In the rapidly evolving cannabis market where competition is fierce and regulations are stringent, your product’s packaging isn’t just a container; it’s your silent salesperson. The power of packaging in influencing consumer decisions cannot be overstated. In fact, according to a study by the Paper and Packaging Board, 72% of consumers agree that packaging design can influence their purchasing decisions.
For cannabis products, this influence is even more significant. In a vast sea of options, distinctive and attractive packaging can be the difference between a product flying off the shelves or slowly becoming just another option that gathers dust. Your cannabis packaging is often the first point of contact between your brand and potential customers, so it’s a critical touchpoint in your cannabis marketing strategy.
Why? Because effective cannabis packaging goes beyond mere aesthetics. It’s a multifaceted tool that:
- Communicates your brand’s identity and values
- Conveys product quality and purpose
- Ensures compliance with complex regulations
- Provides essential information to consumers
- Differentiates your product from competitors
Despite its importance, packaging often remains an underutilized aspect of cannabis marketing. Many businesses focus heavily on product development and distribution, overlooking the immense potential of strategic packaging design.
In an industry projected to reach $73.6 billion globally by 2027, standing out is more important than ever. Your cannabis packaging can be the key to capturing market share as it builds brand loyalty.
Here are four essential tips that will help you create cannabis packaging that not only complies with regulations but also captures attention, communicates value and ultimately drives sales.
1. Luxurious design
A luxurious cannabis packaging design will set you apart from the competition. It will instantly communicate a sense of quality and attract customers. In order to achieve this, you have to enlist the aid of professionals.
Hiring an experienced designer may seem like a big investment, but it is worth the price. Your product packaging forms the core of your identity as a brand – and it shouldn’t be changed too often, if at all.
Communicate with your designer of choice. Let them know what your story is, and what the values of your brand are. This will help them tell your story through a visual medium. A good logo will jumpstart your brand’s visual identity – you can’t put a price on that.
It’s important not to run afoul of any laws that may be in effect in your state. Cannabis packaging laws suggest that producers should stay away from colors and imagery that can be used to allure kids. This may be vague language, but it doesn’t mean the fines and penalties for failing to comply are to be taken lightly. If you have any doubts on whether your packaging violates such regulations, it’s best to go back to the drawing board.
A luxurious design will make your product unique from the get-go. Take a cue from other industries – custom, decorated glass jars can be acquired for a bargain and make for memorable packaging. A small investment will turn your packaging into an experience of luxury. Browse our custom glass jars >
Taking a hint from the artisanal coffee industry and using windowed mylar barrier bags will help you market your products much better. Mylar barrier bags are becoming the industry standard – make sure your packaging is properly sized, and that the product can be seen through the bag. A lot of shopping is still done by the eyeballs. Check out our collection of quality Mylar barrier bags.
2. Competitor research
Keep your ear to the ground and pay attention to what the competition is doing. Standing out is of the utmost importance. Unique packaging will help your products get noticed.
Being unique doesn’t mean that you can’t take cues from others. We recommend researching your competitors to experiment with and adopt certain design elements from more established brands. But remember: do not copy them. Instead, take inspiration from others but make it your own design. Then, put your own twist on it.
If your competitors all have similar packaging, you can easily figure out a way to stand out in the crowd. The larger point is paying attention to your competition matters. For more successful cannabis packaging designs, you’ll need to do your market research for a more holistic understanding of the market. Additionally, focus groups can also be invaluable in the long run to understand user pain points and what features appeal most to your customers.
Then it’s time to establish your strategy. Figure out what parts of the experience you want to emulate – from the visual appeal to the feeling of opening the product. When you’ve made prototypes of your own, start testing. The product feedback you receive will be invaluable in choosing what path to take.
Learn more about different cannabis branding strategies and find one that fits your products and your consumers best.
3. Compliant labeling
Cannabis products are subject to an extensive variety of rules and regulations. To stay in business and avoid legal issues, your products have to comply with these regulations.
For example, California regulations require certain font sizes, listing of net weight and volume and cannabinoid content on cannabis packaging labels. Different types of products, such as edibles, can have additional requirements. As an example, the packaging for edibles must be opaque. Check your state laws and comply with all of these requirements.
All of the information on your products should be clearly visible and easy to understand. Cannabis is listed as a pharmaceutical product, so there are a couple of added requirements.
Your cannabis packaging should be child-resistant. Depending on your state, this could mean including double closure features or other safety measures. These safety features must be tested to meet the latest safety regulations in your state. Get details on our child resistant packaging options.
Read more about recommended compliance tips for cannabis entrepreneurs.
4. Interactive components
One of the key features of packaging is to convey information to the customer. This information, in turn, can convince the customer to purchase a product. But the situation is a little more complex with cannabis.
The regulatory requirements for cannabis labeling present a challenge for producers. Fitting in attractive imagery, a brand identity, and other useful information isn’t an easy task. But technology can be of use here.
Using AR or augmented reality enables you to fit a lot more information onto your label. Customers can interact with your products even in the absence of a salesperson. This is a great way to decrease downtime and make the purchasing experience smoother for your customers.
Customers tend to try different products. Cannabis is versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. To ensure that your packaging sells, include detailed instructions on how to use the product in your labels. Having easy to follow instructions on the packaging will ensure that your customers enjoy your products in a safe, responsible manner.
Last but not least, you can add a lot of value to your packaging by including practical features or free accessories. Including a pipe box, quartz nail, or a small set of grinders and glass jars will instantly multiply the value of your packaging.
Accessories sell, and they’ll give you the reputation of a generous, consumer-oriented business. Follow these tips regarding cannabis packaging closely, and your products are bound to get noticed and stand out to shoppers.
Increase Visibility for Your Cannabis Brand with Strategic Packaging
In the competitive cannabis market, your packaging can make or break your product’s success. By focusing on luxurious design, conducting thorough competitor research, ensuring compliant labeling and incorporating interactive components, you can create packaging that attracts customers and simultaneously communicates your brand’s quality and values.
The bottom line is that effective cannabis packaging goes beyond aesthetics. It must comply with mandated regulations, provide essential information to consumers and enhance the overall user experience.
From our glass weed jars to Mylar barrier bags and everything in between, your organization’s cannabis packaging needs to tell your brand’s story and set you apart from the competition. Invest in your packaging strategy, and watch your cannabis products fly off the shelves and into the hands of satisfied customers.
Browse our wide selection of premium-grade cannabis packaging solutions.
