Packaging is one of the most important aspects of any product’s branding. That’s because in most cases, the product’s packaging is the first thing the buyer sees, whether on social media, a company’s website or a store shelf. Soap is no exception. But soap packaging needs to be more than just attractive—it has to communicate that the product inside will clean well and smell nice.
Beyond that, your soap brand needs to set itself apart from the competition. Brands can do this by indicating through the packaging design if it’s vegan, cruelty-free, good for the environment or if it’s a special product or for a niche market. And there’s also your brand identity to consider. That’s a lot of stuff to get across in packaging! Luckily we’ve got unique soap packaging ideas to inspire you.
- Soap packaging serves as the first impression for potential buyers, communicating cleanliness, product quality and brand identity.
- Creative soap packaging can showcase attributes like cruelty-free, vegan, natural ingredients, eco-friendliness or ethical sourcing, helping your product stand out in a competitive market.
- Using design elements like organic shapes, bold dark colors or nature-inspired imagery can communicate luxury or sustainability, aligning with your target audience’s values.
- Holster packaging and refillable liquid soap bottles are not only practical but also environmentally friendly, creating less waste and resonating with eco-conscious consumers.
- Innovative designs like cleverly disguised soap packaging can draw customers’ attention while aligning with your brand’s unique identity.
1. Organic shapes
Lots of soap packaging uses organic shapes in its design. This doesn’t necessarily mean organic in the eco sense, with images of leaves and trees all over the packaging (though plenty of soap brands take this design approach). By organic shapes, we mean wavy, flowy, uneven shapes that look and feel like they were sketched out by a human hand.
Packaging with hand-drawn scribbles is one of this year’s packaging design trends!
Source: Soap packaging design by luisashala via 99designs by Vista
Source: Soap packaging design by Kamilla Oblakova via 99designs by Vista
Source: Soap packaging design by Martis Lupus via 99designs by Vista
These shapes communicate a sense of realness through imperfection. There’s a handmade quality to them that tells customers that the soap isn’t a mass-produced product full of unnatural ingredients. It inspires trust in buyers and assures them that the soap they’re lathering onto their bodies is made of healthy, naturally derived ingredients that won’t irritate their skin.
2. The color black
When you think of the best colors for soap packaging (think color psychology), you probably think of light blue, maybe green or pink and definitely white. Although the color black might not be your first choice, it can actually work really well for soap packaging.
Source: Soap packaging design by Elena Hudz via 99designs by Vista
Source: Soap packaging design by athenabelle via 99designs by Vista
Source: Soap packaging design by CUPEDIUM via 99designs by Vista
When it comes to soap packaging ideas, black works for a few reasons:
- Used as a dark backdrop, it makes white and other bright colors pop
- It’s sophisticated and communicates a luxury experience
- Activated charcoal is a popular ingredient for soaps. If your soap contains activated charcoal, black packaging puts this messaging front and center
- It stands out against competing soap brands. Even though more soap brands are embracing black packaging, it’s still a relatively uncommon color in this market niche. With black packaging, your soap brand will stand out on the crowded supermarket shelf
3. Holster packaging
With a solid bar of soap, you don’t necessarily need to pack it up in a product box, pouch or other similar types of packaging. A holster gives you somewhere to print your logo and any important information while giving customers something to hold when they take the soap off a shelf and give it a sniff. Sometimes, that sniff clinches the sale—so if your soap smells amazing, make sure customers know with holster packaging.
Holster-style product packaging is also more eco-friendly simply because there’s less of it and it can be made of recycled materials. Take a look at these holster-style soap packaging ideas and you’ll notice that the packaging is made of card—an easy material to source sustainably and recycle.
Source: Holster soap packaging design by Scritto via 99designs by Vista
Source: Holster soap packaging design by Mj.vlass via 99designs by Vista
4. Nature imagery
We talked a bit about nature-inspired shapes in the organic shapes soap packaging idea, but not all nature imagery fits into this category. Some soap packaging features realistic illustrations of flowers, trees and leaves. Nature-inspired imagery is a great way for eco-friendly soap brands to emphasize their soap is made using natural ingredients.
Sustainable packaging with a twist is one of this year’s packaging design trends!
Source: Soap packaging design by vesmil via 99designs by Vista
Source: Soap packaging design by identity pulse via 99designs by Vista
Source: Soap packaging design by Martis Lupus via 99designs by Vista
Take note of the colors used in these designs. While green is usually a popular color choice for brands that want to emphasize natural and organic ingredients and a focus on sustainability, it’s not the only color that can do this. Colorful wildflowers, soothing neutrals and earthy tones can all communicate these same values. Stay away from the neons and metallics if you’re going for the nature-inspired look because they won’t communicate your brand message so well.
To understand what colors will appeal to your audience most, discover current color trends.
5. Liquid soap packaging ideas
Most of the soap packaging ideas we’ve looked at so far are for bar soap, but there are lots of creative ways to package liquid soap too. Take a look at the different liquid soap bottle shapes and colors for these liquid soap packaging ideas.
Source: Liquid soap packaging design by DesignMoment via 99designs by Vista
One of the best things about liquid soap is how easy it is to package in refillable and reusable bottles or pouches. For an eco-friendly soap brand, this kind of packaging that encourages sustainable use is a no-brainer.
Source: Liquid soap packaging design by Ilka A via 99designs by Vista
6. Cleverly disguised soap packaging
And then there is soap packaging that doesn’t look like soap packaging. Some look like minerals or moonstones. Others look like chocolate. All of them are creative and fun.
Source: Soap packaging design by DNP Design
Source: Soap packaging design by Valerina_W
Soap is one of those products that can be packaged up in a seemingly endless number of creative ways because it’s so versatile. Although your soap packaging should always make it clear that the product inside is soap (you wouldn’t want somebody to accidentally bite into your chocolate bar-shaped soap!) you can have some fun by tailoring your packaging design to your brand’s target audience.
Stand out with unique soap packaging
Your soap packaging needs to effectively showcase your brand and make your product stand out from its competitors without confusing customers about what’s inside. It also needs to communicate that the product smells nice, will be kind to their skin and make them clean. So when brainstorming soap packaging ideas, make sure to consider your product, brand and audience. With these key three things in mind, you’re sure to create soap packaging that looks great!
Soap packaging FAQs
What are the best materials for soap packaging?
The best materials for soap packaging depend on your brand values and target audience. Popular options include recyclable kraft paper for eco-friendly branding, plastic wraps for moisture protection, card holsters for access to the soap’s scent or decorative cardboard boxes for a premium look.
What are some eco-friendly soap packaging ideas?
Eco-friendly packaging ideas include using biodegradable paper wraps, compostable materials or reusable packaging like tin boxes or refillable bottles. These packaging design options reduce waste and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
How can I make my soap packaging stand out?
Focus on creative design elements like unique shapes, vibrant colors, clever cut-outs or custom touches such as branded stickers or illustrations. Telling your brand’s story or highlighting sustainable practices can also resonate with customers.
Should I include product details on soap packaging?
Yes, including product details like ingredients, scent and usage instructions is essential. These details help customers make informed choices and build trust in your brand. You can also add certifications, such as “organic” or “cruelty-free” to emphasize quality.
