Getting

started with
branded
packaging.
Introduction
In the age of your grandparents, products were made to last. People
prefered one brand over another because of its reputation for quality,
durability and knew that they could trust the brand. Today, with
mass-produced everything, price beats out every single aspect
of quality, nearly every time.

Names like Levi’s, Tiffany & Co and John Deere, have been around for
decades because of many reasons. One of those reasons is their
reputation for quality, branding, and the way that the brand builds
a trusting relationship with the customer.

These companies also value product packaging. You won’t receive

a Tiffany & Co bracelet in a plain, unmarked box. The product packaging
is eye-catching in that unmistakable Tiffany-blue box, with thick, solid
black lettering - Tiffany & Co.

In this ebook, you will see why this is such an important process
of business, whether you sell online, offline or both. You’ll also see how
Packhelp can help you easily create packaging that echos your branding,
just the way a Tiffany Jewellery box does.

The Packhelp Team

Table of contents
How to choose the right packaging for your product? ........... 5

Physical characteristics ................................... 6

Your business model..................................... 7
Your branding .......................................... 8
Your budget ........................................... 9

Create your branded packaging online with the box editor...... 10

Designing your packaging is easy! ........................ 11

How to use the online box editor ......................... 12

Best practices in designing your packaging ................... 19

What do you need to design a box? ....................... 20

To get more from your design? ........................... 21

Packaging inspirations ..................................... 22

Happy Socks .......................................... 23
Scent by Mail.......................................... 24
Innocence Paris ........................................ 25
Packhelp Pro: BWM .................................... 26
Packhelp Pro: Yope..................................... 28
Packhelp Pro: Snakehive ................................ 29

Packaging trends for this year .............................. 30

What’s to come in the future? ............................ 31

What is Packhelp?......................................... 35

What is Packhelp?...................................... 36
FAQ ................................................. 37
Over to you ........................................... 38
Why does packaging matter?
Why should you care about your packaging in the first place?

Well, as you read in the introduction, reputable brands don’t build

a reputation by not delivering their products in a branded package.

Branded packaging does more than that, too.

It creates a memorable first impression

Sending a product in a high-quality box is a great way to blow
your customer away before they even see their purchase.

It adds value to your product

A quality box builds anticipation and makes your customer think
‘wow, I got a lot more than I thought I would’.

It protects your product

The safety of your product depends on the packaging solution
you choose.

It provides a branding opportunity

Your packaging design helps build consistent brand awareness
at every touch point.
01 How to choose the
right packaging
for your product?
In order to purchase the right packaging solution for your product,
think about the following:

Physical characteristics
Is it fragile or heavy? Can it be easily broken during shipping?
Is it a common shape or rather unique?
If your product is fragile, you may need some extra protection,
like tissue paper or wood wool.
Your business model
Do you sell online, in a retail store or both? Are you a marketig agency,
or a subscription box or perhaps a a HR manager?
If you sell online, you may be able to use a mailer box. If you
sell your product in store, a product box and paper bag
is your best option.
Your branding
Is your branding more subtle or loud? Do you use natural tones and
textures, bright and unique colours or natural and earth colour palette?
Use an Eco box that uses the cardboards natural texture. Go for
a full colour box to create absolutely anything you can imagine.
Your budget
Have you used custom packaging before, or are you just discovering
the concept now? If you’re new, you may like to try a sample pack.
You can choose the products you wish to see and try.
If you know custom packaging a bit better, order more and make
the most of lower-cost-per-unit savings.
02 Create your
branded
packaging
online with
the box editor
Designing your
packaging is easy!
You can choose the product you wish to order and design it in our
shop page. Once you choose a product - you will see a popup like
the one below. There are two ways of designing your box:

Upload your photoshop design on a dieline

(for users advanced in graphics)
Use the online packaging editor

If you choose the first option, you will download a dieline (a flat
template of the particular packaging solution).

NOTE: Designing on a dieline is an option created for graphic

designers and DTP professionals. If you do not use software like
Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator on a daily basis, we recommend using
our intuitive online editor.
How to use the
online box editor
With the online editor, you can drag and drop your logo, text, and just
about any kind of image you want. In the next pages, we explain the
ins and outs of our tool.

