It’s high time to get into the fast food packaging game! 3 tips

Food shopping today is all about convenience. Or at least it is four times a week on average for 95 percent of British consumers, according to a study by packaging specialist Sun Branding Solutions. As hot fast food ‘to go’ becomes increasingly popular, supermarkets and food chains are adapting their food offer accordingly and, consequently, packaging designers must follow suit.

The best fast food packaging design

Do your fast food packaging design skills need improving? This article lines up some important demands designers must meet to become a player to be reckoned with in the fast food packaging game.

1.     First of all, easy does it

No fast food vendor can afford to offer their product in packaging that’s quick to tear, leak or pop open mid-travel. That’s why the best fast food packaging design is spill-proof and resealable. Evidently, it must be able to keep hot food warm for a considerable amount of time as well. Hence, designers pay special attention to using the right materials. Most of the time you can’t go wrong with paperboard, as it is light-weight and prevents hot food from cooling off too quickly. Don’t forget to offer clients an array of sizes, too. Single-serve packaging is still on a roll, and –interestingly enough – so are family-size containers.

2.     Tasteful graphics and yummy colors

Even though you’re essentially designing packaging that will be thrown away almost instantly after purchase, there is no excuse for mediocre graphics and bland colors as you’re still trying to sell food and not office supplies. So pick vibrant colors – know your color psychology – and if your mind is set on using images of the product, make sure you don’t settle for anything less than high-resolution.

3.     Add an element of surprise

We know, standing out from the crowd is no easy feat in fast food land. That’s why experimenting is key! Try different typefaces and explore various substrates before making your final decision. Finally, it pays to highlight the sustainability of your packaging and, if relevant, organic nature of the product, as consumers grow increasingly environmentally and health-conscious. Inspired by Packaging News & Pure Cochina