Packaging Design Process: Research, Concept and Testing

Packaging design is the process of creating a product’s outside look attractive and useful which helps people decide to buy it. You start with an idea that shows what the brand is about when making custom packaging and what the market needs. The process usually includes steps like studying the target audience, creating a design plan and building a sample and finally printing it. 

Designers often look at what’s popular in packaging today and get ideas from different sources to make new and creative designs. They use tools like Adobe Illustrator or 3D modeling software to show their ideas clearly. The cost of packaging design depends on how complicated it is and how many changes are needed. Real examples of packaging design show how good looks can make a product stand out on the shelf and increase sales.  

What is the Packaging Design Process?

The packaging design process is a creative and strategic way of working that is part of product and brand development. It includes researching and coming up with ideas such as designing and finishing the look and structure of a product’s packaging. This process looks at both how nice the packaging looks and how well it works and matches the brand’s values. 

Designers look at what is happening in the market and make models using special tools to improve the packaging. The aim is to create packaging that shows what the product is about, catches people’s attention on store shelves and makes the user experience better. Effective packaging design affects how people see the brand and how loyal they become as customers. 

What are the 7 Steps of the Packaging Design Process? 

The process of designing packaging is done in a clear and organized way that helps create packaging that works well for the brand and makes it easy for customers to use. Every part of this process is important in turning a simple idea into a real product that is ready to sell. Here are the 8 key steps: 

• Concept of your Packaging Design
• Create Packaging Design Brief
• Research your Audience 
• Create Packaging Prototype 
• Use Packaging Design Software
• Create Dieline Design
• Test and Review Packaging Design
• Print the Packaging Design 

Concept of your Packaging Design

Understanding what your packaging needs are is really important when creating custom packaging that matches your brand’s goals and what customers expect. The concept stage is all about thinking up looks and shapes that show your brand’s personality and what kind of product you are selling. A strong packaging idea can make your product stand out on the shelf which helps people remember your brand and makes sure your branding stays the same every time. 

Studies from The Dieline and Packaging World say that having a clear concept can make customers remember your product more than 60% better. Developing a solid concept is a smart way to save money by avoiding changes later and making sure your brand message is strong for new businesses and online shops.

Create Packaging Design Brief

Creating a packaging design brief is important because it helps guide designers, makes sure everyone is on the same page, and keeps the brand’s message consistent. The brief explains what the packaging needs to look like such as size, materials and the brand’s voice. This makes it easier for the design team to know exactly what to create. When the brief is clear, it helps team members talk to each other better and avoids expensive changes later. 

According to Smashing Magazine and Creative Bloq, companies with detailed briefs can bring their products to market 35% faster. This step saves money because it helps make packaging that fits the brand from the beginning, which makes customers happier and reduces mistakes during production. 

Research your Audience 

Understanding your audience is very important when designing packaging that connects with what customers want and buy. The packaging should speak to the group of people you are trying to reach. This helps increase customer interest and make more sales. You can better choose the design, colors, fonts, and messages that make your product unique by doing this research. 

According to Nielsen’s Global Packaging Survey, 64% of customers are more likely to try a product because of how attractive the packaging is. Knowing your audience helps you make smart and affordable packaging choices that match what customers expect and help keep customers loyal throughout their whole experience with your brand. 

Create Packaging Prototype 

Creating a packaging prototype is an important part of checking how well the design works and is easy to use before making a lot of copies. A prototype shows the design in real life which helps brands check the shape and where the branding is placed. This step helps find mistakes, make the packaging better at protecting the product and improve the customer experience. 

Research from Packworld and The Packaging Company shows that making prototypes can cut down on design mistakes by up to 70%. Prototypes are a smart way to test packaging ideas early, which saves money and helps ensure the packaging works well when it reaches customers. 

Use Packaging Design Software

Using packaging design software is important for making accurate and professional packaging designs. Tools like Adobe Illustrator, ArtiosCAD, and Esko Studio let designers see dielines, try out 3D models, and add brand elements carefully. These programs help work faster and avoid mistakes as well as prepare files ready for printing. 

According to Adobe Creative Cloud and Packaging Europe, digital design tools make teamwork easier and boost production efficiency. Using software is a good choice because it cuts down on wasted designs and helps keep their brand’s look the same across different package styles. 

Create Dieline Design

Creating a dieline design is an important step in the packaging process. A dieline is a flat drawing that shows where the packaging will be folded and where colors will extend to the edges. It acts like a guide for making the actual package. Having accurate dielines makes sure that your custom packaging fits the product just right and keeps the brand’s look and feel in place. 

