If you’ve ever bought a product and been disappointed by its packaging, you’re not alone. Bad design is common, and copywriters often agonize over finding the perfect words to accompany the product’s message. Here are six ways bad packaging design can hurt your brand. Let’s face it: packaging is important. After all, it’s the first impression your potential customers will have of your brand.
Good packaging communicates with customers
As consumers, we are surrounded by thousands of options. The packaging you choose can either make your product stand out or hide it from the consumer. In a supermarket, shoppers pass up to 600 items per minute. Fortunately, many products can be noticed by incorporating clever packaging design, point of purchase devices such as tear-off coupon blocks, and psychological manipulation to grab consumers’ attention. Here are some examples of effective Custom printed boxes designss.
One way to stand out from your competitors is to use packaging to tell a story. A product’s packaging can convey an entire brand narrative, special deals, or enticing offers. Regardless, of the product type, a well-designed package can effectively communicate the value of the product. Good packaging design combines visual appeal with valuable information to make a lasting impression. To get the most out of your packaging, follow these simple guidelines.
It’s easy to open
In addition to being an inconvenience, poor packaging design also makes your product harder to open. This is frustrating and can result in injuries and wasted time. Moreover, it can affect the quality of your product. Avoid such mistakes and improve your packaging’s usability. Here are 7 deadly sins of packaging design. Listed below are examples of how these sins can hurt your brand. Make sure your packaging follows these guidelines to make your product easier to open.
Avoid overcomplicated packaging: Many companies tend to overdo it to stand out from their competitors. The competition is fierce, especially online. Overcomplicated packaging will just lead to customer frustration and impatience. It also robs your company of money that could be put to better use elsewhere. If you want to attract more customers, consider keeping your packaging simple and minimalistic. Poorly designed packaging will also affect your sales and brand image.
It’s cost-effective
Creating poor packaging can cause your brand to suffer if your customers are not impressed. It wastes resources and time, and it can even cause customers to ask for refunds. This can also hinder your production runs. Consumers are savvy, and a bad packaging design can ruin their decision. Your packaging should appeal to prospective customers and should also be attractive. When done well, a good packaging design will attract customers.
Choose appropriate packaging for your products to create a great impression and increase the likelihood of repeat business. According to Smithers Pira, a world-renowned authority on paper industry supply chains, nearly two-thirds of consumers would be turned off by damaged packaging. Choosing packaging that is the right size is important, as too-large boxes waste resources, cause breakages, and cost extra money to ship. Packaging that is too small is also an immediate turnoff for consumers and can hurt your brand’s image and sales.
It’s attractive
Besides bruised egos, poor packaging can also damage your business. A product’s packaging affects consumers’ brains, so poor designs may activate their negative emotions instead of rewarding them. While most of us are drawn to aesthetics, a poor packaging design can make us feel bad or angry. Hence, it is imperative to create a good packaging design to ensure your business’s success.
Lack of consistency: Consistent packaging design will undermine your brand’s credibility and authenticity. Unlike consumers who prefer products that are consistent and branded, inconsistent packaging may erode the customer’s trust. Inconsistency and disarray in packaging can make a consumer lose trust in your brand. So, try experimenting with different designs and colors. The more unique and creative you are, the better.
It’s functional
It is important to consider your target audience when choosing a packaging design. Consumers have increasingly been vocal about their dislike of overpackaging and the use of unnecessary plastic. Packaging should be made from recycled materials and not contain chemicals or styrofoam. For example, if your product is intended for baby food, consider using a biodegradable package. In fact, you should use recyclable materials whenever possible.
Many companies strive to stand out from their competitors and over-complicate packaging in order to get noticed. However, it is not a good idea because customers will simply ignore your product if the packaging is too complex. This will only lead to impatience, waste, and lost revenue. Instead, make sure your packaging is easy to read and understand by your target market. Poor packaging design can also make your brand appear shabby to your target audience.