Self-Sell Packaging Delivers Great Gifts

According to Perception Research Services, a company that studies consumer reactions to product packaging, packaging design affects the success of a product even more than the quality or use of the product itself. The main argument is that if the packaging isn’t seen or doesn’t compel a purchase, the product will never be used in the first place. According to their research, an overwhelming majority of product failures have nothing to do with the value of the product. So, what makes good packaging?

The first consideration should always be getting the product noticed on the shelf. How the product looks on the shelf and next to the competition is an important consideration in packaging design, if not the most important. Scott Young of Perception Research Services points out that shoppers rarely survey the shelves looking for a new product. To get new customers, products have to grab shoppers’ attention.

An effective way to stand out on the shelf is changing the packaging structure, “thinking outside the box”. Packaging that literally breaks the mold will inherently stand out on the shelf and get noticed. However, make sure that an unusual shape does not waste retailer’s limited display space.

Examples of quality products, with self-sell packaging include: Baby Aspen, Kee-Ka, The Baby Bunch and Carrie and Company.

Baby Aspen First Captures the Eye

Baby Aspen manufactures baby gifts and products with an expertly designed packaging scheme unique to each item. Some of the newest products and packaging ideas include the “Croc in Socks” plush toy and socks gift set. The combo includes a plush crocodile and four pairs of socks with mod patterns and color schemes. The socks are folded and placed in the arms of the crocodile. Then, to add an element of fun, the plushy is wearing two different socks from the set. This is a great example of how creative packaging doesn’t have to cost extra and may have more to do with original presentation than design graphics.

Baby Aspen’s Butterfly Bloomers are colorful bloomers with 3-D plush butterflies. The bloomers come in a set of three in various colors in a clear box. Each is rolled and holes on the front of the box allow the butterfly wings to flap freely. Not only does this packaging highlight the main feature of the bloomers, it allows customers to experience the quality of the product before buying.

For more examples of gifts that pack packaging punch, see www.babyaspen.com

Kee-Ka Is Packed with Love

Kee-Ka Organics is a collection of infant and baby clothing that provides natural and environmentally safe products. The name was inspired by the sounds of baby babble and the entire line is designed with 100% certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes.

Kee-Ka products are purchased in ready-to-mail gift boxes made from recycled paper. The brown paper boxes are obviously recycled at first glance, which immediately conveys to the customer that Kee-Ka supports the cause. Kee-Ka took their packaging one step further by considering how the consumer might get additional value from their boxes, and in the process, they are saving an additional box that would be used for shipping! They are not only saving the consumer time and money on shipping costs, they are also reducing any additional waste their product may create through the gifting process.

Kee-Ka gift boxes include pre-printed To and From lines for sender and recipient addresses and are completed with a sleeve, also made from recycled paper.

It’s no wonder this line has earned awards for its packaging! www.kee-ka.com

The Baby Bunch Offers Calorie-Free Sweet Treats

Buying and gifting a baby layette is more fun when it’s packaged as the Baby Bouquet Bunch from The Baby Bunch. Classic newborn essentials pop off the shelves with Baby Bunch’s creative packaging. Instead of focusing on the package, Baby Bunch uses the product to create different visual effects. The signature Baby Bunch is a complete layette arranged as a bouquet of flowers. The soft cotton pieces are rolled in the shape of roses and are arranged with faux greenery.

My First Suitcase is a new product in the line that includes a one-piece cotton sleep suit, teddy bear, passport cover, and luggage tag; the perfect travel kit packaged in an antique style case. An ideal gift for visiting grandma!

The PJ Birdhouse includes 100% cotton jammies with striped pants and solid tops with a chest bird graphic. As cute as the pjs are, packaged in a birdhouse-shaped box, they are something to tweet about.

Other classic designs from Baby Bunch include the bodysuit cupcakes and the sweet lollipops. The cupcakes package includes two bodysuits that are wrapped to look like cupcakes. The packaging is complete with ribbon and gift tag. The sweet lollipops are striped bodysuits rolled to look like a lollipop on a stick. Almost too sweet looking to unwrap!

These gifts increase the power of impulse buys: www.babybunch.com

Tops and Toe Delights from Carrie and Company

The Carrie and Company Mimi Couture line includes hats and shoes for baby. The shoes and hats are all comfy fleece.

Little Locks is a collection of fanciful and fun hats topped with funky “hair style” Girl versions including curly pigtails, Mohawks, and long braided pigtails. Boy versions include Mohawks and spiky flat tops.

Kozitozis are the fleece shoes, which come in high top styles for boys and girls and mary janes. Look for the newest line — Little Kid Lids: fedora style hats for babies!

The Mimi Couture line is original enough that most brands would stop with the product. But Carrie and Company takes it one step higher with creative packaging that adds to the product. Each hat and pair of shoes is packaged in an old-fashioned hatbox. While the packaging itself is unique and immediately conveys that the product is a quality hat, the coloring is also modern and sleek. The classic hatboxes show that subtle changes to packaging not only make a product stand out, but also convey meaning about a brand and a product.

These hats and shoes are perfect from top to toe: www.carrieandco.com