3 Tips for Finishing Success

Every year, it seems there are more product variations on the shelf, which makes it increasingly more difficult for brands to stand out. Sometimes, a first impression can make or break a consumer's purchasing decision. Make sure your packaging stands out from the competition by following these three tips for success:

1. Make Them Reach Out 

Since many purchases are made based on packaging alone, it's crucial that the consumer feels an emotional connection to the product. Once a consumer reaches out and touches or picks up a product, the chances of that product ending up on the shelf again are greatly reduced. A package that appeals enough to the consumer to make them want to hold it in their hands creates a perceived value of the product inside. Simple embossing or a spot gloss can produce just the right effect to make a consumer want to engage with the packaging.

2. Mix It Up A Little

Since more products hit the shelves every year, companies need to get creative with finishing. Using diecutting to give consumers a glimpse of the product inside is a straightforward way to make a package a little more visually appealing. Combining various techniques can also take a package to the next level. Specialty and reverse creasing coupled with diecutting can do the trick. Adding hot foil stamping to the mix can take the package even further.

3. Do It Digital

Digital finishing can make spot UV coating and embossed spot UV varnish a reality. What's more, finishing a package digitally makes personalized embossing and foiling a possibility. With functional inks, a working RFID antenna can be printed directly on a package, enabling consumer interaction in a store or at home via their mobile device.

To learn more about the best strategies for finishing, read the full article "The Finishing Touch" from the April issue of packagePRINTING.