The world of packaging design is a fairly demanding one. Market research indicates that the average supermarket holds something like 40,000 items. Without great packaging, yours may end up staying on the shelf. These rules can help you ensure you get great packaging.

You want your packaging to stand out when your product is in the store. If your product does not stand out among the many other items that are sitting on the store shelves your product will simply blend in. Make certain that your packaging has that certain pop that will attract the attention of the consumer when he’s walking through the store and will grab their attention. Being able to attract the attention of consumers so that they stop and look at your product will make it sell better.

You also need the packaging to be practical so that it makes the product easier to use. This rule deals with the physical appearance, shape and dimensions of the packaging. For example, when designing a packaging for a product that is used up a little at a time but still needs to be kept fresh as it’s being used, you might want to make certain that your packaging is re-sealable. Another way a package can be practical is to make certain that the packaging makes your product easy to carry and store when not in use. Many packages for products that are heavy do not take this into consideration. If your product is too hard to carry around then the consumer might choose another product simply because they install a pull out handle to make it easier to carry.

You want your packaging to be easy to understand, so the packaging must show two things. The consumer must easily be able to see what the brand name of the product is and it must show what the product actually is. The simple truth is, if you get too clever with your packaging the consumer might not know what it is that you’re trying to sell.