15 Ways to Make Your Packaging Stand Out

There are many things brands need to consider when considering packaging options for their products. Thermal security and sustainability are key factors, but don’t neglect how your packaging looks. No matter how excellent your product is, customers won’t have a positive impression of your brand if your packaging standards are not as high as your product standards.

TSS Thermalist

September 13, 2023 | Innovation

Knowing how to make your packaging stand out is crucial for businesses. It can significantly impact how potential customers view your company.

This article will help you navigate packaging and thermal shipping solutions by providing 15 ways to make your packaging stand out. Let’s dive in!

Why Does
Packaging Matter?

While packaging might seem like a minor consideration in the grand scheme of a product, this is far from the truth. Packaging greatly influences how customers perceive your brand and whether they purchase your products.

Your product packaging matters for some of the following reasons:

72% of American consumers state that a product’s packaging design influences their purchase decisions.
67% of American consumers say that the product packaging materials influence their purchase decisions.
81% of consumers state that packaging design affects their gift selection when shopping for someone else.
67% of consumers state that paper and cardboard packaging materials make products more attractive.
63% of consumers say that paper and cardboard packaging makes products appear premium or high-quality.
71% of consumers prefer purchasing from brands that package their products in paper and cardboard.

1. Incorporate Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainable packaging materials show your commitment to the environment. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, meeting their expectations in your packaging is vital. Eco-friendly shipping options include recyclable materials that show your company’s values.

Along with using eco-friendly materials, consider using natural resources and smaller packaging to reduce your carbon footprint. This action will limit your waste, and you will likely gain shoppers’ attention when your products and packaging reflect eco-friendly values.

Some environmentally friendly packaging materials you can consider in your packaging include:

Recycled paper and cardboard packaging
Air pillows made with recycled materials
Cornstarch packaging
Eco-friendly packaging peanuts
Ecological and recycled plastic packaging
Ecological textiles

RenewMailer is a great example of a sustainable solution that meets customers’ demands. After unboxing, they can recycle RenewMailer just as they would aluminum cans or plastic bottles.

2

Use Packaging to Communicate With Your Customers

In today’s world, consistent marketing is everything. To make your brand stand out, you need to communicate with shoppers at every step of their buying journey, and packaging can help you speak with your customers effectively. You can use your packaging as a practical, effective communication resource. Include engaging messages, brand stories, QR codes, and other information that will direct customers to your website or social media accounts.

3

Engage With Your Most Loyal Customers

Appreciating dedicated customers is vital to keep people coming back for more. Effective shipping and packaging solutions keep loyal customers engaged. Consider rewarding loyalty with exclusive packaging designs or limited-edition packaging that adds special value to your products. This simple change can make customers feel appreciated and keeps your company fresh in their minds.

4

Stay Simple and Sophisticated

Although you might feel inclined to make your packaging stand out with extreme designs, many customers appreciate minimalist designs. Remember the power of simple packaging designs that communicate your brand message without compromising quality. Putting your product front and center and going minimalist highlights what matters to consumers.

What does a simplistic packaging design look like? Keep the following in mind:

Simple packaging usually employs a minimal aesthetic, including uncluttered design layouts, limited color palettes, and subtle, sophisticated typography.
These packaging designs prioritize negative space and restrained designs for a modern, appealing look.
Simple packaging utilizes clear branding and concise messages. It incorporates bold typography, strategically placed logos, and well-positioned brand names to create a powerful visual impact.
Emphasize functionality over flashiness, focusing on the content and functionality of the product itself. Well-designed closures and handles make the unboxing experience easier without compromising on quality.
Prioritize eco-friendly materials and reduce waste to communicate an eco-friendly message.

5. Invest in Unique Packaging Solutions

While minimalist packaging helps your products stand out, some brands prefer to go all out when shipping high-quality products. Unique packaging designs can make your brand memorable and helps you stand out in a crowded market. Consider a different or unusual packaging size, shape, or design, or details like QR codes to keep customers engaged.

