5 Most Notable Packaging Trends to Watch in 2021

Looking at the newly revised packaging trends that reflect 2021 after 2020, Packative predicts the year’s must-know packaging trends for the manufacturing and distribution industries.

Sustainable Corrugated Packaging

As online shopping malls grew due to COVID-19, and offline-focused businesses also began online omnichannel operations, delivery and packaging for e-commerce have taken on a major role in business.

However, the environmental pollution caused by plastic and Styrofoam boxes has also emerged as a major issue. As major brands increasingly focus on sustainability and replacing plastic, interest in packaging materials appears to have shifted toward corrugated boxes.

Corrugated board is often used because it is lightweight yet durable, and since it is more sustainable than plastic, it is expected to remain widely used until a new alternative material emerges.

Packative also offers corrugated board, paper, and printing options to provide products that meet consumers’ needs for eco-friendly packaging. If you are interested, please visit the Packative website.

If you are working on a package design, see also: Optimizing Maximum Efficiency for Online Stores with Eco-Friendly Packaging Materials

Source: ordergray / Source: OneNine5 / Source: we love / Source: WildFawnJewellery / Source: Dr.YangTea

Minimalist Packaging Design

One of the biggest changes in Korea’s packaging market in the 21st century is the shift in design driven by aesthetics and trends. Packaging that goes beyond purely functional information design and places greater emphasis on aesthetics while aligning with global design trends is now especially noticeable.

Since current design trends have moved toward minimalism, we can expect to see packages featuring minimal typography and brand identity for some time.

If you are considering package production, this is a must-read: A Quick Look at 2020 Retail and E-Commerce Trends

Source: Tiaré / Source: A.N Other / Source: Bond / Source: Springs smokery / Source: Kontrapunkt / Source: Essen international

Smart Packaging

With the rapid advancement of technology, smart packaging in 2021 is emerging through the growth of augmented reality (AR), cloud labeling, anti-counterfeit tags, and tracking technology. David Mather, Senior Marketing Manager at Zappar, predicts that 2021 will be a year for packaging linked to AR use.

AR-enabled packaging, with its limitless scalability, can provide customers with immersive storytelling and deliver more attention-grabbing information about a brand’s purpose and origins through multimedia. This offers a major benefit that directly supports repeat purchases and customer loyalty.

If you are considering package production, this is a must-read: The Importance of Shopping Mall Packaging Boxes (Including a Collection of Beautiful Boxes)

You can check various recipes through AR (Source: Heinz)

Edible Packaging

Research into edible packaging materials has continued steadily since last year. Efforts toward such innovation are expected to continue in 2021 as well. In particular, after edible packaging gained major popularity in social media campaigns and crowdfunding, the growing demand to turn food packaging into edible materials has made it possible to experiment at any time with new materials such as edible waffle packaging.

Also, as dining out has become difficult due to the coronavirus and takeout and delivery food have become more popular, this shift appears even more pronounced.

These new perspectives and approaches to packaging are efforts to move closer to a sustainable future, and millennial consumers are enthusiastic about them.

If you are working on a package design, see also: The Basic Guide to Product Box Design — Even Design Beginners Can Do It!

Eco-friendly packaging material made from seaweed (Source: Evoware)

100% Recyclable Materials

Interest in a sustainable future continues to grow. It was one of the retail industry’s major trends in 2020 and is expected to be much the same in 2021.

Source: L´Oreal / Source: TheSwitchfix / Source: Starbucks

Some companies have begun producing packaging from 100% recyclable materials rather than partially recyclable materials. Some brands are actively using glass bottles to make products easier to recycle, and Coca-Cola has decided to use recycled plastic bottles.

If you are working on package design, see also: 7 Strategies to Practice for Sustainable Package Production

There is no doubt that demand for recycled materials and packaging will increase far more than before. Natural materials will soon replace conventional plastic and become one of the marketing indicators that show customers a brand is environmentally friendly.

Find out how easy it is to create eco-friendly custom boxes with Packative!