What’s hot and what’s not changes over time, even when it comes to your product labels and packaging designs. What was popular 10 years ago may no longer do the trick. A new year is a great time to bring your labels to the next level! Here are a few questions to consider:
- When was the last time you redesigned your product labels or rebranded?
- Is your packaging outdated?
- Are your labels eyesores compared to the competition?
- Have you noticed a lull in sales?
Your friends at M&R Label have the expertise to ensure your products continue flying off the shelves after all these years! Giving your custom label design and product packaging a makeover may be the answer to spicing up your sales again and attracting the eye of excited customers next year. Let us help you stay relevant so your brand doesn’t fall behind…
Label & Packaging Design Trends for 2021
Creative Storytelling
Storytelling has become a popular marketing strategy with major brands across all industries. The best way to connect with consumers is through a good, heartfelt story that they can relate to. Think about what values and interests are important to your target audience. Then take those concepts beyond just showcasing a product to tell a unique story that will trigger emotions and grab their attention. Emotions are triggered more compared to any statistic or information and influence them in purchasing decision. Examples include sharing the company mission, process in creating the product, or how the business began are all classic storytelling strategies. Just make sure the story you share represents your brand accurately!
Sustainable Design
Sustainability is a guaranteed trend that will provide value for many years to come. Each new generation cares about the environment and their individual impact more than the previous one. Product packaging is one of the largest contributors to the waste in landfills and polluting our oceans. As consumers are becoming more mindful of their buying impact and ethics, brands must keep up! Many companies have opted to change the label and packaging materials they use to a more eco-friendly design while still appealing to customers aesthetically. Even including words such as “natural” or “plastic-free” attract attention. When choosing eco-friendly designs, make sure the end product still matches your branding!
Natural Colors and Neutral Tones
As consumers continue to look for transparency, people are gravitating towards brands that are honest and authentic. Minimalism has been popular for years, but now natural colors and neutral tones are being added to the list. Consumers are looking for brands that feel comfortable and trustworthy. This is translating into earthy shades and warm, light tones that are gentle. Examples include shades of green, light blue, mild yellow, pastels, and variations of whites & creams. When it comes to colors, the classic rules always apply though: color needs to be used properly in order to work for your product, do not clash colors, make sure the selections still match your brand, and choosing complimentary colors that will go together nicely.
Flat Illustrations
In the past, three-dimensional label design was all the rave. The more “real looking” the better. Nowadays it seems every aisle at the grocery store showcases flat graphic styles. These illustrations include shapes that are simple with bold color blocks that stand out. These designs appear crisp and underwhelming (in a good way) without the three-dimensional effects. Flat label design gravitates towards minimalism, high-contrast coloring, and symbolic rather than realistic imagery. This allows for an attractive product that is easy for our eyes and brains to process.
Timeless Advice: Keep It Simple
While a label redesign is a chance to be creative and have fun with your product branding, it’s important to also be realistic. The last thing you want is to get carried away with too many bold patterns and vivid colors that may overwhelm or confuse the customer. A good rule of thumb is to stay away from small or difficult-to-read fonts, or including way too many graphics. The goal is to attract customers, not scare them off! Less is more. Keeping your images, overall aesthetic, fonts, and colors simple and clean is the recipe for success!
Let Us Design & Print Your Labels in 2021
They say not to judge a book by it’s cover, people certainly judge products by their label design. Not sure where to start with the label design? No worries, that’s where M&R Label comes in! Whether you’re a new brand trying to find the right look, or have an established product ready for a redesign, you’ve come to the right place!
Custom label and package design may feel overwhelming with so much to consider, but fortunately you’re not in this alone! The experts at M&R Label are ready to work with you on creating a modern, superior label that will stand out from the competition. Whatever industry you are in, these items need labels & packaging that will grab the consumer’s attention. M&R’s incredible custom label design, extensive label printing capabilities, quick turnaround times, and fair pricing are just what your business needs!
Did we mention that we can print any unique font, vibrant color, or image you need – on any type of material and shape? Do you need sequential numbering on your bar code or case labels? Want to add a QR code? No problem! Considering waterproof and oil-resistant materials? We’ve got that too!
We’re proud to create and print label & packaging solutions for a variety of clients in every industry. Ask to see our portfolio for samples. As your chosen custom label printer in Chicago, we guarantee quick turnaround, high quality materials, and creative label design.