6. Consider Your Colors

Many shoppers associate brands with specific designs and colors. Color impacts consumer behavior in many ways. Understand the emotions you want to bring out in your customers and use colors to reflect these emotions. A memorable color scheme will make your packaging and products noticeable to potential customers.

7. Highlight Your Product’s Benefits

Packaging lets you catch consumer attention and demonstrate your product’s value. Communicate unique selling points and benefits on your packaging to make a lasting impression on your customers. Explain what the customer can anticipate from your products on your packaging, which increases consumer trust and loyalty and boosts your chances of gaining a loyal customer base.

Make Your Packaging Stand Out picture of a thermal packaging

8

Use Informative Inserts

While it takes time to create unique inserts, taking this step brings your marketing to the next level. Inserts, such as thank-you letters, business cards, and coupons, guarantee that your product is memorable. Giving customers something extra makes the unboxing experience unique and exciting, giving you an advantage over your competitors.

Among the many benefits of inserts for your packaging are the following:

Increasing future order sizes
Encouraging customer loyalty
Convincing customers to make multiple purchases
Improving word-of-mouth marketing
Enhancing consumer trust
Personalizing messages to make customers feel special

9

Know Your Target Market

Your packaging design should reflect what your target market wants from your products and brand. Research your target market’s preferences to optimize your product’s packaging. Some markets prefer simple packages, while others prioritize high-quality materials and eye-catching designs. By taking time to understand your audience, you ensure you communicate effectively to the right crowd.

Consider the following to identify what your target audience wants from your packaging design:

Conduct market research, such as consumer surveys, focus groups, and online reviews, to understand your target demographic and purchasing habits.
Analyze your competitors’ packaging strategies and consider successful brands in your industry and how they attract buyers through their packaging.
Encourage customer feedback on online platforms and inquire about your target market’s specific packaging preferences.
Observe customer shopping behaviors by monitoring how customers interact with products in retail environments.
Use social media to know what your customers expect from their favorite brands.
Analyze data and purchasing patterns to identify trends in packaging preferences.

10

Show Customers How to Use Your Product

Potential customers need to know the value of your product or service. Make your offerings stand out by using packaging to explain the steps customers must take to use your product effectively. The last thing you want is to give customers a product they don’t know how to use. Small details can make customers choose your product over a competitor.

11 Consider the Competition

Your competitors are the most significant barrier between you and a successful sale. To stand out from competitors, it’s essential to research and find ways to make your brand unique during the buyer’s journey.

Look at your competitors to gather ideas on how to make your packaging more appealing. Evaluate competitors’ packaging, invest in your own, and make it unique.

12. Keep Your Products Protected

Unique packaging is worthless if you don’t take precautions to protect your products. If your product arrives damaged, consumers won’t be happy with your brand. No matter what packaging solutions you choose, never compromise on product safety. Add extra protection to your packaging to prevent product damage.

13. Don’t Forget the Tape

Pay attention to every detail to make your packaging stand out, including the tape to seal packages before shipping. You can use simple, clear tape with a minimal design for simple designs. To stand out with a unique design, you can use bright-colored tape, fun graphic designs, or custom-made tape. Remember to add your brand logo front and center of the package.

14. Use Relevant Designs

Your packaging design should always be relevant to the consumer and the product’s purpose. An out-of-place design that conflicts with the product’s purpose will confuse customers, leading to misconceptions about your brand.

Using fun, colorful packaging for pharmaceuticals may not effectively communicate the benefits of your product. Likewise, toys and gaming materials packaged with dull and simple colors detract from the intended impression.

15 Ensuring the safe delivery of temperature-sensitive products is paramount to preserving quality and satisfying customers. TSS provides thermally secure, sustainable packaging that aligns with consumers’ growing demand for sustainable products.

TSS is the leading provider of closed loop insulated packaging solutions for life’s essentials. We nurture the products that nourish the world, connecting earth-conscious brands to their customers, wherever they are.

Let’s talk about how we can help you find the best packaging solutions for your company.