Packaging is no longer just about protecting or selling products. In recent years, packaging has also proven to be a powerful medium for brands to share their stories, change perceptions, and forge strong connections with customers. In 2025, packaging design will continue to evolve as a major part of branding, sustainability, and consumer engagement. As brands navigate these evolving expectations, there is greater emphasis on developing designs that resonate with consumers while addressing pressing global challenges. Advancements in technology and changing consumer preferences are reshaping what brands can achieve.
Sustainable Packaging
Eco-friendly packaging solutions will continue to play a major role in packaging design. Climate change and environmental impact remain at the top of many consumers’ minds. In fact, 82% of consumers of all ages were willing to pay more for products packaged with sustainable materials. Companies should consider making the switch from packaging solutions like plastic to paperboard alternatives to help appeal to conscious consumers and reduce their carbon footprint. Biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable materials will likely see an increase in packaging design in the coming year. Paperboard in particular is a cost-effective, eco-friendly material ideal for a wide range of industries. This material, which is manufactured into folding cartons, is made from recycled wood pulp and paper products. It is also compatible with a circular economy, which sees materials reused and recycled.
Minimalism
Minimalism is a dominant theme across packaging designs for 2025, offering benefits for both companies and consumers. Using sustainable materials like paperboard helps brands lower production and transport costs while reducing environmental waste. Minimalist designs prioritize streamlined layouts to keep consumers focused on clearly visible, essential product details. This approach highlights the product itself.
Cutouts
Thoughtfully placed cutouts utilize strategic die-cuts to hint at a product’s purpose or features while maintaining a minimalist appeal. These can range from shapes that allow a product to peak through the cutout to borders or edges that emphasize a particular brand’s or product’s personality. By revealing glimpses of a product through clean, precise designs, brands can focus on the essentials without cluttering the design with excessive graphics or text.
Natural Markings
Consumers may begin leaning toward brands that embrace a more human touch in their designs, especially as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent. Natural markings like etches, scribbles, and strokes mimic the look of hand-drawn lines or brushstrokes created with pens, charcoal, and other traditional tools. Although they are manufactured with offset or digital printing, these designs allow packaging to feel more personable and genuine.
Framed Art
This design trend introduces a sense of luxury and refinement to product packaging, creating a high-end look and feel. Using curated frames around photos, illustrations, or intricate artwork, packaging that uses these concepts resembles mini works of art. Delicate lines and textures also add an elevated and expensive quality to the packaging. Minimalist text complements these ornate details to create a balance between art and function.
Bold Typography
Bold typography is a striking way to communicate brand identity and product details without overpowering minimalist designs. Large, attention-grabbing fonts ensure key information is prominently displayed for consumers to ensure they can easily read brand and product details at a glance.