As we enter 2024, the world of packaging design trends is evolving fast. This year’s packaging trends focus on storytelling, sustainability, interactivity, and sensory experience—resulting in some of the most exciting packaging designs we’ve seen to date. Whether you’re searching for inspiration for a new package design trend, exploring fun packaging ideas, or curious about the best package designs across industries, this guide highlights what’s leading the way in trends in packaging design.
Tinplate know that eye-catching and thoughtful package designs are key to allowing packaging to reflect the product and the brand. We keep up to date with the latest packaging trends 2024 and developments to best help your custom packaging stand out on the shelf.
Top Packaging Design Trends to Watch in 2024
From minimalist textures to multi-functional designs, here are the top packaging design trends defining 2024:
• Textured packaging inspired by natural materials
• Cut-outs and windows to engage through transparency
• Number-focused branding that tells a product story
• Sustainable tin packaging with reusable or collectable features
• Interactive designs that include movement or digital layers
• Bold colours and fun packaging concepts for Gen Z appeal
Package Designs with a message
Design isn’t only about looks and function, it can also be used to promote a message; whether this is about sustainability, or fair prices for farm workers, or a brand’s core values.
The shape and use of secondary packaging can also have an impact. More and more consumers are questioning packaging designs in terms of sustainability. Is this packaging to be reused in the future? What does the packaging say about the company’s core values? Delphis Eco put these packaging industry trends and concepts to good use when they designed their bespoke storage tins, designed to be reused again and again; showcasing the tinplate material, an infinitely recyclable choice to highlight the brands sustainable ethos.
Packaging Trends 2024 include Cut Outs and Windows
A ‘cut out’ design on bespoke packaging is expected to be a big design trend throughout the 2024 packaging industry.
A cut out or window to a product can achieve multiple uses: the consumer gets a tantalising glimpse of the product, the cut out itself creates interest and texture, and depending on the design and placement, it can allow the packaging to live on with a second life. We love these Liz Earle tins, designed to be reused as lanterns, the cut outs around the heart glow like fireflies when a candle is placed inside the tin. The beautiful design and dual use sets the pace for beauty packaging trends and mean that the customer is sure to keep this on display in the home for a long time to come.
Trends in Beauty Packaging Design 2024
In 2024, beauty packaging trends in the UK are focusing on sustainability, innovation, and multifunctionality. Tin packaging is gaining popularity due to its durability, recyclability, and vintage charm. Brands are also incorporating cut-outs and windows, allowing consumers a glimpse of the product while adding texture and interest. Reusable designs, like tins that transform into lanterns, highlight the trend towards eco-friendly and versatile packaging. These trends reflect a growing consumer preference for environmentally conscious and aesthetically pleasing beauty products.
Textured Packaging Designs: A 2024 Trend
When designing packaging it is helpful to appeal to all the senses, particularly sight and touch. At Tinplate we know an exquisitely designed tin is impossible not to pick up and touch. Interesting use of debossing, and embossing can further add to the tactile sensation of holding a premium tin in your hands.
Current packaging trends are to create rock and earth textures in packaging. These can relate directly to the product and become a reminder to take care of the natural environment all around us.
The texture doesn’t have to be complicated, by using clever colour and design choices a simple crack can create the look and feel of earth or rock.
Pentawards Trends 2023-2024 – Istriana
Data-Driven Package Designs
Many packaging designs are using numbers as a key part of their branding, whether this relates to a specific anniversary, or the best time to enjoy the product, or focussing on the weight or portion size.
We love Island Chocolate’s tin designs, which have the chocolate percentage front and centre on their bespoke packaging. The numbers are eye catching, and the percentage tells the customer that the product is authentic. They have also used well placed print and emboss to showcase the actual size of their chocolate buttons, further reassuring the customers of the product inside and making opening the wonderful tin even more tempting.
“In a data-driven world, integrating numbers on packaging enables brands to engage with modern consumers in a relevant way, supporting their storytelling with facts. It transforms data into an artful expression, enriching narratives about origins, craftsmanship, and achievements.”
Olivia Estrella,
Omnichannel design strategy manager, Nestlé Purina
Quoted in the Pentawards Trends report – 2023 -2024
Interactive Packaging: A Fun Packaging Trend for 2024
Interactive packaging has become a major feature in the packaging industry and you should expect to see this trend continue in 2024. This can be from QR codes on artwork, to movement created in the packaging itself.
B.U ensured the secondary packaging for their trendy fragrance brand stood out in a busy beauty industry by developing moving, interactive packaging.
Cleverly utilising the ‘cut out’ trend, a cut out in the lid reveals a statement and the customer twists the base to reveal alternative hidden statements, according to each girls mood and attitude!
Marketed towards the GenZ generation this allows the customer to alter the packaging to reflect themselves, promoting individuality.
Not only does the secondary package designs reflect the brands manifesto ‘be yourself’, it’s also fun and playful; encouraging the consumer to touch and interact with the packaging.
Creating a packaging trend that is collectable and encourages multiple purchases there are many different designs and fragrances to choose from, and each tin is exquisitely printed internally and externally, and embossed for a further tactile experience.
We can’t wait to see how brands interpret these current packaging trends 2024 and create some wonderful custom packaging in 2024.
We’ve covered packaging design trends for 2023 and 2024 but keep your eyes peeled for our packaging trends of 2025.
From bold new textures to collectable, fun packaging concepts, 2024’s packaging design trends are all about elevating the user experience while remaining sustainable and brand-aligned. Whether you’re developing your next line of bespoke tins or need inspiration from the best package designs this year, Tinplate is here to help.
Contact us today to explore how 2024’s leading packaging trends can shape your next project.
