Your cosmetic packaging design is one key feature of your product. As required by the law, every cosmetic packaging must have some basic information. The Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, run and enforce multiple guidelines.
Along with that information, your product still needs to be appealing to consumers. For instance, many of our cosmetic brand clients turn to Penji to make their packaging irresistible to their target market.
That said, there should be a balance between design and information, and once you’ve mastered both, you’ll have customers. But first, you need to know what to include in your cosmetic packaging design.
Location
It might seem obvious to some, but it’s easy to forget about adding your address. The location on the product depends on where it was created. If it’s the manufacturer or distributor, it has to be labeled as such. If it comes from a distributor, you can’t label the address as ‘Manufactured From’. You must also include the corporate address if it differs from the manufacturer or distributors.
Even if it seems like the location isn’t important, it is because there are consumers who will want to learn more about where your products come from. Some consumers look for products specifically created in the United States, while others want to research the manufacturers themselves.
List of ingredients
Your ingredients are important to show exactly what goes into your product. For some customers, they’re afraid of the chemical components that go into makeup. While some ingredients are almost unavoidable, consumers will look at the list more than previous generations. It’s become a trend with millennial and gen-z shoppers to buy products they know are organically sound. It’s not bad to care about your skin and health, but it can be bad for your company if you’re not tailoring to demand.
Despite the rising popularity, it’s also required by law to include all ingredients used in order of the amount included. The first element is the most prominent ingredient. From there, you descend down until you reach items that have less than one percent. Everything that has less than that is thrown into that one category. Some lists are much longer than others. What’s included will depend on the product itself.
Matching Primary and Secondary Packaging
Not all products come in one type of packaging. It’s common to see makeup products use a secondary, outer packing along with their primary.
For products like foundation and mascara with unique primary packaging, it’s absolutely necessary to protect the product. It can prevent potential spillage or glass breaking when it’s being transported. However, just because it’s used as protection doesn’t mean it can’t look good.
Both types of packaging are important to creating a brand identity because if you create an entire line of products, you want consumers to know without having to read any labels. We, at Penji, know just how to create both types of packaging to make your product look great inside and out.
Especially with makeup lines and skincare packaging design, they typically use the same colors, fonts, and designs on their secondary packaging to improve branding. Your designs don’t have to be complicated, but they should be cohesive.
Consider physical design
We’ve touched on some graphic design aspects, but there’s also the actual physical cosmetic packaging. It’s obvious you need something to put your makeup into, but not just any container will work. You need something that works best for your product and the image you want to get across. For products like lipstick box design, mascara, and eyeshadow, you’re looking at dozens of options. Not everything is ideal for your design either.
Some products like highlighter and setting powder have the option of a clear or solid lid. Depending on how the makeup itself is designed, you can consider either one to help it look more appealing to customers. It’s a small detail, but it’s the specifics that help your cosmetic packaging design stand out even more.
Warnings and Cautions
Not all cosmetics need warnings. However, it’s required by law to include warnings on sprays and foams. Even if the item is mostly harmless, there are some requirements you need to be aware of. For cosmetic aerosols, there are two types of warnings.
One is specifically to use as directed. It’s common sense, but unfortunately, not everyone thinks about it at the moment. The other is more specific, with multiple warnings to keep it out of reach of children, avoid puncturing, and keeping it below a certain temperature.
Your product might not need a warning, but if it does, it needs to be a specific size. For instance, your type cannot be less than 1/16 of an inch and must be on a contrasting background. This is the guideline for all warnings on all cosmetic packaging. This impacts smaller products then it does larger ones, but it’s still necessary.
Expiration Date
Every single cosmetic packaging includes an expiration date. This is a symbol more consumers look for to determine how long they have before the makeup is no longer considered ‘safe’. There are no real guidelines for expiration dates, but manufacturers have to make sure it’s safe before it’s sold. One of the ways is to include an expiration date on there.
Depending on the type of product, the shelf life can be as short. It depends on what the makeup is interacting with on your face. For eye makeup, it can expire as quickly as two months because the eye is more prone to bacteria every time you use it. That’s why products like foundation and concealer have longer shelf lives. They’re still touching your skin, but the bacteria isn’t going in as easily or compromising your immune system.
Every product has its own requirements, but as long as you follow the rules and include everything on your cosmetic packaging design, you’ll have no problem legally. Design wise, experiment with colors and see what works best with the brand image you want to get across. Everything will fall into place, and before you know it, your line will be praised for its design.
Requesting Cosmetic Packaging Design from Penji
If you’re intimidated by the thought of designing your product packaging, fret not. We have designers who are well-versed in cosmetic box designs. They create the best packaging that suits your product and brand while conforming to the standards.
Best of all, requesting a design from us only takes three steps:
1. Create Project
In the dashboard, click New Project. Then, type in the title and choose the category and the size that you prefer. In the description box, type how you want the design to look like. You can also choose royalty-free photos to incorporate in the design. Once done, hit Create Project and it will be assigned to a designer who specializes in that field.
2. Review and Revise
Within 24 to 48 hours, the designer will submit a draft of the design. Simply click the file on the thread to see the image. If it fits your requirements, proceed to step three. If not, click on the part of the image you want to be changed and type in your comments. The design will be returned to the designer for revision. All our packages come with unlimited revision, so don’t be afraid to return the design over and over until you’re absolutely satisfied!
3. Download
Once you’re happy with the design, click the “Download” button and it will automatically be saved to your computer.
Didn’t realize getting a packaging design can be this easy? Well, it is with us!
Check out our packages and see which one fits your brand’s unique needs. Try out a 15-day 100% money-back guarantee, there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain with trying out our service.
