Print Design Formats

Peel and Reveal. From the vibrant hues of an apple to the intricate patterns on a mango, the skin of fruits tells a story of growth and ripening. Ever noticed the unique patterns and blemishes on a piece of fruit? From the speckled skin of a banana to the dimpled surface of an orange, nature's artwork is full of imperfections that add character and charm. Imagine if your packaging could capture that essence, mimicking the fruit's natural markings and aging process? That's exactly what designers are exploring with the innovative concept of packaging that mirrors fruit skins, complete with embossed brown spots. By mirroring these natural markings in packaging design, brands are celebrating the beauty of imperfection, challenging the notion of flawless aesthetics and embracing the authenticity of the natural world. And it's not just about aesthetics. In a society where a flawless appearance often reigns supreme, embracing the quirks and irregularities of fruit skin sends a powerful message—reminds us that beauty comes in all forms, including the unique patterns and variations found in the natural world. Secondly, it enhances the sensory experience. By incorporating texture into packaging design, brands can engage multiple senses, creating a more immersive and memorable interaction with their products. Moreover, it fosters a deeper connection to the source. When packaging mirrors the appearance of fresh produce, it reinforces the idea of authenticity and transparency. Consumers can visually connect the product to its origins, fostering trust and confidence in the brand's commitment to quality and sustainability. Consider Loukas Chondros' packaging for Bananostafido. Inspired by banana peels, it mimics their markings and aging process with embossed spots. Designed for easy opening, it even features a perforated area that mimics the act of peeling a banana. The inner surface of the box resembles the pale yellow of a banana peel, again a nod to the fruit. These small details, transform a simple act like opening a box into a delightful moment of discovery—it's packaging that invites you to engage with it, creating a connection between you and the product inside. From farm to table, the journey of the fruit is reflected in every detail of the packaging, creating a narrative that resonates with consumers. In stores inundated with mass-produced goods and cookie-cutter packaging, designs inspired by nature offer a breath of fresh air. They remind us of the beauty that surrounds us, celebrate the charm of imperfection, and invite us to slow down and appreciate the little things in life. So, the next time you grab that piece of fruit, take a moment to really look and feel its skin—and consider how that same sense of wonder can be captured in the packaging that surrounds it. Think this packaging is spot-on? #packagingdesign #design #productdesign #graphicdesign 📷Loukas Chondros

Most CPG brands obsess over color, image, and type—but many overlook one of the most powerful tools: #Pattern. Fashion brands have known this for decades: Burberry’s plaid. Louis Vuitton’s print. Versace pattern. Dior’s repeat monogram. Goyard’s chevron. These luxury houses have built entire empires on that repetition. No logo necessary. You see the pattern, you know the brand. Instant recognition. Instant equity. Yet in CPG, pattern is mostly treated like background noise—often decorative, delicate and forgettable. But that’s beginning to change. Pattern is emerging as a new way to disrupt the aisle and build long-term memory. Here’s why it works and how some brands are wielding it well: 🔁 Repetition Builds Recognition Consumers don’t read, they recognize. Our brains have evolved to seek out patterns across sound, sight, and structure, which makes rhythmic pattern one of the most efficient and subconscious memory builders in branding. Just ask LaCroix. The brand’s wild brush strokes, applied to every can and box, have become a cultural hallmark and pop culture icon recognized even out of context. ⚡Contrast Creates Disruption Most of today’s packaging leans on soft gradients, ingredient photography, or muted minimalism. Pattern provides a welcome jolt—offering texture, contrast, and structure that interrupts the visual noise of the aisle. MASA’s bold and graphic vertical stripes on a neutral backdrop create a rhythmic signature that grabs attention and demands consideration. Likewise Sound’s sound-wave patter create a gravitational pull in a cluttered beverage shelf. 🌀Flexibility with Structure Pattern systems don’t have to be rigid or monolithic.  Brands that build on a flexible framework—balancing consistency with creative expression—can move seamlessly across different packaging types, product lines, and campaign elements while still staying true to their identity. ROAR uses bold geometric patterns that differentiate by flavor yet remain unmistakably the brand. And Siete adapts its cultural motifs across products, pack sizes, and merchandising without ever diluting the brand. 🌎 Culture & Story Patterns tell stories, they express identity, they signal place. As more and more BIPOC founders enter the CPG space, pattern is becoming a tool to not only stand out, but also to communicate values and a sense of community. From Ayeya’s african-inspired icons to Chuza’s mexican-inspired stairstep geometry, brands are using their cultural roots to inspire their design. 🏁 Scalable Equity Good pattern systems don’t just live on the pack. From digital ads to shipping boxes, merch to motion—patterns give brand worlds texture and cohesion. They’re one of the few assets that can expand without explanation, and signal brand even in the absence of logos or copy. Pattern, used strategically, is more than just design. It’s brand equity, it’s story, it’s disruption. And it’s long overdue for a comeback in CPG. #designstrategy #cpg #fashion

Recent data by Smithers predicts strong growth in digital printing. Shorter runs, more customization, quicker turnaround, and real benefits for brands. Especially in labels, corrugated, folding cartons, and flexible packs. That said, when I hear “𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥,” I get excited because our design team has far fewer limits for concepting. Digital printing can = a 𝐰𝐢𝐧 for creativity. 🎨 But I still worry about color accuracy. Shelf‑ready packaging needs to look perfect every time, across multiple print runs. And when a brand is planning to scale, in order to future-proof the design, we often design with flexo specs in mind, regardless of if it's printing digitally. 🧐 As digital keeps growing, will it reach the point where color fidelity and cost make flexo almost optional? Or will flexo stick around as the gold standard for certain runs? 🥇 We are always trying to strike a balance between creativity and consistency on shelf for the brands we work with and print capabilities are an important part of that equation!

