FAQs
Getting Started
“Do you work with companies who don’t sell Consumer Packaged Goods?”
While we do make exceptions in some cases, we typically don’t work with companies who aren’t related to the CPG industry.
“What is the best way to reach out about my project?”
We recommend two things:
- Sending an email to [email protected], introducing yourself and including any designed materials you already have for your project (such as a logo or current packaging design, etc…)
- Signing up for a 15-minute call on Calendly.
“What’s the best way to communicate with you once a project has commenced?”
We prefer email, unless a conversation is warranted. In that case, please visit Calendly to book a call with us. Please note – intro calls are complimentary. When we send your proposal, we’ll include verbiage as to how many hours of calls are included in your set price. After that, we charge hourly for calls.
“What does a proposal look like?”
Proposals are sent as an email, and include the following:
- The scope of your project
- The process for completing the scope
- The quote for your project
- The timeline for your project
- The materials needed from you to get started
“What materials do you usually need from me to get started?”
We always need a deposit. If you’re a new client or a new website client, we need a contract signature. If you have any branding materials or current packaging designs, we need vector versions (AI, EPS, SVG, and sometimes PDF) of those. If you don’t have vector versions, then send us what you do have, and we’ll see if we can work with it.
“Can you take a concept I created with AI and make it print-ready?”
We’re happy to work with most CPG clients at any capacity. That said, we have seen a lot of AI concepting from clients over the past year. A small percentage of it is good and the rest looks very homogenized. We’re happy to use your AI work as initial concepting or as the full design direction, but if you request the latter, we will still recommend ways to make it better and more unique to your specific brand.
“I can get packaging designs with Fiverr for much less. Why wouldn’t I just use them?”
Fiverr is a great option for inexpensive concepting, but packaging design is creative, strategic AND technical. You want someone with experience who knows the industry, is updated on the latest trends, understands FDA and USDA guidelines, and can properly set up a file for print.
In addition, it’s important to have trust and an established relationship with your packaging designer so they can keep and maintain packaging files for you, and help your brand grow over the years.
Pricing
“What factors go into pricing my project?”
Our prices vary greatly depending on the project. These are the major factors considered:
- The amount of branding your company currently has
- Whether you have a vision for your product or not
- How complicated that vision would be to achieve graphically
- The size of your packaging
- The amount of different dielines we will be designing on
- The number of SKUs that you’re starting with
- How different the artwork is from SKU to SKU
“Should I tell you my budget before you give me a price?”
You’re definitely welcome to! If we hear a budget, we’ll likely quote the job based on that amount, as the project total directly correlates to the amount of time we spend on your project. And the more time spent usually equates to a better design.
BUT, we really try to work with most budgets as our core mission is to help startups receive agency-quality work without the agency price. So don’t fret if you don’t have thousands to spend on packaging. And we’re accustomed to sending proposals without hearing the potential client’s budget first!
“How do your quotes work?”
We charge a set price which usually includes 2 rounds of design.
The first SKU’s artwork is always the most expensive – with this design, we’re working out all of your branding and packaging details, and creating a template that will be used for any additional SKU’s.
Once the first SKU’s artwork is created, each additional SKU’s artwork comes at a much lower set price, usually for 1 round of design.
Lead Times
“How do your lead times work?”
Normally, the biggest lead time that you will experience is right before Round 1 of Design delivery. This is because Round 1 of Design takes the most time to produce in both hours and brain space. This can be anywhere from 1 week, for simple projects, and up to 4 weeks, for more complex projects.
Once Round 1 of Design is delivered, the project moves much more quickly. We can typically get to Round 2 of design within 1-2 weeks. If you just have small updates after Round 1, those can take a few business days to complete.
“Do you offer expedited timelines?”
We do! Depending on when you need something, we may charge a rush fee. Always keep us informed of hard deadlines, so we can do what we can to accommodate.
If your project is for a new brand without any existing materials, it is more advantageous for the design process to not rush – both for our designers and for your review process.
Content
“Where do I get my nutritionals from?”
If you don’t have your nutritionals by the time we start on your packaging design, we will include placeholders for these elements in the first round of design. You will need to provide us with the data for these elements before your artwork goes to print. If you have a copacker, your nutritionals should come from them. If you don’t have a copacker, we recommend an online service like Recipal.
“Where do I get barcodes from?”
When you sign on to work with us, we will provide more information on this, and can assist with the barcode process.
“What content do I include on the side panel of my packaging?”
When you sign on to work with us, we can assist with this. The industry term for this information is “romance copy”.
Printing
“Do you manage the printing process for me?”
We can! Especially if your packaging is a label. Many of our clients have us order the labels and include the reimbursement on their final invoice for a seamless process. If you are printing a box, pouch, or something else, we can put you in touch with our preferred vendors, and once you decide on a printer, we’re happy to email them the print-ready files.
“How many labels should I start with?”
For new brands, we recommend starting out with the minimum amount required for your copacker to produce your first run of product. Yes, this will lead to a higher price per label, but with it being your first run, this is also the first time you’ll be seeing your packaging IRL. You want to make sure that you like how the colors turn out, and that there are no glaring issues. After the first run, we recommend about six months’ worth of labels, but make sure your copacker is okay with storing the overages before placing that larger order.
“I want my packaging to really stand out and am willing to pay a little extra for this. What can I do?”
We love this question! Here are some options for what we like to call “special printing techniques”:
- A unique substrate, such as metallic, clear, or kraft.
- A unique finish, such as spot gloss. This is when certain graphics on your label have a shinier look to them.
- A unique die. Think of a die as a cookie cutter that cuts out the shape of your label. What if that shape was more special than just a rectangle?
Post-Project
“Why did you send my logo files in various formats?”
Because different formats serve different purposes. Most notably, vector files can be scaled up to any size without quality loss, and raster files have more broad compatibility with various programs for viewing. Here is a detailed breakdown:
- AI files are Illustrator files (vector) – this is the program that the design was created in. Save this file for any future designers who may work on your brand.
- EPS files are vector files that should be used for printed materials. If you need to send your file to a print company, this is a safe file format to provide.
- PDF files are vector (at least, how we save them – they’re vector) but they can also be viewed by people without the Adobe programs. If you need to send your file to a print company, I’d recommend sending this format as well.
- JPG files are raster and should only be used for digital purposes. JPGs cannot be transparent, but their file size is smaller than that of a PNG.
- PNG files are raster and should only be used for digital purposes. PNGs can be transparent, but their file size is larger than that of a JPG.
- SVG files are vector and intended to be used for digital purposes.
“What happens if I create an additional flavor of my product down the road?”
Reach out, and we’ll make packaging artwork for your new SKU! Once a packaging design is solidified, creating packaging for additional flavors or SKUs is much easier, as we’re just switching out content and updating colors or graphics to fit the new flavor or SKU.