Branding mockups aren’t just tools; they’re the storytellers of your brand’s visual saga.
Imagine walking into a world where every element of your brand – from the sleek lines of your logo to the vibrant colors of your packaging – comes to life before it even hits the market.
This is the power of a well-crafted branding mockup. It’s where creativity meets reality, and where first impressions are not just made, but meticulously sculpted.
In this guide, we’ll embark on a journey through the art and science of branding mockups, unveiling how they transform abstract ideas into tangible masterpieces that speak volumes about your brand’s identity.
IWith the right mindset, tools, and services (hint: we have fantastic designers here at Penji), you can have effective and powerful branding mockups that will take your business to the next level.
What is a branding mockup?
In a nutshell, a branding mockup is a visual asset used to create a realistic image of how your designs or products will look in real life. Mockups allow you to show your branding and product designs without having to conduct a pictorial. Mockups are often used for:
- Packaging for products, including boxes, cans, and pouches
- Clothing, such as shirts and sweaters
- Branding assets, such as stationery, websites, and business cards
- Printed products, like books and magazines
- Digital products such as e-brochures and ebooks
- Home and living items, like blankets, kitchenware and pillows
If you’re looking for the best branding mockups, here are some impressive examples to inspire you:
1. Tote Mockup
Image made via Smartmockups
First on our list of branding mockups is this example featuring a simple canvas tote. Made from Smartmockups, the image features a simple image of a person wearing the bag, highlighting the printed design.
2. Shopping App Mockup
Image made via Smartmockups
If you’re wondering what vector graphics in your app would look like in real life, you can run it through a mockup generator. For instance, this shopping app for a skincare line made with Smartmockups via Canva shows how it would appear from the consumer’s end.
3. Beige and Gray Stationery Mockup
Image Credit: Behance
Stationery branding mockups are a great way to establish one’s credibility as a brand. Take this image from Behance, for example. The mockup shows a tasteful color scheme perfect for an austere and minimalist brand.
4. Hoodie Mockup
Image made via Smartmockups
Wondering if your chosen design looks good on apparel? This template from Smartmockups does just that. TIP: When selecting a template, choose an image that reflects your brand. For instance, this image is an excellent choice if your target market is moms looking for cute but functional clothes. On the other hand, if you’re marketing your brand toward sports buffs, this image may not work very well.
5. Book Mockup
This example is one of the branding mockups from our portfolio here at Penji. As seen from the image, the mockup allows the viewer to visualize the book on their desk, giving it a more personal look for marketing assets.
6. Taco Holder Box Mockup
Here’s another awesome mockup from Penji – a box for a taco holder product. This mockup allows the business owner to have high-quality images of the product without printing the design on a box and doing a photoshoot.
7. Coffee Cup Mockup
Image made via Smartmockups
If you’re looking for branding mockups free for your coffee shop, this template from Smartmockups is an awesome choice.
8. Bakery Ordering App Mockup
Image made via Smartmockups
This example, made with Smartmockups via Canva, shows how a bakery ordering app looks on a smartphone.
9. Drink Can Mockup
Image Credit: Behance
If you need images of your drink cans without spending for a photo shoot, check out this awesome template from Behance.
10. Forest-Themed Mockup
Your branding mockup should emphasize the quality of your vector drawing and other branding elements. Take a cue from this stationery and business card mockup example made by one of our awesome designers here at Penji.
Why do you need a branding mockup?
Branding mockups are awesome visual assets because they allow you to display products, designs, or branding in a realistic image.
Take this for an example – some designs may look good on a computer screen but don’t look as nice once printed on items, such as shirts or sweaters. When used to showcase product design, branding mockups offer customers a clear picture of what they’re buying.
On the other hand, mockups for branding assets such as company stationery or websites serve a different purpose. These mockups paint a professional look for a firm, making it look stable and well-established.
Get branded visuals for a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time designer.
Incorporating Mockups in Visual Branding Strategies
When thoughtfully integrated into your branding strategy, mockups serve as a canvas where your brand’s visual story unfolds, offering a glimpse into the heart of your brand identity.
Here’s how you can master the art of incorporating mockups into your visual branding strategy to create a lasting impact.
