5 Common Product Packaging Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

People have been told for years that they should never judge a book by its cover, but is that true when it comes to products? We don’t think so. Giving your products clear and safe packaging is crucial to their success.

One of the best ways to know if you’re doing something right is by understanding the common product packaging mistakes. This guide will explore all of them and how you can avoid them.

Ready to learn more? Let’s get started. 

1. Overdesigning

The most common and frequent mistake you can make when designing product packaging is overdesigning. Messy, complicated, and difficult to understand designs tend to repel consumers.

You want to keep it simple, reduce the number of texts and logos, and think more about how to focus on the brand. You only have a few seconds to grab your customers’ attention and they’re sure to walk away if they feel overwhelmed by the packaging design.  

2. Wasteful Packaging

Now, more than ever, consumers want sustainable products. This includes packaging. 

One of the best ways to keep your product eco-friendly is by avoiding wasteful product packaging material. This also saves you a lot of money on fillers or paying extra for shipping.

Most businesses are incorporating eco-friendly packaging so be sure to consider this as you think of different designs.

3. Misleading

Consumers don’t like feeling misled and there’s certain packaging that can cause this. Don’t try to trick or lie to your customers. They’re bound to find out and you’ll risk losing their trust which can damage your company as a whole.

For example, how many times did you purchase a big bag of potato chips only to find out that half the bag is full of air? This is enough to frustrate anyone, so be sure not to deceive.

Labels on packages can help customers understand your product better but if you’re using them to ‘bend the truth’, it’s only a matter of time until consumers catch on. 

4. Outdated

As you’re thinking of how to package your product, it’s easy to be concerned about the ‘right’ type of look or how the logo should be placed. You might be getting swept up with so many concerns that you don’t realize that your product packaging is outdated. 

It’s important to stay up-to-date with current trends because that’s what will sell your item.

5. Similar to Competitors

Thinking outside the box too much is detrimental but so is being too similar to what your competitors are doing. You want to find the right balance of unique but familiar enough to attract the right consumers. 

Imagine a shelf full of your competitors’ products and yours, what type of design will make them choose yours above the rest? 

Whether you’re looking to package a new beauty cream or essential oils, you’ll want to think about the best product packaging for the job. 

Common Product Packaging Mistakes

Good product packaging designs come from knowing your customer well. It’s the first thing they see and it affects the consumer’s overall buying experience. Packaging that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to read will fly off the shelves. 

Knowing the common product packaging mistakes can help you understand what does and doesn’t work so you can design something sure to succeed. Testing product packaging is one of the best ways to put yourself in your customer’s shoes and see what is and isn’t working. 

Looking for more articles like this? Be sure to check out the Business section of our blog!