2 recommended links to add 🙂
https://www.vistaprint.com/hub/different-types-of-labels
https://www.vistaprint.com/hub/types-of-packaging-boxes
It doesn’t take a lot for us to scream for ice cream, but eye-catching ice cream packaging design definitely helps. If you’re planning to launch a mouth-watering product that’ll freeze out the competition, we’ve got you covered for packaging inspiration.
Whether it’s vegan or eco-friendly options you’re looking to pursue, ice cream packaging design now carries the all-important task of staying transparent to their customers without compromising on style.
But before delving into the designs, it’s important to take a step back and think about all the important aspects that go into your ice cream packaging. In this article, we break down all the elements you need to know before looking at ice cream packaging design trends that are seriously delicious.
- Choosing the right ice cream packaging materials, like plastic, paper or glass, depends on the type of ice cream you’re selling and the durability required for freezing temperatures.
- Eco-friendly packaging options, such as compostable cartons or repurposed jars, can help reduce waste while appealing to environmentally conscious customers.
- Aligning your packaging design with your brand message creates stronger customer connections.
- Practical packaging features, such as built-in spoons or carry boxes, can make your product more convenient and appealing to customers.
- Ice cream packaging design trends include text-focused designs, whimsical prints, nostalgic style, clear and transparent packaging, organic color blocking and repetitive patterns.
How to plan your ice cream packaging
Ice cream packaging materials
One of the first things you need to consider is the type of ice cream packaging you’re working with. Figuring out the canvas where your design will live requires you to get familiar with what kind of ice cream you’re selling—is it an ice cream sandwich or gelato? A single scoop of ice cream in a tub or a knickerbocker glory?
These are the most common types of packaging for the different types of ice cream:
- Plastic or paper wrapping for individual ice lollies or ice cream sandwiches
- Cardboard or paper boxes for multi-packs
- Plastic tubs or glass jars for scoop ice cream
It’s also important to think about the durability of your chosen ice cream packaging. It must go through strict food safety and hygiene standards to ensure it can withstand very cold temperatures to keep the ice cream fresh. This means you have a limited type of materials to work with, and that can affect the way you design your ice cream packaging.
Source: Purpose Pops ice pops packaging by RUDI STUDIO via 99designs by Vista.
Source: No 16 ice cream packaging by Packaging Design via 99designs by Vista.
Plastic has long been the favorite for ice cream packaging. If you choose to go down this route, talk with suppliers about the environmental impact of using plastics. Are the materials they use made out of recyclable materials, for instance? How much energy, time, and resources does it take to recycle those materials? Even if this isn’t a top priority for your brand, it’s important to be conscious of the environmental impact your brand is making so you can be transparent with your audience.
Ice cream packaging must withstand long periods in freezers at near-zero temperatures. The last thing you want is to have smeared ink or bleeding colors because the wrapping doesn’t mix well with the wax coating of your ice cream tub.
So, ensure you’ve researched the type of ink that will work on your packaging surfaces. For example, if you’re working with polypropylene, a popular option for ice cream tubs or containers, you’ll want to use epoxy inks.
Alternatively, you can use a decorative wrap on your ice cream packaging, but be aware that this will cost more than a simple print.
Above all, your ice cream packaging material has to do its number one job: protecting the ice cream inside and keeping its original quality and shape.
Explore sustainable options
Another consideration to make when choosing your ice cream packaging material is whether it’s made up of sustainable components. With advancing technology making it even easier to process and develop sustainable materials for packaging, it’s rare to find ice cream packaging that’s not eco-friendly. From repurposed plastic or glass jars to compostable paperboard, sourcing durable materials doesn’t have to be unkind to the environment.
Source: Sacred Serve ice cream packaging via Packaging World
Looking for sustainable packaging inspiration? Check out our article for more eco-friendly packaging ideas.
Other than using bio-based materials, another way to ensure your ice cream packaging is sustainable is by adopting a zero-waste approach to your design process. Ice cream brand Sacred Serve uses a food-grade, one-piece design in a compostable carton. This eliminates the need to produce lids that would undoubtedly create more waste.
Source: Riesco ice cream packaging by Widarto Impact via Dieline
Where we as a society collectively shift to becoming more environmentally conscious, eco-friendly ice cream packaging wins brownie points, even without the fancy branding and loud design styles.
Create brand consistency
Your packaging has got to be consistent with the product you’re selling. For example, if your ice cream brand is geared toward health-conscious customers, it doesn’t hurt to support that brand messaging with a clean, minimalist design highlighting natural, pared-back ingredients. Or, if it’s ice lollies targeting children, create colorful, jovial wrapping designs that clearly communicate the ingredients for their discerning parents.
Source: Nora’s Ice Cream packaging by KarenW-Design via 99designs by Vista.
Whatever you do with the look and feel of your packaging, the number one rule is to make sure it represents your brand philosophy and its messaging is in line with what your ice cream is all about.
Form and function
Considering this particular element in your design journey is worthwhile and can create the extra opportunity to let your packaging and design shine.
