Autumn is in the air… soon the leaves will fall and the air will get colder and rainier… and we’ll be wearing thick jumpers with comfy blankets wrapped around us… (Or I will be anyway… can I start now?)
With all this comes the opportunity to give your packaging a seasonal movie-style makeover - whether it’s an all out new haircut, colour, and style, or just a fringe, it can be nice to just mix it up! So are you gearing up for holiday promotions (Halloween is creeping up on us…), or do you simply want to give your packaging a more subtle autumnal vibe? Either way, here’s how to make your packaging stand out for the season!
Go for earthy, warm palettes
Nothing says autumn like burnt oranges, deep reds, dark greens, and krafty browns. It’s all about invoking feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia... marathoning the Harry Potter movies yet again while drinking hot chocolate - or whatever it is you get up to on a rainy day...
Fitting these colours into your packaging is an easy win - whether you go all out with bold new boxes or just a small update with some ribbon. Design ideas could be a kraft box with a gold foil leaf - in fact foil printing is a great way to add an autumn vibe in a really pretty way, whether you're printing leaves or just your logo!
Not ready to abandon your brand colours? No worries! You can add lil touches without a complete overhaul. Think about adding accessories like tissue paper, ribbon, or seasonal stickers to give your existing range that lovely autumn glow-up.
Feeling eco-friendly?
Being sustainable is key to businesses big and small - and guess what? Autumn is the perfect time to lean into eco-friendly packaging that aligns with the season’s earthy vibes.
Customers love knowing that their fave businesses care about the planet as much as they do, so swapping to recycled paper, cardboard, and biodegradable packaging is another big win, and can last waay beyond the season. And there’s just something so naturally appealing about kraft paper and twine… especially as we edge closer and closer to wrapping up gifts and singing Christmas songs… (Is it still too early?)
Reusable containers like tins and bags that can be repurposed are also gaining popularity. Not only do they support sustainability, but they also provide added value to the customer - if they're anything like me they'll want to keep pretty packaging as it'll just be too nice to toss, so it's yet another win-win!
Try some bold lettering
Typography plays a big role in packaging, and with bold fonts and vintage-inspired lettering becoming more and more popular, why not embrace it for autumn? Retro-inspired fonts are another nod to nostalgia, and, when combined with some fall imagery, remind us of simpler times and classic autumn activities. Think imagery like having a nice cuppa or strolling through a pumpkin patch and deciding what design to carve... up for making a jack-o'-lantern this year, anyone?
When combined with a warm colour palette and those earthy materials we talked about earlier, bold typography can make a simple packaging design feel way more dynamic and memorable. Whether it’s a statement on a coffee bag or on a candle box, it can really set the tone for the season!
And embrace the holidays!
Offering limited-edition autumn packaging also creates excitement and urgency around your products. I know it does for me anyway, because who doesn’t love the idea of snagging something exclusive?
And if you offer subscription boxes, consider creating an autumn-themed edition that comes with custom autumn packaging. Not only does it create a buzz, but it gives customers something to look forward to every season!
Then of course there's the autumn holidays.... Halloween is just around the corner, fitting in perfectly with the orange tones of the season. Embrace this with some spooky bats, scary spiders, or other creepy crawlies printed on your packaging - whether it’s a box, bag, or a sticker.
And it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas... Going for a krafty palette with a bit of foil printed ribbon is great for the festive season - find out more on Christmas colour palettes here!
And there we have it! Spice up your life, and your brand's packaging, with some autumn vibes and make a lasting impression on your customers. So grab a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, or other beverage of choice (pumpkin spice lattes, anyone?), and get inspired!