Many people are prepared to pay a pretty penny for their electronics, with the average American household spending about $1,767 on new electronic products per year. To justify their spending, consumers expect top-tier performance, durability, sleek design, and innovation. And it all starts with the electronics packaging.
In this article, I’m going to help you snap up your share of the electronics market through the power of quality product packaging design. We’ll start by taking inspiration from some of the slickest electronic packaging examples. Then we’ll look at the best practices to follow for effective electronic packaging design.
Let’s get to it.
Seven best electronics packaging design examples
The consumer electronics industry includes everything from smartphones and cameras to speakers and game consoles. But no matter which category your product falls into, you’ll need to pull out all the stops to stand out from a bunch of other brands. And custom electronic packaging design could be the thing that gives you an edge over your competitors.
I’m going to share some of my all-time favorite custom packaging designs to help get the creative cogs turning for your own packaging design process.
1. Apple’s iPhone packaging
Image source: The One Club
No surprises here! Apple is a master when it comes to packaging its electronic devices. And while its boxes and compartments might look delightfully simple, there’s a science behind Apple’s packaging that has turned the unboxing experience into an integral part of the customer journey.
Its minimalist, modular design style oozes innovation. While the use of quality materials gives each product an instant premium feel. Every element has been strategically considered, from the crisp white color palette to the smooth matte finish on the outer packaging.
This attention to detail shows a real dedication to quality and builds trust with the customer from day one.
The fast way to get feedback on packaging
Get clear and collaborative comments right on top of your packaging artwork.
2. Sony’s PlayStation 5 packaging
Image source: Sony
Sustainability was the name of the game for Sony when it brought its new PS5 console to market a couple years ago. The brand outlined its commitment to cutting out plastic wherever possible by using more innovative, eco-friendly packaging elements. And I gotta say, the results are pretty impressive.
Sony said goodbye to polystyrene and plastic trays, replaced plastic cable ties with paper cable ties, got rid of plastic protection bags, and used folded cardboard tabs rather than gluing them together. All these tweaks came together to create a cohesive unboxing experience that’s free from unnecessary waste materials.
By taking real measures to make its packaging more sustainable, Sony proved that premium, protective packaging and eco-conscious design can go hand in hand.
3. Fujifilm’s instax camera packaging
Image source: PrintWeek
Fujifilm brought style and practicality together beautifully in this packaging example for its instant mini camera. So much so that it picked up a few design awards when it first launched.
The camera was designed to be simple yet elegant, with a few high-tech features thrown in. And the brand reflected this trendy, stylish vibe in its packaging by playing with the shapes and colors of the camera itself.
Another neat element of this packaging was to showcase real developed photos on the side of each box. Anyone could then scan the QR code and look through more photos in their own time. I think this is a really clever idea that makes packaging work that bit harder by showcasing more of what the product can do.
4. LARQ’s self-cleaning bottle packaging
Image source: Basq
If you’ve never seen these beauties before, LARQ bottles purify your drinking water in 60 seconds to keep your bottle clean and sans smell.
This product is perfect for anyone that wants to keep their bottle bacteria-free without needing to physically wash it everyday. And it’s particularly useful for camping, hiking, or spending lots of time outdoors, as it can clean water from natural sources like rivers and streams.
Freshness and purity inspire the visual elements in this electronics packaging, with simple illustrations of mountains, trees, and skylines against a plain white backdrop. Pops of coral and blue bring across the brand’s identity while keeping everything bright and breezy.
5. Polaroid’s headphones
Image source: Packaging of the world
Polaroid’s brand personality is built around creativity and imagination. And this headphones packaging embodies just that with playful fonts and bright, bold colors. Bursting with personality, the product and packaging combo speaks to anyone who likes to express themselves through their electronics.
The consumer electronics market is a crowded space and standing out from the crowd is super important. The shape of the packaging is quite different from what most people might be used to or expect, with the headphones folded up and in full view for potential customers.
This example works so well because it’s both eye-catching and informative, putting the product at the heart of the design.
