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Are you hoping to introduce a new audience to the world of tea? In order to do so, you've probably spent considerable time and expense to find reliable growers who rely on sustainable farming practices.

You may think that your work is almost done, but it's really only beginning if you haven't designed packaging for your tea.

In fact, designing custom tea packaging can be just as time-consuming and complex as finding the perfect tea grower.

To make things a bit easier, Mid-Atlantic Packaging has compiled this guide of tips for designing custom tea packaging. When you're ready, contact us to learn more about how easy it actually is to design unique packaging specifically for your products.

Why Packaging Matters

When you choose the right packaging for your tea, you are ensuring that your products are shipped and sold in a secure storage unit. Moreover, custom packaging provides you with a valuable opportunity to express your brand's personality and what it stands for.

Traditionally, tea might be sold in a plain brown or plastic bag, but that's not how things are done today. Look at the different tea options on the market, and you are bound to notice that most tea companies are using custom packaging that places a heavy emphasis on sustainability.

If you follow this trend, you can place your brand on the market as an eco-friendly, upscale company that is highly desirable.

Do you need to upgrade the current packaging for your tea? Maybe your products haven't even made it to the market yet. Either way, Mid-Atlantic Packaging can help you to achieve the perfect custom tea packaging for your brand.

Things to Keep in Mind

It's smart to consider several factors as you begin designing your custom tea packaging. Some of these factors may include:

• Material, ink, and finishes
• Packaging configuration
• Sleeves, stickers, and other accessories
• Creative and unique design elements

Once you have given some thought to each of these factors, you will be well on your way to realizing your dream of designing custom tea packaging.

Material, Ink, and Finishes

Many tea companies are gravitating toward more sustainability in their packaging choices. If this sounds like something that would interest you, then it's vital to consider kraft or other paper-based packaging. Such materials are readily recyclable, which means that they appeal to a broad cross-section of consumers. Moreover, by making such an eco-friendly choice, you are positioning your brand as an environmentally responsible one.

Sticking with the recyclable and sustainable theme, consider using water-based or soy-based ink for printing on your packaging. These are environmentally responsible inks that make the packaging a cinch to reuse or recycle. Your customers also get the bonus of being able to biodegrade or compost the packaging when they are finished with it.

It is possible to add lamination to this type of packaging. However, doing so makes the packaging less environmentally friendly because it may not be able to be recycled. Nonetheless, some brands still go this route because of the extra layer of protection that lamination provides.

One alternative to lamination is an aqueous varnish. This type of finish gives equal protection when compared to laminate, but it is water-based for improved recyclability.

Packaging Configuration

What form will your tea packaging take? A few of your options might include:

• Tubes
• Boxes
• Bags
• Tins

It may be tempting to just go with a standard square or rectangular box. This is a perfectly legitimate choice, and you can make even the plainest shape interesting by adding images, colors, engaging text, and other design elements.

Boxes are extremely popular. Look around, and you'll quickly discover that tea companies are using boxes with soft colors, bold colors, stunning simplicity, or the absolute limit in intricate designs. Choose a blank box on which colorful and informative labels may be affixed or opt to have images and text printed directly on the surface of the box. With all four sides of the box plus the top and bottom, there is plenty of room to get creative and express your brand's personality while also providing the consumer with all of the information they need.

However, keep in mind that you are not required to choose a box. All sorts of packaging options may enlarge the possibilities, giving you an opportunity to create something that is unique.

As mentioned before, paper bags are becoming incredibly popular in the tea industry. They are a highly versatile choice that is attractive and recyclable. Paper bags also provide a good amount of protection for your products.

On the other hand, perhaps you'll consider something a little less expected, like a paper tube. Elegant in its simplicity, a paper tube draws the eye with its graceful shape. Paper tubes also are unbreakable, making them an excellent choice if you are dedicated to ensuring that your products reach their destination intact. Paper tubes also are really easy to pack, streamlining the filling process. If your company is small and is manually filling packages, then paper tubes may be the way to go.

Also, don't overlook how attractive a tin can be. These light yet sturdy containers can be dressed up with labels, and it's super easy to re-use them again and again. Many consumers love having the opportunity to repurpose attractive packaging.

Tins offer plenty of advantages to you and your customers. As an example, they are solid and airtight. Light cannot penetrate them, and transporting tins is safe and economical. Because of their design, tins are exceptional at preserving the freshness of your products. You also will find that you have plenty of room for adding labels or other design elements that will identify these tins as belonging to your brand.

Sleeves, Stickers, and Accessories

Do you already have packaging that you like but wish you could make a little more memorable? You might consider adding a sticker or packaging sleeve to your existing package. This is an easy way to amp up creativity without ditching the packaging that you've already purchased.

Of course, if you are designing entirely new packaging, it is still a good idea to consider adding a packaging sleeve or some stickers to your design. Both of these items and other accessories are like blank canvases on which you can create an indelible image that will get people talking about and buying your brand.

Moreover, adding a packaging sleeve or a sticker to your packaging is inexpensive. You'll get plenty of bang for your buck when you choose to add one of these items to your tea packaging. These also are a fantastic choice if you like to change up your packaging designs on a regular basis or if you are introducing a special or limited edition product.

Creative and Unique Design Elements

Lots of tea companies make their packaging pretty on-the-nose. That means that they'll put the image of a lemon on packaging for a lemon-flavored tea.

Your packaging doesn't necessarily have to be that literal. In fact, it might be extremely beneficial to come up with designs that truly stand out from the competition. Remember that the more unique and eye-catching your packaging design is, the more likely people are to notice it on the shelf.

Make It Readable and Approachable

Regardless of the material and configuration that you choose for your tea packaging, it is essential that you make certain that the finished packaging is easy to read and approachable. You want to draw people in so that they will pick up the package to learn more about the product inside.

Any text that you include on the packaging will be far more impactful if it is clear and legible. Make it easy for people to read more about your product, and don't be shy about putting your brand's name front and center in a bold font. You definitely want people to recognize your products as soon as they see them.

Also, don't overlook the fact that sometimes less is more. A minimal design aesthetic can be just as eye-catching as something that involves many colors and images.

Check-In with Mid-Atlantic Packaging.

Are you ready for a custom quote for packaging? Request a quote today, and Mid-Atlantic Packaging will help you design the perfect packaging for tea and other beverage products.

You can provide us with a ready-made design that we can produce for you. Alternatively, you can work with our team of design professionals to create something new from the ground up.