-conscious benefits, and ability to minimize product damage in transit. Pel Hughes offers corrugated packaging that can be customized to mesh perfectly with your brand’s image. Our team will work with you to develop efficient and effective packaging that aligns with your brand’s aesthetic. 

What is corrugated packaging?

Corrugated cardboard is a common form of packaging that you’ve likely encountered before. For example, moving boxes and medium- to large-sized shipping boxes typically have corrugated liners between very thick cardboard. These liners feature fluted paper, which creates pockets of air. Having a corrugated layer between thick cardboard lends more durability and insulation to packaging. Additionally, rolls of corrugated paper can be used to provide additional insultation and protection within a box. 

Uses for Corrugated Packaging

Corrugated packaging is highly versatile and can benefit a number of specific industries. Products shipped in glass or ceramic, for example, can benefit from corrugated packaging as it provides substantial protection from breakage in transit. Corrugated inserts can also be used inside packaging to protect products from moving during transport. When compared to bubble wrap and other protective plastics, corrugated packaging is significantly cheaper. 

Corrugated cardboard is quite useful for shipping food items including produce and dairy. Popular meal delivery services utilize corrugated packaging because it is hygienic and can protect foodstuffs from drastic temperature changes. 

There’s no shortage of ways that corrugated packaging can benefit retailers. 

Corrugated Materials Are Eco-Friendly

On top of providing superior protection to consumer goods, corrugated cardboard is more eco-friendly than other types of packaging. Today’s consumer is concerned about climate change and excessive waste so implementing corrugated materials can convey a commitment to eco-consciousness that consumers appreciate.

Eco-friendly facts associated with corrugated cardboard include:

  • Corrugated cardboard and corrugated paper are biodegradable. 
  • Nearly 90% of the raw materials used for this type of packaging are sourced from recycled paper.
  • Since corrugated cardboard offers significant protection to consumer products, less product is returned due to breakage. This cuts down on logistical and shipping output associated with returns. 
  • Corrugated materials are 100% recyclable so fewer packaging ends up in landfills. 

Other Benefits Associated with Corrugated Materials

Corrugated products provide a host of benefits to businesses beyond eco-friendliness and product protection. This form of packaging is highly customizable. Corrugated paper comes in an array of sizes including the dimensions of its fluting. Moreover, the flutes of corrugated interlock so there’s no shortage of packaging combinations that accommodate a range of consumer products contained within packaging. 

Pel Hughes is a full-service printing company that provides a range of packaging options, including eco-friendly options like corrugated materials. Our team of experts can help you develop customized packaging that protects your products and aligns with your brand’s message. Call (504) 496-8646 or fill out our online form to request a quote.