5 Mistakes to Avoid When Considering Custom Packaging

Are you considering custom packaging? If you answered. “Yes,” that’s great!

Custom packaging is an excellent and effective way of creating brand awareness and attracting new customers!

However, if done incorrectly, it can be very costly and can hurt your brand’s image. To prevent this from happening, we’ve put together a list of 5 common packaging mistakes to avoid, in addition to some helpful tips!

Incorrect Dimensions

One of the biggest advantages of creating custom packaging is having the ability to customize the dimensions as you see fit. This ensures your product’s security and is really helpful in cutting back costs for unnecessary materials.

Unfortunately, if you provide incorrect product dimensions, it can be detrimental to your budget, a disappointment for your customers and a waste for your products.

We understand that measurements can be a little tricky. As a result, we recommend you double-check exactly the size you need to hold your products as securely as possible.

Unsure of how to get proper measurements for your packaging units? Be sure to read our previous blog post, or feel free to depend on us to get you this information!

Secondly, if possible, try to limit yourself to 2-3 sizes. In most cases you don’t really need 5 different types of boxes to hold your products.

If you’re unsure of which size to go for, our packaging specialists can always assist you in narrowing down your search to select the most optimal packaging products.

Moreover, we recommend you consider investing in packaging inserts! Not only are they a vital part of your presentation, but their purpose in general, is to protect the contents of the package. There are many different materials for packaging inserts, and each has its own purpose.

Interested in finding out more? Be sure to ask our team about the types of inserts we offer!

Ignoring the Needs of Your Customers

The process of creating custom packaging can be very exciting! We love seeing the joy on our clients’ faces when they come out of a meeting with our in-house designers.

However, one of the biggest mistakes that companies make is that they create packaging that would appeal to them, rather than carefully designing to suit the preferences of their customers. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to like your custom packaging, it’s important to consider the needs of the end user.

To avoid making this mistake, we recommend that you research your target audience before a design consultation. The more you know about their expectations and preferences, the more you’ll be able to create packaging that will immediately catch their eye and bring you joy!

Old & Outdated Packaging Designs

Similar to ignoring the needs of your customers, choosing old and outdated packaging designs is also a very common mistake.

By investing in custom packaging, the end goal is to be able to use it for as long as possible.  Unfortunately, if your competitors are constantly upgrading with new and improved solutions, this could mean that you end up looking boring or outdated.

Today’s customers are attracted to the latest, most exciting thing on the shelf. This means that you may have to commit to  regularly updating your packaging to stay ahead of your competition. You may consider opting for seasonal packaging, rather than mass producing one single design!

With that being said, it’s important to step out of your comfort zone, play with new concepts and make sure that you stay up-to-date with the current design trends! Stay tuned as we’ll release the top design trends for 2021!

Choosing the Wrong Packaging Materials

In addition to attractive packaging, functionality and practicality need to be considered.

Nonetheless, a lot brands tend to make the mistake of using inappropriate or cheap materials, instead of the one that’s right for their product and customer.

For example, a package of food may be overlooked by consumers if they know that the box would be difficult to reseal. Likewise, it’s important to acknowledge the product’s shelf life, weight, distribution channel and purpose.

If your product needs to be shipped or mailed, opt for a corrugated box. Although folding cartons are less expensive, corrugated boxes would offer more protection.

Ideally, if you’re looking to customize gift packaging, you should consider rigid boxes or white cardboard bags. This would help to provide a more refined and luxurious look.

Ultimately, you should invest in a material that will guarantee customer satisfaction and help reduce unnecessary waste.

Ask yourself what your clients would want from your packaging. Then, you can evaluate your design to see whether you’re meeting their expectations.

Furthermore, having a clear idea of your budget can be very helpful during the decision-making process. Based on that, we can suggest the correct packaging materials for your products.

Failure to Test Packaging

Last but not least, it’s really important to test the durability and strength of your packaging in advance.

You wouldn’t make the mistake of buying a car without going on a test drive, right? Likewise, you shouldn’t invest in custom packaging, without thoroughly testing its strength and functionality.

Consider asking for 3D mockups and packaging samples before investing in 1,000+ units of the same thing.

Packaging samples are a great way to ensure proper fit, design and receive feedback from your customers!

We’re Here to Help!

With over 14 years of experience in the industry, we’re well aware of the impact these 5 mistakes can have on a business.

With that being said, we’re here to help! Our experienced packaging specialists and in-house designers can help you create effective and outstanding packaging, without compromising your wallet!

From the initial contact to the point of delivery, we guarantee specialized customer service, free samples, excellent quality control and all-inclusive pricing! Want to find out more about our process and products in action? Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date!

For general inquiries and to book your free consultation, contact us today!