Packaging Trends 2023
During mass last Sunday, the priest spoke about Christ’s temptation by the devil, who offered food, water, and even dominion over all lands in exchange for allegiance. Despite these temptations, Christ remained steadfast in his faith.
The priest shared a story about going to a supermarket with two friends to buy kaya for breakfast. Faced with many brands on the shelf, he couldn’t decide which one to buy. He asked his friends, and soon they were debating over which kaya looked best. Even a ‘holy man’ can be swayed by packaging design — showing how strong an impact packaging has on consumer choice in Malaysia.
First Impressions
While predictions suggest a slowdown of COVID-19 in 2022, uncertainty remains. The shift towards online shopping is expected to continue, making it essential for brands to design packaging that appeals to digital consumers.
Good packaging design should focus on readability and highlight the key product benefits, especially for online shoppers. While effects like embossing and hot stamping enhance physical packaging, they may lose impact in digital displays.
For premium and luxury products, packaging should reflect exclusivity — through foil stamping, spot UV, or elegant finishing that enhances the unboxing experience.
E-commerce Friendliness
As online shopping continues to grow, durability becomes critical. Packaging materials must withstand rough handling during delivery to ensure the product reaches customers safely.
Strong and reliable packaging not only protects your product but also preserves your brand’s reputation in the e-commerce space.
Minimalism
Modern consumers, influenced by clean and simple web design, prefer minimalist packaging. It helps communicate the product’s Unique Selling Point (USP) clearly without clutter.
A simple, well-structured design draws more attention and builds trust faster than packaging overloaded with information or graphics.
Being Environmentally Friendly
With climate change affecting Malaysia and the region, consumers are more eco-conscious than ever.
Brands adopting FSC® printing and Soy ink usage demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability, which appeals to environmentally aware consumers.
Aesthetically Pleasing
In the age of social media, attractive packaging is more than just nice to look at — it’s shareable.
Visually appealing packaging creates memorable unboxing experiences that consumers love to post online, giving your brand free word-of-mouth exposure and higher engagement.
Portability
In today’s fast-paced world, convenient and portable packaging adds great value — especially for food and beverage products.
Features like built-in handles or resealable designs make products easier to carry and use, enhancing both convenience and brand loyalty.
Wrapping It Up
While packaging trends help attract attention, they should never overshadow the product’s true value.
The key is to understand your customers, align your packaging design with your brand identity, and focus on clarity, sustainability, and user experience.
Trends may change — but good packaging that communicates trust, quality, and purpose will always stand out.