There are few industries on the market with as a lot potential to develop loyal, die-hard clients as magnificence and cosmetics. Magnificence merchandise are a staple in toilet cupboards world wide; whether or not an individual goes for an “I awakened like this” look or the avant garde “make-up is artwork you put on in your face” really feel, nearly each girl (to not point out tons of males!) use magnificence merchandise on the each day.
We have simply despatched you your free cosmetics packaging design e book.
Which suggests when you personal a magnificence or cosmetics line, the potential for some critical enterprise is there. However it additionally means if you wish to seize that enterprise and take it for your self, you’re going to wish to discover a option to break via the litter, leap off the shelf at Sephora, and inform your very best buyer “THIS is the lipstick for you!” And one of the simplest ways to try this is your packaging.
Your packaging is the very first thing the wonder die-hards you need to flip into clients are going to see. In case your packaging grabs their consideration and speaks to what they’re searching for, they’re prone to take your product dwelling and provides it a attempt. If not? It’s prone to collect mud on the shelf.
However how, precisely, do you design the form of packaging that makes your very best buyer scream “I would like that blush yesterday?” By no means concern, 99designs is right here with all the knowledge you want to design packaging that stands out on the shelf and will get your product into your buyer’s bag (and, finally, on their face).

Prime earlier than you design
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Earlier than you get began along with your packaging design, there are some things you need to make clear:
Outline your very best buyer
It’s necessary to know who you’re designing for. Who’s your very best buyer? Are they tween ladies simply as obsessive about sparkles as they’re with boy bands? Are they ladies of shade who need make-up that truly (lastly) matches their pores and skin tone? Are they males who’re masculine… but additionally need child gentle pores and skin? And as soon as who they’re, what are they searching for in a cosmetics model? What’s going to seize their consideration?
Outline your model persona
Simply as necessary as your buyer’s id is your id. What’s your branding? Are you darkish and edgy (like City Decay)? Easy and basic (like Bobbi Brown)? Luxurious (like Dior)? Accessible (like Moist n Wild)? Who you’re as a model—and the persona you need to painting to your clients—goes to find out what design components you employ in your packaging.
Outline how your very best clients are shopping for your product
You’ll additionally need to think about the way you’re going to promote your merchandise. Are you promoting on-line or in retailer? In small boutiques or in giant retailers? Your design technique may change relying on the place you’re shelling your items.
Create a temper board on your model
An excellent factor to do earlier than you begin designing is to create a temper board on your model. Pull collectively pictures, colours, commercials and no matter else you are feeling embodies your model persona; these will act as inspiration as you undergo the design course of.
Let cosmetics packaging tendencies encourage you
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In the event you want a little bit inspiration on your packaging design there’s no higher place to start out than trying on the newest cosmetics packaging tendencies. As soon as what’s presently trending, you’ll be able to create packaging that caters to what’s necessary to your clients proper now and that speaks to them in the proper approach.
Keep in mind that you need to decide a glance that’s each fashionable and on pattern, but additionally timeless and universally interesting, so your packaging design seems to be up-to-date for so long as potential.
Listed here are the cosmetics packaging tendencies we’re seeing all over the place proper now:
1. Intricate line drawings


Intricate drawings utilizing nice strains and plenty of element are a timelessly stunning pattern for cosmetics packaging. Notably floral and hand-made drawings work properly, both cleverly positioned in choose areas or protecting the entire product. In the event you’re going for one thing much less female however nonetheless need one thing elegant and detailed, a extra geometric, clear and funky drawing-style could also be best for you. This pattern is ideal for you in case your model has a watch for element or when you’re searching for a refined but stunning approach of showcasing what’s inside your packaging, by drawing the elements you employ.
2. Distinctive customized fonts


The daring font pattern we’re seeing throughout the board in graphic design naturally extends to packaging as properly. Distinctive fonts may give your packaging an entire lot of character. Typography is the right option to specific who you’re as a model, and a handlettered font will be simply the factor to set you aside from the group. Whether or not it carries a retro vibe, a daring assertion or a unusual aptitude, a novel font is bound to stay in individuals’s minds.
3. Daring, eye-catching patterns


With loud stripes and wild shade mixtures the daring sample pattern goes to make your packaging leap off the cabinets. Nicely-placed, eye-catching patterns make your packaging pop and provides your model a assured, younger look that units you aside from everybody else. Particularly irregular patterns are a reoccurring pattern that may give your packaging a sure edge. However that doesn’t imply that your model must be younger and loud to have the ability to use this pattern: summary patterns can work for any model, so long as you get the colours and shapes proper.
4. Cool black packaging with a twist

Black and white cosmetics packaging is a timeless pattern we are going to by no means get uninterested in. What’s new within the packaging designs we’re presently seeing is that whereas white was once the overwhelming selection for cosmetics packaging, it’s black that appears be dominating monochrome packaging proper now. So as to add an fascinating twist, these designs use refined patterns and tiny pops of shade to catch the attention. Packaging that’s principally black seems to be luxurious and has an aura and coolness. What’s extra, when you decide an aesthetic monochrome design you’ll be able to make certain that your packaging won’t ever exit of favor.
5. Lush florals and heat, earthy colours



