anisha international logo
anisha international logo

Graphic designer or Packaging designer – what do I need?

Graphic designer or packaging designer ? A Packaging designer making a packaging Mock up

What is the difference between a graphic designer and a packaging designer?

Graphic Designer or packaging designer – how do their skillsets vary? 

Many people do not see a difference between the skillset of a packaging designer and a generalist graphic designer. It’s not always easy to understand what is needed, but perfume packaging design generally needs a specialist packaging designer. Let’s explore the differences between the two different skillsets…

packaging design requires a specialist who understands the needs of the field
A packaging designer needs to be able to think in 3D

Seeing the world in 3D

1. A generalist graphic designer  often more used sees the world as a flat sheet. Typical graphic work they are good at at is online graphics, billboard or press ads, not 3D work. It’s not always easy to understand what is needed, but perfume packaging design generally needs a specialist packaging designer..

Making use of small areas of space in a creative way is part of the packaging designer’s daily role

2. A packaging designer is used to working in small cramped spaces. No, not their office working conditions! They maximise the impact of  a bottle or a box, as they instinctively know what works on the shelf.

A simple classic perfume packaging design

Material knowledge

Knowing materials well allows a designer to match up finishes and know which material to use to achieve effects

3. A packaging designer has experience of using different materials and knows how to adapt designs so that they will print better. A packaging designer will have certain useful knowledge and experience. Knowledge such as the minimum width for hot foil or how to choose colours for metallic surfaces. Many designers make beautiful designs on the screen, but they are unrealistic for manufacture.

Knowledge of the industry sector allows a designer to stay ahead of the market and suggest innovative solutions to design

4. Knowledge of an industry sector is vital to the success of developing the right packaging. A person who has been working in that sector over a longer time will know the way that the industry designs have developed. They are able to offer creative solutions to the clients problems which will be in tune with the market.

Velvet Touch perfume design made by our in house packaging design team
graphic designer or packaging designer? The importance of knowledge such as braille on packaging

Knowledge of regulations

braille text on pharmaceutical packaging

5. Knowledge of regulations is an important advantage of a packaging designer. You may need to print certain text or logos  on the box, likewise the pharmaceutical industry needs braille. There may be other health and safety regulations relating to the choice of material.

6. An ability to make proper die lines and mock ups of the suggested packaging allows the packaging designer to test the design. A packaging designer will thoroughly test if it really does stand out on the shelf.
Graphic designer or packaging designer ? A Packaging designer making a packaging Mock up
choosing the right colour for packaging design
Selection of correct colours for pre press files, as the computer screen displays the colours more brightly than when they are printed.

Print production knowledge

7. An experienced packaging designer will know how to make files ready for production which are clear and easy to follow. They will know which colours to select to achieve the best results. Because ‘what you see on the screen is NOT what you are going to get’.

When hiring  for packaging design work, it is best to evaluate the experience and packaging design knowledge they possess.

Our company has often received client files which were made by their in house graphic designer who does not have the relevant packaging training. We have to rework them to make them suitable for production. A generalist graphic designer may be easier to find and you may feel that you are getting great designs from them. But if those designs don’t look good in final manufacture, you may find that you lose a lot of time and money. This may mean paying for additional printing plates and for design hours for corrections.

Graphically explains the differences between the work of a normal graphic designer and a packaging designer. And what questions to ask when you want to hire a packaging designer.  If you are planning to design a new perfume and need some help, why not read our article on how to design a perfume?

Leave a Reply