Packaging Design Training

Lesson 1 • Stakeholders in the Packaging Ecosystem

Maps the network of brand owners, converters, retailers, consumers, and regulators. Understanding stakeholder needs prevents costly redesigns later in the process.

Lesson 2 • Overview of the Design Process

Introduces the end-to-end packaging design workflow from brief to production. Provides a roadmap students will navigate in detail across subsequent chapters.

Lesson 3 • History and Evolution of Packaging

Traces packaging from hand-crafted containers to modern industrial systems. Historical context reveals why current conventions exist and where innovation opportunities lie.

Lesson 4 • Core Functions of a Package

Examines protection, containment, communication, and convenience as the four primary functions. Students evaluate any package against these criteria throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Plastics and Polymers

Surveys common polymer families, their properties, and typical packaging applications. Students distinguish rigid from flexible plastics and assess recyclability implications.

Lesson 2 • Glass and Metal Substrates

Examines glass and metal as premium and functional packaging materials. Students weigh weight, cost, and barrier performance against brand positioning needs.

Lesson 3 • Material Selection Decision Framework

Provides a structured method for choosing substrates based on product, market, and sustainability criteria. Synthesises the section's material knowledge into a practical decision tool.

Lesson 4 • Paper and Paperboard

Covers grades, weights, and coatings of paper-based substrates used in folding cartons and labels. Students match board grades to structural and print requirements.

Lesson 1 • Dieline Creation and Prototyping

Guides students through building production-ready dielines and physical mock-ups. Hands-on prototyping validates structural decisions before committing to tooling costs.

Lesson 2 • Structural Design Principles

Establishes load-bearing, stacking, and closure mechanics as core structural concepts. These principles underpin every format-specific technique covered in the chapter.

Lesson 3 • Folding Carton Construction

Teaches standard and custom carton styles, score lines, and glue flap geometry. Students draft accurate dielines for straight-tuck, reverse-tuck, and auto-bottom cartons.

Lesson 4 • Rigid Box and Container Design

Covers set-up boxes, injection-moulded containers, and thermoformed trays. Students apply wall thickness, draft angle, and lid-fit principles to rigid format design.

Lesson 1 • Brand Architecture on Pack

Explains how corporate, product, and sub-brand hierarchies manifest on packaging. Students map brand architecture to panel layouts before any visual execution begins.

Lesson 2 • Typography on Pack

Addresses legibility, hierarchy, and regulatory type sizing for packaging surfaces. Students set type that reads at shelf distance and meets minimum size requirements.

Lesson 3 • Imagery, Iconography, and Illustration

Teaches the use of photography, illustration, and icons to communicate product benefit and brand personality. Students direct and select visuals that perform at small reproduction sizes.

Lesson 4 • Graphic Layout and Panel Design

Applies grid systems, visual flow, and hierarchy to multi-panel packaging layouts. Students produce front, back, and side panel designs that work as a unified three-dimensional object.

Lesson 1 • Lifecycle Assessment Fundamentals

Introduces lifecycle assessment as a tool for quantifying environmental impact across production, use, and disposal. Students interpret LCA data to guide material and format decisions.

Lesson 2 • Design for Recyclability

Covers material compatibility, label adhesive selection, and ink choices that preserve recyclability. Students audit existing designs and redesign for improved recyclability scores.

Lesson 3 • Lightweighting and Material Reduction

Teaches techniques for reducing material use while maintaining structural performance. Students calculate material savings and validate structural integrity after reduction.

Lesson 4 • Circular Economy Packaging Models

Examines refillable, reusable, and deposit-return packaging systems as circular alternatives. Students evaluate business model fit and consumer behaviour requirements for each model.

Lesson 1 • Retailer and Channel Requirements

Covers retailer-specific label mandates including price look-up codes, barcodes, and shelf-ready packaging specs. Students audit designs against major retail channel checklists.

Lesson 2 • Mandatory Label Elements

Identifies required declarations including product name, net quantity, ingredient list, and allergen callouts. Students locate each element correctly within a label layout.

Lesson 3 • Environmental and Recycling Claims

Explains substantiation requirements for recyclable, compostable, and recycled-content claims. Students apply approved symbols and avoid unsubstantiated environmental marketing.

Lesson 4 • Safety and Warning Statements

Addresses hazard communication, child-safety warnings, and age-restriction notices. Students integrate mandatory warnings without compromising brand design integrity.

Lesson 1 • Quality Control and Press Checks

Establishes inspection criteria for colour, registration, and structural integrity at press. Students conduct structured press checks and document deviations against approved standards.

Lesson 2 • Colour Management and Proofing

Covers ICC profiles, soft proofing, and contract proof standards for packaging production. Students manage colour from design screen to press sheet with measurable accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Artwork File Preparation

Teaches bleed, safe zone, overprint, and trap settings required for production files. Students build files that pass prepress checks without revision cycles.

Lesson 4 • Finishing and Special Effects

Explores lamination, varnish, foil stamping, embossing, and die-cutting as brand-enhancing finishes. Students specify finishes that are technically feasible and cost-justified.

Lesson 1 • Launch Management and Post-Launch Review

Guides students through production scheduling, retailer sell-in, and post-launch performance review. Closing the feedback loop ensures continuous improvement across future packaging projects.

Lesson 2 • Packaging Validation and Testing

Covers transit, drop, vibration, and climate testing protocols that validate structural performance. Students specify the correct test suite for each packaging format and distribution channel.

Lesson 3 • Packaging Strategy and Brief Writing

Teaches how to translate brand and business objectives into a precise packaging design brief. A strong brief prevents scope creep and aligns all stakeholders before design begins.

Lesson 4 • Consumer Research Methods

Covers qualitative and quantitative research techniques used to evaluate packaging concepts. Students select and apply the right method for each stage of the design process.