As the first thing customers see, packaging can influence their decision to buy or walk away. Bad packaging design frequently results in fewer sales, a tarnished company image, and bad consumer perception. A large-scale survey revealed that 82% of consumers are open to paying extra for sustainable packaging, while 90% of Gen Z and 80% show interest in refillable product options.
In order to assist designers, brand owners, and marketers in avoiding these problems and producing packaging that actually works, this article goes over typical errors, real-world cases, and useful solutions.
Key Takeaways:
These examples highlight common issues that can frustrate customers and harm brand credibility. Use them as a reference to recognize what to avoid in your packaging strategy.
Misleading packaging can create a false impression of what consumers are getting. This chocolate box, for instance, often looks full at first glance, but inside, the chocolates are widely spaced in a large plastic tray. While this helps with presentation and protection, it can lead to unrealistic expectations and buyer disappointment.
Also Read: 15 Sustainable Packaging Trends for Customer and Environment
Unreadable text can hurt both user experience and brand credibility. Important facts are difficult to see in small fonts, especially for senior users. Spelling mistakes or bad grammar can also make a brand look careless and reduce consumer trust.
One type of bad packaging design that produces needless waste is overpackaging. For instance, small items like skincare are often packed in large boxes with excess materials. While meant to protect the product, this approach harms the environment and reduces packaging efficiency.
The common example is a hard-to-open jar. It often causes inconvenience for users, especially for those with limited hand strength. While secure sealing is important for freshness, packaging should also be user-friendly to ensure accessibility and ease of use.
One example is modern pouches with small fonts above. They may look appealing, but they are hard for older consumers to read. Even if the design is attractive, it can confuse buyers. Therefore, packaging should fit the needs of its target market.
Missing details like expiration dates or usage instructions can cause confusion or safety concerns. Like the picture above, it just shows the production code, not the expiration date. While minimal designs may look clean, clear, and complete, information is essential for trust and compliance.
Also Read: Branding Tips for Small Businesses to Grow Your Business Rapidly
Environmentally unfriendly packaging, especially single-use and non-recyclable plastics, creates serious health and ecological risks. These issues include microplastic ingestion and harmful additives in the food chain. As a result, clear regulations are needed to support eco-friendly packaging.
Bad packaging design examples often include cluttered visuals and unclear messaging, which can overwhelm consumers and reduce a product’s appeal. Moreover, using the wrong typeface and too-crowded design makes it even harder to read and understand. Using a clear and legible font is key to effective packaging communication.
One of the most common bad packaging design mistakes is using visuals that don’t accurately reflect what’s inside. This not only creates false expectations but can also lead to disappointment, negative reviews, and a loss of trust in the brand.
Unstable packaging shapes, like bottles that tip over easily, can frustrate consumers and reduce usability. Unusual designs could draw attention, but spills and a bad user experience might result from unbalanced or inappropriate forms. Functional stability should therefore always be backed by aesthetic attractiveness.
Packaging that breaks during shipping, such as flimsy boxes used for heavy products, can lead to damaged goods and customer dissatisfaction. While cost-saving materials may seem efficient, they often compromise durability. Well-structured packaging is essential to protect products and maintain brand reliability.
Also Read: Viral Marketing Campaigns: 8 Magnetic Tips to Captivate Millions
When visual elements lack uniformity, the product may appear unprofessional or unreliable. Consistent use of brand colors, typography, and logo placement helps build trust and reinforces brand identity.
Bright and playful packaging can cause confusion, especially for young children who may try to drink the product, unaware of the harm. This is a bad packaging design to avoid, as it puts children at risk. To keep them safe, packaging should include clear warning labels.
Copycat designs, such as packaging that closely mimics a popular brand, can mislead consumers and damage trust. While it may attract attention at first glance, it often results in legal issues and harms the credibility of the imitating brand.
Culturally offensive packaging, like using inappropriate images or words, can upset consumers and damage a brand’s reputation. In some cultures, something that is considered normal may be offensive. To prevent backlash, brands should research cultural values and design with respect.
Also Read: 10 Best Manufacturing Website Design Ideas to Inspire Your Brand
Bad packaging design can lead to unhappy consumers, lower sales, and eroded brand confidence. Whether it’s misleading visuals, hard-to-read text, or culturally insensitive elements, poor design choices can have serious consequences.
Brands must prioritize clarity, functionality, and cultural awareness to ensure their packaging communicates the right message and connects with the intended audience.It can often be avoided by using the right typeface for packaging, which helps improve readability and brand clarity. Need eye-catching fonts for your next packaging project? Blankids Studio offers a variety of innovative, ready-to-use choices to help you improve your design result!
