Why Every Small Business Should Invest in Custom Packaging

Every small business owner looks for ways to attract their target audience. They are often ready to experiment and find ways to make their product noticed.

The good news is that standing out of the crowd isn't impossible. You can catch your audience's attention and convince them to purchase in several ways. How's that possible?

It's achievable through custom packaging, which can easily help you outshine the competition. For a small business, custom packaging is a true game-changer. If you want your products to shine, don't overlook it.

Custom packaging has plenty of benefits. It provides a unique opportunity to build an unshakable brand and inform customers how your product can help them.

Are you ready to make your product attractive to potential buyers? Let's look at some reasons why you should opt for custom packaging, especially as a small business owner. So, let's get started.

What Is Custom Packaging?

Custom packaging refers to solutions customized according to the needs and specific requirements of businesses and their products. It is different from standard packaging in several ways. It provides more flexibility in design and functionality, thus providing businesses with unique opportunities to showcase their brand and products distinctly and memorably.

Let's understand it better with an example.

Anna is a business owner who's starting her small bakery. She's looking for packaging that makes her customers feel more connected, so she decides on custom-designed pastry boxes featuring the company's logo and colorful illustrations of cupcakes, cookies, and other baked goods.

Source: friendsoftoms

Every aspect is unique and connected to her brand. The vibrant design reflects the bakery's playful and inviting atmosphere. She wants to reduce her carbon footprint, so she chooses eco-friendly packaging materials such as recyclable cardboard or biodegradable PLA (Polylactic Acid) film.

She offers unique packaging options for special occasions, such as birthdays or weddings, to add a personalized touch. Customers can customize the packaging with their messages or add-ons. That's how Anna can connect better with her customer base and become their favorite baker.

Now, her small bakery business is blooming and become one of the best bakeries in town.

Benefits of Custom Packaging For Small Business

Now that you know about custom packaging, it's time to explore it further. Here are some of the benefits of custom packaging everyone needs to know.

Building A Branding & Increases Recognition

To build a strong brand, you need to focus on branding. In order to get branding right, you've got to focus on several aspects, but one of them is creating a visual identity that makes your brand recognizable in a crowd. What does that mean?

It means you should use visual elements in a way that improves your business identity. It's possible by using:

Unique logos
Color psychology
Typography typefaces

If you perfect each of these steps, you can nail branding. When you combine it with packaging materials, you can turn the tables in your favor. From the font on your packaging to its color, durability, and material, each of these things makes customers associate specific attributes to your business.

The packaging allows you to offer excellent product imagery to customers. It's best to incorporate consistency in your typography and style elements.

Memorable Unboxing Experience

Source: bigblue

A memorable unboxing experience is crucial for getting customers excited about your product. Customers will remember and share your products on their social media channels, so you should always make your boxes eye-catching.

But how can you achieve it?

If you want to take your unboxing experience to the next level, using senses to make them love your products can further improve the results. They will like your products more when you engage multiple of their senses through your packaging. Here are some of the ideas you can implement.

Add visual storytelling aspects, including images, visuals, and elements that tell about your brand story.
Incorporate color psychology to understand how each color impacts your customers and how you can use it to your advantage.
Include interactive elements that keep buyers hooked on purchasing products again and again.

Engage Power Of Scents

Everyone loves good scents. Right?

Some scents make you feel nostalgic, and some give customers a feeling of ecstasy. In short, each sense has a specific emotion attached. According to several reports, a sense of smell can help improve the connection with customers by up to 65%. Using smell also improves the perceived value of your product. However, you should choose the right scent so you don't convey the wrong message to your audience.

You can create better customer service by helping customers engage with your products using their sense of smell. According to Global News Wire, the fragrance packaging market is expected to reach USD 3.33 billion by 2032.

Incorporate Edible Packaging

Source: chapman.edu

This method can make your product packaging even better. But is it practical?

Yes.

