9 trends & tips to improve your label & packaging design

Label and packaging design is more important than most people think. An impressive packaging design makes your product stand out from other competing brands, attracts prospects and shares details about your product. Above all, it is the first, 'real' touch point with the consumer, and the deciding factor to whether the prospect chooses your brand or not.

We all know that label design is a means of communicating the brand's value proposition, what it is, why it is different and better than others. Labels and packaging graphic design needs to align with brand messaging and marketing strategy; it needs to make sense for the product's use; it must be tailored for the market category and target group.

As a leading packaging design company India, we offer some trends and tips to help make your packaging design eye-catching, contemporary and effective. Read on.

Transparent labels: Customers value transparency about the food products they purchase. In a Label Insight Food Revolution study, a staggering 94% of respondents said it was important to them that food brands are transparent a food product's ingredients, sourcing and contents.

Extending that consumer need for transparency is transparent food packaging design. See-through labels whereby consumers can see the product's colour and texture are increasingly popular for food, beverage and skincare brands. It also places the product itself upfront of the customer experience without compromising on the visual impact.

Think environment. Think eco-friendly.: Being eco-friendly is no longer a fad or niche market. Sustainability is a real and growing concern, across TGs. Consider using eco-friendly materials in your box packaging design and labelling. Packaging and labels using recycled paper are being used more and more. You can even use natural dyes for printing for a 'greener', healthier look. Your company’s other eco-friendly efforts can also be highlighted on your product labels.

Make it bold: Minimalism was the rage in the last decade but now, with increasing competition and crowded shelves, consumers want something more exciting. Eye-catching shapes, ornate designs, bright colours, custom fonts - use what it takes to create bold packaging design that stops customers in their tracks.

Use illustrations to tell a story: It's well known that a picture is worth a thousand words. Apart from colours, shapes and words, illustrated pictures in packaging design can build a captivating narrative. They can attract and engage the consumer. The same illustrationscan be used on marketing collateral and commercials. It all helps to differentiate your brand and connect with your consumers.

Repeat the pattern: A well-chosen, attractive pattern or motif that is eye-catching and captures the essence of your brand, can be a precious visual element. Use it repeatedly and creatively to create a strong identity that will help consumers remember your label.

No need to make different labels; slight changes in the colour scheme for all products will do. Done aesthetically and strategically, it can elevate your brand, make it memorable.

Structured layout: Cluttered, confused, messy packaging design can put the customer off. Today, in the packaging design world, the trend is of neat, orderly layouts that promote readability and deliver a sense of balance and structure.

A smart designer will manipulate the ‘hierarchy of perception’ to deliver design elements in a logical order. For example: attention grabber> brand name> product name> product info.

Interesting font combinations, defined lines that balance the visual and written elements, position of mandatory information, balance of empty and occupied space - all these need to come together in a well-planned, aesthetic package.

Turn to texture: Your label design should appeal not just to a consumer's sense of sight. Touch plays an important part, contributing to the overall brand experience. By creating a more tactile experience, you can set your product apart.

Especially if you're targeting a higher-end market, textured, embossed or foil-embellished labels on box packaging designcertainly help to position your productas 'premium', making customers believe your product is worth more.

Think physical: Since label designers rarely oversee print production, it's imperative to check and understand physical proportion. If the packaging design looks good on the computer screen, most designers think their job is done.

In print media, physical size is critical, especially for typography. Many times, the size of the font needs to be adjusted after seeing it on paper, in actual size. So continuously print test labels and check for legibility, spacing and the physical perception of size.

Quality printing: Even the greatest design can fall flat if the printing is not up to the mark. Plan your printing; select a printer who has the expertise and capabilities to execute your design just the way you envision it.

PACKAGING DESIGN WITH INTERICS DESIGNS

Interics Designs is an experienced product packaging design company that uses market research and design intelligence to create effective packaging. Oil packaging design, spice packaging design, box packaging design, pouch design - Interics has the packaging design ideas and execution capabilities to deliver an out-of-the-box experience.

From brand naming and label design to structure design, Interics' Packaging design methodology helps your product develop your brand to stand out on the shelf, and create a memorable experience with the customer.

Interics is a top branding agency India, and advertising agency with over 25 years of rich experience offering holistic and integrated solutions, for strong and sustainable brand building.

If you are looking for the best creative design agencies and advertising agencies in Pune, Mumbai, India, visit http://www.intericsdesigns.com/. Interics Designs specialized in brand identity, marketing communication, exhibitions, space design