Studies by The Dieline and Esko say that clear dieline designs can cut down on mistakes and wasted materials by more than 40%. For small businesses and online stores, using a dieline is a smart way to keep the brand image consistent which makes the unboxing experience better, and presents products nicely on store shelves. 

Test and Review Packaging Design

Testing and reviewing packaging design helps make sure it works well, lasts long, and looks good before making a lot of it. This process checks the prototype in real-life situations, like testing how strong the materials are, how good the printed images look, and how easy it is for people to use. Good testing improves how useful the packaging is and makes the brand clearer. 

A study by McKinsey & Company found that brands that test their packaging before launching see a 30% increase in customer satisfaction. Testing is a smart way to avoid expensive mistakes and ensure the packaging both keeps the product safe and helps build a positive image of the brand. 

Print the Packaging Design 

Printing the packaging design is the last step that makes all the creative and technical parts come to life. This stage involves you choosing the printing method like offset, flexographic, or digital along with the materials and finishes that match the brand’s image and product requirements. Good print quality helps the packaging stand out on the shelf, supports the brand image, and makes customers happy. 

According to Packaging Gateway, the print quality affects how valuable the product seems. Modern digital printing gives affordable options, custom designs, and quicker results while still keeping the packaging professional.

What are the Trends of Packaging Design?

The latest trends in packaging design are changing how brands communicate with today’s customers and make themselves noticeable in busy markets. Environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging is becoming very popular, as companies use materials that can be recycled or reused to satisfy increasing concerns about the environment. Simple and clean designs with clear fonts and small color choices are still drawing people in because they look clear and high-quality. 

Designs made with AI are also starting to appear which helps brands create ideas more quickly and offer personalized packaging. The trends of packaging design that include technology, like interactive QR codes or augmented reality experiences during unboxing are also gaining attention. These features mix tech with storytelling to create a better connection with customers and improve how the brand is seen. 

What are the Design Inspirations of Packaging Design?

Design ideas for packaging come from many different places that affect how creative, useful, and meaningful the packaging is. These ideas can come from nature, clothing, art styles, or what people like to buy. Packaging for natural products often uses looks and colors found in nature, while packaging for tech products might take inspiration from simple and clean designs. 

Websites like Behance and Pinterest are great places for designers to find and share packaging ideas from around the world. Getting ideas from different sources helps brands make packaging that feels personal and matches their main message. 

What are Examples of Packaging Design?

Packaging design examples show how different styles and approaches help brands reach their goals and meet what customers want. Apple uses a simple, minimalist box design that looks expensive and easy to use. Lush Cosmetics uses packaging that is good for the environment and has no labels to show they care about being green. Coca-Cola’s bottle shape is so unique that people instantly recognize it. 

Innocent Drinks makes its packaging fun with bright fonts and stories that make people interested in their products. Glossier’s pink bubble mailer became a part of their brand image when selling online. These examples show how packaging can strengthen a brand’s image and affect their choice to buy through the way it looks and how it is built. 

What Tools Are Used in the Packaging Design Process?

Packaging design tools are special software and online platforms that help designers visualize and plan custom packaging ideas clearly. These tools let users make things like layout guides and 3D models and they also help add brand logos, colors, and fonts. Using the correct tools makes the design process more accurate which helps avoid mistakes when making the final product, and gets the design ready for printing quicker. Top design schools and companies suggest using these tools to create high-quality packaging. 

• Adobe Illustrator
• ArtiosCAD
• Esko Studio
• Canva Pro
• Packly
• Boxshot
• CorelDRAW

How Much Does Packaging Design Cost?

Packaging design cost is the total amount of money needed to create a product package that matches the brand and looks good. The cost of custom packaging covers coming up with ideas for making prototypes, using design software, and preparing the final designs for printing. The price can be between $300 and $5,000 or more which depends on how complicated the design is, how many different products are being packaged and how skilled the designer is. Using freelance designers or platforms with ready-made templates can help save money at first for new businesses and online stores. 

What is the Difference Between Minimalist and Luxury Packaging Design?

Minimalist and luxury packaging have different goals and how they make people see a brand. Minimalist packaging is all about being simple using clean lines and only the most important information. This makes it cheaper to make and better for the environment. It is popular with people who like modern, practical things and is often used for tech and environmentally friendly products. 

Luxury packaging uses high-quality materials and detailed work like special printing or textures that you can feel. It makes people feel special and adds emotional value which is why it is common in fashion and fancy food brands. Luxury packaging gives a sense of high status and an elegant brand experience while minimalist packaging shows clarity and usefulness.