• Home
  • News
  • Marketing Events
    • Marketing Events Calendar
    • Submit An Event
  • Business Directories
    • Marketing Agencies
    • Advertising Agencies
    • Market Research Agencies
    • Market Research Recruitment
    • Event Management Agencies
    • Public Relations Agencies
    • Marketing Industry Associations
    • Industry Recruitment Agencies
    • Promotional Merchandise Agencies
    • Social Media Marketing Agencies
    • SEO & SEM Agencies
  • Marketing Tools
    • Marketing Plans
    • Marketing Publications
    • Marketing Jobs
    • Calculators
    • Media Research
    • Advertising Facts
  • Advertise
  • Write For Us
  • Subscribe

Marketing.com.au

Marketing news, events and resources

  • General
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Market Research
  • Public Relations
  • SEM
  • SEO
  • Social Media
6 Golden Rules of Eye-Catching Packaging Design

6 Golden Rules of Eye-Catching Packaging Design

May 15, 2021 By Jeremy Lloyd

A product’s packaging is as important as the item itself. Today’s crowded marketplace brings about a major challenge that begins even before a consumer gets to sample your wares – that of being noticed in the first place. This is where packaging design comes into play. Get it right and your products make that vital first connection with potential customers. However, getting it wrong means that they probably won’t even notice that your brand exists.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 6 Golden Rules for packaging design that are crucial for creating that one-of-a-kind look that makes your products stand out and get noticed.

Rule #1: Keep It Clear And Simple

You have less than three seconds for a product to make an impression. In our media-rich world, we’re subjected to thousands of marketing messages every day, meaning most of us are now conditioned to tune them out, rather than pay attention to them. This makes it essential that your packaging is designed to clearly communicate the following:

  • Exactly what the product is
  • The brand and brand message

This crucial information is what will make a consumer pause and decide whether or not the product is of interest to them. Reams of information about a product’s benefits tend to be counter-productive as this can’t be read at a distance and often only serves to clutter. The best packaging designs instantly convey the product within and the company branding.

Rule #2: Be Honest

The image on the packaging should genuinely reflect what it holds. A little artistic expression is okay, but a deliberate misinterpretation will raise expectations that won’t be satisfied by the reality of the experience. These people don’t only become ex-customers, they spread the word as well. This inevitably leads to the brand being discredited and a possible reduction in future sales.

Rule #3: Be Original

The best packaging designs are memorable, represent the character of the brand and, most importantly, are individual. Standing out from the crowd means being different, even if it’s only possible in the smallest of ways. This can be done in a myriad of manners, including colour, style, design layout and typeface.

Rule #4: Think Big!

Today you may be designing for a single product. However, additional items will likely be added to the brand’s portfolio in the future. Make sure that any packaging design in use now can be scaled to take this into account. The creation of a systematic design that can be easily extended to encompass different products is essential for the continuity of a brand.

Rule #5: Shelf Appeal

Items are rarely displayed in isolation. When viewed on a shelf, multiple products grouped together make shapes and patterns. This is something that must be taken into account when designing packaging. It’s knowns as ‘shelf impact’ and can, if you get the design right, make a real difference in drawing the attention of browsers and attracting potential customers.

Rule #6: Usability

The usability aspect of packaging is often one of the last things designers think about. This is especially true for products that have been on the market for a long time. But is that shampoo bottle really the most practical of shapes? What about the box that cradles a precious piece of jewellery? There’s always room for innovation when it comes to packaging. Just because it’s always been that way doesn’t mean that it can’t be improved on. Would a design tweak make the product easier to store or to use? A new slant on an old idea might be just what’s needed to instil the “wow-factor” into the packaging design.

The key to great packaging is to work with a professional design service. Not only will they be on point with the latest trends, but they also know what works and what doesn’t. The best providers have an eye for detail and the ability to translate a brand message into aesthetically pleasing visual design.

Did you learn something about design, branding and packaging? You might like to keep reading with:

  • Getting Your Marketing Mix Just Right
  • How to Use Web Design for Brand Recognition and Impact
  • Protecting Your Brand
  • Visual Identity as an Important Part of Any Marketing Strategy
  • 7 Ways To Get A New Logo Designed
  • Why Your Business Should Invest in Digital Logo Design
  • Creating Better Brand Consistency with the Help of Your Website Design
  • About
  • Latest Posts
Jeremy Lloyd

Jeremy Lloyd

Director at Crystal Pack
Jeremy is a Director of Crystal Printing Solutions, a high-quality design, print and packaging provider that delivers cost effective solutions that suit your specific needs. Jeremy has worked in the printing industry for 23 years and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the company which in turn provides you with the best possible results to assist your growing business.
Jeremy Lloyd

Latest posts by Jeremy Lloyd (see all)

  • 6 Golden Rules of Eye-Catching Packaging Design - May 15, 2021

Other Related Marketing.com.au Articles:

  • Popular SEO strategies being utilised in 2018
    What Is The "Helpful Content" Update According To Google?
  • Social Media for Ecommerce
    Custom Promotional Swag Items May Help Build A Better Planet
  • 5 Trends in eCommerce-Marketing-You-Should-Avoid.jpg
    Retargeting Strategies to Win Back Cart Abandoners
  • Utilising Customer Reviews to Enhance Your SEO
    How To Get More Google Business Reviews
  • Top 9 Effective Book Promotion Ideas for Authors
    Top 9 Effective Book Promotion Ideas For Authors
  • Top-Digital-Marketing-Trends-That-Are-Transforming-Businesses-Worldwide
    Top Digital Marketing Trends That Are Transforming…
  • Physical Vs Digital Advertising
    Physical Vs Digital Advertising
  • Video content marketing
    How To Leverage YouTube For Marketing In Australia

Filed Under: Brand, General, Latest News Tagged With: design, graphic design, logo, packaging, packaging design

Recent Posts

  • Marketing Events – August 2025
  • Top 9 Effective Book Promotion Ideas For Authors
  • Marketing Events – July 2025
  • Step By Step Process For Opening Your Own PR Agency
  • Hotels and Influencer Marketing

Join Our Newsletter

For free updates on upcoming Australian events, articles and resources.

CONNECT WITH US

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

MAIN MENU

  • Advertise with Us
  • Write For Us
  • Submit An Event
  • List Your Business
  • Marketing Events
  • Business Directories
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

SEARCH BY CATEGORY

  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • General
  • Market Research
  • Public Relations
  • Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
  • Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
  • Social Media

Join Our Newsletter

For free updates on upcoming Australian events, articles and resources.

Copyright © 2025 Marketing.com.au · Terms & Conditions · Privacy Policy

  • Home
  • News
  • Marketing Events
    ▼
    • Marketing Events Calendar
    • Submit An Event
  • Business Directories
    ▼
    • Marketing Agencies
    • Advertising Agencies
    • Market Research Agencies
    • Market Research Recruitment
    • Event Management Agencies
    • Public Relations Agencies
    • Marketing Industry Associations
    • Industry Recruitment Agencies
    • Promotional Merchandise Agencies
    • Social Media Marketing Agencies
    • SEO & SEM Agencies
  • Marketing Tools
    ▼
    • Marketing Plans
    • Marketing Publications
    • Marketing Jobs
    • Calculators
    • Media Research
    • Advertising Facts
  • Advertise
  • Write For Us
  • Subscribe