What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about great food?
The answer can be a Margherita pizza with extra cheese, grilled chicken smothered with butter, Paneer Butter Masala, or any other dish you like.
Similarly, when choosing the best food packaging design agency, the idea of the best packaging agency boils down to the specific needs of your brand. And as it turns out, it’s not just about packaging and design.
But here is the bummer. There are a lot of agencies in the market. And naturally, each one of them claims to be the best. How to know which one is the best for your brand?
Well, you can stop scratching your head now, as we are about to end all your confusion. Read on to learn about choosing the best food packaging design agency in India, along with six of the most promising names in the industry.
Before going any further, pause right here and answer this question: What do you need?
Do you need an end-to-end packaging and design solution for your brand? Do you only want to improve a particular aspect of the packaging? Is it a structural rework? Or do you just need a sustainability consultation?
Knowing the answer is a prerequisite to choosing the best agency. After all, you must know your specific needs to find an agency that fits them, right?
Found your answer? Now, keep this answer in mind and dive into these five essential factors to find the best food packaging agency for your brand:
Every brand has its budget. And every packaging agency has its rates. The sweet spot is where these two variables meet. For an agency to be a good fit, it must fit your brand’s budget. After all, the budget can be a deal-breaker, so it’s best to keep things clear!
Let’s suppose you are a pizza restaurant chain (think of Domino’s). You need an end-to-end packaging solution to transform your pizza packages. Consider these two agencies you come across:
Now, here is the important part. The packaging of ready-to-eat snacks is quite different from that of freshly baked pizzas. So, while both agencies have similar overall experience, agency B is likely a better choice because of its experience in the kind of products your brand produces!
Therefore, you should look for an agency that has good overall experience in packaging design. But also consider if it has sufficient experience in your specific products!
Packaging and designing processes usually take several weeks and require consistent communication between the brand and agency. However, if the distance between your brand’s and the agency’s offices is too much, in-person communication might not be possible. And there is only so much you can talk about via video calls!
To avoid such inconvenience, it makes sense to look for an agency that operates in or near your brand’s office. While this factor is not a deal-breaker, it can certainly make things easier.
A good packaging design company should clearly communicate its complete design process. Knowing this process is important so you know what services they cover and what to expect from them.
Ideally, the design process includes all essential aspects, including research, ideation, designing, development, and delivery, along with the estimated timeline. Knowing all this also helps to be clear about the number of revisions you can expect if you are unsatisfied with the first output.
Results speak for themselves. And that’s why packaging agency's portfolio and testimonials are among the best ways to understand its potential and credibility.
So, check out the brands the agency has already worked with, and find out what the brands think of the results. Most agencies publish detailed case studies and client testimonials on their websites. So you won’t have to look far.
These factors will help you choose the food packaging design agency that’s just the right fit for your brand.
You don’t need to do all the groundwork yourself, as we did much of it before writing this blog. So, here is a list of six food packaging design agencies that can transform your brand’s packaging design.
stablished in 1989, Elephant is one of the oldest names in the Indian packaging industry.
It calls itself a “design-led innovation organization.” It provides services across categories such as product development, retail design, brand experience design, and even furniture and product systems design.
From Automobiles, Infrastructure, and IT to Food, FMCG, and Consumer Durables—Elephant Designs has worked with a plethora of companies across industries. Its designs are known for their clear communication, great storytelling, and differentiation potential.
Clearly, Elephant Design is a promising solution if you wish to level up the packaging of your food products!
Based In: Pune
Notable Clients: Domino’s, Britannia, Tata, Heinz India, MTR Foods, etc.
DesignerPeople is another popular choice among brands looking for great food packaging. It was established in 1999 and has since grown into a full-fledged branding and packaging solutions provider.
The company has over 18 years of experience in branding and packaging and has worked on over 1200+ projects, making itself an industry veteran. It offers end-to-end packaging design services—right from initial research and brainstorming to testing, competitor research, and finally, printing.
Based In: Delhi NCR
Notable Clients: MDH, Haldiram’s, Cream Bell, Cornitos, & Cremica, among others.
The Minimalist shines because of an unmatched innovation in its designs. The company has been around since 2015 and has so far shaken hands with over 200 domestic and global brands.
The Minimalist provides services—or superpowers, as it calls them—across three core areas: branding and communication, interaction design, and digital marketing. These services span from brand strategy and packaging design to UI/UX design, social media management, growth marketing, and a plethora of other aspects.
If you want your food products to stand out with minimalistic yet impactful designs, The Minimalist might be a great option.
Based In: Mumbai
Notable Clients: Schwarzkopf, Britannia, Cadbury, Minute Maid, etc.
NH1 Design is another trusted name in the Indian branding and packaging industry. Since 2013, the company has been providing strategic branding services to brands across several industries, such as Consumer, Healthcare, Finance, Tech, and Cosmetics.
The design process at NH1 Design consists of four steps: Discovery, Development, Design, and Delivery. From understanding your brand’s purpose to developing your brand’s unique identity through branding and design—NH1 can provide your brand with things beyond great packaging and design.
Based In: Gurgaon
Notable Clients: ITC Foods, Nestle Lifesciences, Fratelli Wines, Dabur, etc.
Foley Designs was founded in 2006 as a product-led design company by Michael Foley. The company specializes in product design. However, its core services also include branding, experience design, design innovation, and strategy, making it a full-fledged design company.
With its three-step approach involving Context, Approach, and Create, Foley Designs has helped over 225 brands develop and transform their brand identity with compelling designs and visuals. Given this vast experience, you can certainly count on Foley Designs for your brand’s food packaging design.
Based In: Bengaluru
Notable Clients: Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), Herbalife Nutrition, ITC, MCaffeine, etc.
Desworks is among the most prominent names in the Indian packaging and branding industry. We have been in the business for the last 5-6 years. Food is one of the many industries we cater to.
At Desworks, we pay special attention to customers’ tastes and buying behaviors to create effective, data-backed creatives.
Our greatest strength is our stellar team of designers, researchers, and packaging specialists who handle the creative process. But the cherry on the top is our AI-powered neuroscience technology that validates our designs by predicting how well they will grab the customers’ attention.
No matter what your needs are, we can deliver stunning food packaging designs for your brand—a design that works!
Based In: Mumbai
Notable Clients: Cadbury, Snickers, Oven Story, Alpino, & Chunky’s, among others.
Creating great packaging is not easy, and neither is finding the right packaging company that fits your brand. You need a company that not only gets your brand’s needs but also wraps your brand values beautifully in the packaging.
The brands mentioned in this blog check these boxes. They are great at what they offer, are flexible to work with, and are located in business hotspots.
If you are looking for an agency that has experience in creating stellar food packaging, Desworks can put your search to an end. We have helped great brands boost their sales and attract customers with compelling packaging. And we can’t wait to do the same for you. Visit our website to learn how!