Small businesses have a lot of ground to cover in the beginning stages. Aside from all the legal paperwork to research and development on products, new businesses often miss an important factor––packaging. That’s not to say that they forget about packaging altogether; they merely fail to invest time and money in quality packaging. If you’d like to learn some packaging tips for new businesses, we put together this list to guide you through the packaging process.
Have some idea of what you want
By this point in the process, you probably have a general idea of who your target customer is. If you don’t, then go back and decide who you’re targeting and then come back, we’ll wait. Got it? Great. Next, you’re going to need some design ideas. If you need some inspiration, you could look into current packaging trends. For example, a lot of businesses are going for eco-friendly packaging or minimalist designs on their packaging. Whatever you do, just make sure it’s true to who you are as a brand; customers can sniff out inauthentic companies.
Look at your competition’s packaging
Of course, you want to stand out from everybody else’s products, but you also don’t want to appear out of place. You should regularly be watching your competitors anyway, so why not analyze their packaging while you’re at it? As much as you might hate to admit it, you may find some inspiration from their ideas. Don’t be the fool on the shelf that didn’t take the time to do some packaging research and get mockups made prior to launching a new product.
Decide what type of packaging you’re going to use
While you’re taking the time to research, you’ll need to identify which type of packaging you want. A lot of startups will use one of the basic types of folding cartons because they’re versatile and affordable. On the other hand, some companies might want to use bags, labels, or wraps, depending on their products.
Using these packaging tips for new businesses will get you started on the right track. From there you can be as creative as you wish, especially if you work with a packaging company that explores new ideas. Don’t be afraid to be creative and try something different. You’re not limited to the current trends.