QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE STARTING THE PACKAGE DESIGN PROCESS

Posted inPackaging Design

The design of the packaging that contains your product is important for nearly every aspect of your company. However, actually figuring out a design for your packaging can prove to be extremely challenging if you’re trying to design it on your own. Thankfully, there are a number of options when it comes to designing your packaging, from hiring a full company that specializes in package design, to looking for a freelancer on different websites. Regardless, if you’re looking to design your own packaging, or you wish to hire a package design firm, you should compile a list of questions to ask yourself, or your design partner before you begin the design process. These questions should prove to help you figure out exactly what you want to get out of the design process, and they’ll help you establish what you may need in a partner.

Questions To Ask Before Starting the Package Design

1. What is my product?

The first question you should ask yourself going into the process is what is your product? This may seem like an unnecessary step, but it’s important to establish what exactly it is you’re trying to sell and why. This is also something you need to clearly establish with a design partner should you choose to hire one. You need to ensure that they understand exactly what your product is before they start trying to design a package for it.

2. What are my options for designers?

As was mentioned above there are many different routes to take when it comes to designing your packaging. Though we have another blog talking about the many different pros and cons of hiring designers from certain locations, there are few basic things to note. Be aware of the fact that you don’t need to commit to a designer right away. Look out for the kind of designer that you think would fit your company well. There are many different ways to find eager designers, look through all of them and try to find one that works for you both monetarily and stylistically. Don’t settle for someone who won’t provide you with top quality packaging.

3. Who is my target audience?

Going into a deal with a designer, or at the beginning of your own design process, you need to understand who your target audience is. If you’re selling beauty and makeup products, then your target audience is going to differ greatly from a company that sells fishing gear. Because of this, you will ultimately need to make a number of decisions to ensure that you are reaching the people that actually would buy your product. These decisions can range from color choices to the very shape of your packaging. Make sure that you establish your target audience with yourself and any design partners.

4. Who are my biggest competitors?

Though this may seem like it has nothing to do with the design process, it actually is extremely important in the grand scheme of things. When you begin selling a product you will automatically enter into a competition with any other company selling a similar product. You need to make sure that you and your designers are aware of your competitor’s packaging before designing your own. This is to make sure that your packaging stands out from theirs if it ends up on a store shelf right next to it. It is also to differentiate your brand as a whole. You don’t want people to confuse you for your competitor as this may lead to a loss of sales for you. Make yourself aware of your biggest competitors and the design decisions they made going into the process.

5. Where do I intend to sell my product?

Again, this may seem like an odd question to ask yourself, but different places prefer different things. In the United States specifically, the preferences of the average citizen greatly differ from state to state. One packaging design may prove to be a hit in Texas, but then may underperform in New York. You need to establish with your design partner where you intend to sell your product, and, if you intend to sell nationally, or internationally, then you need to find a way to appeal to a broader audience than you may have thought.

6. What size packaging will I need?

The size of your custom packaging will be determined by whatever your product is. Obviously, if it is larger then it will require larger packaging. Larger packaging leaves room for a designer to play around more with what can fit on the box. However, smaller packaging will leave your designer with a more complex puzzle, and you may end up with a really unique outcome. There are pros and cons to small and large packaging, but packaging is mostly out of your control. It is still important to know the size of the packaging you would prefer when going into the process.

7. What kinds of packaging materials do I want?

Packaging can come in all kinds of different materials and textures. These different materials and textures will send a certain idea to your customers about your brand. You should definitely make yourself aware of the many different options that are available to you during the design process to ensure that you select one that is right for you.

8. What colors are available to me? What colors do I want?

There are endless color combinations that can be used for your packaging. An important thing to ask yourself before getting your own packaging designed is which will represent your brand the most accurately. Colors can have a profound effect on your potential customers. What colors you select will ultimately give off some sort of message that will reflect how people will feel about your brand. Choosing a handful that accurately represents you should be a culmination of nearly every other question you’ve asked yourself thus far. Have a list of colors you would like to use before going into a design deal.

9. How complex should my packaging be?

Though this may seem like a weird question, it actually relates to your target audience and your other design choices. The complexity of your packaging is going to depend on who you want to buy it from. If it is a product for seniors, for example, you’re not going to want the packaging to be difficult to handle. However, if you’re selling a product that could be potentially dangerous to a young person, then you need to make it complex enough to a point where they would have a hard time opening it. The complexity of your packaging can be a surprisingly important aspect to your whole process.

10. What is my price range?

The single most important question that you should always have in mind for any business deal is how much you’re willing to pay for a service or product. At the end of the day, you’re trying to make money. If you are willing to partner up with a designer to design your packaging, then you need to be aware of how much that designer is charging. Have an established price range in mind before committing to a designer or before you purchase the materials necessary to design your own. Always do research as to what is a good deal and what isn’t.

Why Should You Partner with Morrisette to Design Your Packaging?

We at Morrisette are committed to creating a quality package for you and your business. When it comes to package design, we utilize our in-house team of engineers to create a package that works for you and your needs. We can create packaging that isn’t just efficient, but also packaging that is unique. We will work with you every step of the way to ensure that your custom packaging is up to your standards. If you’re in need of a fresh design for your packaging, then contact us. We are sure to design your unique packaging that will bring even more customers to your business. Contact Morrisette below: