As we head into 2025, some new packaging design trends are set to take off. We predict nostalgia will be just as important as innovation – and of course, we can’t ignore sustainability. So, what should businesses and brands know about the incoming year’s design trends? Stay tuned to find out!
1. Smart packaging: the next level of engagement
Smart packaging is not some far-flung, futuristic concept; it’s already here, and it’s growing:
Read more: Is Smart Packaging the Future of Polythene Film?
With advanced capabilities that allow for consumer interaction, tracking, and sustainability, smart packaging is transforming how brands communicate and connect. Packaging can even be embedded with sensors, keeping the contents in optimum condition from start to finish. Printed and coloured polythene will play a significant role in this trend – so will advanced packaging design and engineering.
2. Retro and vintage appeal: 90s/00s styling is back
Nostalgia is a powerful force in consumer culture. And it comes around like clockwork… As much as it pains our ageing minds to say, the 1990s and early 2000s are now considered “retro”. And the cultural aesthetics of 30-something years ago are making a strong comeback.
We’re talking transparent materials, bold colours, and jaunty shapes that evoke the aesthetics of past decades. This look and feel is capturing a new generation of consumer interest, and creating emotional connections among elder millennials.
Expect to see more packaging that brings back the playful, vibrant elements of 90s/00s design; think holographic effects, chunky fonts, and translucent finishes.
3. Transparency and minimalism: less is more
Transparency continues to be a defining element in packaging design – both in the literal and metaphorical sense. Consumers want to know where their products and its packaging comes from. Giving this information builds trust and enhances the brand/consumer relationship.
Designers are also embracing minimalism, to appeal to eco-conscious consumers and complement their own sustainability efforts. Less material equals less waste, and polythene presents an excellent all-in-one packaging solution for this.
Speaking of waste…
4. Sustainability needs to be at the core of packaging in 2025
As sustainability takes centre stage, packaging materials and processes are coming under increased scrutiny. While the environmental impact of packaging remains a concern, polythene is evolving to meet these challenges.
Recycled and recyclable polythene offers a viable, eco-conscious choice when used responsibly – but consumer education is key here. Polythene’s sustainability depends on informed usage and disposal, and NPF Packaging is committed to advancing eco-friendly options in polythene.
Consumers and businesses need to know the true impact of so-called alternatives, so they can make a genuinely impactful choice.
Learn more: What would happen if we BANNED plastic packaging?
5. It’s getting personal…
Personalised packaging is becoming a major trend. From tailored subscription box packaging to limited-edition designs, brands know the value of creating unique experiences for individual consumers. Personalised packaging delivers a more intimate, memorable experience that drives customer loyalty and engagement.
Using printed polythene, brands can create packaging that reflects a consumer’s preferences or even integrates their name. This trend is particularly popular in eCommerce packaging, where brands are exploring personalised packaging for both small-batch and large-scale productions.
6. Multi-use packaging
Reusable and multi-purpose designs are not only practical but also appeal to eco-conscious buyers. Packaging that can be repurposed provides added value and reduces waste. A circular economy approach to polythene packaging, where bags and films are reclaimed and reused, could eliminate waste altogether… But it’ll take everyone to make it work.
Customers would have to get used to returning used polythene bags and films, and businesses would have to implement a system that screens out unusable materials. It’s a big ask – but even just employing multi-use packaging as a starting point would help move things in the right direction.
7. Packaging as a statement of brand values
The internet, always-on, social media age has made consumers increasingly more aware of the world around them. And at times like these, they look for brands that align with their values. Packaging has become a powerful vehicle for brands to communicate their stance on sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.
Design elements and statements about ethical practices build trust and foster brand loyalty, and in 2025, consumers will continue to prioritise brands that use packaging as a platform for transparency and social responsibility.
Brands that make their values visible through design, from ethical sourcing to low-impact production methods, stand to gain a loyal following in markets mired by scandals and poor public image.
Stay ahead of packaging design trends
Packaging in 2025 will be about more than just aesthetics; it’ll be about creating meaningful interactions, enabling sustainability, and embracing technology. Smart packaging, retro appeal, and the environment will be the biggest trends moving forward – and if you’re keen to explore these trends, talk to the polythene experts at NPF Packaging. We’ll help you develop custom designed polythene packaging that’s bang on trend.
Enquire online to get a quote now, or call us on 01773 820415 to find out more about our manufacturing and design process.
