Category Archives: Packaging

Packaging

Let packaging sell your products

The old expression “you can’t judge a book by its cover” isn’t really true when it comes to packaging. The truth is, packaging design matters more than you might think. It’s the first thing a buyer sees.  It can make or break that first impression and convey the trust needed to consummate the sale.

The right packaging can tell a customer “this is exactly what I need!”

 Great packaging can be the silent salesperson constantly at work to convince customers that the product they just glanced at is exactly what they need. Regardless of being surrounded by competitive products, the right packaging can convey a clear message that gives the customer the information they need so they can make a quick decision. It can make your product stand head and shoulders above the rest on the shelf. The right packaging confirms a successful marketing approach that results in selling more units and leading to a long and profitable product life in the retail world.

 Packaging should always tell your product’s story.

 The real power of great packaging lies in its ability to provide a connection to customers. After all, humans desire connecting and communicating with others. We thrive on it.  In choosing a packaging design, it’s important to recognize this need for connection and that you are dealing with people.

Packaging design is the medium through which you can connect with customers and tell your product’s story. Using text and images, you can tell your customers WHY your company came to be, WHAT needs your product fulfills and HOW it can benefit the customer. The message is ultimately about explaining the value proposition – how the product will add value to their lives. The right text and design will go a long way towards making the product well-received by your target audience.

Midwest Graphics has in-house design professionals that can take your packaging ideas from conceptualization to proofing. We take the guesswork out of what the finished design will look like by providing you a 3D PDF modeling of your carton before sending to print. You will know how the design will look as an individual unit and in bulk shipments.

Digital Printing, Displays, Packaging

DIGITAL PRINTING – Opening a World of Customized Options in Packaging.

We all know that computer technology has affected just about everything we do.  It’s hard to think of any facet of society that hasn’t been changed by computers and its tethered partner, the internet. This is certainly true in printing, where offset printing is increasingly giving way to the flexibility and convenience of digital printing.

Digital printing fits today’s multichannel marketing approach 

Businesses today can no longer depend on face-to-face customer interaction with their in-store product(s). Computers and smart phones have opened multiple channels.  These channels allow consumers to view products and make buying decisions with just one quick look.  The packaging and displays have to tell a story fast.

Increasingly, the first contact a buyer has with a product is online. This virtual contact is often quick, so it’s critical the right content is used to package the product in an attractive, attention-grabbing way. A business should strategize about which elements they want to stand out in the product’s online packaging. As important as the packaging is to a product’s brick-and-mortar location, it’s  important that the online images similarly package the product in an attractive way.

Digital printing allows for personalized packaging.

By leveraging the data already available on its customers, a business can use digital printing to their advantage by personalizing their packaging. Perhaps the business could promote a loyalty program and offer coupons as inserts in their packaging within a geographical area. If the campaign isn’t working, digital printing offers the flexibility to make campaign changes easily and quickly.

Digital printing allows you to match the packaging to the location.

Digital printing can personalize the packaging to best-fit the location where the product is being sold. For example, if the product is sold in traditional grab-and-go locations such as convenience stores or mall kiosks, digital printing allows the flexibility to package the product using bold, attention-grabbing design.

More detailed information in the packaging can be printed for those locations such as department stores where leisure shoppers may appreciate a closer examination of the packaging.

In summary, digital printing allows a business the flexibility to customize one packaging for online presentation and another packaging for buyers examining the product face-to-face in a store. This form of printing also allows for aligning the packaging to a geographic location.

Midwest Graphics is a leader in the direct digital printing and design  services for the packaging industry. While digital printing is relatively new, we have over a century of experience in printing and graphics. From conception to production, the Midwest team can help bring your product packaging and displays to life with the flexibility and cost-savings you want.

 

 

 

Packaging

Who said “you can’t judge a book by its cover?”

Package design CAN affect a customer’s decision whether to buy your product or not

 Did you know that there is real value in your packaging design? It can be the deciding factor that sways a customer to buy your product.  Think about it…if the product isn’t packaged in an eye-catching way, it may never even attract their attention.

 Thoughts on why the design of your package matters

 People are busy and they make their buying choices quickly. In fact, studies show you have only about 7 seconds to make a good first impression with your product. Remarkably, in that span of time they can size up the merits of the product and decide whether to buy it or not.

