It is sometimes hard to pick out a single feature that makes one package more or less attractive than another. In fact it is usually several packaging characteristics working together to leave a positive or negative impression. And since we “shop with our eyes,” comparing packages rather than their contents, effective packaging leads to better sales. The stakes are high for manufacturers and retailers asking the perennial question: “What makes packaging attractive”?
Regardless of what you sell, presenting your products in their best possible light boosts your bottom line. Professional packaging consultants provide custom-tailored approaches that encompass specific design requirements and target your established sales objectives. Successful strategies are borrowed from diverse industries, including real estate, where effective agents know exactly what it takes to sell properties.
Curb Appeal
Real estate agents preparing homes for sale understand that certain elements are more important than others when it comes to effectively marketing properties. To create ‘curb appeal’ realtors work with sellers to make key upgrades and pay attention to particular details about the way their listings look. Other imperfections are left-alone without seeming to impact buyers’ impressions at all.
Effective packaging decisions are made using the same balanced approach, striving to capture each item’s best selling-points without going overboard with the effort. Bright colors and eye-catching graphics provide substantial bang for the buck, getting shoppers attention without adding significant costs to packaging projects. Molded containers, for example, have greater visual impact when they are made with red, orange or other colored plastics, yet they cost the same as black or white options. And when products have features that sell themselves, clear viewing windows are incorporated into retail packaging to maximize curb appeal.
Stand Out in a Crowd
Perception is an individual concern, flavored by experiences and personal notions about what looks good and what doesn’t. Despite differences in the way we view attractiveness; however, we tend to process information in similar ways. The key to effective packaging is to strike positive chords for a wide cross-section of people, standing out for all the right reasons.
Logos and other printed graphics contribute to attractive packaging, distinguishing particular products from others that surround them on store shelves. Bold, metallic accents and holographic effects are also used to set packages apart, adding to branding opportunities for products that become associated with particular styles of packaging.
Unique packaging add-ons help products stand out too. Secondary packaging that bundles multiple items into single units, for example, provides additional surfaces for highlighting product features and creates distinct multi-piece presentations.
Fit Right In
Using emerging technology and materials for packaging is a great way to draw positive attention to your brand. By matching packaging styles and materials to the merchandising requirements of your product niche, contract packagers stay within the range of accepted standards, helping you stand out for all the right reasons.
Outdated graphics and packaging methods, on the other hand, draw the wrong type of scrutiny. Attractive packaging reflects modern standards and integrates seamlessly into sales environments. Experienced packaging contractors utilize cutting-edge materials, adding value to your products by positioning them correctly.