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Subscription boxes are incredibly popular with a broad range of consumers. People anticipate receiving each new edition, looking forward to its arrival like they used to get excited for Christmas.

When those subscriptions arrive in a beautiful box or another well-designed packaging, the excitement is only heightened. If you want to ensure that your customers genuinely feel that they are receiving something special each time, then you definitely need to take your packaging game to the next level.

You'll have many factors to consider before you arrive at the just-right subscription packaging. When you're ready to start your design, contact Mid-Atlantic Packaging. We can turn your design into reality, or you can work with our professional design team to come up with something new and original.

First Considerations for Subscription Box Packaging

Size is of paramount importance when you are designing packaging for subscriptions. It's critical that the size be precisely correct. That means that the box isn't so large that the products get lost inside it. On the other hand, you don't want the box to be so small that everything is uncomfortably crammed inside.

Ideally, the box will be the perfect size so that everything looks neat, clean, and organized. You'll also want to pay particular attention to the design elements that will set your subscription packaging apart from the competition.

To state it another way, you want the box to feel as important and special as the products that it contains.

Keep in mind that your subscription boxes may help to form a new customer's first impression of your brand. You want this experience to be valuable, memorable, and enjoyable. You can't accomplish all of that with generic packaging that isn't designed and sized specifically for your products.

Basic Guidelines

Perhaps the first thing you need to do when designing subscription box packaging is to decide on the materials that you will use. Material choice will depend upon factors like the type of products you'll be shipping as well as how much they weigh and how large or small they are.

Some common forms of packaging that frequently are chosen by brands include:

• Mailer boxes
• Shipping boxes
• Folding cartons
• Padded bubble mailers

Let's look at some of the characteristics of each to determine whether or not they are appropriate for subscription boxes.

Mailer boxes are one of the most popular choices for subscriptions. They are relatively rigid and heavy, especially when compared with paperboard boxes, which may not be designed to stand up to the rigors of shipping.

Mailer boxes can protect products at all stages of shipping. They work well as retail gift boxes and packaging for e-commerce brands as well as subscription boxes. Easy to customize, mailer boxes give you all sorts of options as far as design elements and size.

If you want to go all-out on product protection, then shipping boxes may be the ideal choice. Made out of corrugated cardboard, these boxes provide additional protection that heavy or fragile products may require. Like mailer boxes, shipping boxes can be customized with all sorts of sizes, configurations, colors, and other design elements.

When it comes to general product packaging, folding cartons are an excellent solution. They are made from a lightweight material called paperboard. You might consider using folding cartons to hold beauty products or food, but they probably are not appropriate for subscription boxes. Still, if you want to make attractive packaging for the individual products that will go into a subscription box, folding cartons might be your first choice.

Similarly, padded bubble mailers are great when you need to ship small, light items, but most brands wouldn't consider using them for subscription services. You might ship a piece of clothing in a padded bubble mailer, but there are better options when shipping several items at once.

Designing Subscription Boxes

Once you've decided on the appropriate material for your subscription boxes, it's time to dive into the fun stuff. To us, that means talking about design.

What will you include in the design of your boxes? Consider things such as:

• Logos
• Images
• Colors
• Vectors
• Dielines

Incorporating your brand's logo into your box's design is a simple yet effective way to ensure that your company stays at the forefront of your customer's minds. Adding some eye-catching imagery, graphics or photos is another way to ensure that your boxes make a unique and distinctive statement.

Some brands have one or more particular colors that they use in their logo, on their website, and on their packaging. If this is true for your company, you definitely want these hues to figure into your design. However, if your company doesn't stick to a certain color scheme or if you don't necessarily want to use the same colors on every box, you can experiment with using various shades and tones.

Some brands choose color schemes that fit in with the season or the particular contents of that edition. You might go with darker colors if you want to project a serious, well-established presence. Luxury items frequently come packaged in darker colors as well.

Alternatively, you might opt for pastels or other light colors. This is a simpler, more minimalist aesthetic that may be especially appealing to younger consumers.

Bright colors are another option if you want to send an exciting and energetic message. Try experimenting with all of these color groups to decide which ones work the best with your products.

Have you used vector graphics before? Vectors are a tool that can be used to give your subscription boxes intricate designs that are printed with stunning clarity. They are accessible even for people who don't have any design experience, but if you want to work with an expert, just give Mid-Atlantic Packaging a call.

Dielines are useful two-dimensional templates that demonstrate how your box will appear while unassembled and flat. Basically, it's a representation of three-dimensional packaging in a somewhat simplified format.

With the dieline, the designer and the printer can work in tandem to ensure that the artwork is properly positioned and laid out on the box. The dieline also is essential to the equipment operators who will print your box as it shows where to cut, crease, and glue the box.

Printing Methods for Subscription Boxes

Most subscription boxes use one of three printing methods. These are digital, flexographic, and lithographic labels. Digital printing techniques are most frequently associated with smaller orders. However, they can be used on larger orders if you're prepared to pay slightly more.

Most brands opt for flexographic printing which relies on a printing plate that holds the box's design. The plate is a bit like an ink pad that is spun on a rotary drum. It picks up ink as it spins, and then stamps the design onto the box.

Lithographic label printing provides the highest resolution and the cleanest printing. It functions similarly to wallpaper in that the design is printed onto a sheet of paper, processed, and cut before being attached to subscription boxes with adhesive. This can be a cost-effective printing method, but it's critical to always work with experts like those at Mid-Atlantic Packaging to ensure that the job is done right.

Additional Materials

Many brands require materials in addition to those that are used to create subscription boxes. For instance, you might consider adding inserts to protect breakable or otherwise fragile items. Adding crinkle-cut shred filler or colored tissue paper may help to heighten the specialness of the unboxing experience while also preventing breakage. It's also worthwhile to consider adding ribbons, stickers, and other unique touches that your customers will love.

Subscription Boxes from Mid-Atlantic Packaging

Whether you already have a fully designed box or aren't certain where to begin, contact Mid-Atlantic Packaging today. You can start by getting a custom packaging quote that is precisely tailored to your brand's unique needs.

Subscription services are popular with many consumer groups. When you ensure that your subscription boxes are a cut above the rest, you are taking a vital step toward ensuring your brand's success. Ask Mid-Atlantic Packaging to be your partner in making your dreams a reality.