6. Motto’s Multitech blender packaging
Image source: Kiwikana
This blender packaging from Motto is a feast for the eyes filled with lots of color and rich imagery. The messaging is simple yet informative while the overhead food shots provide a nice serving of inspiration for potential customers. All the things you want to do if you’re in the kitchen appliance business!
Often, electronics packaging puts a lot of focus on sleek design and neutral color palettes. Which makes this pretty pink packaging stand out even more. Everything you see on the box has been carefully considered, from the icons to the individual ingredients. The result is a cohesive look designed to appeal to first-time buyers and seasoned foodies alike.
7. Razer Blade laptop packaging
Image source: Bjorn3d
While I love a pop of color, there’s no doubt that quality black packaging creates an instant premium feel.
Razer, a brand synonymous with high-end gaming gear, packages its Blade laptops in simple, company black boxes cushioned with biodegradable airbags for extra protection. While the color palette is almost exclusively black, the brand plays with texture to create something special.
The matte finish of the packaging really makes the glossy laptop pop and draws the eye into the brand’s neon green logo in the center. All in all, the design is oh-so sleek and delightfully compliments the product within.
The fast way to get feedback on packaging
Get clear and collaborative comments right on top of your packaging artwork.
Six best practices for electronics packaging
Hopefully the examples above have inspired you to design some stellar electronics packaging of your own. But before you start creating packaging, here’s a checklist of best practices to consider throughout the packaging design process.
1. Durability is key
Electronics aren’t cheap. And they can often be fragile. Which is why your packaging needs to provide robust protection for both shipping and handling.
As a rule of thumb, you should choose sturdy outer materials like thick cardboard. Then you’ll want to use shock absorbent elements inside like molded fiber, cardboard inserts, or foam that cushion the product without adding too much bulk to the whole package.
It’s also important to make sure everything is securely fastened to prevent movement and potential damage inside the box.
2. Design for efficient storage and transport
Electronics packaging isn’t solely about protecting the product. It also needs to be practical for storage and transport. Designing compact, stackable packaging can help you reduce shipping costs and improve the way your product sits on shelves too.
Aim for packaging that uses space wisely. Consider collapsible inserts or modular designs that fit snugly, allowing the product to be safely stacked in warehouses or retail stores.
Need some inspiration? Check out our guide on how to use AI packaging design for unique and creative packaging solutions.
3. Create a memorable unboxing experience
Unboxing is often the first physical interaction consumers have with your product. You can make the most of this experience and create an epic first impression by using sleek designs, organized compartments, and premium materials.
Unboxing videos on social media are also an effective marketing strategy to think about when designing your packaging. There are lots of tactics to tell a story here with embossed elements, layered packaging, and brand messaging inside the box.
4. Opt for sustainable materials
No matter the product, consumers care about the environmental impact of the things they buy. So make sure to put some time and effort into making your packaging more eco-friendly.
One of the simplest sustainable packaging ideas is to choose the right-sized packaging to begin with. This will minimize any excess material while still protecting the precious product. Then you can look at swapping out plastics for materials like recycled paper or cardboard.
5. Go big on branding
At the end of the day, your electronics packaging is a piece of marketing for your product and your brand. Use the space to tell your brand’s story. And let your brand identity inspire your design, from the colors and fonts through to the texture of the materials.
Consistent, cohesive product packaging can work wonders for brand recall down the line. So while taking inspiration from other brands is definitely helpful, make sure to create something that’s unique to your brand too.
6. Review your packaging designs
The best electronic packaging solutions aren’t designed in a day. It takes time, thought, and a lot of teamwork to create something that does your product justice. But a shared place to gather ideas and collect feedback on packaging designs can make the process so much smoother.
Filestage is a tool that simplifies the way you collaborate with your teammates and stakeholders. It lets you leave real-time feedback, upload new file versions, and track changes so you can make sure your packaging ticks all the boxes and gets produced on time.
Final thoughts
Consumers have high expectations when it comes to the electronic products they buy. And packaging has a huge part to play in creating an exceptional customer experience. It’s an opportunity to show people what they can expect from you as a brand.
I hope this article inspires you to create some stellar electronics packaging. And if you need a tool like Filestage to help review your next design, give it a go for free.
