Tag Archives: packaging design

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The Psychology Behind Color Choices in Packaging and Branding

Colors evoke emotions and can significantly impact a consumer’s choice. For instance, red often signifies excitement and urgency, making it a popular choice for clearance sales.

Blue is associated with trust and reliability, which is why many financial institutions utilize it in their branding. This connection can lead consumers to feel more secure in their purchasing decisions.

Green is linked to health and tranquility, making it ideal for organic and natural products. Brands that use green can position themselves as environmentally friendly and health-conscious.

Yellow is attention-grabbing and often used to evoke feelings of happiness and optimism. It can be effective in attracting impulse buyers when used strategically.

Overall, understanding the psychological effects of colors can give brands a competitive edge in their packaging designs. By aligning color choices with brand messaging, companies can enhance their market presence.

Color Coding on the Production Line

The psychology of color extends beyond consumer-facing packaging into the production floor itself. Many manufacturers use color-coded lot marks or ink stamps to distinguish production runs, shift batches, or product variants — particularly on outer cases that won’t be seen by end consumers.

Most industrial TIJ coding is done in black (highest contrast, lowest cost), but spot color inks are available for operations that need visual differentiation at a glance. Kao Collins offers spot color variants compatible with standard TIJ 2.5 printers — useful when a single line runs multiple SKUs and operators need to distinguish coded cases without reading the full lot number.

If your operation uses color coding to separate product runs or date codes by shift, the key is selecting an ink that dries fast enough to prevent transfer when cases are stacked — especially on coated or semi-porous board.

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The Evolution of Packaging Design Through the Decades

The origins of packaging design can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where materials like clay and leather were used for storage and transport. Over the centuries, these functional designs evolved into more decorative and branded solutions, reflecting cultural shifts and consumer preferences.

In the 20th century, the rise of mass production and consumerism led to a significant transformation in packaging design. Innovations such as plastic and cardboard revolutionized the industry, allowing for more versatile and attractive packaging options.

The latter half of the century saw a growing emphasis on branding, with packaging becoming a crucial element of marketing strategies. Companies began to invest in unique designs that not only protected products but also communicated their brand identity effectively.

Today, sustainability has become a major focus in packaging design, with designers striving to create eco-friendly solutions that minimize environmental impact. This evolution reflects a broader societal shift towards responsible consumption and environmental awareness.

As we move forward, the integration of technology in packaging design—such as smart labels and interactive packaging—promises to further revolutionize the industry. The future of packaging is not only about aesthetics and functionality but also about enhancing consumer engagement.

Product Coding: From Hand Stamps to Thermal Inkjet

One thread running through the entire history of packaging is the need to mark products with production information — dates, lot numbers, batch codes, expiration dates. For most of the 20th century this was done with hand stamps, hot coding wheels pressed into film, or offline label applicators.

The shift to inline coding began with continuous inkjet (CIJ) systems in the 1970s and 1980s — fast but messy, requiring solvents and daily maintenance. Thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers emerged as a cleaner alternative: no solvents, no warm-up, replaceable cartridges. Today, TIJ 2.5 cartridges — including the widely-used Kao Collins Max 3 and Super Fast Black — are the standard for operations that need reliable date and lot coding without the overhead of a full CIJ system.

The evolution continues: cartridge costs have dropped, ink formulations have expanded to cover more substrates, and the same TIJ head used on a Videojet or Wolke printer can now be sourced from multiple compatible-cartridge vendors — giving manufacturers more control over their consumable supply chain.