Creative Snack Packaging Ideas

We’ve all heard the old adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but when it comes to packaging, we are all guilty of choosing our products based solely on its appearance at one time or another. Designing, evaluating, and producing snack packages is more than a science – it’s an art. Many, many hours often go into the engineering and design of even the simplest packaging solutions.

Every day, we are exposed to a number of different packaging products and designs, all with the goal of enclosing and protecting its contents for distribution, storage, sale, and finally, to be used by the consumer. And, while it’s important that packaging is functional and durable, it’s equally important that it’s pleasing to the eye. Your snack packaging will play a major role in whether a shopper will choose your product or the one next to it.

In an effort to help jump-start the creative juices, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite tips and tricks for designing functional snack packaging that will stand out in the crowd.

Label Design

Keep it simple.

Our eyes tend to be attracted to simple, clear, and easy-to-read fonts. We are more likely to avoid packaging that appears to be too busy or makes it difficult to weed out the important information (like the product name and purpose). Instead, make sure graphics, colors, and fonts are complimentary and easy to follow.

Vintage elements.

Vintage design elements, like calligraphy, letterpress, and foiling are making a comeback in a major way. Because of the novel appearance these elements offer, products that feature these rich design features are often related to greater value and exclusivity.

Make it personal.

Add a more personalized touch with fonts that resemble handwriting or hand-drawn art. This trend is increasing in popularity, even in big corporations, since consumers are drawn to “homemade” or “crafted” products. Think homemade granola or jelly – simple, rustic labels that are reminiscent of something made in your grandma’s kitchen are likely to sell well.

Poly Bag Design

When designing your snack packaging, think about ways to optimize the weight and volume to be more efficient with resources and materials. Doing so is not only more environmentally friendly and minimizes dead space, but it will save you on packaging costs as well. Additionally, smaller, more efficient packaging will reduce the space needed for transportation, warehousing, and storage.

Poly bags, available in several thicknesses and weights depending on your product and needs, are an ideal snack packaging solution for keeping costs low and functionality high. Check out our selection of customizable poly bags.

Think Outside the Bag

If you’re looking to get really creative with your snack packaging, think about ways to get more than one use out of your package. Some ideas include adding arms or a hanger to a tea bag to keep it secure on the side of a mug, adding a piece of packaging that can double as a spoon, or adding a functional design to the bag (Have you seen the sandwich bags with ‘mold stains’ on the bag? We’re willing to bet wandering hands leave that sandwich alone).

Here at Alpine Packaging, we are dedicated to making your snack packaging vision a reality. From design to delivery, our Label Engineers are ready to help you create labels and packaging that will get your product noticed. Request a quote online today!

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