Are you ready to make your packaging POP? Yes? Great! We all know that first impressions matter when it comes to packaging, so for small businesses looking to stand out in the big wide world, colourful gift boxes can make all the difference.

But what colours should you choose for your brand's packaging? This can seem like a tricky question given just how many options are out there, so let's break it down and make it a bit more simple! Grab a cup of tea, get cosy, and we'll dive into some tips on how to choose the best shades for your business...

How colourful packaging can help your brand

A well-chosen gift box does more than just deliver a product - it speaks volumes about your brand and tells your customers exactly who you are. But why does colour play such an essential role?

Branding and emotional impact

The colours you choose for your gift boxes have a direct impact on how customers see your business. But how?

Emotional response: What do you think of when you see navy blue? Or bright yellow? Specific colours evoke specific emotions and associations, so tap into these when you think about your packaging. Radiant red, for example, brings a real sense of urgency to purchasing decisions, making it great if you're offering some bargains. 

Branding: Consistent use of colour in your packaging helps customers remember your brand. A distinctive shade can trigger immediate recognition, making your business way more memorable. You want to make it as easy as possible for customers to come back to you again and again, and being inconsistent with your colours is just plain confusing!

Products for each colour gift box

Of course choosing the right gift box colour also depends on the types of products you sell and the market you're trying to reach. So, let’s explore which products might work best with a few different packaging colours and why…

Apricot crush orange is a warm, inviting shade that’s just perfect for creating a cheerful and optimistic vibe. What comes to mind when you picture it - comfort? Joy? This bold colour is ideal for brands with a sunny, approachable personality, and it pairs beautifully with a variety of products, from food and drink hampers to gifts for children.

Radiant red is bold, energetic, and full of passion. It’s a strong statement colour, ideal for products that need to stand out or evoke excitement and energy. Use it for promotional packaging, for fast food and drink gift boxes, or for seasonal (like Christmas!) packaging.

Sage green is a soothing, earthy colour that makes us think about nature and sustainability, right? This calming hue works exceptionally well for brands that emphasise eco-friendliness or wellness, so think any eco-friendly product, home and garden products, and natural skincare and wellness products. Because we all need a bit of self-care sometimes, right?

Lilac is a soft, elegant colour that brings with it a sense of calm and creativity. This romantic shade works well for products that emphasise beauty and femininity, so these gift boxes can be used for all sorts of beauty and spa products, as well as jewellery and accessories.

Elemental blue is a versatile colour that conveys trust, professionalism, and reliability. This can suit a range of products, particularly those in the tech and health industries, as well as premium and corporate gifts.

These are just a few examples of course - there’s plenty of room for variation when it comes to colour choices for product packaging! There's also lots of different tones you can go for - astro dust for example is a deeper red that evokes a feeling of nostalgia, so serves a slightly different purpose than radiant red.  

How to choose the right colour for your gift box

So, choosing the right colour for your gift box requires a bit of a balancing act - between your products, brand personality, but also your target audience. Here’s a few more tips to help you select the best colours for your packaging:

Understand your brand personality: Every colour tells a story. For example, if your brand is playful and fun, you might lean towards a bright, vibrant colour like apricot crush, or even magenta pink. If your brand is more old-fashioned and nostalgic, you might opt for that deeper, richer tone of astro dust. The colours of your packaging should reflect who you are as a brand and what message you want to send.

Know your audience: Different audiences respond to colours in unique ways. For instance, younger audiences may be drawn to bold, energetic colours, while an older, more traditional audience might prefer classic, understated shades. Think about who your target customers are and choose colours that will appeal to their tastes and preferences!

Consider the season: Don’t forget to take the seasons into account when choosing your gift box colours! Sunny shades like bright yellow work beautifully in spring, while warm, earthy tones like terracotta orange are perfect for autumn. And incorporating seasonal colours (like radiant red and forest green) into your packaging can help your products feel timely and relevant, adding to their appeal during busy times of year, whether it's Christmas, or Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween etc.

It's well worth considering factors like box size and material too - you need to think of the whole package! Read our full guide here on choosing the right material for your brand's gift boxes.

And you might be wondering what's trending too - staying on top of what's popular will help you not get left behind! (Just FYI - for 2024 it's radiant red, fondant pink, cyber lime, apricot crush, elemental blue, digital lavender and astro dust.)

Celebrate the beauty of gift boxes

Ready to elevate your brand? As you can see, there are lots of factors that go into colour choices - so weigh up what you're trying to achieve to find the right one for your business. Explore our stunning collection of colourful gift boxes today, and get in touch with us at Tiny Box Company to find out more and discover the perfect packaging solutions for your business. You’ve got this!