10 Essential Elements of Food Packaging Design 2025

Last Updated on December 18, 2024 by DesignerPeople

The food industry in 2025 has grown exponentially, and now companies are striving to make themselves global and expand their market. Businesses are venturing into new fields with a motive to delight the taste buds of the clients. Millennial are interested and are willing to experiment with unique flavours and taste buds. Increasing competition has to lead cut-throat challenges for brands to develop their authentic USP and develop a

competitive advantage.

Food packaging design  is a combination of science and art which lead brands to create dramatic changes in their packaging design along with sustaining food quality and freshness. 60 to 70% of consumers buy a product based on its packaging design. No matter how committed you enter the supermarket with your buying list still we do end up buying food products just based on attractive packaging.

Adequate food packaging should convey business values and commitment to sustainability and should accomplish several things, such as:

• It must draw customer attention
• It should appeal to positive emotions
• Brand and purpose of the product should be clear
• Strike to instantly recognizable
• Should attract the target group
• Display product values

There are various factors which go into food packaging design is considered while designing:

1.THE PRODUCT

What is the kind of product decides your packaging style and its value addition. Various factors should be considered, such as shelf life, quantity and target segment of product consumption. Designers should make sure aesthetic and utility value of the product while finalizing the box. As some food products require a specific temperature and freshness to be maintained.

If the food product is liquid or semi-fluid, then extra cautiousness is taken into consideration.

Check Successful Case Study of Food Product Packaging Design

2.SHAPES

The market is filled up with various types of shapes such as rectangular, box, cuboids, cylindrical and sphere. But the one with unique ways has always stuck the attention of customers. Shape does not guarantee the success of the product, but yes, it will defiantly help to gain brand visibility.

3.GUIDELINE INSTRUCTIONS

According to FSSAI, there are mandatory things which brand should disclose and mention on food packaging design. As the food is something which we consume, so this part of the information is essential for the client to check before making any purchasing decision.

Shelf life, manufacturing batch, address of the company, barcode, nutritional facts, ingredients and various other mandatory facts mentioned on the package. Advancement of technology has the lead invention of sensors which will alert customers about food shelf life and safety issues. Clean label initiatives are finding ways to imbibe quality information onto cleaner looking packaging through technologies like QR codes.

New inks and printing techniques are opening up new possibilities for packaging artwork, so packages not only work better, but they look more enticing too.

Instructions on how to cook and how to store mentioned through infographic manner it is an easy way to hold customers.

Also Read: Why Back Panels are Important in Product Packaging Design?

4.COLOURS

Let’s understand there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to colour in the food packaging industry. It entirely depends on professional creative agency skills about how do they creatively select and render colours on the packaging.

Colour can be associated with primary ingredient product such as if its apple pie then red colour can have opted. Flavours are also an essential part of selecting colours in food packaging designs. Once the final colour is selected, make you your brand stay connected with colour for a considerable amount of time. As frequent change in colours can lead to brand identity crisis and confusion among customers.

5.IMAGES 

When we enter the store and observe the product on the shelf, at first glance thing we notice are images. Brain and eyes register pictures faster than words, so selecting of images is a very crucial part in food packaging design. The visual stimuli prompt your mind to function in a specific manner which is having a subconscious effect.

Images in the food packaging industry can be of actual product inside the box, ingredients or picture that is a reflection of goodness associated with that food product. Specific relevance is always appreciated as it helps to connect food with customer’s emotions.

Images should be minimalistic with a clear picture of the message which is intended to convey instead of the complicated and unclear message. The images displayed should be very professional and should enhance the desire to relish it; this is all possible with a professional photoshoot. A professional food stylist will ensure to capture images with the correct angle and will highlight required elements in images in depth.

6.TEXTURE 

Type of food is from course to grainy and smooth to glossy. But a lot of research studies and analysis by experts says all designs do not fit well with all kinds of materials. It takes certain types of material to enhance the efforts of the creative genius, which can be discovered by understanding trend pattern and by using various new technologies.

It is a vital decision to be open and consider multiple options before finalizing the final one. It is also vital to trust your instincts while making the decision. There is also the potential of preservatives getting reactive with a packaging box . Which will create toxin hence type of preservative, and its sustainability to the kind of box is analyzed before finalizing everything.

