At Tinplate, we strive to stay at the forefront of packaging industry trends and innovation, keeping up with the latest developments in design so we can help our clients create the most eye-catching tin packaging for their brand. From bold seasonal launches to timeless decorated tins, understanding what is shaping the market helps us turn creative ideas into packaging that feels fresh, relevant and memorable.
Here is a selection of packaging trends from 2023 that we highlighted as ones to watch, many of which still influence the way brands approach custom tins, gifting and premium product presentation.
Maximalism
While minimalism has been popular for several years, a ‘more is more’ approach is starting to feature more widely, showcasing bright & punchy colours that stand out on the shelf. Playful, striking hues are having a resurgence and designers are not shying away from contrasting, ecstatic colours, invoking a sense of adventure that has been welcomed since the pandemic. With visual attention more important than ever in a society of instant gratification, the consumers first impression needs to be memorable.
Bold candy tones are perfect for confectionery branding, and using creative cartoon-like 3D imagery can help to build a unique and recognisable design style. Attention-grabbing large fonts and handwritten typography are a youthful way to differentiate between products and flavours. For brands developing decorated tins, this kind of expressive design can work particularly well, helping packaging feel collectable as well as eye-catching.
Retro-style packaging trends 2023
Along-side the daring maximalist shades, a warmer colour scheme has returned from the 70’s for a vintage effect. Wavy, rounded, and wraparound patterns have been mixed with contemporary elements for an outcome of modern nostalgia. Familiar styles such as retro line-art and sans-serif fonts are used across a wide range of industries and are proving their everlasting popularity. This is a natural fit for tin packaging, where vintage references often feel especially authentic. For brands looking to create nostalgic custom tins, retro design can instantly add charm, familiarity and shelf appeal.
Transparent packaging trends 2023
Transparency is vital for the customer-brand relationship to thrive, with the continual demand from consumers to know exactly what they’re buying. Packaging is now often adorned with illustrated ingredients in juicy pops of colour or product visuals with a creative twist, to make it clear what is inside. There is an increase in physically transparent packaging too, with windows and open sections that display the products in all their glory. In tin packaging, this idea can be interpreted in different ways. It might mean clearer messaging, more honest design, or the thoughtful use of cut-outs and windows to reveal the product while still keeping the premium feel of the pack intact.
Interactive Packaging industry trends
The next packaging trend 2023 we’re going to discuss is the use of tactile textures. Metallic colours and varnishes add visual dimension to a design, and techniques like embossing/debossing and die cuts all add texture to boost the touch and feel of a product. Additional materials like ribbon, rope, leather, and fabric all give a special quality to the packaging.
The presence of musical and moving tins is going nowhere, with added features like games that enhance the customer experience and increase the perceived value of the product. This is one of the reasons decorated tins continue to work so well for gifting and limited edition ranges, where presentation is part of the overall appeal.
Many brands are starting to use printed QR codes to level-up packaging and give the opportunity to link to social media pages, interactive videos, coupons and ultimately upsell further purchases. They also allow the design to take control of the packaging, and keep the necessary practical information for online, which helps to make the packaging more of a keepsake item that can have other uses.
Sustainability packaging trends 2023
There’s an ongoing emphasis on sustainability that has joined the mainstream and therefore a key packaging industry trend for 2023, and thanks to customer scrutiny, it is no longer just a trend, but a packaging expectation. Materials should be made from recycled or recyclable and non-single-use materials, of which tinplate is a great example. Brands that have this as their focus are using more subtle branding, with 1 or 2 colours, to strip back print and emphasise the natural colour of the materials they have chosen to use.
The responsibility to the environment has also driven a focus on reducing packaging waste and optimising pack size. This reduces the amount of material produced, the emissions released in transit and the unit cost. Reusable packaging is another key sustainable priority, with multi use formats that can continue to store items or be repurposed for something else. This is one of the reasons custom tins and reusable metal tins remain such a strong option for brands looking to balance presentation with sustainability.
What’s Next?
At Tinplate, we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of industry trends by continually monitoring market developments and leveraging our extensive network of industry experts. Our commitment to innovation ensures that we not only meet but exceed our clients’ expectations.
If you are exploring new ideas for custom tins or looking to refresh your current packaging, keeping up with design trends is a great place to start. And now you have read our Packaging Trends 2023 blog, do not miss our latest post on Packaging Trends 2024, where we look ahead at what these changes could mean for your business.