You can use edible packaging to improve the overall presentation of the products. Moreover, you're grabbing customers through a sense of taste, so they'll remember your product.

Use flavor-infused textures in your packaging, such as sugar crystals. They hint at the product's flavor. To increase product hype, you can also create limited-edition edible packaging.

Get Competitive Edge

There are hundreds, thousands, or even more similar products like yours on the market. With packaging, you get an opportunity to stand out. But make sure to stick to branding guidelines so there's consistency.

Use the best packaging designs and tell your customers how you add value. Use additional safety packaging to ensure products such as glasses, watches, and smartphones don't break. But don't limit yourself to this. Add detailed information about your product that the customer needs to know. That's how you can outshine your competitors, even if you're a small business.

Improve Customer Experiences

Source: fedex

Proper packaging is a great relief for customers because it makes them feel that brands care about them. Here's what happens.

Packed with love → Customers feel connected → Purchases again → Excellent service → Becomes loyal customer.

Make your product packaging aesthetically pleasing so customers feel compelled to share it with others. Remember, it's all about how beautiful and functional packaging is.

More beautiful boxes = More high-end a brand seems

Add personalized messages so customers know you're specifically talking with them. Find what your competitors are doing to provide the best packaging to customers and analyze how you can provide an even better experience.

Promote Your Business

Promoting your business isn't easy nowadays. You must spend tons of money on ads to gain fruitful results. So, how can you increase your chances of promotion?

Provide the best services to the customers. Start with packaging and ensure it gives your customers a premium feel. You can also include QR codes so customers can easily learn more about the product and check its authenticity.

How to Successfully Implement Custom Packaging

Implementing custom packaging can be difficult, especially for small businesses. So, what should you do?

Just follow this step-by-step guide mentioned in this article to get the best results from custom packaging.

Source: kaufpedia

Step 1: Do Research

The initial step in custom packaging is research and planning. Then, you need to identify goals and objectives relevant to this purpose.

Are you focusing on custom packaging from a visual merchandising perspective?

Is your goal simply to make aesthetic packaging?

After finalizing it, you need to do market research. Search about the preferences of your customers and industry trends. Now, it's time to find a packaging partner. Check which packaging company is an expert in custom design. You can evaluate the options based on

Pricing
Capabilities
Customer service

Step 2: Dive Deeper Into Designs

Now, it's time to dive into the design details. Remember, your packaging should make your audience feel something. How can you do this?

By telling a story with your packaging.

You can also incorporate other methods, such as adding textures, scents, etc. The material you use in packaging also holds great significance. Make sure it's sustainable, but don't compromise on durability.

Step 3: Test Test and Test

Develop different prototypes and experiment to see what works best. Initially, you'll need to do a lot of testing, but it'll pay off with great benefits.

Get feedback from stakeholders and make necessary revisions. Set metrics such as functionality, aesthetics, branding, etc., so you can get the best packaging that makes your audience fall in love with your product.

Step 4: Finalize Specifications To Place Order

You can set the specifications and place production orders when everything is finalized. Proper communication with suppliers is crucial for timely delivery. After all, you don't want customers waiting hours to get their product.

Analyze any process that can be improved and update internal processes accordingly. Train the staff on using the new packaging.

Step 5: Keep Updating

Lastly, keep monitoring the performance of your packages. The best way to do that is by gathering feedback from your customers. You can use this data to improve packaging designs over time. Analyze your competitors, as they can be very helpful in leveling up your product packaging.

Unique Custom Packaging To Skyrocket Business Growth

Custom packaging is an investment with maximum ROI. As a small brand, you shouldn't hesitate to invest in this approach. It's a great way to attract customers' attention. You can expect an increase in sales, and there is a chance that your product might become the talk of the town.

If you don't want your investment wasted, partner with the right packaging company. At Altro Labels, we have years of experience helping businesses grow with custom packaging. Choose Altro Labels, and be assured you'll get premium services.