7.SUSTAINABILITY PACKAGING 

In the holistic approach, people are very concerned about the drastic ill effects of various pollution, global warming, wastage and many more social issues. Impact of these effects is severe on not only the present generation but also for future generations. So people support and prefer purchasing those brands whose packaging is either recyclable or made by eco-friendly materials which are sourced by natural resources.

If it is eco-friendly, then colours should be earthy and natural while images should also depict wellness.

8.POSITIONING 

Brand positioning is a process of creating a perception about the brand image in the mind of target customers. Positioning is built based on the target market if your food is catering home-made, organic, or for health-conscious people, then the packaging should reflect those values and significance.

Each category of an audience has a unique buying behaviour, preferences, and they tend to select the shopping outlet based on it. A consumer who purchases in a supermarket will instantly get attracted to the colour and shape. While the person in the boutique would be slightly different as he will be more interested in the details and the elegance of the product. These factors should be taken into consideration while designing food packaging.

9.SAFETY OF PRODUCT 

Products travel long to make their way and reach towards customers; it travels across states and sometimes international. International packaging should maintain global standard guidelines which will help the product to move fluently across boundaries. All products are subject to experience the amount of wear and tear before reaching the aisle or the end customer.

The carefully wrapped cover should be able to remain the same in the harsh external conditions. It should be resistant to all kinds of environmental exposures and physical damages.

10.COMPETITION

Brands are investing ample of cost in researching to understand customer pattern and expectations. Today’s era, competitors should be treated as a vast source of information to gain industry information. Even the failure story of competitors will help to gain insights information which is relevant.

Healthy competitions are always good for customers as they provide betterment of the product as a result. It is still an effective way to get done your food packaging designs from professional creative agencies. Who is having a keen understanding and knowledge about the packaging industry?

Also Read: How Packaging Design Influenced by Healthy Food Consumer?

5 RULES FOR SUCCESSFUL FOOD PACKAGING DESIGN

1.SIMPLICITY

At a glance, any packaging should be able to answer basic two questions, such as what is this product for? And what is its brand? On average customers will dedicate maximum 4 seconds to analyze any product; hence designing should be such that the above questions should answer with this period.

Various brands focus on benefits and fail to display brand name while few only focus on brand name and forget to inform what is inside.

A brand message should be clear, precise, and on the point, there should not be confusion lagging behind the message.

Example –FABULOSO

source: unifiedmanufacturing.com/blog/bad-packaging-designs-ruin-products/

Cleaning products in packaging which are more appropriate for kids juices. Hence this is a BAD example! This cleaning-product looks dangerously tasty. This packaging design might confuse consumers and fail to deliver on clarity.

2.HONESTY 

Both clients and designers often strive to display the product in the perfect way one can ever imagine. They will show a cookie drenched in chocolate, when in fact you’re buying a simple chocolate flavoured biscuit. They’ll show half side of pizza filled with cheese which is visible through a transparent window but when opened other side have no cheese.

By showing a product ten times better than it is, brand is misleading and disappointing the consumer, which only leads to poor sales and awful brand image.

Customers are not against inexpensive and straightforward products they appreciate to some extent of graphical effect but not too much, which will deviate its reasonable value.

3.AUTHENTICITY 

There are hundreds of products out there, all competing for consumers’ attention. The only way to set your brand apart is to be different, to be authentic. If everyone is busy with a flat outline for packaging your brand can opt for vertical. Hence this will create their value proposition and will set your brand apart from other brands.

Example – If everyone is going towards product photography, your brand can adopt line art or illustration.

4.PRACTICALITY 

Practicality is connecting with the actual shape, size and functionality of the product container and not just the label or wrap. The more feasibility you bring into the product, the more sales it will get.

Example- Heinz turned the ketchup bottle upside down, sales skyrocketed.

Fancy packaging is of no use if it cannot function properly; hence, this factor plays a critical role.

5.UN-BOXING THE FOOD PACKAGING

Unboxing is a branded packaging experience with the careful selection of shipping and packaging materials. With smart package graphics design which leaves a positive and memorable first impression for your product when the product initially unboxed.

Here are essential factors to consider which will create great food packaging design.

