A gift card packaging is easy and convenient and is a wonderful way to demonstrate your thoughtfulness and ensure that your audience gets something they want.
It doesn’t mean you should slack off when it comes to the presentation just because gift cards are traditionally the “easy” option. Ultimately, it’s the outside of the packaging that counts when it comes to packaging design. Packaging plays a major role in determining how gift cards are perceived by recipients. Plus, how they perceive the brand associated with it will affect too. The design of a gift card package can be challenging. The good news is that we’ve created a helpful resource: 12 design guidelines and ideas to help you get creative and to inspire your next project.
Create a shape that is unique
Gift card packaging need not always be a sleeve or a rectangular envelope. Don’t be afraid to experiment with unconventional sizes and shapes. If you want to make an envelope that looks like the hand-painted examples here, you might consider petal envelopes. Regardless of the shape you choose, your packaging should fit your overall theme and tone; for instance, Valentine’s Day event packaging might be shaped like a heart.
It should look expensive
Designing something that looks high-end doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money. In order to give your packaging an expensive look, you can do a few relatively easy and cost-effective things. In the backdrop, use thin, elegant sans-serif fonts and solid colors (as shown in the example from Sephora).Another way to add a sense of luxury and style to a design is to foil stamp the text or to use a wax seal. There may be brands that will benefit from this style more than others if they’re targeting a high-end audience.
Variations should be created according to the season
A wide range of occasions can celebrate with gift cards, from birthdays to holidays to awards ceremonies. As you can see from these beautiful Amazon gift card sleeves designed by Steve Carlson, different types of events may require different packaging solutions. So make sure you design a few variations of your design.
It would be possible to create distinct designs for each season of the year. In fact a Visa gift card can now be customized with a photo you choose and even a sincere message – that customization creates more than a card, but rather a keepsake.
Thus, clients are able to select the design that is most suitable for their special occasions.
Take advantage of silhouettes
Using silhouettes to depict scenes is an effective way to convey a specific moment at the same time as creating an air of mystery (and don’t require extra details).
It is also possible to create a very distinctive silhouette by contrasting a dark shape against a lighter background. Silhouettes are usually seen as shadows – dark shapes cast against lighter backgrounds. As one example, this pet shop’s holiday design shows pets enjoying a star-studded winter scene too small to capture on photographic paper.
Personalize it
Sometimes you don’t need slick graphics from a faceless corporation to engage your audience — just a personal touch. Starbucks and Spotify, for example, offer limited edition gift cards that feature hand-drawn backgrounds. Make your packaging stand out by adding a unique illustration. A handwritten note tailored to the recipient could even include on the package’s back. You can tell people you care about their experience by doing these sorts of things.
Put a picture of the product in your submission
Receiving a gift card from a company that potential clients don’t know is not quite as exciting as it could be; after all, they don’t know what they will get.
You can show your gift card packaging an image of your product if your audience is not familiar with it. Stunning photos of fresh produce frame this design for an herb vendor.
Keeping it simple is more effective
In order to catch people’s attention, you may feel tempted to include as many flashy elements as possible in your design. However, most of the time it’s better to highlight a logo or a name of a company rather than highlighting many noteworthy details. Your brand can be recognizable with a minimalist design without overwhelming the recipient’s senses. Simple and elegant designs are best suited for brands with an upscale image, as they let the product speak for itself.
Create your own folds by getting creative
A unique folding technique can enhance your packaging and make it stand out in a competitive market. It is convenient and visually appealing for the S&K gift card to package in such a beautiful box. A trifold style or another piece with multiple panels might also be worth considering. If you’d like to include extra information.
Color your life boldly
The best way to draw attention to your gift card packaging is to use bold, warm colors such as red and orange. By using design with this powerful style, the brand can express passion, excitement, or energy. To make the most important elements stand out, make use of a sharp contrast in your color scheme.
Colors that are inviting and soft
It isn’t necessary to use bold, bright colors every time. A softer touch is required for individual events (primarily weddings). If you’re selling a product or service that appeals to those traits, soft, pastel gift card packaging makes the best impression.
Make your imagery eye-catching
Even if the picture you present isn’t of your products, services, or staff, it can do wonders to catch the recipient’s eye. Concepts or abstract ideas can often involve. Your brand’s theme or message should express in the image you choose.
Take the initiative and show your rebellious side
It’s a good idea to be a little edgy when marketing to younger audiences, or people who are part of an alternative subculture. If there is room for grunginess in your packaging, do so. A vibrant urban landscape would be suggested by this design, for instance, by its cool graffiti pattern. Alternatively, you might use stone or concrete textures A playful mascot, or casual yet modern fonts to show audiences the brand isn’t serious.