1. Start with Your Brand’s Core Identity
Before diving into mockups, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your brand’s core identity. This includes your brand’s mission, values, target audience, and aesthetic preferences. Your mockups should be a reflection of these elements, ensuring that every visual detail aligns with what your brand stands for.
For instance, this mockup for a personalized engraved text message on Etsy uses soft fabrics and a clean white background, evoking a sentimental feeling consistent with the venture’s brand identity.
Image Credit: Artworkgf from Etsy
2. Choose the Right Type of Mockup
There’s a myriad of mockup types available, each serving a different purpose. From digital product mockups for apps and websites to physical product mockups for packaging and merchandise, selecting the right type is key. Consider where and how the mockup will be used and what it needs to communicate to your audience.
3. Focus on Realism and Quality
High-quality, realistic mockups can make a world of difference in how your brand is perceived. Invest in mockups that look professional and accurately represent your products. This attention to detail and quality will reflect positively on your brand, building trust and credibility with your audience.
This mockup from a shirt store on Amazon shows how the shirt fits a person.
Image Credit: Mom’s care from Amazon
4. Consistency Across All Platforms
Ensure that your mockups maintain a consistent look and feel across all platforms. Whether it’s your website, social media, or print materials, consistency in your visual branding helps in building a cohesive brand image. This consistency should extend to colors, fonts, and overall design style.
5. Use Mockups to Tell a Story
Every brand has a story, and mockups are a powerful way to tell it. Use them to create scenarios or settings that resonate with your audience. For instance, a mockup of a coffee cup can be set in a cozy café scene, evoking feelings of warmth and comfort that align with your brand’s narrative.
For example, this tote bag mockup tells the story of an organized person caring for the environment and favors a clean, minimalist, fun aesthetic.
Image Credit: DreamerMocks from Etsy
6. Incorporate User-Centric Design
Consider how your target audience will interact with your product and reflect this in your mockups. For digital products, this might mean showing the user interface in a way that highlights ease of use. For physical products, it could involve showcasing the product in a real-life context that appeals to your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mock-up in marketing?
In marketing, a mockup is a full-scale model or digital representation of a product, advertisement, or any branding material used to demonstrate, promote, or test the design before it’s finalized and produced. It serves as a visual tool to showcase how the final product will look and feel in a real-world context.
What is the purpose of a mockup?
The purpose of a mockup is to create a realistic representation of a product, design, or concept, allowing designers, clients, and stakeholders to visualize and evaluate the final appearance and functionality before actual production or implementation. It serves as a practical tool for reviewing design elements, making improvements, and ensuring alignment with the intended vision and user experience.
Why are mockups important in branding?
By offering a realistic representation of the final product, mockups help in making informed decisions, refining design strategies, and effectively communicating the brand’s message to the target audience. This not only enhances the brand’s visual appeal but also builds trust and credibility with consumers, making mockups an indispensable tool in the branding process.
Tips on creating branding mockups
Here are some tips and tricks for creating the best branding mockups possible:
- Create your design elements beforehand. If you’re creating branding mockups for your business products, make sure that you have your design elements ready. For instance, prepare your final logo, color schemes, and the other elements of your branding kit.
- Use high-quality images and designs. If you want your branding mockups to be high-quality, you must use high-quality images and designs. Using low-quality images and designs will reflect poorly on your branding, and they will end up looking unprofessional and hastily made. This is especially crucial if you plan on displaying your mockups online.
- Use design elements that reflect your brand and identity. There are many branding mockup generator options available online, for sure. But here’s the problem – they can be pretty generic, and you might not find options with design elements that reflect your brand. For instance, your minimalist brand might need simple background designs for your mockup, and there isn’t a guarantee that you’ll find one from mockup generators. One workaround would be to edit the rendered mockups to add your color palette or have a professional do it for you.
When it comes to branding mockups, one created by a professional designer is still the best. If you need a mockup tailor-fit for your project, leave it to our expert designers here at Penji. We have the top 2 percent of designers who can craft awesome graphics.
Here are some branding mockups we’ve done for clients in the past:
Best of all, we offer unlimited designs at a flat monthly cost, so you’ll get awesome value for your money. Sign up now and get a 30-day money-back guarantee on your designs.