Your packaging is the advertisement that can make that meaningful connection during those critical seconds. When done correctly, packaging can make your product get noticed and stand out among the competitive clutter on the shelf.

The old adage “the customer is always right” applies to packaging.

 Consumers care about packaging.

Surveys say 74% of them feel packaging labels that communicate transparently and honestly about the product’s ingredients builds trust.

Seventy-seven percent of the same group also said that packaging that uses materials designed to keep them safe builds trust.

And 76% trust brands packaged with labeling stating they use high-quality materials and ingredients.

The take away is simple…if packaging is this important to consumers, then companies should incorporate strategic thought behind their packaging design into their marketing strategy.

 Package design is a good investment

 A well-designed package can promote the brand and voice of your product. Look no further that the design of the Coca-Cola bottle. For over the last 100+ years, its iconic shape has become one of the most recognizable packages in the world.

Like the Coke bottle, packaging for your brand needs to be easy to relate to, easy to identify, and easy to recognize when in a hurry.

How can Midwest Graphics help you design the perfect package?

From conceptualization to proofing, Midwest’s in-house design team can help you create the packaging materials that will make your product stand out and get noticed.

We’re experts at the design and printing of all types of packaging.  Make us part of your strategic marketing team and let us help you arrive at a packaging solution you and your customers will love.

Packaging

Our eight tips for designing a great package!

At Midwest Graphics, we have our own design group dedicated to assisting our clients in the development of the perfect packaging for their products. With knowledge accumulated over many years in the printing business, these designers follow tried and true rules to achieve the best packaging to drive business and meet the client’s needs.

Simply put, great packaging design is the result of following certain guidelines.  We offer the following tips:

  1. Know your audience

You HAVE to know who you will be selling to, before any packaging design can take place. If your product is being sold primarily to teenagers, the design will probably be different from a product sold to men who are 55+ do-it-yourselfers.

  1. Zero in on benefits

While features of a product can be mentioned in the packaging design, it is the benefits that resonate with buyers. Highlight these prominently.

  1. Two ideas are better than one

The design options for packaging should include multiple choices. Show them to prospective buyers and get their opinion as to which is most appealing.

  1. Balance package design against the cost of your product

The last thing you want to do is overspend on packaging design relative to cost of the product. You should strive for a design that stands out, but the shape and size has to be easily displayed on shelves.

 5. Pay attention to what the competition is doing

Know what competitive products will be displayed alongside of your product. What is the shape and size of their packaging? You can then design your package to fit in, yet stand out.

  1. Pay attention to your other family of products

If the design is for a product that is part of an additional line of products, maintain a consistency in branding and color schemes and possibly even copy.

  1. Understand the shopper experience you desire

Do you want your customer to be able to touch your product, or is it going to be sealed? If a tactile experience is desired, a die cut window in the package may be appropriate.

  1. Realize your package is your billboard

Regardless of the size of the package, focus on strong selling copy mentioning features and benefits. Photos are also a great way to tell a story, build a brand and create a mood.

At Midwest Graphics, we have lots of ideas for designing that perfect packaging.

Packaging

How to make your customers experience a “love affair” with your packaging!

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We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating…the packaging of a product plays a critical role in the customer being attracted to the product!

Various studies have shown that packaging accounts for about 70% of initial first impressions.  And it’s in those first few seconds that the decision is made to either pull the product from the shelf or pass it by and move on down the aisle.

Packaging can make or break a product’s success in a competitive market where every product is vying for the attention of the buyer. Because of this, companies need to incorporate the following aspects into their packaging strategy:

Think “out of the box” when designing your package!

While square and rectangle-shaped boxes are the norm, maybe YOUR product can be packaged differently?

For example, Nike recently launched their new line of Nike Air shoes, showcasing the shoe simply in a plastic bag of air. Another option is to stay with the regular square or rectangular boxing but opt for unique printing using colors to attract your audience.

Think about the “sensory experience” you want your customer to have.

Design your packaging with the customer in mind.

What sensory experience within the brain do you want your customer to experience while unpacking your product? (for example, use more green for natural and organic products, white and black to create a minimalist and mysterious effect).

Consider special affects

Special die cut, foil stamping, embossing and UV coating all add a more luxurious feel to the product without causing any extra effort and cost.