A stylishly-vintage pattern we will’t get sufficient of is cosmetics packaging coated in wealthy, heat florals and pure, earthy tones. Whereas this pattern has a female and generally even horny vibe to it, it may additionally really feel heat and comforting. This mix of lush, wealthy floral illustrations with easy typography leads to a basic type that creates an approachable but luxurious look.
6. Fashionable minimalist pastels

Pastels and minimalism are a match made in heaven. Whereas pastels will soften an in any other case harsh trying minimalist packaging design, a minimalistic and clear design will make sure that your pastel packaging seems to be fashionable and grown up. Play with each ideas to seek out the correct mix on your model. You’ll be able to hold it easy and classy by choosing one pastel shade that speaks to your clients and model or you’ll be able to work with a mix of pastels to realize a playful and dreamy look.
On the subject of cosmetics packaging, something goes. Dare to be totally different! Mess around with designs that talk to you and that specific what your model is all about. It’s distinctive designs that stand out from the group. Want extra inspiration? Try our article on packaging design tendencies.
Create your excellent cosmetics packaging
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Now that you simply’re feeling impressed, it’s time to start out designing your magnificence packaging and cosmetics labels.
Set your model design requirements
The very first thing you’ll must do when designing your packaging is about your components of design.
There are just a few totally different components you’ll want to contemplate:
Model
The very first thing you’ll need to think about is the temper and persona you need to deliver to your packaging. Are you going for a minimalist vibe in your design? Or do you need to go extra over-the-top and stylized?
Figuring out what type you need to transfer in direction of will assist lead the remainder of your design and make sure you make packaging choices which can be in keeping with your total design targets.
Locking in your type may also assist you to decide any extra design components you want to think about. Are you going for a pop artwork really feel? Then you definitely may want some illustrations carried out to steer the design course of. Are you incorporating pure components on your pure cosmetics model? Then perhaps you’ll need to pull in some nature images to incorporate in your packaging. The purpose is, when what type you’re going for, what design components you’ll must get that type to return throughout in your packaging.
Colours
When selecting colours, you need to select colours {that a}) match your model persona, b) seize buyer’s consideration and c) stand out from the competitors. This final level is very necessary within the uber-competitive world of magnificence and cosmetics.

Take into consideration selecting your model’s shade palette such as you would assembling this season’s must-have eyeshadow palette; you need to keep true to your model whereas differentiating your self from the competitors. So, for instance, pink is a wildly well-liked shade within the magnificence and cosmetics world. It’s enjoyable, it’s female, and it simply so occurs to be a shade that’s extensively utilized in all the wonderful cosmetics we placed on our faces. However when you go along with pink as your packaging shade, it may be arduous to seize your buyer’s consideration for the reason that cabinets of each beauty retailer are already a sea of pink.
We have simply despatched you your free cosmetics packaging design e book.
Essentially the most recognizable magnificence and cosmetics manufacturers use shade as a option to construct their model. When individuals assume purple, they consider City Decay. Daring black and white belongs to Make Up Perpetually. And the reigning queen of pink? Too Confronted Cosmetics.
In order for you your model to be simply as profitable, you’ll must do the identical factor and discover a model shade palette that not solely jumps of the cabinets, however turns into immediately synonymous along with your model.
Fonts
Subsequent up is fonts.
Like with colours, you need to select one thing that’s distinctive, on model, and immediately recognizable to your clients whereas they’re scanning the cabinets.

Have a model that’s a little bit on the edgy aspect? Go for a daring, show font like City Decay.

Extra enjoyable, flirty, and female? Go along with a whimsical or script font, a la Too Confronted.

How about clear and complex? Strive a sans serif font, which can give an upscale fashionable really feel, like Chanel.

Going for the basic really feel? Follow elegant serif fonts, like Clinique.
Yet one more factor you’ll need to consider when selecting fonts? The way it’s going to look in your packaging. You need your fonts to be clear and simple to learn—even once they’re on a tiny compact field.
Collect the information you want to embody in your packaging

Subsequent up, you need to accumulate the entire data you want to embody in your packaging (together with the knowledge you want to be FDA-compliant).
Some widespread issues that present up on cosmetics packaging:
- A picture to indicate your product is cruelty free
- Expiration labels
- Authorities warning labels
- Further pictures and graphics
- Model copy
Select your packaging kind
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Now, it’s time to really select the bodily packaging.
Know the three layers

Identical to you begin with primer, observe with basis and finish with ending powder, in the case of packaging, there’s three totally different layers you want to take into consideration: outer packaging, internal packaging, and product packaging.
Outer packaging is the very first thing your clients must dig via to get to your product. This may be the field you employ to ship buyer orders out of your warehouse or the bag you bundle your cosmetics in at your retail location.
Interior packaging is what homes your product, just like the field your clients open to get to their lipstick.
And the product packaging is the packaging itself: the container that holds your product inside, be it a lipstick tube or a basis bottle.
Widespread packaging sorts within the beauty world

