2021 packaging design trends: solutions by Stocksmetic
Packaging is a fundamental tool in marketing strategies since it represents the first point of contact with the product. Packaging design and its features need to satisfy customer's needs and tastes, constantly creating innovative solutions.
Talking about packaging history, we underlined its influence in the process of selling and building customer trust. Born as a simple protection, today wrapping does the hard job to attract customer's attention and distinguish the product from those of the competitors, making essential to know the 2021 packaging trends. The constant evolution of the market represents a challenge in the packaging design branch, which has to monitor customers' increasingly detailed preferences. The research of novelty enables designers to express their creativity and to discover new in-step-with-the-trends solutions. How will our favourite products' packaging change? Let's discover together the 2021 packaging trends!
Qualities of the ideal packaging
Functional and attractive, these are the keywords for a successful packaging. Bottles, jars, boxes and labels require the development of a design for a specific product. It also has to be able to make the product easy to use, immediately recognisable and good-looking. Packaging has to satisfy portability and stocking requirements, simplifying the disposition on the shelves. However, it has to create a dialogue with the customer as well, to communicate not only technical features, uses and benefits, but also values, history and identity of the brand. In the following paragraphs we'll get into the qualities of an ideal packaging.
Protection and conservation
The necessity to preserve goods has been the first motivation at the base of packaging. For this reason the product has to be untouched once the box is open. Hence, packaging is a protective barrier against damages caused by external factors, such as transport or water.
Conservation is an essential function in food or cosmetic industry. Packaging has to ensure that the product doesn't come into contact with substances that could damage its composition or make it unusable. Moreover, bottle's material should be suitable for the content's consistency to avoid dispersion.
Convenience and accessibility
Consumers are constantly in search of comfort in buying habits. Packaging has to guarantee this feature developing boxes which best simplify the use of the product. Easy-to-carry and not bulky packagings are preferred, but also caps, flaps and intuitive latches.
How to conquer the customers with the packaging design
The birth of consumerism has led producers to focus on packaging design. Packaging is a tool that allows to distinguish from competitors: a charming and pristine designed package will success in standing out on the shelves and will attract the consumer's gaze.
In addition, the pack promotes the product and its label informs about the features, usage and becomes a design instrument. Packaging is one of the elements of brand identity, conveying information to the costumers in order to guide them. Therefore, products of the same brand have to use a similar -if not even equal- packaging. This allows the customer who has already bought items from the same line in the past to recognise the product and proceed with the purchase. The result is, of course, a strengthened trust.
Packaging design trends in 2021
Packaging is the first visible part of the product, often being the calling card for customers. This is the reason why it has an enormous importance, especially regarding those goods which can't be seen first-hand before buying it, as in the case of e-commerce purchases. In a world constantly bombed by images, it is fundamental to stick out from the mass, therefore the best packaging for every occasion covers a special role. Then, in the last few years the standard to follow is given by originality: an original packaging design allows to strike, intrigue and be different from the others.
Thanks to the variety of materials and silk-screen printing effects, today one is spoilt for choice. Surely, nowadays there is no shortage of possibilities to create a distinctive packaging. However, being part of the consumer market, packaging needs to be up to date and to follow changing trends. It also needs to get noticed and be appreciated by increasingly demanding customers, in order to persuade them to purchase. Let's see, then, which are the expected packaging trends for 2021.
Packaging design and Covid-19
Given this uncommon 2020, next year will hold some big surprises as regards packaging trends. The pandemic not only has brought down economy, but has also led to the appearance of new needs. In particular, the keyword of the last year has been "safety". So, with the necessity of protecting our and others' health, among the other things online shopping has taken flight. This has brought some other consequences, such as the need of safe shipments and easy-to-disinfect packages. This will probably affect not only the choice of materials and shapes, but also the packaging design as a whole. As a matter of facts, smooth and possibly shiny surfaces are expected. Waterproof materials will have to be chosen then, in order not to hold unwanted particles. It has to be seen if someone will take advantage of this.
Moreover, the repeated lockdowns have supported some already existing activities, which got the chance to take off. An example is home delivery by our favourite restaurants. Many take-away services were already prepared, but many others have re-organised being unable to receive customers. This has meant an increase in the research of distinctive packaging expressing the personality of the restaurant. Also pubs and bars have let loose in realising original packages to allow their customers to continue to post on social networks their favourite dishes, delivered in a good looking box directly at home. Despite hoping in a better 2021, probably an "Instagram-proof" package for food delivery will remain a wise choice.
Unexpected consequences
Being locked up at home for weeks may result being sad and boring. For this reason, during these months many people have found a "prison" mate. Obviously, no guests disobeying the rules: we are talking about four-legged friends! 2020 ha been the year of pets, which we hope will not be abandoned once the pandemic is over. These new friends need to be fed and the most part of their owners choose specific products on the shelves of supermarkets. This is the reason why the branch of pet food has found itself in a sort of war, but the same has happened to all the other care products for animals. How to better attract an uncertain consumer if not with a seductive packaging? It won't be a wasted effort because the new pet owners will take care of their new friends for a long time.
Hygiene and safety
Because of the situation, many have decided to equip themselves to offer their customers hygiene and safety products, as Stocksmetic did. This seems to be a trend that will be largely followed in the coming period. This means that it will be indispensable to be different from the others. A personalised packaging will be of great help to witness the company's sensibility towards difficulties this period. Simple and elegant shapes will be preferred, which transmit reliability and professionalism. Transparent bottles and light colours, instead, will help to communicate hygiene and cleanliness.
