This October is the perfect time to unleash your inner artist, try something new, and introduce some eye-catching new packaging. It’s also a time when companies can afford to put more money into advertising. However, in the midst of everything going on right now, standing out is extremely difficult. Your rivals are throwing everything they have at the market and flooding it with advertisements. There are three elements that must be in harmony in order to create exceptional seasonal packaging. You want to appeal to consumers’ sense of October cheer, share your brand’s values, and get them to make a purchase.
Your October prints should include rich berry brights and warm hues inspired by firelight and the soft glow of candles, as well as deep, inky blues and stormy greys reminiscent of winter skies.
Whether it’s the images you use or the words you choose, there are many ways to introduce some originality into the printing process. We have some simple suggestions for achieving the ideal print finish that will help make your printing as original, imaginative, and attention-grabbing as possible. If you want your printed materials to look fresh and modern, you can find out how to do it here.
1. Stay away from tricks
The process has to be built into the idea from the start. The word “gimmick” sounds bad, but sometimes it’s exactly what you need. Just make sure it fits with the idea. You don’t have to make it so tricky that it’s hard to relate and understand; use your creativity in the right way.
2. Do something different
When you can, say things that have more than one meaning or add something unexpected. So, when making a communication strategy, try to combine a strict, logical approach with an open mind and a human touch.
3. Take the idea apart
Even if you’re working on a project you came up with on your own, boil it down to one word, a picture, or even a video clip. Keep going back to it to make sure you’re on the right track. If the idea gets away from the main point, throw it out.
4. Keep your customers informed
Most of the time, each new project brings new finishes to light. Make as good of a mockup as you can at home to show the client. It will get them on board with your idea while you work with your printing partners on making it happen.
5. Save money
Most of the time, unusual ways of printing will cost more. Research isn’t just about finding out about these fancy finishes; you can also use it to find ways to save money by using fewer colours, different paper, or other ways to bind.
6. Use your printer to learn more
Ask printers about how they do what they do. Look for examples of how a process worked or didn’t work. The most important thing to keep in mind is that special finishing should add to the design, not take away from it.
7. Consider your printer’s suggestion
Talk to the printers and the people who make the paper first. Listen to what they say, but keep in mind that different printers have different rules. You might find a result that makes your printer cry to be very interesting.
8. Think about logistics and shipping
If you want to push the limits but your audience is all over the world, it can be hard to ship things around the world through customs. So, you must be mindful of your logistics.
9. Learn how printing works
If you’re stuck, slow down your thinking and look at the possible effects of each choice to make sure that the production can be changed to fit them. Part of this is knowing enough about the printing process to know what could go wrong.
10. Think about the paper and the finishes
Depending on how it’s heated, its colour can change, the foil might not stick, or the paper might crack and break. Precision is important, and sometimes a millimetre can make all the difference.
So, now that we have covered all the tips and tricks you need to be all spooky this season. Let’s dive into some detailed guidance that you may need.
Spend some time going through your work and picking and choosing what to include. Choose your best work while keeping in mind the industry you wish to enter. Exhibit the packaging if that is the main selling point. Demonstrate your adaptability by doing a little bit of everything. The type of work you pursue will serve as a reflection of your skills and interests. Pick projects that clearly demonstrate your skills to potential clients.
This October, you may want to think about hiring a professional photographer to take pictures of your work. If you’re going the DIY route, though, your pictures should do your work justice. Be sure to photograph your work in a well-lit, open area, and try different camera angles to get the best results. In order to keep the lighting and background from changing while you work, you may want to consider purchasing or building a lightbox.
Superb photo quality is essential for eye-catching results. Low-resolution, low-quality images look bad and reflect poorly on your work. The quality of your work doesn’t matter if it’s being undermined by a poor presentation. And it gives off an air of being both low-end and unrefined. Create high-resolution originals and reliable reproductions to showcase your work to its full potential.
Customers will remember you more fondly than the competition if you offer them something they can hold in their hands and interact with, rather than just a digital portfolio. Use of unique paper stocks and imprint techniques can boost the visual and tactile appeal of a project. Incorporating foil stamping, embossing, or debossing into select sections of your portfolio results in a finished product that is polished, professional, and visually appealing. Alas, don’t forget to add a spooky vibe for October!
