Of course, creating products that look great is important, but there are other things to consider that can really make a difference in the success of your handmade business.

One of those things is packaging!

Believe it or not, how you package your products can have a huge impact on how customers perceive them.

This is why I recommend that you make a good first impression to your customers with your packaging.

This makes people even more excited about your products and gives people a better shopping experience with you.

And when that happens, they’re more likely to leave you positive five star reviews, tell all their friends about you and come back to buy more in the future.

When it comes to your packaging, you should always be strategic about it.

Of course, your packaging should be practical so it can withstand the long journey in transit on the way to your customers.

Your product should be padded well before shipping them off to prevent it from breaking.

But what about how it looks? That matters too!

You want your packaging to be at par with the beautiful products you’ve created, so here are a few creative ways to brand your packaging and really wow your customers.

 

Hack #1: Brand everything.

Many businesses make the mistake of treating packaging as an afterthought.

They use generic materials that don’t reflect their brand or product.

However, packaging can be a powerful marketing tool that builds brand recognition and loyalty.

While it may be practical to use free generic packaging materials, investing in branded packaging is a wiser, longer term strategy.

Your packaging is a reflection of your brand, and it creates a lasting impression on your customers.

Make the most of your packaging by making sure it fits your brand’s style.

This means that every packaging material, from poly mailer bags to product care guides and packing tapes, is an opportunity for you to display your business logo and colors, within reason of course, because I understand it can get expensive if you go all out on this too.

You want to do this to build brand awareness and provide customers with an amazing experience, which makes it more meaningful and memorable for your customers.

When you invest in packaging and use it as a way to market your brand, more people will come back to buy again and again or tell their friends about you. 

 

Hack #2: Make your packaging interactive.

Interactive packaging is a really fun and fantastic way to engage your customers and really set yourself apart in a crowded market.

There are many ways to create interactive packaging.

For example, you can include a QR code that customers can scan to access relevant content like a blog post, a YouTube video, or other free content that they can use.

Or, you could add scratch-off business cards that reveal discount codes for their next purchase.

One personal favorite of mine is to provide clear instructions for customers to share photos or videos of your product on social media and tag you in exchange for a free gift on their next purchase.

People love sharing stories on social media.

When they have interactive packaging in their orders, they’ll feel excited enough to share their experience online and that, in turn, makes it so that they’re helping you do marketing for your shop.

Pro tip: Make sure that your interactive packaging serves specific objectives, such as creating user-generated content that you can use on social media, increasing your followers, or building your email list.

Hack #3: Personalize each packaging.

Adding small personalized details in your packaging can go a long way in making people feel special. 

It’s a simple way to show your customers that you care about them and their experience. 

This is a great way to personally connect with your customers.

For example, you can insert a handwritten thank-you note or a short message that addresses them by name. 

This way, your customers will feel appreciated and they will more likely give back the same recognition and value you give them in the form of a five-star feedback or in buying from you again after that.

Another option is to include a small gift or product sample with each order. 

This gives your customers a really nice surprise as a bonus.

However, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t give away freebies just because people expect you to or because I said so. 

Adding freebies to every package can get expensive, so make sure you only do it if you genuinely want to.

And maybe, do it only for the customers who ordered a lot of products. 

There’s nothing more heartwarming than receiving a token of appreciation. 

Adding personal touches to your packaging can help your brand stand out among the competition and keep customers coming back for more.

 

Hack #4: Use eye-catching graphics and colors.

What packaging materials do you use for your products? 

Do you use boxes, poly mailers, bubble wrap, jute bags, tapes, or something else? 

Do you include thank-you cards, postcards, fillers, or stickers?

Whatever materials you use to pack your products, whether it’s for functional or for decorative purposes, it’s better to use eye-catching graphics and colors.

This can make your packaging really pop because it’s more visually appealing to customers. 

Maybe consider using bold, bright colors or, if colors like that aren’t on brand for you, maybe use unique patterns to make your packaging stand out. 

You always want your graphics and colors to be consistent with your branding.

Graphics and colors can help you create a narrative around your product. 

Think about the story you want to tell your customers and how you can use graphics and colors to convey that message. 

For example, if you sell natural and organic products, you could use earthy tones and images of plants and herbs to create a story that speaks to the idea of health and wellness.

Don’t underestimate the power of small design details. 

Even something as simple as a pop of color or a unique pattern can make a big impact on customers and help your product stand out from the competition.

Hack #5: Change your packaging design from time to time.

This is a great way to keep your customers interested and use your packaging as a way to market your brand.

For example, you can incorporate seasonal themes that reflect the current time of the year. 

By using colors and patterns that represent specific seasons, you can create a sense of excitement for your products. 

For example, you can use bright and bold colors for summertime and cooler blues and whites for wintertime.

You can also use holiday-specific designs like for Christmas.

You can decorate your packaging with holiday-themed wraps or cards that reflect the festive season. 

This not only adds a personal touch to your product, but also makes your customers feel more connected to your brand — as if they’re celebrating the seasons with you.

However, you will need to do more work for this, like careful planning and execution, but it might be worth it if you do it right. 

Despite the extra work involved, doing this may increase your customers’ fascination and loyalty to your brand. 

You can choose to do this monthly, quarterly, or even yearly – it’s entirely up to you and your ability to come up with new packaging designs while also running your handmade business as usual.

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Ultimately, packaging is both about practicality and aesthetics. 

It is a vital component of your business strategy, and it can also have a significant impact on your long-term business success. 

Remember, your packaging is a reflection of your brand and product that’s inside it, and it helps shape how your customers feel about your shop.

What are some of your packaging hacks that your customers really like? Tell us in the comments!