Reaching a high-end market often involves investing in premium or luxury packaging. It might cost more than conventional packaging, but it communicates high value more directly to the target customer. Premium packaging is key for the brand to live up to the image it wants to promote to corner a market on quality items. Here's what packaging designers should consider for premium packaging to project a modern appearance.
Premium Food Markets
Premium packaging is necessary when a food producer is looking to reach individuals who view themselves as having special taste. Luxury wine and spirits, fine foods and gourmet cooking all are important markets in which nicer than normal packaging is needed to confirm consumer expectations of quality.
One of the key reasons why shoppers buy premium foods is because they are easy quality gift ideas without breaking the bank. Exotic chocolate is a favorite gift during holiday shopping seasons. As a gift idea, the container must be as attractive and artistic as the food is tasty. It's important that the packaging looks like it contains high quality food so that the item doesn't just become a gift that gets passed around from person to person.
An effective approach to gaining favor with a high-end market is to distinguish packaging from competitors by displaying modern imagery that captures imagination in a sophisticated way. The container should reinforce brand messages and portray the product as having an elevated position in society.
Use Packaging Worth Saving
The best packaging for premium products is that which can be saved and reused by the consumer. Wine bottles are often saved as souvenirs or for home-made drinks. Certain square or rectangular containers can be used for plants. Today's high-end consumers consider sustainability to be a key factor toward quality. The more the container can be reused without ending up in a landfill, the better.
Perhaps the best example of a premium package worth saving for future use is a fancy tin box. This container is ideal for protecting food such as bread from air and light. But it can also be a storage container for so many other things including jewelry. In that sense, the container has long-term value beyond the original product.
Prioritize Quality Materials
Not only is tinplate, which consists of layered metal, an effective material for premium packaging, any type of metal provides security and durability. These factors are instantly obvious to consumers who expect the packaging to protect the product. Other materials can work well, but a producer must be conscious of material availability and budget. The packaging cannot look too cheap, but it also should not be so expensive that it impacts profit margin. That's why metal such as aluminum is such a clear appropriate choice.
A significant advantage to metal packaging is that the metallic shine contributes to the perception of quality. Consumers are aware that metal is particularly better for preserving food than lighter materials. They must view premium packaging as too valuable to throw away in the trash. Making all layers of packaging worth saving elevates the perception of a high quality product.
Appeal to Multiple Senses
When packaging needs to be more attractive than usual, it's best to focus on achieving a multi-sensual experience with the customer. Not only should the package look impressive, it should feel comfortable as well. One way to achieve a sophisticated appearance that feels sensational is to use embossing or engraving for the text.
The inner wrappings of the product should have a touch of class and delicate feel. This sensation can be accomplished using custom tissue, foam or foils. Soft inner wrapping is ideal to convey the preciousness of the product. In this sense, less is more and contributes to the concept of sustainability.
Another great aspect of metal packaging is that it already commands deep positive perceptions in society. It's a robust barrier to the environment and it feels strong when one touches it.
Going For Modern Elegance
In many ways minimalism is an understated key to keeping premium packaging practical within a tight budget. As long as the design conveys the product to be high quality, it's important to stick to the basics of communicating with emotion. The package should not be overcrowded with graphics. The overall image should be simple and easily recognized as embracing modern design principles that communicate elegance and sustainability.
