Packaging Trends to Look Out for in 2025
So many things impact trends on a large and small scale, even if they feel unrelated. Public interest changes based on the world around them, and this interest trickles down to every part of our lives—including packaging. Everything we buy and use is contained in packaging, making it one of the regular public touchpoints and a helpful barometer in gauging community interest and priorities. Here’s what we think you can expect to see in packaging trends in 2025:
Minimalism
After years of maximalism, bright colors, and creative design, we’re due for a stretch of minimalism. Take Pantone’s Color Of The Year 2025, for example. It’s an earthy, calm brown that makes a viewer feel grounded. We’re also predicting that brands will take a step back from overpackaging. This came about in the era of influencers and unboxing but is leaving consumers feeling tired and overwhelmed by having extra “stuff” to deal with during the opening process.
Our forecast: Packaging is going to go back to its natural roots, focusing less on winning customers over with packaging and more on emphasizing the integrity of the product.
Sustainability
Packaging sustainably has been on trend for years now, but we don’t think it’s going away anytime soon. Most adults today were raised with the motto “reduce, reuse, recycle” and feel some level of personal responsibility in environmental preservation. People are becoming more aware of greenwashing and want to support companies that they feel are making a more genuine effort toward sustainability.
We predict the next trending iteration of this will be customers becoming more informed on the process of products and packaging creation. Utilizing QR codes on packaging to help customers connect with more information on this process will create a more seamless experience and peace of mind. Additionally, customers really value packaging that can be reused and repurposed. Consider incorporating packaging that can be easily adapted for returns or used in their daily lives, like Puma’s Clever Little Bag. Utilizing this technique, Puma offered the same product protection and customers had an extra piece they could easily incorporate in their day-to-day.
Convenience
It’s not the first time you’ve heard it: people these days want convenience. This year, this is going to really shine in packaging. Brands are moving toward building packaging that takes into consideration how end users interact with it and what problems packaging can solve. Moreover, companies are looking at new ways to achieve the same product protection with less “stuff.” Customers don’t want to have to take into consideration how they have to dispose of clunky packaging. By incorporating protection measures that are more convenient to deal with at their last destination, customers will remember the product that stuck around their home, not the empty boxes and packing peanuts.
Anti-Tamper Measures
COVID-19 changed how we exist in the world. Between our new awareness of public health and the uptick in porch pirates, customers want to know that their product reached them in the same state it left the warehouse. Additional security measures like higher quality film barriers and adhesives can better help prevent product tampering. Extra measures like RFID tags and QR codes can help customers trace their packaging and product origins and increase transparency between brands and consumers.
Remember, when your customers purchase your product, the first thing they see is the packaging. It’s important to take their unique perspective into consideration when choosing your packaging. The experts at Viking can help you build an experience that speaks to those priorities by utilizing our vast access to packaging and protection materials. Get in touch with a Viking today to see how we can make your packaging dreams a reality!