Take a walk in your customer’s shoes. Consider who usually buys your ice cream and think about how (and where) they would eat it.
Are customers finding your product at the supermarket, for example? How about a cafe or a mini-mart? If it’s one of the latter options, it’s likely customers are going to be eating it on the go. In that case, ensure your ice cream packaging design includes a small spoon tucked smartly into the lid. Or if your customers buy their ice cream in larger quantities, then consider a functional carry box so they can easily take it with them without fear of spilling.
Source: Messina ice cream carry box via Messina
Even if your ice cream packaging doesn’t need these extra functions, knowing what your customers want can help inform you of that extra flourish that will make your packaging truly special.
If your business sells artisan ice cream, then think about how your customers see it. They may consider a tub of ice cream from there as a special treat and something to cherish. So why not add a beautiful, eco-friendly paper to wrap the polystyrene container in for that special unboxing experience? It will help create better engagement with customers and make your brand more memorable for them.
Check out our ultimate guide to product packaging design for more details.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some stunning ice cream packaging aesthetics!
Tasteful trends in ice cream packaging design
When it comes to ice cream, it’s not just the flavors that need to stay ahead of the competition—it’s the packaging, too. Some design themes we’ve seen emerge are the following:
- Text-focused design
- Whimsical prints
- Nostalgic style
- Clear and transparent
- Organic color blocking
- Repetitive patterns
For more inspiration, check out our most recent packaging design trends! They are as creative and diverse as the treats inside, blending bold visuals with clever storytelling to grab attention in crowded freezers.
Text-focused design
Source: The Nice Company ice cream packaging by PARTNERS IN CRIME via Dieline
Text-driven design is everywhere at the minute, so it’s no surprise that it’s currently at the forefront of ice cream packaging, too. These designs allow the written words to take center stage.
There’s one particular style that’s emerging to be the favorite, and that’s the rounded lettering style. With healthier, more sustainable food choices becoming the norm, the softer and curvier lettering styles emphasize this message of kindness and approachability.
Source: Coco frozen yogurt packaging by Anu Manohar via Packaging Of The World
Smooth edges and fluid font styles are great for conveying a positive message in lifestyle choices, but they’re also ways to build trust with customers because they’re considered friendlier and more open.
Source: Smitten ice cream box design by Lautaro Pelayez via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Amoodis ice cream cup design by AbroTM via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Now by Naturals ice cream packaging by Drink water design via Dieline
Now by Naturals ice cream packaging design cleverly uses this curvy font style to represent how its ice cream is made: the design takes inspiration from the swirling motion of mixing milk and cream during the production.
The result? A gorgeously bouncy and fluid lettering that conjures up the image of a delicious, creamy and rich ice cream—yum.
Whimsical prints
Add the perfect flourish to an otherwise simple ice cream packaging with a whimsical flair. With its charismatic colors and imaginative motifs, it’s sure to be a hit among audiences of all ages.
Source: Kissyo mochi ice cream packaging by Anna Rupprecht via Packaging Of The World
These designs feature colorful characters, cartoon monster faces, and video game-inspired illustrations to keep it playful and fun. Abstract illustrations help make the whimsical design style work here, as they allow you to get creative with the message and leave a lot to the customers’ imagination.
Source: Mayozhni ice cream packaging by Doping Creative Agency via World Brand Design
Source: Goovi ice cream packaging by febriana via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Hand held ice cream packaging by Sara Gaspar via 99designs by Vista.
Bright colors and juvenile character expressions convey a sense of fun-loving mischief. The designs might look like they’re geared toward kids, but adults will surely appreciate the whimsical flourish for bringing them back to the joyful, simpler times of their childhood.
Nostalgic style
These days, our tendency to prefer healthier options that are vegan or made with real fruit makes us think back to the good old days when they were made naturally and using only pure ingredients. This yearning translates into retro-style ice cream packaging designs that pay homage to the authentic ’50s style.
Source: Emma the Mu ice cream cup design by Ossobüko Studiovia 99designs by Vista.
Source: Stew ‘N’ Drew’s ice cream packaging by My:creative via Dieline
Think heavy use of pastel-hued stripes, old-school cursive lettering and rubber hose character design that call back to those days when you could pronounce every single thing that goes into your favorite ice cream.
Source: Wally’s vegan ice cream packaging by Anastasia S. via 99designs by Vista.
The packaging may be veering more toward the conventional route too, which keeps it in line with the old-fashioned ice creamery of yesteryear. Think of a classic freezer-friendly tub or carton box that looks good and stores easily in your household freezer.
Not only do they serve as the perfect neutral canvas for your design—as opposed to irregular-shaped containers such as cones—but the packaging is easier to produce sustainably. For example, the box ice cream packaging promotes waste reduction as a one-piece container, or the tub can use food-grade materials that are biodegradable.
Clear and transparent
With a whopping 94% of customers likely to show brand loyalty if a company is transparent about their business, it’s little wonder why companies opt for the open and honest route when it comes to showcasing their products and processes.