Playful packaging
Staying at home for a long time has awakened e strengthened a passion that many of us had abandoned for long. We're talking about video-games. This has brought about a sort of gamification of reality, with a consequent search for a game even where there isn't one in everyday situations. It follows that in 2021 consumers will be attracted by simple and above all colourful packaging design. Rainbow colours and regular shapes on a deep black background are going to represent the way to conquer the customers. It will be even better if the packaging becomes the game itself. In this sense, a QR code leading to a prize game and simple challenges on smartphone or a package that transforms into something playful will catch the attention of children and adults.
Packaging design and ecology
The attention for the environment which has characterised the last few years won't be lost in 2021. Sustainability has by now become a hot theme in many areas. However, packaging design needs to hold it in particularly high regard. As a matter of facts, more and more consumers pay special attention to products with an ecological container. Eco-friendly packagings will then wink even to customers who are particularly sensible to recyclability and biodegradability. Hence, the choice should fall on reusable plastic bottles or, at least, entirely recyclable ones. Many people even opt for aluminium bottles, in order not to generate avoidable rubbish. Generally, innovative biodegradable materials achieve a huge success, especially when they come from non-polluting sources. Also, don't forget the more classical paper and cardboard, through which it is possible to realise resistant, elaborated and above all recyclable packagings.
It may be the influence of eco-sustainable packaging the reason why we can expect a great use of corrugated cardboardin 2021. This, besides being entirely recyclable, allows to create resistant but also charming packagings. Not to mention that it is easily customisable and it may confer a classy touch if well-refined. Another interesting feature is that you can create packages from a purposely cut out and folded sheet of cardboard. This entails an enormous advantage in logistic terms. In particular, transporting single sheets of cardboard requires a lot less space and, therefore, less trips. Say bye bye to useless emission: as if by magic you'll have another added value for your product.
The best graphic choices for 2021
As regards graphics, instead, there will be a great use of two-dimensional shapes and bright colours. No frills or artworks, then, because the packaging design trends in 2021 will require essential shapes, eye-catching colours and few details. This easily conciliates with the gamification we have already talked about, especially with retro-gaming graphics, which are doing their comeback. Therefore, abstract drawing plots, geometric shapes and decisive designs will be successful. Shades and embroidery will be banned, instead, in favour of clear and emphasised figures.
Last but not least, be aware of the Pantone Color of the Year 2021: PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating. As usual, Pantone has unveiled its color of the year. Yes, this year it's not a single colour, it is a pair. On one side an intense grey, on the other a bright yellow, put together to enhance the contrast. This choice is related to the period. Grey represents the necessity a profound attention and strong sensibility, while yellow stays for rebirth and hope. A serious and positive packaging design will be the guideline for 2021.
Stocksmetic: bottles and jars for cosmetic
In the cosmetic industry the packaging assumes an essential role for the persuasion of the potential consumer. Indeed, customers cannot have the possibility to know the features of the product before trying it. For this reason they have to trust the visual appeal of the package, which is therefore the calling card of the product. No worries: Stocksmetic is there to help you. It is an online store for perfume, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products packagings. Our solutions are in step with the most recent packaging design trends, which are able to satisfy even the hardest-to-please customers. Let's see them in the next few paragraphs.
Bottles and jars
Our variety of bottles and jars includes products for every sort of need. On our website you can easily find glass bottles for perfumery, packagings for cosmetic products, ambient scents or even make-up. Obviously, you can choose all necessary accessories according to your favourite bottle. This is not enough? You'd like to personalise your packaging even more? Don't you worry. In order to best match your needs you can also choose the label which exactly suits for your logo and the box tailored for you.
Check out our collections as well. Our packaging design experts have selected the most charming shapes and engaging colours. Choose the one that best represents your brand. It doesn't matter if you sell make-up or you are a leader in barbers' products, Stocksmetic has the packaging for you. Explore all the available collections and tailor the product your way.
Choose a trendy packaging design
2021 is coming and Stocksmetic is ready to deal with it. What are you waiting for? Create your line of hand sanitizers and offer your clients the best disinfectants for their safety. You won't have to give up on personalisation: choose the packaging which expresses your brand identity.
If you aim to animal lovers, instead, you should give a look to our Pet Care collection. In this case, you can count on the top quality packagings to offer to your customers' furry friends the treatment they deserve. In this way you'll be prepared to the 2021 trends, which seem to have a special regard for the loyal companions.
Dealing with cosmetic, you'd better update your packaging with a trendy colour. If you haven't seen the Airless collection yet, hurry up. Simple, elegant and with an interesting colour combination...doesn't it look familiar?
Stocksmetic, your ally in packaging design
Entirely customisable bottles and jar for perfumery, cosmetic or pharmaceutical use are the strengths of Stocksmetic, winner of the Netcomm Award for Business to Business 2020. The company can also count on reliable partners, specialised in each category of products.
This is why we guarantee a top quality product, cured all-round. It doesn't matter if you are creating your perfume, cosmetic, ambient scent or make up: Stocksmetic offers bottles and jars to satisfy every need. Icing on the cake is the customisation from A to Z: choose between a label with your logo or a tailor-made silk-screen printing. Complete your creation with the boxes that better fit your new product. And if you can't make up your mind take a look to our collections, made by design experts just for you.
Discover also our solutions for hygiene and safety: offer your line of hand sanitisers to your customers to help them protecting themselves and their beloved ones.
Contact Stocksmetic and receive the advice of a specialist. Discover your advantages!