The online editor allows you to freely create your box from
#1
scratch. You can add the graphic on each wall of your box,
add texts and change the background colours.

On your right-hand side you see a panel with the design tools.
#2
You can choose a colour to add on your box, add images
and texts.
 How to add images on your box
#3
Click on the “ADD IMAGE” button.
Drag the photo to where it says “DRAG FILE HERE…” and drop
it. The image will then convert (this will take up to a minute)
and appear in your window as presented in the screenshot.

To use the photo you have added, move your cursor over
to the thumbnail (you will see the word “ADD” appear, click it!).
The pop-up will close and you will see the picture added on your box.

NOTE: If you only drag your photo, you will add it to your gallery.
In order to use the photo in your design, you need to choose
it as explained above.
 How to add text to your box
#4
Click on the “ADD TEXT” button.
A window will appear directly on your box.
Click on it and you will be able to start writing.

NOTE: A panel will appear next to your Text window. You will have
the option to center your text on the wall and change the font, colour
and size of it too. You will be also able to remove the text.
 How to add color on your box
#5
We suggest some colours, but you can choose every colour
from the entire CMYK palette. If you have a specific colour in
mind, find its name in CMYK online and then use it in our editor.

NOTE: A panel will appear next to your Text window. You will have
the option to center your text on the wall and change the font, colour
and size. You will be also able to remove the text.
 Depending on the type of box you choose, you will have the
#6
option to choose a finish variant. In the case of the Full Color
Mailer Box - like the one we are using in this tutorial - you can
choose Matt or Glossy Foil and White Inside.

When you are ready with your design, you can add your box
#7
to the cart. If you want to continue shopping and create a new
product, simply click on “SHOP” again. Your box
will be saved in your designs and in your cart.
 We automatically save your designs whenever you start
#8
working on them. You can easily find them all.

If you click on “YOUR ACCOUNT” and “SAVED DESIGNS”

you will see all of the designs you have created in the
online editor (Even those that were not finished). Whenever
you will want to order the same kind of box again, you can
do it in a minute by choosing the box and reordering it.

Our editor allows you to share your design with other users.
#9
In your designs, click on the icon and choose to share your
box. You can do it in two ways - either send it directly
to an email address or get a shareable link.
 We have also created an app that can help you visualize your
#10
box. You can download our AR app in the App Store.

To see your design in Augmented Reality, choose your design

and click on “VISUALIZE”. A pop-up will appear, including
a QR code. Scan the code and see your box live!

#8
03 Best practices
in designing
your packaging
WHAT YOU NEED TO

Design a box
The weight & size of your product - measure your product and
#1
then pick the best sized box using our product configurator.

Order the bare minimum - order 30 pieces to start off

#2
with. If you’re happy with the quality, reorder in a higher volume.

Stay brand-focused - packaging is the only marketing channel

#3
that reaches a 100% of your customers, make it about your
brand.
BEST PRACTICES

To get more from

your design...
Text: Bleeds:
the minimum height To avoid shifts during
of the text is production be sure to add
at least 7 pt 10 mm bleed

Graphics: Rich Blacks:

Use vectors over For black elements use
bitmaps, use photos our Rich Black mix:

at least 300 DPI CMYK 60% 60% 60% 100%

Safe margins: Eco & Eco white boxes:

Important elements It’s either black
should be kept from or transparent. All shades
cut lines and side edges of grey won’t print properly.
so use
for at least 7 mm
use black K 100% or 0%.

Margin of error: Full color boxes:

Due to paper adrift, We don’t print Pantone
elements of your design colours, so in your design
may be moved by 5mm use CMYK combination

Lines:
at least 0,5 pt wide
04 Packaging
inspirations
Happy socks
In the world fueled by Instagram and other social media, brands need
to define themselves in a sophisticated way. Happy Socks has created
a set of packaging elements, which say more than any words could.

