A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Custom Packaging

Investing in custom packaging or boxes is a simple way to enhance your brand name. You must be curious about how such a small thing can boost your business. It enhances the brand’s impression on customers, increases the brand’s awareness, and even makes your product attractive. Creating your own custom packaging is easier than it looks. It’s a simple process with thrilling results. You must be curious about how it is so easy; we will tell you step by step how to create best custom packaging for small business.

Step 1: Define Your Audience

Defining your audience is the most basic and essential step in creating your custom packaging. If your audience is young, teenagers, or children, you will design childish and bold packaging. If you have a mature audience, you will try to have decent packaging with a more mature look. In short, categorizing your audience eases the customization of your packaging.

STEP 2: DECIDING YOUR PACKAGING STYLE

Each brand has its own style that defines that brand. So choosing your brand’s packaging style is extremely significant. To choose packaging style, always remain up-to-date, see what’s trending, and most importantly, hire professionals. A professional can lead this task in a better way. Use the best color combinations and contrast to induce vibrance in your packaging style. Remember, your style will reflect your brand. It will be recognized in public, so be careful while selecting your style. Fashion constantly changes, but style is always in fashion. So in matters of style, swim with the current.

Step 3: Choose the Material

Selecting the right material is necessary. It depends on what you sell. For example, if you sell a light-weight product, go for Kraft paper or something like that. If you sell something heavy, fragile, or sensitive, like LED, mobile phone, or glass products, use rigid boxes, usually made up of cardboard or corrugated sheets. One more thing to keep in mind is visual appeal. Go for materials that provide security to your product as well as enhance its value through its visuals. For example, glass or metal packaging is often used to enhance the visual appeal of the packaging. Figure out what you need and proceed accordingly.

STEP 4: SKETCH A DESIGN BRIEF:

Once you have an idea of your packaging, sketch out a design brief. You can write specifications (size, shape, weight, etc.). Introduce yourself there, and write down your brand’s mission and values. This document should also outline your color scheme, typography, as well as imagery. Don’t forget to add your specific features, qualities, or functionalities. This will basically serve as a roadmap for the customization of your packaging.

Step 5: Create the STRUCTURAL PROTOTYPE

For this purpose, you will coordinate with your box manufacturer. This is basically done to test the fit and function of your box with your product. By doing this, you will be able to know if any adjustments are needed and about other flaws required to get a perfect fit.

STEP 6: CHOOSE YOUR PRINTING PROCESS 

There are several printing options, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. They include direct flexo printing, digital printing, offset printing, screen printing, inkjet printing, etc.

DIRECT FLEXO PRINTING: 

Direct flexo printing uses a plate to apply your graphics and text to the substrate. These plates are flexible and use raised rubber and plastic to deposit your desired artwork. The plates are placed on cylinders, and ink is applied directly to the raised areas. Then your packaging substrate is run through the machine, and the image is deposited on the packaging.

DIGITAL PRINTING: 

This digital printing technique uses laser or inkjet technology to print a digital image directly onto the packaging substrate. In this process, you don’t need to carry plates, so this process is relatively quicker than direct flexo printing. Moreover, this process is highly customizable. It can produce more vibrant colors, making it suitable for more complex images and design elements like smooth gradients and shadows. 

Offset printing is a quite popular choice for high-quality designs with intricate designs. It involves transferring ink to a plate from a rubber blanket and then onto the packaging substrate. It provides you with sharp colors, detailed images, and accuracy. It is perfect for a wide range of packaging materials, including small business custom packaging. Its superior print quality enhances the packaging’s visual appeal.

Screen printing is a versatile procedure suitable for a variety of packaging materials, including glass and metal. It is also known as silk printing due to its unparalleled smoothness. It involves pushing ink through a fine mesh screen onto the packaging material. It is mostly used in cosmetic packaging. Its biggest disadvantage is its time-consuming nature and low cost-effectiveness for large-scale production.

INKJET PRINTING: 

Inkjet printing is basically famous for house needs but can sometimes be used in the packaging industry. This technique is pretty simple compared to the others, but it has a fear of smudging the colors. It is the best option for short-run printing as well as for small business custom packaging. Avoid the fact that you are doing Custom packaging small business, try to achieve as good quality as you can.

Step 7: Create the Graphics:

Creating graphics for your custom packaging is really significant. In this case, it is most preferable to hire a professional graphic designer. He can give you a better outlook on your packaging.

STEP 8: APPROVE THE FINAL STRUCTURE OF YOUR CUSTOMIZED PACKAGING BOX

Now your box manufacturer will show you what your final product will look like. After you approve the final prototype by your manufacturer, you can order a run for customer consumption. Keep in contact with your manufacturer and wait for the time decided for delivery.

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

Up until now, you were guided step-by-step on how to get custom packaging for small business. All the basic steps are discussed. Opting for the best type of printing for packaging depends on multiple factors, such as budget, order quantity, design complexity, and the desired final look. Our expertise and knowledge will help make sure that your packaging stands out, meets your branding objectives, and, most importantly, meets the needed technical specifications.