Discover the latest and most exciting trends in branded cardboard boxes with our comprehensive guide.
(updated April 30th 2025)
Custom printed and branded cardboard boxes have become increasingly popular in recent years, revolutionising the way businesses package and present their products. Not only are they a practical, cost-efficient, environmentally friendly solution for safely delivering items, but they also function as a powerful marketing tool and as an advertising and branding opportunity, especially for on-line companies with no bricks and mortar presence.
In this article, we'll explore the top trends in branded cardboard boxes and why it is they’ve gained such traction in the e-commerce industry. We'll examine how they can help your e-commerce business succeed and stand out from the competition. Finally, we'll look at the best ways to maximise branding opportunities through packaging.
When it comes to branded cardboard boxes, there are several emerging trends of which businesses need to be aware and the first and foremost of these is increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging.
With the mounting awareness of ecological issues alongside a growing concern for the environment and drive towards sustainability, consumers are more conscious than ever before when it comes to the materials used in the products they purchase. And that also includes the packaging these products come in. This is why businesses in the know - including those in the fashion industry - are prioritising the use of sustainable and biodegradable packaging materials eschewing certain plastics and other non-biodegradable options. One of the most popular eco-friendly materials is recycled cardboard or cardboard manufactured using sustainable sources.
Unfortunately, environmental issues aren't solved simply by using one product over another: it's far more multi-faceted and complex than that. All sorts of factors must be taken into consideration - deforestation, manufacture, carbon emissions, waste management and recycling systems - before a true conclusion can be reached. Even when it comes to paper and cardboard, there are ways to be more sustainable. That said, a major plus point is that both paper and cardboard are biodegradable, so unlike many alternative packaging products, harm to the environment can be minimised because of their ability to break down naturally.
It's not just through their use of sustainable cardboard and paper that businesses are aiming to be eco-conscious and part of a circular economy. Many inks and coatings used on branded cardboard boxes are now free from harmful chemicals and solvents. These eco-friendly alternatives are just as good as creating vibrant, individualised, impactful packaging, but an added bonus is that they also align with consumer demand for sustainability, contributing to a healthier and safer product experience for customers.
There is still some way to go, but a business that is willing to do its research, explore all the options and adopt packaging solutions that minimise waste, keeps demand for raw materials as low as possible and ensures that harmful chemicals and solvents are relics of the past is bound to win over customers ensuring both their satisfaction and loyalty.
What a business must not do is fall into the trap of looking at sustainability from a marketing standpoint. Change has to be meaningful, not gimmicky.
In a digital, technological era dominated by social media, research shows that consumers crave unique, tailored experiences. By adding personal touches such as custom designs, messages or even customer names onto their boxes, businesses can create a more personalised and memorable unboxing experience for consumers and secure repeat custom. Even a package which isn't particularly personal and has been mass produced in a factory can still make use of this trend and foster personal connections with customers having graphics that are seen as more personal, i.e. doodles, fonts that resemble handwriting, sketches or scribbles.
Some companies are taking personalisation to the next level by offering interactive packaging. This includes boxes with hidden compartments, puzzles or even augmented reality elements that can be accessed through smartphones. These interactive features not only engage customers, heightening their sense of excitement and anticipation, but when done well, they can create a buzz about a particular brand or company, making a product more desirable and aspirational. This buzz lodges in the consciousness of consumers whether they're aware of it or not.
The use of eye-catching graphics, vibrant colours and geometric shapes is on the rise in the world of branded cardboard boxes. Recent surveys have shown that seven out of ten of us will buy a particular product based on its packaging. With so many products vying for consumers' attention, businesses are turning to visually appealing packaging designs which stand out from the crowd. Bold and vibrant colours, combined with captivating graphics, help grab the attention of potential customers and convey a brand's identity.
The reason for the importance of graphics is down to basic psychology: each of us responds to visual stimuli whether we’re conscious of doing so or not and often our shopping choices have just as much to do with the packaging as they do the product. Colours and shapes affect our emotions and our imaginations, evoking memories, arousing feelings and ultimately – if marketing is done correctly – impacting our wallets.
Whichever design a business goes for, the designs on their packaging need to complement their products. This is especially important in the world of e-commerce when the cardboard box is the first point of contact, not the salesperson.
Eye-catching doesn't have to mean colourful and vibrant. Simple shapes, muted colours and organic forms are also proving extremely popular.
Less can sometimes be a lot lot more.
Minimalism in packaging can be a bold statement. It suggests confidence in the product and the brand. A simple, uncluttered design focuses the attention on the product inside, creating a moment of anticipation and excitement that vibrant and busy designs might distract from. The use of muted colours, simple shapes, and organic forms can convey a sense of quality and thoughtfulness, making the unboxing experience a memorable one.
Moreover, minimalistic designs are often more sustainable. They usually require less ink and fewer materials, which not only reduces waste but also appeals to the growing segment of eco-conscious consumers. This approach aligns brand values with consumer values, fostering a deeper connection.
