Snacks have a significant role in our lives. It doesn't matter if you're hanging out with your friends, watching a movie or travelling, one thing that'll always be present is snacks. While the taste is an essential factor, it's not always the deciding factor that influences a customer's buying decision. A key element that plays a vital role is the packaging. As every individual has different preferences when it comes to taste preferences, something very similar happens when it comes to snack packaging designs.
When it comes to packaging designs, each customer base expects different things. Some may prefer a catchy design full of graphics, some may want to go for a design that is classy and subtle, while some may prefer a packaging design that follows eco-friendly practices. With so many different expectations, creating a snack package design that can satisfy them all can be a big task. In this blog, we will discuss the key trends in packaging design to look out for and a step-by-step guide to label design in 2025-26.
What are the Key Trends in Snack Design Packaging in 2025-26?
Before you begin designing a food packaging label for your snacks, it is crucial to understand key current trends that shape the market.
Sustainability: In the past few years, there has been a renewed push towards following sustainable and environmentally sound practices. The labelling and packaging industry has also been influenced by these trends. Therefore, creating a packaging design that is also eco-friendly is a key factor that can influence customer preferences towards or against your product.
Bold Graphics and Visualization: While it may be more directed at the younger market share, using bold designs with lots of graphics and bright colors can have an immediate impact. Using expressive and hand-drawn illustrations gives these designs a fun feel, which is critical to connect with the younger demographics.
Honest Packing: Seeing the product that's inside the packaging plays a crucial role in building customer trust. Therefore, adding a transparent area that lets the customer see the product before even purchasing creates a level of trust, while also exuding confidence about your product to the customers. Another key element of transparent packaging is to ensure that you maintain clear communication with the customers through your packaging design. Add all the necessary information and nutritional values to gain customer trust.
Interactive Packaging: A clear and concise packaging design can let you have a conversation with the customers. You can also enhance this level of communication by adding a smart feature like QR codes or smart labels that engage a customer even further. You can add QR codes that redirect the customer to behind-the-scenes production, the transportation process or even a brief back story about the company's history.
Throwbacks and Nostalgia: Adding a call back to the past through retro and vintage packings has enormous potential when it comes to the middle-aged or older generation. Seeing a package from their younger days brings a feeling of nostalgia that can influence their buying decision. To ensure that you do not ignore any age demographic, it is essential to combine modern elements with these retro designs as well.
Step-by-Step Guide For Snack Packaging Design in 2025-26
Define the Brand Identity: The first step before starting the process is to introspect and understand what your target customer base is. If you want to target a younger customer base, go for a bold package with a large font. However, if your target base is middle to older age, then a classy and subtle packaging will be ideal.
Choosing Packaging Materials: While it may not seem important, the reality is that packaging materials play a significant role in determining sales. If you have a healthy snack, creating a healthy food packaging design would include choosing eco-friendly and biodegradable materials. However, if your product is tailored towards a general snack without an element of nutritious food, making sure that the packaging is safe and sturdy is more important.
Selecting the Visuals: Since this will be your product's first impression, it is vital to design the visuals carefully. Like always, who the product is for will play a significant role in deciding the visuals. If you want to target young customers, a bold and bright design with heavy graphics is the way to go. However, if you want to target an older customer base, ensure that the packaging design is tasteful, subtle and not too flashy.
Functionality: This is one of the most versatile criteria when it comes to a snacks packaging design. Since there is complete freedom to create various packaging sizes, you can add a mix of functionalities. You can choose from smaller pouches to boxes for different sizes of a single product.
Storytelling: A well-thought-out snack packaging design can be like your letter to the customer. Through these packaging, you can have a conversation with the customers. Therefore, if you want to build a connection with customers, ensure you design a package that can tell a story to them.
Trials and Tests: Before you can actually start selling the snacks, it is important to carry out a thorough test of how your packaging stands in real-world conditions. Since your product will spend most of its lifespan on shelves (whether in stores or customer homes), it is important to know how the packaging responds to the elements it encounters.
Final Words
As the famous saying goes, "first impression is the last impression", this statement has never been truer when it comes to snack packaging designs. Sure, the taste and quality of snacks is very important. However, if your label design is off-putting, chances are customers won't even try them. Therefore, throughout the launching process, it is vital to pay attention to the label as well.
If you are looking for a food packaging and labels designing company with over 25 years of experience, check out Lien Design for all your packaging needs.