Packaging design that undeniably works on a psychology level. It’s not always the design itself, it’s often the special effects built into the packaging. Metallic foils, neon inks, embossing, textures…these little tricks aren’t just for show. They spark curiosity and make you want to reach out and grab the product. And once it’s in your hand, psychology takes over. Humans are hardwired to feel more connected to things we touch. It’s the same reason a car dealer hands you the keys to test drive or a salesperson in the mall puts a sample directly in your hand. Touch leads to ownership, and ownership leads to purchase. I came across these metallic packs from Lindt & Sprüngli USA, Pilsbury, Halo Top Creamery and others, and each one uses shimmer, shine, or reflective foil to cut through the clutter on shelf. In a sea of matte bags and boxes, that glint of gold or flash of color is impossible to ignore. Special effects don’t just make a package prettier, they give it stopping power, encourage interaction, and ultimately, increase sales. What’s the most creative packaging effect you’ve spotted lately? #CPG #PackagingDesign #RetailStrategy #ShelfImpact #DesignMatters #AvidityCreative

Packaging is no longer an afterthought. It’s a lever for growth, consumer trust, and competitive edge. Over the years advising and investing in CPG brands, I’ve seen packaging shift from being a cost center to becoming a growth driver. The latest wave of launches show us that when packaging innovation is done right, it addresses three core needs at once: consumer usability, sustainability, and regulatory/safety expectations. Here are a few recent examples worth analyzing: 1️⃣ Target’s Collective Good Wine Packaging wine in lightweight paper bottles made from recycled materials isn’t just a sustainability story, it’s a supply chain play. Lower weight reduces shipping costs and emissions, and the format is approachable for consumers who are increasingly eco-conscious. 2️⃣ AeroFlexx By developing a flexible format that performs like a rigid bottle, AeroFlexx is redefining the “middle ground” between convenience and sustainability. For investors, it shows how material innovation can unlock entirely new categories. 3️⃣ Radienz Living x Graphic Packaging International Their recyclable child-resistant box for laundry pods demonstrates how safety and compliance can coexist with curbside recyclability. This is a blueprint for how regulation and consumer trust can accelerate adoption of new formats. 4️⃣ Xampla Using plant proteins to create biodegradable packaging isn’t just a scientific breakthrough, it’s a potential paradigm shift. If scaled successfully, it reduces dependency on single-use plastics while tapping into agricultural byproducts that might otherwise be wasted. Lesson: In CPG, packaging innovation is no longer just a function of design. It’s a strategy that blends supply chain efficiency, consumer trust, and long-term resilience. Brands that recognize this early will set the standard for the next decade. 👉 My question to fellow investors, operators, and founders: Which of these forces will reshape our industry fastest, consumer demand, regulatory pressure, or breakthrough materials? #trevorhague #CPG #packaginginnovation #sustainability

In this episode of Packaging Today Show, we unwrap two mind-blowing innovations reshaping the future of packaging—from AI-powered color accuracy to cheese that literally packages itself. No, this isn't sci-fi—it's the packaging industry in 2025. 🧀 Self-Packing Cheese? Nestlé Says Yes. We dive into Nestlé Central America's revolutionary cheese wrapper made from cheese. Collaborating with Ogilvy Colombia, they've turned leftover whey protein into a biodegradable bioplastic that decomposes in under a year. It’s edible-adjacent innovation with the potential to redefine food waste and eliminate single-use plastic from dairy aisles. Could this be the gateway to a new era of food-product symbiosis? 🎛️ Color Matching Gets an AI Upgrade At Esko World 2025, X-Rite and Esko dropped a game-changer. Their new duo—eXact 2 spectrophotometer + Print Clone AI—is turning color matching into a frictionless, press-ready science. We explore how this tech partnership is helping digital printers replicate brand colors perfectly, cut down on press make-readies, and slash packaging waste across global supply chains. 💡 Whether you geek out on sustainable substrates or love seeing AI tighten up the print floor, this episode is for you. 🛠 Topics We Cover: Bioplastics made from food byproducts Smart color profiling for digital presses AI in the print production workflow The future of circular packaging design How brands like Nestlé are pushing material innovation 📦 If you care about the future of sustainable packaging, brand integrity, or just love nerding out over smart design—this episode’s got your name on it. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share with your packaging-obsessed crew.