How to Create Custom Branded Packaging That Stands Out and Boosts Engagement

In the realm of retail and eCommerce, appearances are (almost) everything. Gone are the days when you could just throw your products in a brown box and ship it to your customers. In an age when consumers

Or, if you want to inspire and motivate people, then your packaging should reflect that. As is the case with the apron makers Enrich & Endure.The duo’s packaging combination includes an inspirational card that reads “Do it brilliantly. Do it beautifully. Do it quietly.“It’s a simple add-on, but it definitely makes an impact!

Write Compelling CopyWhile colors and illustrations go a long way in getting your packages to pop, you shouldn’t focus on these things alone. The different components of your packaging — such as your boxes and tissue paper — serve as valuable real estate for your brand messages, so use them wisely.Come up with compelling taglines or statements that communicate your unique proposition so people instantly know what you’re all about.Wild Planet Foods, which sells canned seafood, does this extremely well. The company is all about sustainably-sourced seafood products, and it makes this loud and clear in its packaging copy. Wild Planet’s tuna cans, for example, have the following phrases on them:100% pole & line caughtWildly good for the planetWildly good for you****Wildly good taste

Wild Planet’s copy immediately communicates the company’s value proposition, which then helps it attract the right customers (i.e., people who love seafood but care about where their food is coming from).Consider Personalized PackagingWe don’t need to tell you how important personalizationis to today’s consumers. Multiple studies have shown that shoppers love tailored products and experience.So, it stands to reason that your packaging should also play a role in your personalization efforts.Depending on your merchandise, it may be a good idea to include your customers’ names on your product packaging.The shampoo brand Function of Beauty, for instance, prints the name of each customer on its bottles.

Another idea is to include handwritten notes when you send out your items. Personalized cards — especially if they’re handwritten and contain the customer’s name — are a simple yet effective way to make shoppers feel special and more connected to your brand.Check out the following welcome package from the health supplement brand Athletic Greens, which contains a card with a handwritten “welcome” greeting.

Don’t Forget the Small StuffWhile the larger components of your packaging (e.g., boxes, shopping bags, etc.) are important, you shouldn’t overlook the little things — like stickers,packaging tape, etc. They may be small (literally) but they can have a huge impact on the unboxing and overall brand experience of your customers.We can see this in action in HEAD WEST, a Bay Area marketplace, which uses custom tape to add personality to its packaging.

Pay Attention to Sustainability****Sustainability is more than just a trend — it’s a way of life. And consumers are increasingly changing their lifestyles by aligning themselves with companies that demonstrate their commitment to society and the planet.One way you could show your customers that you care about the environment is through the use ofsustainable packaging.Use recyclable or compostablemailers to limit your environmental impact, and remind your customers to reuse or recycle your packages whenever possible.Check out the packaging efforts of the skincare retailer Sage & Stone Organics. The company usestendlyn’s sustainable mailers, which in addition to being earth-friendly, are also durable, writeable, waterproof, and plant-based.

Encourage Social SharesUse your packaging to drive social shares. While you can often accomplish this simply by having beautifully wrapped products, it doesn’t hurt to give people a nudge in the right direction.Why not add a card telling people to share product photos on sites like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook? Be sure to include your brand’s social media handles and hashtags so you can see and track who’s spreading the word.The skincare company Maelove does exactly that. Check out the card they have in each shipment below:

Choose the Right Custom Packaging PartnerAlready have a packaging strategy and ready to create your materials? The next step is choosing a vendorwho can create your custom-branded packaging. The right solution provider will depend on your needs, but here are some factors to consider:Design capabilities.Supported materials. You’ll need to choose a solution provider that can print your designs onto the shipping supplies and packaging that you use for your products. Common materials include tissue paper, stickers, and mailers. To save time and effort, opt for a vendor that can work with all the materials that you need, rather than trying to source from multiple companies.Sustainability practices. We don’t need to tell you (again) that sustainability is important. Your customers will appreciate environment-friendly packaging, so it’s best to do business with packaging vendors that promote sustainability.Turnaround time. How soon do you need your shipping materials? Be sure to ask your vendor about their turnaround time so you can plan accordingly.Costs. Find a packaging partner that can deliver quality goods while helping you stay within your budget. Printing and shipping costs will obviously vary from one vendor to the next, but generally speaking, the larger your order, the lower your costs will be. If you’re a small business that can’t take on bulk orders, find a provider that can provide cost-effective packaging solutions without requiring high order volumes.Do you need help creating and printing custom branded packaging for your products? tendlyn lets you design your own branded tissue paper, stickers, and tapes. Simply upload your design, logo, or illustration, and we’ll do the rest. We also offer low minimum order quantities and ship anywhere in the world within 3 weeks.