The Ultimate Guide to CBD Packaging

Introduction

One of the essential parts of any product is its packaging, and CBD products are not exempted. It really doesn’t matter if you are a wholesaler, retailer, or just a marketer; the packaging of the products is one of the key determinants for product sale.

If you’re here, we assume you want help on how to transform your small CBD business into the most successful it can possibly be, and knowing your way around proper packaging is a giant step in the right direction.

With that said, this article will address the basics and elements of CBD packaging, as well as tips on how to design your product package effectively.

CBD packaging

A CBD package is the cover of a CBD product used to store, handle, and protect the product from external factors. CBD packaging is simply the act of designing and creating the package for the CBD product.

As you will find out later in the article, packaging goes far more than just aesthetics. When people hear packaging, what they think of is a label that beautifies the product and increases its appeal. While that is absolutely correct, it goes deeper than that. The packaging of the product defines the very core of its identity.

CBD packaging requires even more craft and dexterity, given the several restrictions on the sale of CBD products. One wrong sentence on your CBD packaging can render you liable to heavy litigation – you don’t want that, and neither do we, hence the need for this article.

Elements of CBD packaging

When we talk of CBD packaging, four key elements enable consumers to associate and relate with the brand easier. They are outlined below.

1. Color

Colors are so important to brands. Did you know some brands go as far as patenting colors? If we mentioned Barbie, what color do you think of? Yes, pink. Now, how about Coca-Cola? We’re sure you see it now.

Choosing the right color and sticking with it long enough for people to associate the color with you is undoubtedly the goal. That’s easier said than done, though, as you still have to figure out what the right color for your brand and CBD packaging will be.

Usually, for plant-based products, the go-to color is green for very obvious reasons. So, you might want to play around with that color when designing your package.

If you’re targeting pets and a younger audience, then bright colors will help. For older audiences, calmer and deeper colors, like brown, may suffix.

Whichever way you go, ensure the color of the CBD packaging aligns with your business logo and will appeal to the audience you are targeting.

2. Format

The format your product will come in is as important as the product itself. Remember when we said packaging goes far beyond just aesthetics? This is the perfect case study.

The format for CBD oil packaging will be different from CBD toys or CBD capsules.

When designing your package, you want to ensure the format you use is one that will make it easy and convenient to use the product. No one will buy the product at all if it appears challenging to use.

3. Fonts

The fonts and general typography on the packaging is a very underrated element of the packaging. When you check the logos and packaging of different brands, you can get a fair idea of what the brand is preaching and who it is targeting.

Fonts have different meanings. Some connote power, while others go harder in the fun department. You just need to find which is best for the audience you are targeting. Again, with pets, you want something as exciting as you can get with pets, which is in stark contrast to many products for older people.

Irrespective of what you choose, though, the fonts have to be bold and readable. Those should be non-negotiables on CBD packaging.

4. Visual cues

The visuals of the packaging can help consumers connect better with the brand. When we say visuals, we mean graphical representations on the packaging. This may be as drawings, pictures, symbols, or the like.

These visual cues have to be related to what the brand stands for and should be tailored to the target audience, like every other element listed.

Why do you need proper CBD packaging?

We have been chattering pretty much about CBD packaging and its elements, but before we go further, we need to answer the basic question – why? Why exactly do you need to have proper CBD packaging?

1. Protects the CBD product

This, we believe, is the most fundamental of all the reasons for packaging. Not a single soul will care how beautiful the packaging or label is if it is leaky. We can assure you that much. If the product is not protected, there is a huge likelihood of spoilage and leakage, which will only give your brand a bad reputation.

2. Attracts buyers

You will be surprised at how many buying decisions come down to “which packaging is prettier?” Proper CBD packaging will ensure your products stand out among the lot. And it is not rocket science that the more people you attract, the better your chances of making profits.

3. Offers a distinction from competitors

The CBD industry is fast taking off; you must know that by now. The implication of this is increased and stronger competition. Mistakes can lead to you losing customers to competitor brands. And one such mistake is similar packaging with competitors.

Your CBD packaging, if properly designed, will be unique to your brand. This will make it easier for buyers to tell apart.

4. Avoid litigation

We don’t think we have to sell this point to you, do we? No one wants legal trouble, especially for smaller businesses. Litigation is not uncommon in the CBD industry because of the several restrictions on its production, sale, and advertisement.

Suboptimal packaging can open you to lawsuits, which, again, we believe you don’t want. For instance, your CBD packaging must meet specific legal requirements, like being tamper-evident.

