On Our Radar: 2023 Label Design Trends and Predictions

A new year is always the perfect time to take a look at what our industry expects to see in the upcoming year. That means it’s time to start thinking about what trends will be big in the world of all things marketing and label design.

In our fast-paced, ever evolving marketplace, professional branding and custom packaging helps businesses maintain their brand identity. And new tools and techniques allow companies to dazzle customers. Let’s take a look at some of the top label design trends and marketing predictions for 2023.

Bold and Bright Colors

Subtle, pastel hues are out. 2023 is going to be bold, vibrant, and loud! With new printing techniques in the market, we anticipate that quirky, striking, and bold colors will be more popular. From electric blues to neon pinks, these colors will grab the attention of your potential customers whether they see your product on store shelves or online. If you want to make a statement, consider using a bold and bright color palette in line with your brand colors.

Unique and Eye-Catching Shapes

Unique and eccentric shapes will also grow more popular this year. For online brands, quirky shapes are easier to manage, since they are not restricted by shelf space and size. Although this trend is sure to continue in 2023, we don’t recommend a radical change in shape to established brands. Customers used to one style of packaging may be put off by unconventional designs.

Metallic Accents

Metallic accents are associated with luxury products, but 2023 may change that. We expect to see more mid-level brands use metallic accents, colors, and typography on their packaging. New foil stamping and printing techniques have picked up momentum. And with new stamping techniques, you can use metallic accents for your labels without exceeding your budget.

Sustainable Materials

What if we told you it was possible to help the environment and make more money at the same time? Does that sound too good to be true? Spoiler alert: it’s not! As people grow conscious of what they consume, they demand transparency and sustainability from their favorite brands.

Sustainable brands are also more likely to be talked about, go viral and become trendsetters. To put things into perspective, 60% of consumers are more likely to buy from businesses that use sustainable packaging. Hence, for 2023, we will see more biodegradable and recyclable materials in packaging. Creative packaging may also be upcycled, and customers can retain them for a long time.

QR Codes

Labels have limited real estate and there is only so much that you can do. With QR codes, brands can offer more product information, instructions, user guides, links to social media, and so much more. QR codes make your brand more engaging and interactive. It’s an easy way to keep the customer engaged with your product even after purchasing.

Augmented Reality and AI

Gone are the days when AR was limited to video games and simulations. As AR tech becomes more sophisticated, we are likely to see more brands implement the tech via interactive tools for customers. From product demonstrations to interactive games, augmented reality can provide a unique and engaging experience for your customers.

Personalization

From custom labels to monogrammed packaging, personalization offers an intimate connection with buyers. They feel emotionally connected to the brand and love shopping for products that resonate with them. Personalization today takes various forms – build your bundles, choose custom labels, etc, all enhancing the product experience for the end consumer.

Luxury Packaging

Brands are big on creating luxe and exclusive experiences for their customers. We predict that luxury packaging will be big in 2023. Even if your product isn’t the height of luxury, there’s no reason why your packaging can’t be. Choose premium materials—textured paper, soft tissue fabric, and unique finishes with foil and metallic accents to deliver an exquisite experience that leaves your customers feeling like royalty.

Minimalist Packaging

Sometimes less is more. A prominent and recurring packaging trend is minimalism and we believe it will continue to be the rage in 2023. With sleek designs, sharp and smooth cuts, neutral palettes, and futuristic elements, minimal packaging is the go-to for several technology and luxury brands.

Innovative Packaging

Social media somewhat leveled the marketing playing field. That means only the most innovative brands will stand out from the pack. Customers’ eyes will always gravitate towards unique products and experiences. Innovative packaging can help you deliver those experiences.

The packaging and custom printing industry has evolved and it will likely continue innovating and charging forward as new tech emerges. Advanced techniques like flexographic printing and variable data label printing help drive down the cost of printing labels and allow for more flexibility with designs.

Looking Ahead

As we settle into 2023, it’s important for companies of all kinds to stay inspired to keep improving and motivated to look for new ways to be better! One way to do that is to stay on top of the latest trends in label design and product packaging to ensure that your business is ahead of the curve and out-sells the competition.

2023 will be an exciting year for brands and the packaging industry with all the new design elements, along with incorporating more interactive technology.