Packaging and brand design for new business

Savvy_Sue

bingo_bango wrote: »

Have you ever seen cooking instructions for meat on the outside of the packet?

Less and less often on many foods - and isn't that SO frustrating when you have to open to packet to find out whether you've got time to cook it tonight or not?

Presumably this won't be such a problem for the OP ...

gavcooper

If you are a startup business contact your local Business Link office. Get a meeting with an adviser and they maybe be able to offer you some vouchers for self promotion. This could help increase your budget.

As previously suggested start with your company brand mark, it is important to get this correct. This will then give you a look and feel for the rest of your promotional material. Cheap is good that's why we all visit this site, but remember you are trying to attract customers to buy your product. Will a clipart based logo that anyone with a PC can produce do this?

PasturesNew, a litho press can print more than one colour on a single pass, most are setup for 5/6 colours (CMYK + spot colours). So no need to restrict the number of colours you can use.

My company can help with all your design/print/web requirements, if your require a company to handle everything.

incensicle

Thanks for the replies, and some great ideas about putting info on. I especially like the idea of a sticky label on the packet, that makes a lot of sense, epecially to put the safety info on. I do have a number of different lines that need different stuff written on.
Yesterday i did some 'arty' photos to use for publicity, and that has helped to clarify my some ideas about how i want to style our image. I used them to design a flyer I really like, so that seems a step forward. however my internet search for the right box is driving me crazy.
Gav Thanks for the info about the vouchers I will find out more about that. I had a look at your sight, your work is very stylish and contemporary, but I'm a bit of an old hippy!
I think I may have to do the design side myself, I've realised I dont feel confident a bout someone else taking charge of this. I would be hell for a designer to work for!

DKLS

Do you have a university near you, If so and they run a graphic design course, its worth contacting the tutor, and asking who the best 3 students are, then give them a detailed brief, also ask for print and web versions of your logo.

You should then be able to pick from a number of ideas and get your brand sorted for around £200. I have used uni students for a number of projects and have always been pleased with the results, they are happy with some money and a real world job to add to their portfolios and you save money.

gavcooper

If you now intend to self design, it maybe worth while getting a design company to look over your work before proceeding. I had a client recently who wanted a website created and had already designed their our logo. We convinced them to let us spend a little time evolving their logo design into something more professional. After they saw the end result they agreed to was money well spent.

Good luck with your company.

incensicle

I agree with that gav thats basicly what I'm thinking otherwise I'd just be going in saying - I don't know what I want until i see it - a designers nightmare I expect. i need to be able to say this is what i want, now make it look professional. I just don't like to waste peoples time

qw3rt7

I don't know what I want until i see it - a designers nightmare I expect

yes, i sometimes wake up in a cold sweat thinking about such things!
A good designer will help you structure a good brief though, which you might not get with a student, however talented they are. Its only after you have experienced the living hell of trying to complete a project without a decent brief that you learn to ask!

incensicle

I started this thread in October - seems a long time ago! I thought I'd post what I eventually did in case anyone else was searching for help on the same topic and found the thread.
This week I got my labels through from the printer - its been a long road, mainly because I wanted it right. (We went through five proofs with me being picky about exactly thre right colour!)
I eventually got my boxes and labels from the same company who were very helpful. I got my own design of boxes made, and the only additional cost was a one off extra charge of £90 for the die to be made, even though my initial order was only 5000. If you google short run packaging you should be able to find the company I used. They were very patient at dealing with someone who knew nothing about design. Again we went through half a dozen design ideas before I was satisfied. Hope this helps someone, and thanks for the help I was given by you lot!

fuzzball172

so when do we get to see your product packaging?