Using Text as Art for Your Custom Packaging Design: A Comprehensive Guide

People often ask, why use typography when a picture can speak a thousand words? Well, this isn't entirely true when it comes to packaging design. Excellent packaging should strike a balance in design, using both visual elements and written material to tell a story. But what if we told you that your text can actually take centre stage and let your product stand out even more? It might sound intimidating…so here's a quick guide to using text as art for your next custom packaging design and some of our favourite ways to do so!

Why Should I Use Text as Art for My Custom Package Design?

Typography is not always just meant to be read. While its main role is communication, it can also be an intricate art form in its own right. From conveying emotion to demonstrating a brand’s personality, clever typography serves multiple purposes, and is actually one of the biggest packaging trends for 2022.

Ever heard of ‘eccentric text-centric? It's generally a design trend that forgoes photography and illustrations, instead balancing white and negative space with playful typefaces in even more playful colours. Here are some brands who have found success adopting this type of design into their custom packaging.

Art Text on Packaging

The type of typography messaging to include in your product packaging really depends on your product line, your brand’s voice and what aspect of your product you are looking to promote the most. To navigate this easier, here's a few tips and pointers for crafting the perfect typography messaging for your packaging!

Keep it Short and Simple

Brands with a generic product range - this one’s for you. It would be helpful for your product packaging to showcase exactly what your product offers through text in a simple and straightforward way. Initially popularised from brands like no name, text is used to communicate the product’s intent without decorating it with unnecessary elements. This meets today’s consumer’s fast paced demands in quite a simple and effective way. In this sense, the text is also seen as a form of artwork itself and ironically no name's “anti-brand” approach has actually attracted a cult following. Talk about less is more!

Get Catchy and Creative

Developing an effective advertising slogan will help your brand cut through the chatter and get consumer attention quickly. While a paragraph-long explanation of your product might give potential customers plenty of information, a punchy slogan or witty catchphrase cuts through the clutter and creates a memorable image in the customers’ minds. 

Remember to keep your catch phrases short, concise and rhyming if possible! This will earn you extra brownie points in making your packaging more eye-catching.

Let the Font Do the Talking

Once you have decided on what type of messaging to go for, one of the most important components of a text-centric packaging design is choosing a typeface. Try to find one that speaks for your product - not only through words, but also in the typography itself.

For example, if you’re selling fitness equipment, you’ll likely want to choose a sans serif font that is strong and bold – something that conveys power and strength. If you’re selling lollies, perhaps you’ll opt for something more fun and whimsical. Consider your target audience and the “type of type” that will catch their eye and capture their attention.

Here's some of our pro tips when choosing the right brand fonts:

• Be unique & memorable: steer clear of basic fonts that tend to blend in.
• Two is always better than one: Once you select your primary font, begin searching for compatible fonts that work well with it to add variation!
• Evaluate in context: make sure the font you select is readable and versatile enough to be used in other platforms such as websites, social media and other marketing materials.

The Power of 3D Text in Packaging Design

3D text is a powerful tool that can add depth and dimension to your packaging design. It can make your text pop and stand out, creating a more engaging and interactive experience for your customers. Whether you're using a 3D text generator or creating your own 3D text style, this design element can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your packaging.

Text Art and Logo Design

Your logo is a crucial part of your brand identity, and incorporating text art into your logo design can make it more distinctive and memorable. Whether it's a simple text logo or a more complex design that combines text and graphics, the right text art can make your logo stand out and leave a lasting impression on your customers.

Typography Templates and Layouts 

Typography templates can be a great starting point for your packaging design. They provide a pre-designed layout that you can customise with your own text and graphics. Whether you're looking for a minimalist design or something more elaborate, there's a typography template out there that can meet your needs.

The Role of Shading and Distortion Effects in Graphic Text Style

In the world of text art, shading and distortion effects are like the secret spices in a chef's recipe. They can transform a simple text into a captivating visual element that can't be ignored. Shading can give your text a 3D effect, making it leap off the packaging, while distortion effects can add a sense of movement and energy, making your text feel alive.

Consider the impact of a shadow, for instance. A simple drop shadow can give your text a sense of depth, making it appear as if it's floating above the surface of your packaging. On the other hand, a more complex gradient shading can give your text a metallic or glossy finish, making it look sleek and high-end.

Distortion effects, on the other hand, can be used to create a variety of visual effects. A wave distortion can make your text look as if its undulating, while a twist distortion can make it look as if it's spinning. These effects can add a sense of dynamism and excitement to your packaging, making it more eye-catching and memorable.

So, don't be afraid to experiment with shading and distortion effects in your text style. They can add a whole new dimension to your packaging design, making it more visually appealing and engaging for your customers. And remember, the key is to have fun with it and let your creativity shine!

The Art of Masking in Text Design - Fill Your Letters Up

Masking is a technique that allows you to fill your text with a pattern or image, creating a unique and visually striking effect. Whether you're filling your text with a colourful pattern or a stunning photograph, masking can add a creative touch to your packaging design.

Exploring the Potential of Masking - Talk to your Designer About it

The beauty of masking lies in its versatility. You can fill your letters with almost anything - a splash of watercolour, a gradient of sunset hues, a collage of photos, or even a dynamic geometric pattern. This opens up a world of possibilities for your packaging design.

Imagine your brand name filled with a vibrant floral pattern, creating a sense of freshness and natural beauty. Or perhaps you're selling a luxury product, and you choose to fill your text with a sleek metallic texture, exuding an air of sophistication and elegance.

Masking can also be used to create a sense of depth and dimension. By filling your text with a 3D pattern or image, you can make your letters pop and create a more immersive visual experience for your customers.

But the key to successful masking is balance. While it's important to be bold and creative, you also want to ensure that your text remains legible and that the overall design doesn't become too busy or overwhelming. So don't be afraid to experiment with different ideas, but always keep the principles of good design in mind.

Conclusion

Using text as art in your custom packaging design can be a powerful way to communicate your brand's personality and values, engage your customers, and make your products stand out on the shelf. So why not give it a try? Start experimenting with different text styles, fonts, and design techniques, and see what works best for your brand. And remember, the most important thing is to have fun with it and let your creativity shine!

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