At the core of the collection are Classic Product Boxes, Poly mailers
and Paper bags. All branded and designed with reference to the
product.
Scent by mail
A UK-based start-up, Scent By Mail offers its customers a unique
selection of scented candles & home fragrances. To reach its
customers, the company has designed a wonderfully cheerful
packaging with imagery inside the box. These packagings
create an exemplary unboxing experience as well.
Innocence Paris
Innocence is a Parisian brand that offers a very unique product to its
clients. In order to cherish the best moments captured by a camera,
Innocence creates magazines, journals, and notebooks with photos
provided by their clients provide. The packaging they chose to use
in their product were Eco Mailer Boxes.
PACKHELP PRO - TRULY CUSTOM MADE

BMW
Packaging design can range from a very simple project to something
incredibly creative and complex. The BMW box, manufactured
by Packhelp Pro, keeps a surprising finish inside. The German
car company designed boxes with an extendable element,
hot-stamping & embossing. They were used to send invitations
to test drive a new model.
PACKHELP PRO - TRULY CUSTOM MADE

Yope
YOPE has redefined the way of thinking about liquid soaps.
The company prides itself on choosing only the finest ingredients.
Branded bags and boxes with handles consolidates the cheerful
branding for this company.
PACKHELP PRO - TRULY CUSTOM MADE

Snakehive
Snakehive designs smartphone cases using various styles and design
approaches. Each product is packed in a two-piece box with the black
sleeve with the logo printed on it. It is a kind of promise that the
product inside will be equally attractive visually.
05 Packaging trends
for this year
What’s to come
in the future?
The future of branded packaging is exciting.

More and more small brands are starting to see the value in using
packaging thanks to unboxing videos and influencer marketing.
Above all, brands are starting to see that a consistent buying
experiences makes a customer come back - and packaging plays
a role in that.

What other trends are worth keeping an eye on?

Minimalism - many brands are using the ‘less is more’

#1
concept and letting blank space do the talking.
 Pastel colours - mellow muted tones can bring
#2
a relaxing sensation to your product.

Packaging sets - Small brands compete with big brands

#3
with branded tape, paper bags, & tissue paper.
 Packaging as a marketing channel - packaging is the only
#4
marketing channel that reaches every single customer. It’s an
incredible “gate-opener” and you’ll start to see more creative
designs.

E-commerce packaging will grow - the ecommerce industry

#5
shows no signs of slowing down. Setup and operation is cheap,
and the global reach is a tremendous opportunity. This also
means that light packaging solutions for shipping are flourishing.
 Eco-friendly is sexy - sustainability is increasingly important.
#6
Choosing packaging made from recycled cardboard is a great
way to be socially responsible.
06 What is Packhelp?
What is Packhelp?

An easy & intuitive design Orders start from

process 30 pieces
With no graphic design Save money and order what
skills, you can create a box you need with low minimum
using the online designer. order numbers.

14 day shipping, or delivery Free shipping for all EU

Don’t wait for your packaging Pay for your boxes.
longer than you have to. Not the delivery.

You’re in safe hands

Available in all European countries Website is available in 7 languages

Some of our clients include Spotify, Customer service ready to assist

BMW, Uber, Nivea & L’Oreal and help with your design
FAQ
How long is the production time?
Usually 14 days, but during holidays, like Christmas, it may take
up to to 21 days.

How much is shipping?

Shipping is free on all orders in the EU.

Can I order multiple products?

Yes, you can add boxes of different sizes and other products
to your cart and receive them in the same delivery.

How do I fold mailer boxes?

We have explained it in details here.

How can I use a dieline to design?

When you are in Adobe Photoshop, download our template/diecut.
You can create a design, but keep in mind our tips from Chapter 3.
After you have successfully created your design on the template,
upload it to your account.
Over to you
Now that you’ve seen the role that custom packaging plays in
a business, it’s time for your brand to start using it. The best way
to start is to create a simple designed box in low numbers, and
then reorder once you’ve seen the effects. To get started with your
custom packaging, head over to packhelp.com/shop and start
designing.
For more insights into the world
of ecommerce and retail, visit
packhelp.com/blog