The new year is in full swing, and it is time to investigate something new. No, it is not spring flowers or a new workout routine — this time, we will be exploring packaging design trends for 2026.

 

Packaging trends are more important than you would think, as it is the first indicator to a potential buyer that your brand has something unique to offer. Dull or haphazardly designed packaging can cause consumers to overlook your brand, meaning you could lose out on potential sales.

 

By keeping on top of packaging design trends, you can draw inspiration, stay in the loop, and refresh your brand. Do not worry — you may not need to completely reinvent your brand; even small changes can completely change the look and feel of your packaging.

 

The Blondes provide branding solutions to meet your unique needs, and in this blog, we willvexplore some packaging trends and infuse a little extra "jazz" into your packaging design. Let us see what the year has dished up for us:

 

A deep dive into packaging design trends

 

OK, let us look at some of the emerging packaging trends. We have explored the web and beyond to find the most interesting and eye-catching packaging design trends and have compiled them for you here, along with a comprehensive breakdown of our thoughts. Let us begin:

 

 

Colourful gradients

 

Colourful gradients have been rising in popularity in recent years, and this year is no different. Utilizing a horizontal flow of varying shades, colourful gradients give an ethereal and aesthetic appeal to new-age packaging. Whether you choose colours that mimic soft, rippling waters or a sunrise or sunset, you can create a colour combination that speaks to your audience.

 

See the Hydro Flask Water Bottle for an excellent example.

 

Innovative packaging design

 

Innovative packaging design, canonically also known online as the “clever cutouts packaging trend,” refers to a packaging design tactic that utilizes strategically placed cutouts or windows in packaging to enhance its visual appeal and overall functionality. This trend is particularly popular when you prefer to use design for visual appeal over bright and eye-catching colours.

 

The cutouts used in the design allow for a visual window to give a glimpse of the product inside, while also providing visual interest to the product and design. It is a perfect combination of practicality and aesthetics, making it a unique and innovative way to attract consumers to your product.

 

Want a good example? Check out Ferrero Rocher's holiday chocolate boxes; they often offer seasonal packaging ranging from pyramid-shaped or holiday-tree-shaped box, both of which utilize strategic cutouts that reveal the beautifully wrapped treats inside.

 

Minimalist scribbles and sketches

 

Intricate and heavily detailed designs are falling out of trend; instead, people are opting for an organic approach by using minimalist scribbles/sketches. These scribbles/sketches give off the appearance that they have been hand-drawn directly onto the packaging. These designs tend to be soft and simplistic while capturing the brand's direct nature — that it is created by human hands! It is a brilliant design for those searching for brands that embrace authenticity.

 

A similar trend you see here is line-art packaging design.

 

Earthy tones & natural aesthetic

 

Along with making packaging more sustainable, more brands are making the move to embracing the eco-trend by opting for earthy colours and a more "natural" aesthetic. Earthy tones have been a popular choice for organic foods and cosmetics that focus on more natural ingredients. It is a fantastic way to highlight the sustainability movement and draw in more consumers focused on more natural products. To give off that feeling of sustainability and health, brands often opt for blue, green, brown, etc.

 

Amazing Grass, a protein brand, uses earthy tones to highlight a healthy and more natural aesthetic.

 

 

Sustainable packaging

 

Sustainable packaging has become more important now than ever. It is no longer something that’s “just a plus;” for many consumers, it is necessary. In fact, it was reported that the sustainable packaging market was expected to increase from an estimated $292.71 billion US dollars in 2024 to $423.56 billion US dollars by 2029. From biodegradable packing peanuts to packaging made from mushrooms, innovation in sustainable packaging has been forging ahead.

 

Lush, for example, uses sustainable packaging for their products.

 

Retro inspired designs

 

Throwbacks almost never go out of style. People love the feeling of something nostalgic and classic, to the point that brands that have retro designs can reel in a niche market. A retro design makes it seem like your product is enduring and well-loved, as anything that has been around for a while has clearly stood the test of time, right?

 

This sort of design choice works great for brands that have been around for a while or brands that want to focus on retro themes and products. And because retro can cover several eras, you have a lot of choices when it comes down to settling on a design.

 

Crisp & Company offers a nice example of a brand capitalizing on the retro aesthetic for their dill pickle labels.

 

Personalized packaging

 

Customization technology and personalization is something that appeals to consumers because it answers the important question of: "What does this brand truly do for me?" This could be custom packaging design that appeals to specific audiences or designs that people see as a solution to a problem — customization can truly highlight what consumers want.

 

Health-conscious packaging

 

Increasingly, consumers are becoming more conscious about what they are eating and drinking. Therefore, packaging transparency that highlights informative labelling or ingredients is something consumers want.

 

Snack bars, protein chips, or even gut-healthy beverages like probiotic soda and kombucha that have transparent labelling can influence buying options. If you focus on packaging that has clear ingredient communication or that highlights health benefits, brands can reel in health-sensitive consumers.

 

Poppi, a brand known for being a healthier alternative to soda, highlights having only 5 grams of sugar and the slogan: “Soda’s back, but better.”

 

Visual characters

 

Visual characters are extremely popular these days, with creative drawings and designs of mascots adding that extra flare to packaging. Illustrative graphics show a degree of whimsy and visual appeal by featuring a memorable face to go along with a brand, making it a popular choice. Characters can help speak to an audience and keep your brand in their memory for years to come — like the popular cereal brand mascots of old!

 

Dr. Squatch is a prime example of a brand using a visual character/illustration to make them stand out against competitors.

 

Flexible packaging

 

Flexible packaging is exactly what it sounds like: resealable bags, pouches that stand up on their own, paper packaging, etc., is a new-age alternative to the more rigid form of traditional packaging. It is much lighter-weight and does not require the same level of materials as typical packaging.

 

Soups in a bag have been an emerging trend gaining popularity for their flexibility and ease. Soupetc! provides a good example of this type of packaging for their extensive line of soups.

 

 

Considerations for the future of packaging in 2026

 

So, what are the top considerations when you reapproach your packaging design? Let us look.

 

1) Sustainability


●    Is your packaging sustainable? Recyclable? Biodegradable, or compostable?
●    Does your packaging reduce overall waste?
●    Have you utilized any renewable materials?

 

2) Consumer convenience


●    Can you open the packaging easily? Can it be resealed?
●    Does your packaging make it convenient to transfer the product from point A to point B?
 

3) Aesthetic appeal and branding


●    Does your brand’s packaging design match your mission and product offering?
●    How well does the design communicate your messaging?
●    Is your brand’s packaging in need of an update? Does it align with your current goals?

 

4) Consumer trends and preferences


●    Are consumers in your target market demanding reusable or refillable packaging? Can you meet those current demands?
●    Does the packaging reflect values like health, wellness, or environmental consciousness? If not, what values does your packaging reflect?

 

The Blondes offers innovative solutions

 

When it comes to having a recognizable brand, The Blondes are here to help you stand out amongst your competitors. We can help build a branding strategy designed to meet your unique needs. That includes helping you to design packaging that represents the core values of your brand so that it does not go unnoticed by potential buyers.

 

Whether you need a full overhaul of a brand identity, a new website, a creative campaign, or even unique packaging and print, you can trust The Blondes has your best interest at heart. If that does not convince you, take a look at our portfolio and contact us today.

 

Let’s create something unforgettable.