How to Create Product Packaging That Increases Sales: 5 Proven Strategies

Written by Shahid R. Khan
Reviewed by Andrew L. Adler & Jonathan M. Adler

Aldridge Traders

How to Create Product Packaging That Increases Sales: 5 Proven Strategies

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Your product packaging is more than just a container—it’s a silent salesperson that attracts buyers, builds brand recognition, and boosts conversions.

📈 Did you know? 70% of consumers say packaging design influences their buying decisions, especially when choosing between similar products.

🔹 Why does Apple’s unboxing experience feel premium?
🔹 How did Heinz increase ketchup sales by changing the bottle design?
🔹 Why do sustainable brands outperform competitors in consumer loyalty?

In this guide, we’ll break down 5 proven strategies to create eye-catching, functional, and high-converting packaging that enhances customer experience, elevate the brand and drives sales.

How Can Bold Visual Design Make Your Product Stand Out?

Why Is Packaging Design Important?

Your packaging is your first impression. Research shows that the human brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text, making colors, fonts, and images the key to instant consumer attraction.

✅ In-Store Products: Your packaging must stand out on shelves.
✅ E-Commerce Products: Your packaging thumbnail images need to be click-worthy.

💡 Example: Coca-Cola’s red & white branding is so powerful that people recognize it even without the logo.

Best Practices for High-Impact Packaging Design

✅ Use Colors That Evoke Emotions

🔴 Red = Excitement, urgency (Coca-Cola, Netflix)
🔵 Blue = Trust, reliability (PayPal, Facebook)
🟢 Green = Sustainability, health (Whole Foods, Starbucks)
⚫ Black = Luxury, sophistication (Chanel, Rolex)

✅ Use High-Quality Graphics & Typography

Avoid pixelated images or cluttered designs.
Use modern, clear fonts that reflect your brand personality.

✅ Maintain Consistent Branding

Your packaging, website, and marketing materials should match.
Think Tiffany’s Blue Box—instantly recognizable anywhere.

💡 Pro Tip: Simple, bold designs often outperform complex ones. The best packaging clearly communicates what the product is & why customers should buy it—in seconds.

How Can Functional Packaging Improve Customer Experience?

Why Does Practical Packaging Matter?

Functionality affects consumer satisfaction.
📉 55% of consumers switch brands due to frustrating packaging.

🚫 Pain Points Customers Hate:

Hard-to-open packaging (scissors required!)
Non-resealable food products
Poorly labeled contents

💡 Example: Heinz increased ketchup sales by launching the upside-down squeeze bottle, solving the frustration of waiting for ketchup to flow.

How to Make Your Packaging More Functional

✅ Easy to Open & Reclose

Use tear strips, flip caps, or zip locks.
Amazon’s Frustration-Free Packaging eliminates unnecessary plastic.

✅ Ergonomic & Space-Efficient

Stackable designs make storage easy (Pringles cans vs. messy chip bags).

✅ Clear & Informative Labeling

Highlight key product benefits at first glance.
RXBar’s packaging lists ingredients front & center—no hidden surprises.

💡 Pro Tip: Test your packaging by watching real customers open and use it. Frustration = lost sales.

How Can Storytelling in Packaging Build Customer Loyalty?

Why Do Customers Connect with Brand Stories?

Stories activate emotions & memory, increasing brand loyalty by 22%.

📌 Great packaging isn’t just about looks—it tells a story.

💡 Example: Patagonia’s eco-friendly packaging reinforces their mission of sustainability, making customers feel like they’re part of something bigger.

How to Tell a Brand Story Through Packaging

✅ Use Engaging Copy

Write short, authentic messages that match your brand voice.
Innocent Smoothies uses a playful, conversational tone to make drinking juice feel like a fun experience.

✅ Incorporate Visual Storytelling

Use illustrations, patterns, or unique textures to create a memorable brand identity.
Lush Cosmetics’ handmade labels highlight their commitment to natural, handmade products.

✅ Leverage Social Proof

Add customer testimonials, awards, or sustainability certifications.
KIND Bars prominently display health certifications to reinforce credibility.

💡 Pro Tip: If your packaging explains why your brand exists, customers will connect emotionally and choose you over competitors.

Why Is Sustainable Packaging Critical for Modern Brands?

How Does Eco-Friendly Packaging Impact Sales?

♻️ 67% of consumers prefer brands with sustainable packaging.
♻️ 83% of Gen Z & Millennials actively choose greener brands.

Brands that ignore sustainability risk losing market share to competitors that prioritize eco-friendly packaging.

💡 Example: Allbirds’ shoebox doubles as a shipping box, reducing waste while reinforcing their commitment to sustainability.

How to Make Your Packaging More Sustainable

✅ Use Recyclable or Biodegradable Materials

Opt for cardboard, glass, or compostable plastics instead of non-recyclable plastic.
Seed Phytonutrients’ paper-based shampoo bottles reduce plastic use by 60%.

✅ Reduce Excess Packaging

Use minimal, efficient designs to lower material costs and waste.
Allbirds eliminated unnecessary packaging, cutting costs & helping the environment.

✅ Encourage Reusability

Create packaging customers WANT to keep (e.g., luxury tins, reusable jars).
Fortnum & Mason’s collectible tea tins become keepsakes, keeping their brand in customers’ homes.

💡 Pro Tip: Highlight sustainability efforts directly on your packaging so customers know they’re making a responsible choice.

How Can a Great Unboxing Experience Increase Customer Retention?

Why Does Unboxing Matter?

📦 The “Unboxing Experience” is now a marketing tool.
📈 40% of consumers say premium unboxing increases repeat purchases.

YouTube alone gets 90,000+ searches/month for “unboxing”—proof that customers LOVE sharing great packaging experiences.

💡 Example: Apple turns unboxing into an event, making customers feel like they’re opening something special.

How to Create a Memorable Unboxing Experience

✅ Personal Touches

Handwritten thank-you notes or small freebies create emotional connections.
Stitch Fix includes styling cards tailored to each customer.

✅ Custom Inserts & Packaging Layers

Use tissue paper, stickers, or unique wrapping to make unboxing feel premium.
Birchbox adds colorful tissue & inserts, making customers excited to open each box.

✅ Encourage Social Sharing

Include a hashtag or QR code linking to a “Share Your Unboxing” page.
FabFitFun rewards customers for posting unboxing videos, turning them into brand ambassadors.

💡 Pro Tip: The more enjoyable the unboxing, the more likely customers will post it on social media & reorder from you.

Final Thoughts: Why Packaging Design Is a Sales Strategy

🚀 Your packaging isn’t just a box—it’s a powerful sales & marketing tool.

✅ Eye-catching design makes customers stop & pay attention.
✅ Functional features improve usability & reduce frustration.
✅ Storytelling builds emotional connections & brand loyalty.
✅ Sustainable packaging attracts modern, eco-conscious buyers.
✅ A premium unboxing experience increases repeat sales & referrals.

💡 Next Steps: Audit your current packaging & apply at least 1 of these strategies to boost your sales today! 🚀