• Everything in food packaging should have a function
• Give packaging a personalized touch
• Generate exciting packaging reveal
• Keep your brand identity front and centre of the packaging
• Aim for an attractive packaging design

WHY IS FOOD PACKAGING DESIGN IMPORTANT COMPARED TO ANY OTHER PACKAGING DESIGN

Food is a product which is consumed repeatedly by the consumers, and hence, brand needs to create awareness over its packaging design. That’s because when we buy any automobile product, we hardly keep that box back at home we merely give seconds glance and box is into bin. In the case of food, the box is lying at your home, and this is how brand recall happens.

When it comes to your sensory touches, one cannot avoid craving towards food. Hence a good packaging design will always ensure to distinguish itself in the crowded shelf and lands into your cart. Food packaging designs should appeal to the senses, appeal to the consumer’s need for convenience. Stand out in a world in which consumer attention is continually in demand by competing products and marketing messages.

However, the internet has reduced the average consumer’s resistance towards trying out new things and can be a double-edged sword for many brands. While consumers are happy trying out new brands and new products, they also refuse to sustain with products that check their patients with environmentally irresponsible or difficult-to-use packaging. Getting food packaging design right is the amalgamation of art and part science.

We consume food, and anything which goes inside our body will have a significant role to play. Hence new developments into food packaging industries will not only focus on aesthetical appeal but also on the scientific component.

Since its edible product, it is imperative to make sure ink used in printing and the materials should not be toxin by any chemicals, which will then be harmful to the human body when consumed.

• Food packaging helps to protect food against physical, chemical and environmental factors which could contaminate food if not correctly packed.
• Packaging has successfully been able to curtail by introducing adequate preservation parameters which will enhance shelf life and hence reduce wastage of food.
• Packaging acts as a salesperson, and if designed effectively it can communicate brand values and message productively
• Functionalities like the ease in handling, responsibility, brand visibility and microwave friendly are few features which will provide convenience for consumer use.
• Freshness and sustaining aroma plays a crucial role in food packaging design
• Packaging design increases brand identity with consistent colour, size, shape and materials used. Any new food product launch should have a compelling brand message through brand logo, design and name.

FOOD PACKAGING MACHINES 

Depending upon the type of food inside, packaging machines are used. Packaging style also changes based on the shelf life of the product.

Frozen and perishable food is pack with a vacuum to extend its shelf life. There are different types of machine which is having versatility in terms of vacuum.

Food packaging machines are as below:

• Food vacuum packaging machine

Food vacuum packaging machine extends the storage life of food products. Hence thereby making the product well suited for sale in the freezer or cold display storage units of several retail stores.

• Biscuit packaging machine

It will help to bring the optimum freshness of the food, and it closely monitors with its automatic feed counter that shows the number of items placed packed by machine. Making it easier for food manufacturing companies to monitor daily factory output.

• Bundling food packaging equipment

Machine packs bundle of small items together which can be candy sticks or individual hot dogs into bunch packaging.

• Bagging machine

Food is such a machine packed in sacks, bags and pouches can be milk, sugar etc.

• Closing machine

Commonly used in food factories equipment used to tie metal wire to enclose food bag or pouches.

• Capping machine

Here equipment is used to close bottled food items by placing air-tight caps, and such tools are used in soda manufacturing companies.

• Accumulation machine

It is used along with a capping machine wherein it is responsible for the systematic organization of filling food. It is essential to tailor fit the selection when you are buying this kind of device.

CONCLUSION:

Agree or not, we all are attracted to the brightest product on the rack. Food branding plays a significant role in the success of the product as it attracts consumers most. The most creative and exotic food packaging design will bound to draw the maximum attraction. It is not necessary to ensure sales, but it displays the product in the race. A product in attractive cover design on the social media page urges customers to give a try. It increases brand visibility, awareness and customer reach. DesignerPeople is a versatile creative agency who is imperative to consider all these factors while creating the design.

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Author: Megha Malik

As a passionate entrepreneur and creative brand consultant with experience of 14 years in digital, branding and packaging industry, it is my honest effort to put my experiences and knowledge of industry towards readers. A chartered accountant by degree but a marketing personality in blood has motivated her to take in designing industry as a career. With her fun-loving personality and sharp branding skills, she is a great motivational speaker on her YouTube channel, an active member in various business channels offline as well as online. Do connect me personally via my LinkedIn and I love to share my expertise with you.