On the subject of magnificence and cosmetics packaging, the sky’s the restrict. The very first thing you want to take into consideration when selecting your cosmetics packaging is the “what.” What’s the objective of your packaging? What sort of product are you creating? Clearly, the product packaging that works for a lip gloss isn’t going to be the proper decide for a physique butter, so that you need to select the product packaging that makes probably the most sense for every product.
Some well-liked packaging choices in magnificence and cosmetics embody:
- Airless bottles
- Pumps
- Sprayers
- Jars
- Tubes
- Droppers
- Compacts
Now, clearly, there are particular packaging requirements for various merchandise. Most lipsticks are going to be housed in a lipstick tube. However that shouldn’ts prime you from pondering outdoors of the field! Take lip gloss, for instance. It was once the usual to place them in a tube with a wand. And whereas that actually nonetheless is the commonest packaging selection, loads of manufacturers deviated from the “norm” and went with different choices, like squeeze tubes, jars, and twist tops. So don’t really feel like you want to stick throughout the confines of “customary” packaging!
As soon as what sort of packaging you need, you want to work out how and the place you’re going to get it. There are tons of cosmetics packaging firms on the market the place you should buy packaging at wholesale costs. You can even get customized bottles, packing containers or tubs designed, which might make your product stand out on cabinets, however will certainly value you greater than a fairly penny.
Select a focus on your design
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As soon as what kind of product packaging you need to transfer ahead with, it’s time to start out interested by design. And one of the best place to start out? Selecting a focus.
When your buyer seems to be at your product, you’ve a cut up second to get your message throughout earlier than they transfer on to one thing else on the shelf. What’s the one factor you need your buyer to find out about your product? No matter it’s, that’s what wants to return via in your packaging design.
Do you need to construct model recognition and let your buyer know the lipstick or face cream they’re choosing up is all you? Then you definitely’ll need to put your emblem entrance and heart. Is there a sure ingredient in your magnificence product will wow your clients and get them to make a purchase order? If that’s the case, that must be the main target of your design.
By specializing in one core factor in your packaging design, you make sure that your key message will get via to your buyer.
Take into consideration your supplies and specialty printing choices
Subsequent up is select the supplies and speciality printing choices you’ll use in/in your packaging.
There are such a lot of choices on the market to jazz up your packaging. However bear in mind: the extra difficult your packaging, the upper the funds. Some upgrades may be obligatory, relying in your product (for instance, in case your product is supposed to be saved within the bathe you higher make certain your labels are coated and water-resistant).
Others are design decisions that can assist you create a particular appear and feel. Incorporating issues like foil-stamping, embossing, metallic, or ink that offers a 3D impact will certainly make your packaging really feel extra high-end, luxurious and enjoyable, however it should additionally add to your cost-per-package.
In the event you’re unsure what choices are on the market—or what choices your funds permits—discuss to your designer in regards to the materials and printing choices which can be one of the best match on your model and funds.
How to decide on the proper designer on your cosmetics packaging
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There are a two widespread methods you’ll be able to transfer ahead along with your cosmetics packaging design:
DIY
Your first possibility, in fact, is to do issues your self. And whilst you may be tempted to tackle the design your self in an effort to maintain your funds low, except you’ve design expertise, we don’t advocate it. Your cosmetics packaging design is so necessary to the success of your corporation; it’s not the place to chop corners.
Rent a designer

Your different possibility is to rent a designer to handle the design course of for you. There are two good methods to do that: you’ll be able to rent a freelancer or you’ll be able to launch a design contest.
If you wish to work immediately with a freelancer, you’ll need to search for somebody with expertise in product packaging design (even higher in the event that they’ve particularly labored within the cosmetics trade).
If you wish to write a single temporary and have designers from all around the world ship you distinctive concepts, you’ll be able to run a packaging design contest on 99designs.
Begin designing!
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When you’ve received your designer on board, it’s time to start out designing! Woohoo!
After you’ve reviewed your model type design along with your designer and allow them to know precisely what you’re searching for, you’ll need to ask them to develop a design mockup. This gives you a concrete piece of packaging to take a look at earlier than you finalize your design.
Upon getting your design mockup, you’ll need to consider your design and see if it seems like the proper match on your product. When evaluating your mockup, ask your self:
- Does this seize my very best buyer’s consideration?
- Is is obvious what this product is from the packaging?
- Does the packaging appear accessible/simple to make use of?
- Would this stand out in opposition to competitor packaging?
- How does this look in 3D? (you’ll be able to even print the prototype and assemble the bundle to get a greater sense of what it should seem like IRL)
- Will this design be as related 5 years from now as it’s right now?
When you finalize your design and your designer creates your packaging dielines, you’ll must get the recordsdata to ship to the printer. You’ll want:
- A vector file of your packaging dielines for every product (usually in .ai or .pdf)
- Pantone or CMYK shade codes
Upon getting these recordsdata, you’ll be able to ship them to the printer, print up your packaging designs, and get your merchandise out into the world!
Wrapping issues up
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There’s a ton of alternative within the magnificence and cosmetics trade. And with the proper product, the proper packaging, and the proper design, that chance is yours for the taking!
Need stunning product packaging on your cosmetics?
Our designers will make it occur.
This text was initially revealed in 2017. It has been up to date with new examples and knowledge.