Have you considered your brand’s 2024 packaging? From what we expect, 2024 is the year of sustainable, recyclable, and minimalist designs. Cleaner lines, fewer graphics, eco-friendly materials, and efforts in waste reduction are clear winners for consumers. We have noticed a strong preference for biodegradable, compostable and recyclable materials; or simply put, packaging with a positive environmental impact. For example, switching in reusable organic cotton bags to pack their products instead of plastic bags!
Here are a few topics of discussion we have seen sweeping across the industry:
Technology & AI
Technology has already integrated into and impacted the print and packaging industry. It has created the possibility for users to scan product design and view a 3D-animated feature that brings to life your message on a screen. As expected, this elevated experience successfully drove massive brand awareness and engagement on social media. Smart packaging or packaging with additional technological functionality is an increasingly popular additive that utilizes scanning, labels, tracking and other components to monitor a product or its packaging. Allowing companies and customers alike to keep track of an item’s location, track expiration dates and alert customers of warnings and recalls. There are even temperature sensitive inks to indicate a products freshness!
Flexible or Non-Rigid Packaging
Flexible packaging is characterized by, non-rigid, low-cost and lightweight designs. This approach is convenient in how it reduces shipping costs and takes up less warehouse space than traditional materials. This has become an attractive option for companies in 2024. Even more, it is an opportunity to incorporate some of the environmentally conscious designs we discussed in the beginning.
The ‘Unboxing Experience’
A topic that’s been getting a lot of buzz lately: The Unboxing Experience. The unboxing experience is designed to be visually appealing, satisfying, and sometimes even luxurious, creating a positive first impression for the consumer. This increases the perceived value of the item while highlighting the brand. It has become increasingly important in the world of retail, especially with the rise of online shopping and social media influencers.
Refreshing Your Packaging Designs for The New Year
If your brand has been in the market for a while, have you considered a design upgrade? There is value in brand recognition, but with the new year just around the corner, broaden your reach! There are plenty of ways to play with older designs and creatively transform them into something new, but still recognizable. Each brand is unique, but maintaining the most recognizable logo elements with some enhancements will keep your brand inspiring. Refreshed retail packaging can bring in younger generations, who not only care about the visual appeal, but look out for a brand’s sustainability commitment or other socially conscious causes.
If you’re interested in learning more about these trends or how to integrate them into your brand, Calitho is a commercial printer and visual communications company serving the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Let us help with your next project by requesting a quote today.
