The 6 Characteristics of Good Packaging

Why is custom product packaging important?

Individual product packaging can transform your products, which is why it is important.

It gives you the opportunity to showcase your brand's personality and individuality with each box, bag, or container.

It visually depicts your logo, colours, and packaging design components, immediately appealing to customers and making an impression.

As mentioned, it's not just about appearance — custom packaging has practical advantages too.

It fits your products perfectly, so they will not get bumped, bruised or damaged during transportation.

Customers appreciate receiving their purchase in perfect condition, which gives them pleasure and reassurance about the quality of the service.

In addition, packaging is your greatest brand ambassador. It tells a story, evokes emotion and connects with your customers on a personal level.

It provides a deliberate experience that makes your products stand out from the crowd, leaving customers wanting more.

Personalised packaging: It's not just about packaging products; it's about crafting a memorable brand experience that resonates with your ideal customers.

Good packaging characteristics

Packaging is a complex aspect of product presentation that should be carefully considered in terms of its various characteristics.

It's easy to see why you might feel overwhelmed by the prospect of incorporating all these elements into your packaging design.

But don't worry!

We've got you covered!

Alternatively, you can work with packaging professionals who can draw on their knowledge and experience to make the process far easier and more fulfilling.

1. Easy To Use

We all love hassle-free unpacking.

Too much packaging is cumbersome, while too little makes you doubt what's inside.

Finding the right balance is a challenge in itself, but it's a worthwhile challenge

This is why you should consider the weight of your product and how it fits into the packaging.

The aim is to design packaging that is easy and hassle-free for customers and retailers to handle.

Ideally, the packaging should fit easily in your hand and not require an engineering degree to open.

The process must be smooth and not hinder buying decisions.

Therefore, when designing your packaging, consider its structure and usability.

Put yourself in your customers' position and ask:

Is it easy to open? Can it be comfortably handled?

By identifying and solving these issues in the initial stages, you will be able to design packaging that appeals to customers and makes them interested in your product.

Packaging should not be frustrating; it should be an enjoyable and straightforward part of the overall product experience!

2. Protective packaging

We can all agree that your product must be safe and secure during transportation.

Your goods may be exposed to danger during transportation, or even to the weather, unless they are well packaged.

This is certainly something you will want to avoid!

This is why it is necessary to select packaging materials and designs that focus on the safety of your products and can withstand the journey.

We recommend durable packaging materials such as corrugated boxes to protect your products against damage and ensure they reach your customers safely.

After all, trust is one of the main elements of any effective customer–business relationship.

Customers must trust not only your product, but also its packaging.

A trustworthy packaging design will assure your customers that their purchase is well protected, increasing their trust and satisfaction.

Therefore, do not compromise on the safety of your product.

3. Adaptable

Consider the final consumers.

They want a product that can be easily stored in their homes without causing any inconvenience — this is particularly true of food packaging.

They may have limited space or particular preferences regarding how they arrange their items.

This is where flexibility comes in.

Packaging must take into account all possible product applications and be customer-friendly.

For example, products could be available in single and multi-packs.

Providing such options allows you to customise packaging styles to offer your customers the most convenient and practical user experience.

This flexibility enables you to develop packaging that easily fits into your customers' lives, improving their experience with your product.

Therefore, be sure to consider developing unique packaging that meets the needs of both vendors and customers.

Convenience and flexibility will ensure your product is visible on the shelves and easily becomes part of your customers' daily routine.

4. Experiential

Naturally, customers are attracted to products that are visually appealing and offer a memorable experience.

And guess what?

Packaging plays a key role in achieving that 'wow' factor.

Consider how different packaging elements can be combined to create a compelling experience for your customers.

The choice of materials, colours and textures, as well as the positioning of the product within the packaging, all contribute to creating that experience.

The aim is to create certain emotions when customers first see your product.

Whether you want to convey a sense of luxury, convenience, simplicity or anything else, it is the design of your packaging that will make the difference.

Understanding the desires, aspirations and values of your customers enables you to align the design of your packaging with their expectations.

Every aspect of the packaging should be considered to create an interesting experience that resonates with your customers.

When customers open your packaging, they should be met with excitement and anticipation.

The design should invoke a connection and a higher level of engagement that reflects your brand story.

Adding a personal touch to your packaging can help you to transcend the mere transaction.

It is an opportunity to build a relationship between your customers and your brand.

It turns the process of unwrapping a package into a meaningful interaction.

Make your packaging design appealing to emotions and memorable.

5. Branded Packaging Design

Product packaging has great potential as a branding tool, and this is one of the most important elements of effective packaging.

As previously mentioned, packaging is an effective means of conveying your product and brand image.

In the context of custom packaging, packaging design is a very essential marketing tool.

By incorporating your brand elements, you can build greater perceived brand value and gain more loyal customers.

Powerful branding coupled with careful design enables you to stand out from the competition and make an impression in your niche.

The stronger your brand presence in the packaging, the more likely customers are to choose your product over others.

Work towards uniform branding across all touchpoints, such as packaging, to build brand recognition and recall.

Branded packaging design improves the overall product experience and reminds customers of your brand after the initial purchase.

It fosters quality, reliability, and trust, thereby establishing a solid foundation for customer loyalty.

6. Green packaging materials

The increased attention to sustainability in packaging is evident in customer demands and the common feeling of duty to take care of our planet.

Customers are currently seeking products packaged in environmentally friendly materials sourced sustainably, a significant factor in the success of effective packaging designs.

By choosing to use environmentally friendly materials, you can help make the world a healthier place and improve your relationship with customers on a deeper level.

It demonstrates that your brand is interested in environmental issues and upholds values of sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Using environmentally friendly materials in your packaging designs sends a strong message that goes beyond your branding.

It shows that you are taking action to minimise your carbon footprint, conserve resources and reduce your environmental impact.

You can express your commitment to sustainability further by incorporating this into the design and wording of the packaging.

Consider using visuals or messages to emphasise the environmental friendliness of your packaging and operations.

Show your customers that by purchasing your product, they are making a conscious choice to support a brand that is taking action for change.

Eco-friendly packaging is not only a marketing tool; it is also a way to make a real connection with your customers.

It's about aligning your brand values with theirs and working together to create a more sustainable future.

Wrapping Up

In summary, effective packaging design has six main components: Easy to use, protective, adaptable, experiential, branded and eco-friendly.

Focusing on convenience, protection, flexibility, interaction, brand representation and sustainability will enable you to design packaging that improves the overall product experience, customer loyalty and creates a positive impression.

By incorporating these factors into your packaging design, you can ensure a seamless and memorable experience for your customers, align with their values, and contribute to a better future.