Packaging isn’t just a modern innovation; it’s a fascinating reflection of commerce and culture throughout history. For small and medium-sized businesses, understanding packaging history provides a rich source of inspiration. Many of the most popular and timeless design trends today are directly influenced by classic forms and materials from the past.
By referencing these historical designs, you can give your custom packaging an instant sense of quality, heritage, and unique character.
Allure of Apothecary + Glass Jars
Before disposable plastics, glass bottles and apothecary jars were the standard for storing everything from medicines and perfumes to dry goods. These vessels were functional, reusable, and possessed a distinct, sturdy elegance.
Today, this look is widely utilised to communicate authenticity and handcrafted quality. Modern brands adopt this aesthetic by using:
- Amber or Cobalt Glass – these colours, originally used to protect contents from light, now signal a premium or natural product, particularly in cosmetics and craft foods
- Simple Labels – instead of complex graphics, many brands use minimalist, rectangular labels reminiscent of old-world pharmaceutical packaging. This communicates a focus on the product’s quality and ingredients, rather than flashy marketing
- Cork or Swing-Top Closures – these traditional closures evoke an artisanal feel that modern consumers associate with small-batch production and heritage
Referencing this packaging history gives your product a timeless, trustworthy feel.
Enduring Appeal of Tin + Metal Boxes
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the rise of decorated tin containers for biscuits, candies, teas, and tobacco. These boxes served a dual purpose – they protected the goods and became lasting collectibles. Companies like Cadbury used these tins to build brand recognition that lasted for decades.
This tradition holds strong today. Custom metal boxes and tins are used for high-end or seasonal products because they offer several key benefits:
- Durability and Reusability – a durable metal tin instantly signals value, as the customer knows the container itself is meant to last long after the product is consumed
- Premium Presentation – the sleek finish of metal provides a premium look and feel that paper simply cannot match. It’s perfect for gift sets and exclusive editions
- Print Quality – metal allows for exceptionally vibrant and detailed lithography, making the artwork a focal point
Investing in these reusable forms taps into the nostalgia of quality and permanence from packaging history.
Legacy of Crates + Corrugated Cardboard
With the evolution of shipping and transportation, comes a heavy influence on the design of packaging materials. Wooden crates were the standard for bulk shipping for centuries. However, the invention and refinement of corrugated cardboard in the mid-1800s revolutionised transport packaging.
This material provided strength, protection, and affordability, leading to the widespread adoption of the shipping box:
- Structural Integrity – today’s custom corrugates boxes are engineered precisely to the product’s weight and size, offering protection far superior to their early ancestors
- The Unboxing – simple, strong brown corrugated is still very popular – and with good reason. This form is the foundation of the modern unboxing experience, where clean packaging design enhances the reveal
- Sustainability – current designs often reference the simplicity of early crates by prioritising minimalist prints and recyclable materials, tying into the historical concept of efficient utility.
Vintage or Just Old?
At LeKAC, we recognise that great packaging is a fusion of innovation and tradition. What may be deemed vintage by one party, may just be considered old or out-of-style by another. But that’s okay!
We specialise in taking the timeless qualities of packaging history – the sturdiness of the tin, the elegance of the glass jar, the reliability of the corrugated box – and applying them to modern, custom-designed solutions that perfectly fit your brand.
If you’re ready to infuse your brand with classic quality and unique character, contact us today for a free quotation or design consultation.