Source: Wich Cream? Ice cream packaging by Mila Katagarova via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Di Antonio ice cream packaging by Pinky_Rossi via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Fiasco Gelato packaging design by Fiasco Gelato
And ice cream brands are no exception. They use eco-friendly packaging methods to be more transparent with customers so they can get a sneak peek of what they’re buying and keep brands accountable. While suggestive imagery can be a great way to give customers a hint of what your brand is all about, sometimes showing customers exactly how your ice cream looks is simply better.
Source: Feverish Pops ice cream packaging by Detisa via 99designs by Vista.
Source: POP LAB ice cream packaging by okdesignstudio via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Lola’s Ice Pops ice cream packaging by LanaD. via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Chocoholic by Forza ice cream jar by Dalibor Smileski via Dieline.
These ice cream packaging designs either use clear plastic wrap and strategically placed transparent panels or use clear glass jars that are finished off with eye-catching illustrations to keep it fun or simple logo placement for a clean look.
Organic color blocking
As we gravitate toward the kinder side of things—whether eating more natural foods or using eco-friendly products—our focus gradually shifts to the softer reincarnation of color-blocking. While this much-loved design trend has been around for a while, these days, we’re seeing a gentler approach to it with flowing lines and gradient colors as opposed to boxy shapes and sharp edges.
Source: Creamlab ice cream packaging by c.art.e blanche via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Cravingz ice cream cup design by Eva Hilla via 99designs by Vista.
The organic color-blocking style is perfect for most materials used in ice cream packaging, from wrapping to tubs. It’s a style that appeals to most customers, though it might be more attractive to those who like natural ingredients in their food and a sustainable production ethos.
Source: Mister Cook gelato packaging by gromovnik via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Sweet 8 ice cream bar packaging by SAWA Studio via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Nomoo ice cream packaging by Eva Hilla via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Gelato Fiasco ice cream packaging by Might & Main design via Dieline.
Source: Nude gelato packaging design by we are hive via 99designs by Vista.
Flowing lines, complementary color combinations, and uniquely shaped patterns dominate these ice cream packaging designs for that extra organic touch.
Repetitive patterns
Elevate your next ice cream packaging design by using repetitive patterns. Other than being a great way to add interest to packaging, it can also act as subliminal messaging to drill your brand and product into the customers’ minds.
Source: Summer ice cream packaging by GoodEnergy via 99designs by Vista.
Source: VAI ice cream cup design by mohammed samir via 99designs by Vista.
Ice cream often conjures happy and joyful memories in most people, and these packaging designs illustrate this buoyant mood to encourage people to buy. For those who want to add playfulness to their packaging design, this style is it.
Source: PopQueen popsicle packaging by febriana via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Nude gelato packaging design by it’s a DOG’s life via 99designs by Vista.
Source: Penny Lick ice cream packaging by Dimario Moretti via 99designs by Vista.
Take a key feature of the ice cream, whether that be the flavor, a star ingredient or the brand logo, and repeat it across the packaging. Use various colorways and motifs to signal the different flavors your range offers and attract any sweet-toothed customers.
For the icing on top…
Getting the best ice cream packaging design doesn’t need to be a complicated process. By focusing on what your customers like, adopting sustainable practices where possible and allowing the brand to be transparent with customers, you’ve already got the building blocks of a winning ice cream packaging.
FAQ about ice cream packaging design
What factors should I consider when designing ice cream packaging?
Think about the practical and visual needs of your packaging. It must protect the ice cream at freezing temperatures, meet food safety standards and be durable enough for transport. On the design side, consider your target audience, the product type (e.g., tubs, popsicles) and how the packaging will stand out on a crowded shelf.
How do I choose the right materials for ice cream packaging?
The material depends on the type of ice cream you’re selling and your brand priorities. Plastic is durable for tubs, paperboard works well for eco-conscious options and glass adds a premium feel. Make sure the material is freezer-friendly, food-safe and aligns with your brand’s messaging—be it sustainability, affordability or luxury.
Can ice cream packaging improve brand recognition?
Absolutely! Consistent use of colors, logos and design elements helps build a visual identity that customers can instantly recognize. Whether it’s bold graphics for a playful brand or clean, minimalist designs for a health-conscious audience, great packaging reinforces your brand every time someone grabs a scoop.
What are the benefits of using custom-printed ice cream packaging?
Custom printing lets you showcase your brand’s personality, highlight unique product features and appeal to your audience’s tastes. It’s an opportunity to tell your story, stand out from competitors and make your ice cream memorable—both on the shelf and in your customers’ minds.
Are there sustainable/eco-friendly options for ice cream packaging?
Yes! From compostable cartons and bio-based plastics to repurposed glass jars, eco-friendly options are widely available. These materials reduce waste, appeal to environmentally conscious shoppers and show that your brand cares about the planet—a win for your customers and the earth.
What should I include in my ice cream packaging design?
Your packaging should include essential details like your logo, product name and ingredients list, along with any certifications (like vegan or organic). Don’t forget an eye-catching design that aligns with your brand and stands out on the shelf. If your ice cream has a unique selling point—like low-calorie or small-batch—make sure that shines through too!