CBD packaging design tips

There are so many design tips for CBD packaging. So many that you may think of ones even we haven’t previously considered. However, for this article, we will restrict ourselves to the most critical ones.

1. Don’t joke with functionality

For all the hype on pretty packaging, you must not compromise functionality. Yes, your packaging is beautiful, but does it work? If the answer to that question is not a solid yes, then you are doing something wrong.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you should know that packaging goes beyond just appeal. There is no bigger turn-off than faulty or bad packaging. It renders the product unusable and will bring your brand a bad reputation while at it.

We are not asking you to make ugly CBD packaging, no; beauty is important, but never at the expense of functionality. This is because beauty may attract people, but functionality decides whether they actually buy.

2. Make it appealing

This is perhaps the most relatable tip on here. When all is said and done, what attracts many buyers is the packaging. Some buyers don’t even have the slightest idea what your product is all about but will still check it out because they like the packaging.

If your packaging is ugly, you will find it difficult to attract buyers. There’s a saying that “a spoonful of honey will attract more flies than a gallon of vinegar,” and it applies here too. Functionality is key, but the way people even know your product is functional is when they check it out, which is directly linked to how appealing it is.

So, spice it up!

3. Packaging must represent your brand

Your packaging must represent your brand. Don’t settle for CBD packaging that is off-brand – it never ends well.

It goes without saying that you already have a unique brand for your business. If you don’t, then you have no business worrying about packaging. Your packaging is part of your brand.

It’s not complicated at all. Let’s break it down.

Your brand is basically what your business is and what it represents. Your CBD packaging must be in line with your brand. In fact, you want a case where people can associate and relate with your brand by just seeing your packaging.

We’ll be honest, this is not the easiest thing to do, but if you pull it off, you’re in for a truckload of pleasant surprises.

4. Seek help

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You’re a business owner, not a god. It is impossible to know virtually every area important in making your business successful.

Imagine packaging, for example; it entails designing, manufacturing the packaging, choosing correct color combinations, typography, checking for legal compatibility, and much more. You can’t possibly be well-versed in all of these areas.

Get specialists from different fields to help you out. They may even see something you omitted. Not too many that there will be several conflicting ideas or heavy budget-straining, but enough that you don’t leave any aspect to unqualified persons.

5. Spend within your budget

When starting out a new business, the business owner is always likely to spend on utterly irrelevant things. Packaging is not one of them. However, you need to spend wisely.

You don’t want to spend all your money on your packaging and then flop with the product itself. Always remember that your product will speak for you, not the packaging. Of course, the packaging may attract people, but it by no means assures people of coming back for more. Your product does that.

Thus, ensure you proportion your budget nicely, not overspending on your packaging to limit funds for the actual product or staff of the business.

6. Streamline your requirements to your audience

One of the best things about CBD products is the wide variety involved with them. There are just so many different products you can sell, and by implication, a wide range of audiences.

When designing your CBD packaging, ensure that you streamline it to the audience you are targeting. CBD products for pets that are dull and very basic may not attract too many people. But splash in a few colors, pictures, and some pretty fonts, and you have yourself an almost perfect CBD packaging, at least on the design front.

You have to know what your target audience is and then what they like.

7. Keep it simple

One of the biggest mistakes people make with their CBD packaging is going over the top with it. And by over the top, we mean jamming fonts, pictures and just overcrowding the packaging. Some even go as far as using formats that simply don’t work.

You don’t have to go over the top to produce great CBD packaging. At times, less is more. Don’t neglect the fundamentals. With fonts, you don’t have to use more than two, and use simple, readable fonts if you can too.

8. Sufficient and correct information

People often mistake simplicity with little information. Nope. Your CBD packaging can be simple and still contain sufficient information. They aren’t mutually exclusive.

Don’t overcrowd your label or stuff it with information, but it still needs to contain important information about your products and other details regulatory bodies require.

In the process of supplying sufficient information, ensure it is correct information. Wrong information can do more than lose you customers; it can lose you your business.

Conclusion

Designing proper CBD packaging is vital for both attracting customers and retaining them. Packaging is fundamental to any product, making it all the more shocking the number of people who design it shabbily.

There are essential tips and elements to note, many of which this article has highlighted. In any case, you have to ensure your CBD packaging is functional, appealing, and legally correct.

If you like what you’ve read (we’re sure you do!), feel free to reach out to us at Digital Octane. We provide eCommerce website development for CBD sellers and CBD marketing, packaging and SEO services as well. Our team of experts will also be willing to help out with any challenges you are facing as a small CBD business, especially CBD packaging issues.