It’s estimated that roughly 96 percent of Americans do at least a portion of their shopping via online stores like Amazon. Because of this, having high-quality custom packaging for your products has never been more important. A custom box design can help create brand recognition, ensure products are transported safely, and help generate word-of-mouth marketing via popular unboxing videos shared on social media. Therefore, it’s important to take certain considerations into mind when you’re working on your custom box design. 

The first and most important thing when it comes to packaging design is to make sure that it is practical and travels well. Even the prettiest design won’t look so pretty if it arrives at your customer’s doorstep smashed and damaged because it couldn’t withstand the shipping process. Packaging that stacks well, like a two-piece rigid box, helps reduce damage and maintain the box’s structural integrity. At Build A Box, we use sturdy corrugated cardboard for this exact reason in a variety of styles depending on your needs and what you plan to ship. Corrugated cardboard consists of paperboard with fluted medium paper laminated to it, and it is perfect for both fragile and heavy items, subscription boxes, shipping boxes, and e-commerce packages. 

When designing a box, it’s important to make sure the box is an appropriate size for the products it will be transporting. A large box with a small number or size of goods inside presents an ethos of laziness and one-size-fits-all thinking. It can also be wasteful in terms of material and budget; a pair of audio earbuds shouldn’t require a package the size of a shoebox, for instance. 

The next major consideration is the ergonomics and style of the box. Which one you choose will depend largely on what sort of products you’ll be putting inside. For instance, subscription services often use mailer boxes, which are flat, die-cut boxes that are easy to assemble and feature a simple self-closing design. Literature boxes, as their name implies, are perfect for shipping books, binders, picture frames, and other objects that are relatively flat but are wide and long. The box’s color is another consideration, with the three primary colors most commonly used in packaging being Kraft, standard white, and premium white. Kraft is the natural brown appearance of cardboard, while standard white is the usual color most commonly seen on packaging. Premium white allows for better print quality and color. Colors will look different if printed on these different materials, so keep this in mind when designing your printing for the box. Some businesses will spring for full-color printing on their boxes, which doesn’t leave any of the exterior uncolored. 

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that your box creates plenty of positive brand awareness. The logo for your company or product should be accurately adapted and designed for the box, and it should be presented via both exterior and internal printing. The opening design also matters; a flip-top should open to reveal the product attractively displayed inside so that the customer feels good about their purchase from the moment they first see it. A memorable opening experience like that builds satisfaction and helps ensure you get their repeat business. 

At Build A Box, you can use our online box designer for free to develop your own custom packaging solution that can suit the unique needs of your business. Once you settle on the custom box design you like, we can handle the printing and production of your boxes, allowing you to focus on your work. Alternatively, you can call us at (714) 660-7933 to speak to one of our designers who can assist you in every step of the online box design process and explain the options available to you.