Packaging Inserts

Surprise customers with a promotional insert such as a personalized thank you note to create a feeling of goodwill. Consider package dividers to help lay out your product neatly and avoid damage.

Service

Use your packaging to provide all necessary product details and support/contact information. Exceptional customer service should be the first and foremost desire of any business.

By ensuring that the customer is provided clear instructions in the packaging about the product, you are setting them up for an exciting and positive experience. You are making it easier for them to love the packaging and the product even more.

At Midwest Graphics, we have lots of ideas to help you design the perfect packaging for your product. Whether it’s unique die cutting, UV coating, or digital printing with a splash of bold colors, our in-house design team is ready to assist you.  

 

 

Design, Packaging

The Secrets of Successful Packaging Design – it starts with a good Design Team

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When it comes to packaging a product, the design is critical.  After all, unless your package stands out with a unique color, size, or copy, it is going to struggle for recognition sitting on a crowded shelf along-side all those competitive products.

The smart businesses know that a great package design can help in selling the product. At Midwest Graphics, our clients appreciate the value our in-house design team brings to the table in assisting them in creating a great package design.

Recently, a national manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom products visited our plant.  They viewed our in-house design team (along with other factors like quick turn around and competitive costs) as a real asset in their decision to use our packaging services.

We know great packaging design is simply following some basic rules. We list some below:

  • Knowing your customer is key!

Who is your customer? All packaging design is geared to first understanding who you are marketing to.

  •  Remember, benefits are more important than features

Focus on the benefits, not the features. Customers want to know “what’s in it for me?” when making their buying decision.

  • Develop a couple prototypes of packaging designs

If you think one design is good, perhaps another idea is better. Set two or more prototypes side-by-side to compare.

  • Price points are important

If the product is priced inexpensive, don’t needlessly escalate costs with an over-priced packaging.

  • Take a look at what your competition is doing

Your packaging needs to stand out while displayed along-side competitive products on the shelf

  • Know your USP?

Identify your product’s unique selling proposition and find a way to communicate that message in your packaging.

  • Remember, brand consistency is important

If you have multiple products, maintain a consistent brand image in the packaging so all your products create similar visual affect.

  •  Decide how you want the customer to interact with your product

Do you want your customer to be able to touch your product? If so, either displaying one of the products outside of the package or a die cut window may be appropriate.

The design team at Midwest Graphics is ready to help you design packaging that will motivate customers to buy. From conceptualization to proofing, they can work with you every step of the way in development of all packaging materials for your company.

 

 

 

 

Packaging

Creative Packaging Sells: Don’t be afraid to stand out!

You’ve likely heard the expression “first impressions are everything!” Another saying, from the reverse perspective but just as popular, is “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

At Midwest Graphics, we think both sayings apply to any business engaged in selling products through retailers. While the name of the product and the copy are important, the design of the package is crucial to its success.

Avoid the mundane in your product packaging!

 Businesses often resort to standard-shaped packaging for their products. There are two reasons for this. First, it affords a lower die cost and associated design time. Secondly, businesses think that by sticking with a standard design, the product packaging can be run along with other product runs to achieve greater economies of scale.

But these views are shortsighted if you consider consumer buying habits. Think about your own habits when shopping.  When you walk around a store, it’s the odd-shaped packages that stand out and get your attention.

 Packaging should make you product POP!

 Retail shelves are crowded with product. So, make yours stand out from the crowd through unique packaging. If your product is uniquely packaged by size and color it will stand out. The buyer is more likely to pick it up and buy it.

Is it time to get another perspective on your packaging?

It’s hard for some businesses to know whether their packaging is good or not. They may have been packaging a product the same way for years. They may be too close to the product to even know if their packaging is stale or not.

That’s where Midwest Graphics can help.

Our in-house design team is experienced in working with clients to develop eye-catching artistic and structural package designs geared to make products stand out from the pack. And, we can take the guesswork out of the process by providing 3D PDF modeling of your carton to give you an idea of how the design will look as an individual unit and in bulk shipments.

Yes, “first impressions ARE everything” when it comes to packaging.

If you think your packaging approach needs sprucing up, give us a call. Our design team will go to work on creating new packaging focused on making your product get the recognition it deserves!