5 GREAT PIECES OF PACKAGING ADVICE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Last updated: 6 October 2026.

Packaging can be a powerful tool for small businesses to make a big impact. Here are five pieces of advice to help you create packaging that stands out:

• Focus on Functionality: Your packaging should protect your product and make it easy for customers to use. Consider factors like durability, ease of opening, and storage efficiency.

• Tell Your Story: Use your packaging to communicate your brand's story and values. This can help create a connection with customers and differentiate your product from competitors.

• Think Sustainable: Sustainable packaging is not only better for the environment but can also be a selling point for eco-conscious consumers. Look for materials that are recyclable, biodegradable, or made from recycled content.

• Be Creative: Packaging is a great way to showcase your creativity and personality. Consider unique shapes, colors, and graphics that will grab attention and make your product memorable.

• Consider the Unboxing Experience: The experience of opening your product can leave a lasting impression. Think about how you can enhance this experience with thoughtful design elements, like tissue paper, stickers, or thank-you notes.

By focusing on functionality, storytelling, sustainability, creativity, and the unboxing experience, you can create packaging that not only protects your product but also helps your brand stand out in a competitive market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most important packaging advice for a small business?

Start with functionality. Packaging has to protect the product and be easy to open, store and reseal before design enters the picture. Once that foundation holds, storytelling and visual design have something solid to sit on.

How can a small brand use packaging to stand out?

Use the pack to tell your story and engineer the unboxing moment. A distinctive shape or finish, tissue paper, a sticker or a thank-you note all create an experience customers remember and share.

Is sustainable packaging worth it for a small business?

Yes, provided the claim is honest. Recyclable, biodegradable or recycled-content materials appeal to eco-conscious buyers, but the material still has to protect the contents. For coffee specifically, the pack also has to manage CO2 — see our guide to coffee bag valves and one-way degassing.