Why your brand needs to use packaging with a logo
Designing logo packaging isn't a complicated process. However, it can be easy to do a good job, but difficult to do an exceptional job. Here’s why.
Cartons, boxes, parcels and packaging
Packaging, in the form of cartons, boxes and parcels, plays an important role in any company that sells a physical product. But there’s a lot more to designing packaging than simply throwing your company’s logo onto a box!
In this article, you’ll see:
How to design packaging with your brand’s logo
Tips for designing packaging
Examples of well-branded packaging
Form vs function in packaging
Whether you’re selling online or in a store, packaging must fulfil two main roles.
Firstly, the packaging needs to keep the product secure - this is its form.
Secondly, it needs to present your product to your customer in a way that adds value to that product - this is its function.
Form is the physical element that makes up your packaging (cardboard, colours, imagery).
Where as Function is the way the box protects and represents your product.
The form/function argument was originally used in architecture.
'The exterior design of a building should represent what happens on the inside'.
What does this have to do with the design of your brand's logo packaging?
Well, it’s simple.
The exterior design of your box should echo what’s inside. In this case, your product. Your boxes need to be a symbol of your brand and everything that your company represents. Told you there was more to it than just adding a logo!
So, how do you design packaging that complements your product?
Designing packaging with a logo
As a small business, you’ve probably spent a bit of time (and money) on your branding development. On designing a logo, yes, but also other visual assets, such as: fonts, colour palettes and any other kind of imagery.
All these things have been created with your brand’s message, morals and your product in mind.
It's no good having the most amazingly well designed product, if the box it comes in doesn't reflect what's inside. You need to show off those branding elements through your packaging.
You’re showing off what’s inside the box - form is following function.
It has never been easier for new businesses to be able to control exactly how they want their packaging to look.
In order to design really effective logo packaging, the best tool to use is something like the Packhelp online editor (pictured above).
It's up to you to decide on the size and type of boxes, and the templates and fonts you would like to use for your design. As well as adding your company's logo of course.
You can use a special logo maker to get it all professional.
If one box design won't cover it, you can always opt for a logo packaging set.
The steps to designing your own packaging are simple:
Pick the type of box you need
Upload your logo and other elements
Drag and drop them where you like them
Order between 30 and 30,000 pieces!
One of the great things about Packhelp when it comes to small businesses, is the minimum packaging order is only 30 pieces and you can ask for a sample box first. Meaning you don't need to have a thousand boxes made up, before you've even sold your first product!
Click here to start designing your own packaging!
Check out these examples of great logo packaging, designed by small brands just like yours:
Sheyn is an Austrian jewellery company. Here, you can see how they've made their logo so large, that it covers every side of the box. This is a great use of space to break up lines and demand attention.
Asila is another jewellery company, but they placed their logo right in the middle of the top surface of the lid on their two-piece product box. The bottom piece is designed around a complex yet cute pattern that's also on their website
Snakehive are creators of high-end phone cases made of luxurious materials. By using Packhelp, they were able to design luxury product packaging that, when first held, gives the same luxurious feel as their product. Snakehive have also used sleeves to secure the boxes, and show off their logo again.
Now that you've seen some fine examples of packaging with a logo, have a read of some tips to help you fine-tune your creation process!
Different Types of packaging
When it comes to boxes there are tons of different types you could opt for when designing your packaging. You need to think about practicality, as well as the best design to show off your products.
For instance, for Snake Hive (above), it was important that their boxes reflected the size and shape of a phone case. Having a much larger box would be unnecessary and costly. The size and shape of your products will usually dictate the size of the box.
Maybe you want your logo to feature on more than just your product boxes?
Logo Packaging Tape
Custom packing tapes are a great way to show off your brand’s logo on your packaging. Seal up your product boxes with some logo emblazoned packaging tape, to keep your products extra secure; while also adding a little bit of your brand’s own pizazz. Why not?!
Tips for designing packaging with a logo
Designing your logo packaging can be a fun process, and it's a great way to let your creativity soar. You can experiment as much as you want and find a layout that best compliments your brand.
Here are a few tips to help get you started in the designing process:
Textures
Before designing your logo packaging, it’s important to know the kind of canvas you want to print on.
For example, do you want a plain white surface, a solid colour or gradient, a classy leather texture or the simple brown (kraft) texture of cardboard?
Below you can see a great example of using kraft packaging that complements branding:
Slopes & Town is a Dutch, contemporary fashion accessories brand, based in Amsterdam. They used Packhelp's online editor, to design their own two-piece, product box opting for a natural kraft texture. Kraft is often used to reflect brands that focus on being natural, organic and environmentally friendly.
If your brand sells a product that doesn’t compromise on quality and luxury, it can be a good idea to echo this feel on your packaging.
Magnetic boxes that snap shut are a great way to use packaging to deliver a touch of class, but also that feeling of security.
Consider designing bespoke packaging with your logo in an Alaska, Arktika or even a leather-like finish.
In the image below, you can see how a rough texture, and other custom elements like hot-stamping, can add a little class and grandeur to your product packaging.
Start designing your own bespoke packaging. Add your company's logo and create a truly one-of-a-kind box design that really makes your product stand out.
Colours
The colours that you choose will define the look of your brand and how your product will appear to customers.
However certain colours work better on certain textures and this is something to take into account. White on kraft has a very delicate, subtle and elegant look as seen in Polu’s boxes below.
Rather than start with a blank white canvas, consider starting with a black canvas when designing your packaging for products.
Black has always been associated with luxury, elegance and dominance. If your brand is trying to make a lasting impression, consider using a black canvas.
Use the space
When designing packaging, your canvas (your box) is often small in size, so you’re restricted with space.