Everybody knows that being in the midst of nature does wonders for our physical and mental well being. Pair that with a customer's desire to shop from eco-conscious suppliers and you have a perfect branding opportunity.
Incorporating nature into a branding design fosters a sense of peacefulness. Earthy tones, organic shapes and natural elements will remind consumers of their connection to the natural world, creating positive associations with the business from which they're buying. Nature is soothing, it's calming, it has the ability not only to lower blood pressure, but also to smooth away the stresses and strains of daily life where we're all plugged into some device or another, frantically scrolling or tapping away. Packaging design rooted in nature can add to a customer's sense of wellbeing and appeal to their desire to live more simply and thoughtfully.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of all things 70s and 80s. This trend hasn't just hit Netflix, it's also swept across the world of packaging. Bright retro colours such as orange, mustard, burgundy and rust not only stand out, they enable a customer to go back in time, however briefly, reliving special childhood memories and simpler, more playful times.
Nostalgia is alluring and swirling patterns, bold fonts and funky design are deeply attractive; they look distinctive and at the same time, they allow us to reminisce (even if some of the fashion choices we made were highly suspect).
Packaging has always incorporated an element of storytelling and this is a trend that isn't going anywhere. If packaging tells an authentic story about a product, then that's often the first thing a potential customer will notice and be drawn to. Story telling gives a human aspect to an inanimate object and might even share the very real struggle behind bringing a product into a customer’s hands. Stories build vital emotional connections.
Story telling is an art and it isn’t just about the words. Although good copy is pivotal, with packaging it’s also about ensuring that fonts, illustrations, cut-outs, colours and textures add to the story as well. This approach adds an element of intrigue and uniqueness to a product and contributes to overall brand experience. Perhaps even more importantly, it has the ability to create a deeper, more meaningful connection with customers. Whether branding is chosen with a retro look, incorporates a design rooted in nature (see above), or instead, opts for a comic-book feel (see below), good stories are always satisfactory and humans never get fed up of them.
Whether you're a child, a teenager or an adult comic book design on packaging has a universal, international appeal. Cartoons resonate almost everyone on a deeply personal level, being - as they are a fundamental and instantly recognisable part of childhood.
The hand drawn vibe cartoons can lend a design, the sense of nostalgia they create, as well as the character driven narratives they provide will resonate with an extremely wide audience. Cartoons have another thing going for them: eye-catching graphics with strong lines, zany characters and bold colours. They're able to fulfil several trends in one go.
All the trends we've talked about so far have told us that packaging should be visually appealing and speak to our emotions. Nowadays, it can also delight our sense of touch with something a little bit different from the smooth sleek boxes and cartons we've all got used to.
In addition to graphics and storytelling therefore, texture has also started to play a role in branded cardboard box designs. Many companies are choosing to give their packaging a tactile element by opting for embossed or debossed patterns and even adding grooves or pores. Some even opt for playful designs which reflect their product. What's great is that not only does textured packaging create a sensory experience for the customer, but it also increases their visual interest further: often, an interesting texture makes it hard to resist running your fingers over something and picking it up to get a better look.
Texture is an area where branded cardboard boxes can exploit their natural texture. We’ve already established that sustainable practices, including recyclable, biodegradable packaging, are the future of e-commerce. What better way to convey this message than to help showcase the natural, organic texture of the humble cardboard box and retain or incorporate these elements in its branding design? And adding texture doesn't have to be more expensive: most textures can be created during the initial stages of production.
Trend number six is accessibility, which actually, really shouldn’t be a trend but a matter of course and part of the normal design consideration for every package whatever its contents. There are more than 16 million disabled people in the U.K. as well as an aging population, so it’s vital that e-commerce takes these customer bases into consideration, not just in terms of spending power, but also out of consideration.
And there are so many ways to make a branded cardboard box accessible: letterbox friendly, easy open mechanisms, clear customisation and convenient to dispose of.
Accessibility benefits everyone, not just those that need it most and it does so at no extra cost. This is a trend that won’t require a massive outlay: the design choices that render a package accessible also make it cost-effective and efficient for a company in so many other areas (e.g., postal tariffs, ease of delivery, recyclability, brand image and visual impact).
Branded cardboard boxes have become an essential tool for businesses seeking to enhance their packaging and branding strategies. By staying updated on the top trends in this field and exploiting the benefits they offer, businesses can optimise their overall customer experience, create a cohesive brand image, serve as a powerful marketing tool AND establish a memorable brand presence.
If you’re an e-commerce business looking for ways to stand out in a crowded digital marketplace, it will pay dividends to consider the impact that branded cardboard boxes can have. Invest in quality packaging that reflects your brand's identity and then sit back and watch as your customers become brand ambassadors, spreading the word about your business one beautifully packaged box at a time.
Our advice is to embrace the power of branded cardboard boxes, elevate your packaging game and most importantly, have fun while doing so.
If you'd like to have fun with us whilst doing so, give us a call today.
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