I've designed packaging for 50+ DTC brands. Here are the mistakes I see over and over:

1. Too much text on the front panel.

Your customer has 3 seconds. One headline, one visual, done. Save the ingredients list for the back.

2. Colors that don't photograph well.

Your packaging lives on a screen first. Neon gradients and metallic foils look incredible in person — and terrible in a product listing photo. Design for the thumbnail.

3. No unboxing moment.

If opening your product feels the same as opening an Amazon basics box, you're leaving UGC on the table. A tissue wrap, a thank-you card, a pop of color inside the lid. Small details = free content from your customers.

4. Ignoring shelf context.

Your product doesn't exist in isolation. Pull up your competitors' listings and design something that breaks the pattern. If everyone's using white and clean, go bold and dark.

5. Treating packaging as an afterthought.

The best brands treat packaging as their first ad. It's the one piece of marketing every single customer sees. Invest accordingly.

If your packaging needs work, I design for e-commerce brands full time. Check out what we offer above 👆