Creative Ideas for Food & Drink Packaging

In such a crowded market, your product packaging could be the driving force for choosing your brand over another. According to Statista, grocery delivery is expected to see a revenue increase of 20.6% in 2024. More people than ever before are also taking to the web to order their food and drink products from independent retailers, as there’s often much more variety than in your local supermarket. The importance of packaging is therefore extremely important as it offers your customers a unique experience, one they don’t get when buying directly from a physical store.

Quality products need to be represented as such, which means your food and drink packaging should reflect its contents and your brand. Original, custom cardboard box packaging will leave a lasting impression on your customers and encourage them to repeat purchases and recommend your brand to friends and family. Great packaging will lead to better business - but where do you start?

Designing Your Food & Drink Packaging

We’ve put together some creative branding ideas for your food and drink packaging that will maximise exposure and keep your customers coming back.

Custom Box Design

Custom postal boxes are an excellent way of showcasing your brand. A colourful and well-designed cardboard box will build anticipation for your customers. Like the thrill of Christmas morning and unwrapping a gift, a beautifully branded box for your packaging is a great way to delight your customers from the get-go.

Using quality images of the food and/or drink inside can be a mouth-wateringly great way of enticing your customers further. It’s also a good idea to make your logo and other branding clear to enable brand recognition and memorability.

Change Your Box Shape

Whether it’s bottle carriers with handles for wine or a unique configuration that makes opening your packaging an experience rather than a chore, changing your box shape is a great way to stand out. You could change how your box is opened, such as a side opening where the product can slide out on a cardboard dinner tray or plate. You could also look to change the shape entirely so that it matches the shape of your product, such as a triangle for a slice of pizza, or even shape it like an animal if your products contain meat. Another fun idea would be to base your box design around an oven, perfect for if you’re shipping baked goods.

If you want your brand to stand out and make a statement, going against the grain and doing something more unique will set your brand apart from the rest.

Internal Box Design

Why should the outside have all the fun? Create a memorable unboxing experience that will encourage your customers to share online. A fun, creative interior that is a seamless extension of the exterior can be a great asset to your brand. It’s instantly shareable and will make for an exciting unboxing. Think beyond the box like adding your brand story with an illustrative timeline or recipe ideas and the best ways to use your product. For something a little more quirky, you could add a pop-up element featuring a miniature version of your product or something specifically related to your brand like a slogan or mascot. You could also expand on the usual ingredients list by adding a map of where they are from, ideal for wine, coffee or fruit and vegetables.

Another great idea would be to add a QR code that takes your customers to a thank you page with a discount or to follow you on social media. The possibilities are endless and it adds a fun, interactive element to a standard postal box.

Sustainable Packaging

As a sustainable company, the last thing we want is for your packaging to go to waste. While it’s incredibly important to choose sustainable packaging like recyclable cardboard boxes, there are other ways you can promote sustainability to your customers, while also making a lasting impression. Why not create food and drink packaging that can be repurposed for multiple uses? Perhaps it could be turned into a dispenser for the product or a way to display what’s inside.

It’s also worth thinking about the audience of your product. If you’re targeting young families, you could add a colouring opportunity for children with the option of sharing the finished piece on social media with a branded hashtag - another great way to build brand awareness!

Choosing a Food & Drink Packaging Supplier

Brands need to step up their game when it comes to packaging for their food and drink products or risk losing out to larger chains. Packaging is an extension of your brand and a key way to showcase the quality of your products and how you differentiate from cheaper alternatives. Customers will expect more from online stores, so creating a memorable unboxing experience will maximise exposure and loyalty.

With that in mind, it might be time to step away from your basic cardboard boxes and go for something more creative. Custom cardboard packaging is the way forward, and here at ASC Direct, we can create bespoke packing solutions to ship your products. Get in touch with our team today to kickstart your journey to an unforgettable packaging experience.

James Palfrey-Smith is the Commercial Manager at ASC Direct with extensive experience in both operations and sales. James is passionate about solving packaging problems, delivering fast customer support, and building lasting relationships. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. A fan of real ale and business podcasts, he continuously seeks personal and professional growth. 

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