The Biggest Packaging Design Trends Coming in 2023
When it comes to packaging design, trends ebb and flow. In order to stay at the top of your game, you’ve got to stay on trend. If you’re gearing up to send packages out, keep reading for the packaging designs to watch for in 2023.
How Will Packaging Design Change Next Year?
As aesthetics and brand design trends come in and out of style, it’s important to stay on trend with what your customers are looking for. With Box Genie, you can make the entire packaging experience one to remember with outer and inner packaging.
In order to see how things will change, let’s reflect on the previous year. Some of the biggest packaging trends of 2022 were:
- Psychedelic designs
- Eccentric, text-focused logo designs and product labels
- Serene packaging
- Color layering
- Y2K aesthetic
- Minimal outside, maximal inside
While some of these trends might be on the outs, others are sure to make another appearance.
But one trend that is not slowing down is the unboxing experience. People love to open more than just a plain package with bubble wrap inside. So give the people what they want with your brand’s packaging.
The unboxing experience begins with a great packaging design on the outside of the box. However, it doesn’t have to stop there. Give your customers a pleasant surprise as they open a box to see an even more delightful design. No matter what trend is in style, Box Genie can make sure you're right on track.
Nostalgic and Psychedelic Designs
The psychedelic revolution is back. With baby boomers craving nostalgia and Gen Z loving peace, love, and bright colors, it’s time to take on a blast from the past with nostalgic vibes of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
What does nostalgic packaging entail? Keep an eye out for elements like:
- Large, chunky, somewhat distorted typography
- Bright and bold colors and fonts
- Graphics like cassette tapes, records, polaroid cameras, and peace signs
If you were lucky enough to experience these decades first hand or are ready to feel it for the first time, then dive in head first and get into this groovy packaging.
Minimalist Design
Minimalist designs have taken over more than just the packaging industry. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian have created a minimalist movement that has influenced social media users everywhere. If you or a customer loves minimalism, then consider yourself on-trend.
Minimalist designs include:
- Simplicity
- Earth tones and monochromatic color palettes
- Clean lines
- Symmetry
Keep it plain and simple with minimalist designs that will evoke a sense of calm from your customers.
Maximalist Design
Maximalism is the opposite of minimalism. Where minimalism sticks to the motto “less is more,” maximalism calls for “more is more.” Maximalist design means playing with patterns and silhouettes that cause a hint of chaos.
Maximalist packaging designs should include:
- Playful and bold designs
- Layered patterns
- Highly saturated colors
If you’re ready to be bold, playful, and a little all over the place, then maximalist design is the trend to choose in 2023.
Collectible Packaging
Collectible packaging can mean two different things. First, it can be a package that can be repurposed for something else. Second, it can mean it should be preserved as a collector’s item. This is packaging that is so unique, people save it either just to have on hand or for later use.
Repurposed Collectible Packaging
Customers value sustainability. When customers receive a package that is beautiful and strong enough to be repurposed for another household use (such as a storage box), they will appreciate the elimination of single-use packaging with the item. If you’ve got customers who are passionate about putting the environment first, get the word out about using collectible packaging.
Collector’s Item Packaging
Collectors’ item packaging harkens back to keeping action figure collectibles inside their box without using them. Collectibles devalue when you open them. If you have customers who love to collect, give them something worth saving with a collector's item package.
Striking Illustrations and Graphics
Ready to create packages that look like a work of art? You’re in luck! Packaging with striking illustrations and graphics is in for 2023. Whether you love to play around in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or another graphic design tool, this trend is for you.
The striking illustrations and graphics trend lends itself to so many aesthetics that the possibilities are endless. Let your creativity play as you create custom packaging designs for your customers.
Use of Soft Colors
If you tend to lean more towards the minimalist vibe, then you might also like the soft color trend. What counts as a soft color? If you’ve ever gone into a hardware store to grab a color chip, soft colors are the ones that live at the very top.
Depending on what your customer needs, soft colors could be the perfect asset to offer in your eCommerce store. Soft color shades are perfect for things like:
- Self-care products
- Wellness products such as those that are a part of meditation or yoga practices
- Books, zines, and journals
- Baby products
- Bridal gifts and decor
Ready to cultivate a calm vibe? Soft colors are an on-trend way to make it happen.
How Do You Keep Your Packaging On-Trend?
Staying on-trend might seem like a lot of work. And when it comes to running a business, practicality matters. Keep reading to see how on-trend packaging can become an everyday part of your in-store or eCommerce business.
Make Your Packaging Part of Your Brand Identity
Branding identity is a huge part of building a successful business. When you create a strong brand identity, it can help you stand out from the competition.
Build a strong brand identity by:
- Establishing your brand first, worrying about marketing second
- Understanding your aesthetic so your customers understand it too
- Remaining authentic to your brand and its mission
- Building a community
- Listening to your audience, understanding their needs, and evolving with them
If you’ve got a strong brand, you can incorporate packaging into that identity.
- What does your brand value? Is sustainability part of that promise? Can you promise sustainable packaging?
- How can your aesthetic inspire customers to create their own? How can you show flexibility in your aesthetic?
- How can your brand bring its mission into packaging? Can you stay true to your mission through listening, using recyclable materials, and offering choices to your customers?
- Can the packaging designs you offer promote inclusivity in your community?
- Do you offer all choices possible to your customer? If not, how can you evolve?
Get Inspired by Other Brands … But Stay Original
They say imitation is the ultimate form of flattery. And while you do not need to imitate anyone, you can certainly draw inspiration from other brands’ ideas.
Do some research on what other brands in your industry are doing. Is there anything they offer that you could adapt to your brand? Is there anything you see that sparks your own creativity?
Take some time to peruse other brands, as well as sites like Etsy, Pinterest, dribbble, and other media to see if anything gets your creativity rolling.
Keep Up To Date on Packaging Trends
Staying on trend might seem like a lot of work, but it comes with the territory. The best way to stay on trend is to stay active on social media and monitor what’s hot. People love to share, and unboxing videos have a corner of the Internet all to themselves.
However, if you don’t think social media is giving you what you’re looking for, subscribe to Box Genie’s newsletter and let us guide you to the trends!
Design Your 2023 Packaging With Box Genie
Now that you’ve got the rundown on trends to watch for in 2023, let’s get to designing.
Product packaging design might feel daunting, as there is so much that goes into it. You must consider details of your design project like:
- Types of packaging
- Packaging box design and label design
- Design elements: templates, fonts, colors, dimensions, and mockups
However, we make it as easy as 1-2-3 to make your packaging design needs into a work of art. Remember, you are not just shipping a package, you are creating an entire unboxing experience for your customer.
- Visit boxgenie.com to order through our site. You can create a free account for easy reordering or to manage new editions to 2023 packaging sets. You’ve got four awesome options to choose from: mailer box, one piece folder box, shipping box, and triangle mailer.
- Kick off your packaging design. The possibilities are endless with our design options. It’s not just about the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that matters, too. Custom inserts on the inside of the packaging bring the unboxing experience to a whole new level.
You can create custom looks and stay on trend when you work with Box Genie.
Meet All Your Packaging Needs
Trends can be tricky to follow, but not anymore. Now that you know which packaging design trends to expect in 2023, you can feel confident in your choices and design ideas.
Make magic for your customers in the coming year with high-quality designs to impress.
Sources:
Kim Kardashian Shows Off Even More of Her Minimalist Home in New Video | Architectural Digest
What Does It Mean to Be Maximalist? Interior Designers Explain | Vogue
Soft Colors ⎸ Better Home & Gardens
11 Top Packaging Design Trends for 2022 ⎸ 99 Designs by Vista
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