5 PACKAGING IDEAS THAT DON'T SUCK
Simple ways to turn an unboxing into an experience customers remember, & post about.
Packaging Is Like a First Date
It CAN NOT be boring. You don’t show up, mumble hello, and walk away.
You want to spark something. Leave a mark. Make them remember you. Make them brag to their friends about you.
And the best part is (& the best first dates too) you don’t need a huge budget to pull it off. Just a few clever details that turn a plain box or poly mailer into a moment worth sharing.
Here are five ideas that are simple, cheap, and unforgettable:
1. Scratch-Off Prize Cards
Instead of the same old “thank you” insert card, slip in a lottery-style scratcher. Discounts, free products, or even exclusive content.
Each order becomes a little game. People will actually look forward to opening the next one.
*BONUS* - they will probably record content of them doing the scratch off = WIN.
2. QR Code Experiences
You always hear “world building” from the brand expert talking heads. This is a cheap hack to do it.
A QR code that leads to a curated playlist, a founder led thank-you video, or even an AR filter tied to the brand. Use that package you shipped to them as a ticket back into the brand world.
3. Fold-Out Posters
Remember old magazines with pull-outs you’d tape to your wall? Bring that back.
Print a piece of art, a motivational / funny quote, or a graphic that folds out into a poster. Suddenly your packaging becomes part of someone’s space.
4. Custom Button Cards
Actually saw someone post this as a note on Substack a few days ago (sorry if this was you & thank you for the idea, i owe you 3 coffees).
This one is apparel focused but buttons don’t have to live in a small plastic bag. Put them on a custom card. Make it look intentional. Make it collectible. The kind of small detail people keep, and even show off.
5. Coasters or Matches
Small, cheap, and useful. I also realized after thinking of this you can not ship matches… so if you have a store or in person service, this can work.
But regardless, these both live on long after the box and wrapping are gone. These pieces will be sitting on a table, sparking conversations.
Hopefully reading this you got motivated to improve your packaging experience or share it with someone who needs to.
At the end of the day, packaging is a massively overlooked part of a brand. It’s about creating a moment people want to share.
People crave to show off who they are and what they are into… giving them a cool product in cool packaging is an EASY way to do that.
Inside my Skool community, I linked the factories and suppliers that can actually make these ideas happen as the weekly resource. Would love to see you in The Orchard.
Keep creating!
Love y’all.
-Carson 🍊