Many customers will perceive your business’s products based mainly on the type of product packaging you use, ultimately affecting the sales performance of your business. The details easily noticeable from your packaging include the shape, the material used, and the overall design, which influence your customers positively or negatively.

The type of packaging you use looks like fashion in that the trends will come and go. In addition, your competition will edge out your business if they package their products better. However, packaging trends are focused on more than just visual design.

We expect 2023 to bring numerous new trends, some of which we have discussed here, like sustainable materials, different print designs, and unboxing experiences. Think about the following trends in custom-made packaging that will help your business sell better than your competition.

Use of Sustainable Product Packaging Materials

If you have been following our posts, you already know that sustainable packaging is the current trend and a solution for many years to come. Using sustainable packaging on our products is not just a matter of beauty but a huge necessity for 2023 and beyond. By using sustainable packaging on your products, you are promoting your business brand among the more than 80% of customers who purchase products from sustainable sellers — these are your target customers.

Many business organisations rely on numerous sustainable materials to promote this sustainable packaging practices. For this reason, the demand for recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, and circular packaging solutions is rising steeply and is expected to continue on this trajectory in the future.

Use of Recyclable Packaging

Do not confuse “recyclable” packaging with “recycled” packaging. Recyclable packaging means the material used can be remanufactured into new a packaging product after use. However, “recycled packaging” refers to using a product made using recycled material, but it does not mean you can still recycle it.

Using biodegradable packaging

Biodegradable packaging materials are made from renewable raw materials like soy protein, starch, cellulose, and others. Essentially, these biodegradable packaging materials will decompose naturally and ecologically. However, the consumer must dispose of the packaging material properly so that it decomposes naturally.

Use of compostable packaging

Just like biodegradable packaging, compostable packaging also decomposes naturally. However, the greatest difference between the two is that compostable packaging materials need certain conditions to decompose completely.
We encourage you to read our sustainable packaging comparison to learn more about the differences between biodegradable, recyclable, and compostable packaging materials.

Use of Circular Packaging

The goal of a “circular economy” is to ensure products and materials are used time and time again instead of being disposed of after use. The economy works like a continuous loop and uses this principle to support various sustainability programs. Businesses can reuse and dispose of their received packaging using circular packaging materials.

Use of sustainability symbols

Using sustainable symbols is a trend that goes along with using sustainable packaging methods, as discussed before. In addition, it is mandatory for many businesses determined to become ecologically friendly to use symbols to help customers recognise the suitable features of your product packaging.

Examples of sustainability symbols include standard recycling and compostable, biodegradable, FSC, and corrugated packaging symbols. There are numerous sustainability symbols you can use to improve your business. We invite you to visit our essential guide on packaging symbols and learn about more than 25 different symbols you can use on your packaging.

Refined Package Branding

Nowadays, many customers are discouraged from buying certain products with repetitive, showy logos, bold fonts, and screaming colours, leading to advertising fatigue. Advertising fatigue reduces the desire to buy a certain product or associate with a certain brand.

On the other hand, subtle or refined branding on your packaging provides an effective visual appeal devoid of redundancy. That way, customers start to see value in your product features beyond the exaggerated type of branding that is far too common in today’s market.

You only need to ensure your logo and core message to the customer are clearly and cleanly written on the package, and you will have started your journey to successful branding on the right foot.

For example, consider Amcor, which is a great example of how subtle branding should be done. It does not use bright colours, unusual patterns, or other features likely to put off customers. Rather, the packaging seeks to complement the quality of the product instead of lessening its visual appeal and value among customers.