Is Your Product Packaging Ready For 2021?

With so much going on in the world, it would be easy to let your product packaging slip your mind. The recent months have presented a radical change to our lives and businesses have scrambled to adapt. With the way we conduct business changing, we believe that the way you choose to package your products can contribute massively to the success of your business.

Eco-friendly packaging

The sustainable packaging trend is guaranteed to continue into 2021 and beyond. Having sustainable and eco-friendly packaging not only protects the environment, but also helps companies to stand out from the crowd and creates a positive brand image.

Many companies are starting to use biodegradable, compostable or recycled materials in their packaging designs as customers are becoming more conscious of their packaging waste. A 2020 study by Trivium reports that 74% of consumers would be willing to pay more for products that used environmentally friendly and sustainable packaging.

E Commerce

During 2020 we saw ecommerce and food delivery become critical to our everyday lives and, sadly, that’s not about to change anytime soon. With consumers switching to online or remote shopping, they lose the full brand experience of walking through a store and interacting with brand owners - something even the most creative website can’t remedy.

Packaging and its design allow businesses to communicate about their product and brand and help customers experience that product and brand – even if they are sheltering at home. The more memorable and enjoyable the experience, the more likely they will order again.

Colour Trends

Colour, rather obviously, is a fundamental component of successful packaging. It varies according to the usage and functions of the products, but it is also subject to the influence of fashion and trends.

Every year the Pantone institute releases a colour of the year and 2021 is no different.

This year’s choice is a dual experience Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, an "optimistic" hue of yellow, which the company says is a “A marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting”.

Whether you’re a fan of Pantone’s selections or not, choosing the right colour for your branded packaging is the first step in creating that all important customer experience.

The Importance of Design

Packaging does not have to be boring – in fact the more interesting your design the more it stands out from the crowd. Including a pattern or simple illustrations can really raise your branding game and are far more than just embellishment. Adding items that reveal details about your product, highlight other items in your range, or maybe emphasise your company beliefs, all add value and help to reinforce your brand and aid in up selling. We’re predicting that these heavyweight illustrative extras will feature heavily in the most colourful and memorable packaging in 2021.

If quirky and colourful isn’t ideal for your brand, then the upcoming trend for sophisticated ink drawings is sure to be a hit. Created to be more “art gallery” than “commercial graphic design” this meticulous style looks like it’s been lifted from scientific journals or straight from a blueprint.

Perhaps it is because 2020 forced us to re-evaluate what’s really worth doing, or maybe it’s a response to the years that minimalism reigned supreme. Either way, prepare to see more designs with incredible detail that look and feel like they were sketched and inked by hand – perfect for making your products look unique and your customer feel special.

There really is something for everyone in 2021’s trends so if you’re all about getting your name out there, you may be interested to know that instead of making an illustration the packaging’s focal point, some designers are instead choosing to make the business name the star of the show. Getting creative with lettering or choosing unusual fonts allows your name to take center stage and works perfectly for items which might be seen in the street. Allowing the business name to become artwork in its own right gives the whole design a distinctive personality.

Whatever your design preferences may be, perfecting your packaging image will undoubtedly increase your sales and build customer loyalty in the year to come. Take the time to honestly assess if your current packaging is up to par and if you would like some help on choosing the best greaseproof paper options for your business, we’re just a message away.