But sometimes, it’s what you don’t do with that space that makes an impression. Bringing parts of your packaging design closer together can create emphasis and hierarchy.
For example, a slogan in bold can draw attention and make a viewer continue to read 'down':
You can also use the space to showcase your brand's values to your customer. That could be a label related to a cause or social movement that your brand supports. Or maybe you want to add an eco badge to reassure your customer that the packaging is made from sustainable materials.
On the other hand, space on your packaging design can be your best friend. This is true if your branding is more in the 'minimalist' world of design.
Give small, crisp and clean elements, space to make their statement and leave their impression.
If your brand is big and loud and likes to make a splash, space is still important, but it’s used differently - lines can be used to break up space, creating shapes and patterns that demand attention.
Marketing
Your packaging is the only marketing material that reaches 100% of your customers. It’s also the first physical interaction that your ecommerce customers have with your brand.
Echoing your brand’s slogan or mission statement on the side of your packaging reminds your customer why they bought from you. This reminds them that buying your product was the best decision they could make.
Conclusion
Designing packaging with your logo is an important way to stand out above your competition and be seen. Packaging that shows off your branding and logo, presents you as a professional business that has put time and effort into your product.
To start designing your logo packaging, head over to the Packhelp shop
It's totally free to design your packaging and you can experiment as much as you want. So play around with colours, fonts and templates until you have a box that pops just the way you want it to. With prices starting from just €0.26 per piece, your brand's new packaging won’t need to bankrupt you before you've even got started either.
A product's packaging has the ability to make or break its success. The right packaging will draw the customer in and push them to make a purchase, everything a good business wants.
Custom branded packaging may seem like an added expense that's unnecessary to fit into a budget, but, if done right, it can make the investment back manyfold.
It's sometimes hard to understand how important good packaging is, so we've compiled a list of the top five reasons you should customize your product packaging and the benefits you'll see.
1. Allows Customers to Quickly Identify Your Brand
One of the most important aspects of a successful business is creating a strong brand identity. Your brand identity is how your customers know who you are, what you offer, and what they can expect. It's your story and personality all in one.
A strong brand identity will connect your customers to your business and create a link that leads to continued purchases.
Using custom branded packaging is an important aspect of developing brand identity. While you have to work to create the products and customer service to live up to your good name, the branding is what visually draws your customers in. It should be strong enough that when someone sees it, they know it's your business.
This type of branding includes a cohesive, consistent colour palette. It will also include some kind of visual cue, like a logo or image that's directly tied to you. In a sea of options online or in a store, your branded packaging can help a customer continue to choose your products over the others.
2. Gives a More Luxurious Feel
The great part about custom branded products is just that: they feel custom!
Adding that bit of personality and unique identity can take an ordinary, everyday item and make it feel special. The customization helps take your product to the next level. Items that have obviously had this kind of work and design effort put in often feel more luxurious and expensive, even if they aren't.
In some cases, a custom branded product can even have a higher price point than a generically packaged one. Customers are willing to pay more for products that feel a little extra and special.
If you want your custom packaging to boost the unique feeling of your products, you'll want to pay really close attention to the details. This could be as simple as adding in a printed note inside the packaging with any additional information or extra stickers they can use elsewhere.
Print finishing really helps elevate the feel of your package. Soft touch lamination is very popular and used on most Apple's packaging. Another popular finish is foil stamping or embossing. Highlighting company logos or product imagery can really make your brand stand out on store shelves. Making your packaging an experience gives you a high-end feeling.
3. Makes Consumer Decisions Easier
In the world today, it's very rare to be able to offer a product that no one else offers. Consumers have options for almost every single purchase that they make. In a lot of ways, that's great, but it can also be very difficult and overwhelming.
The best way to continually receive orders and purchases is to have return customers, which is most often decided by brand loyalty.
Humans have to make so many decisions every day, we don't often have the time to debate and research and question each one. So it's common practice to assume that you have 20 seconds to hook your consumer and get them to choose your product for purchase. That's not a lot of time, which is why the visual appeal of your products is so crucial.
Getting creative with custom branded packaging is a great way to build brand identity. Making sure your logo, brand colours or even motto are visible on your packaging will help your customers recognize your product. Then when they see it in the store or online, they'll know it's the one they want!
4. Creates Cohesion Between Physical and Digital
Almost every single company in business today has two sides; physical and digital. In today's world, both are crucial for success, to the point where it's nearly impossible to stay in business without both.
The two aspects of a business have different roles and obviously use a variety of mediums. It can be difficult to create one feeling between all of the facets. But having these differences can create confusion for your customers and have some negative consequences. Confusion ruins brand identity, which is something you want to avoid.
Custom branded products make it easy for you to have cohesion between the two sides. You can easily have the same aesthetic on your website as on your branded boxes for example.
When you use the same colours, logo, and style you'll create the same feeling that your customers have come to know and enjoy!
5. Helps You Stand Out Against Competition
While we know that custom branding products can help customers return and purchase again, it also helps draw new customers to you as well.
When a consumer is looking for a new product (whether it be for the first time or trying a different brand), the packaging can help the product stand out against the competition. With so many options, it's important to do whatever you can to help your product look different and be an obvious choice.
Custom packaging helps you keep up with the times in style and trends. You can switch things up a little bit every so often to cater to what's popular at the time, all while keeping the packaging consistent with your brand identity.
Utilize Custom Branded Packaging
When you take the time to curate and develop your custom branded packaging, you're taking control of the message being sent to customers.
You can develop whatever brand story and identity you want all through the way your customers first see your product. The box it arrives in, the paper inserts, and the stickers or embellishments on the product itself all make a difference in how it's portrayed.
If you're interested in creating some custom packaging with high-quality printing, contact us today!