Believe it or not, choosing a package color is one of the most important choices you’ll have to make during the product development process. Your choice of color can help to differentiate your product from others on the market, and it can also help make it stand out on the shelf.

Best Product Packaging Color 2017

In today’s world of hyper-consumerism, impulse purchases make up roughly 75 percent of all consumer purchases. Consumers make these kinds of choices quickly — typically in 20 seconds or less, so your product needs to stand out. The more attractive your packaging is, the more likely it is to grab a consumer’s attention, and the more likely it is that that consumer will purchase it on a whim.

“A color palette, distinctive graphics and brand identity work synergistically and can eventually become iconic if consistently maintained,” explains Ted Mininni, the creative director and president of Design Force Inc. “Imagine seeing a soft drink can in signature red with a white swirl, missing its brand mark: ‘Coca Cola.’ Would people still recognize the product and immediately call the brand to mind? Surely … many brands are instantly recognized because of their signature colors.” The bottom line is that colors truly can define a brand and a product. Cadbury’s purple is so distinctive and recognizable that the brand sought to trademark it at one point, while the Kraft Macaroni and Cheese yellow and blue box is iconic to virtually an entire generation.

However, choosing colors appropriately goes well beyond just aesthetic appeal. There a number of different factors you must take into consideration when choosing package colors. First and foremost, you need to consider any kinds of cultural associations that certain colors have, as well as any kind of associations with characteristics or emotions. So, which are the best packaging colors for your product? Consider these suggestions.

Best Packaging Colors

  • Earth tones work best for organic and natural products. It doesn’t make much sense to package your organic rice milk in a hot pink carton. Not surprisingly, consumers tend to associate words such as “organic” and “natural” with earth tones in soft greens and rich browns.
  • Use bright, primary colors for products geared toward children. Yellows, blues, and reds are excellent choices when it comes to children’s products because you want something that will attract their attention.
    Gold and silver evoke luxury. If you are trying to sell a luxury product, throw in a bit of gold or silver — even if it is only an accent color. Consumers will immediately associate it with luxury.
  • For an edgy look, use black as a base with a bright color. Looking to give your brand a sharp, edgy look? Try a sleek, black base with a bright accent color, such as neon yellow or a lime green.

However, do keep in mind that these are just suggestions. The best colors for your product will ultimately depend on your unique product and target market.

Pivot International is a product design, development, and manufacturing firm with extensive experience in the medtech industry. If you are interested in engineering a new product or updating an existing product, contact us at 1-877-206-5001 or request your free consultation today.