As the year winds down, we tend to reflect on what we saw in the industry—from old, reliable trends and consistencies, to what’s new and emerging among the many ecommerce companies we work with daily. It’s beneficial to know what’s hot/trendy and try to gauge where the industry is moving, in order to be proactive instead of reactive in the coming year.
We’ve come a long way as an industry from the basic unprinted brown box days, and it is truly amazing to think about what has changed over the years. In 2025, we noticed a few packaging trends that have risen, and likely to stay around for the new year to come.
Sustainability Is the Default—Not the Differentiator
We used to spend a great many words on this blog trying to convince new businesses that the sustainability of their packaging could be a way of differentiating them from their competitors. This has always been true, but today, more than ever, sustainability has become the default among packaging buyers. The true differentiator now is the level of sustainability. MOST corrugated packaging today is recyclable, and almost every end-user will expect this as the default. Some is made from recycled content. But how much of that recycled content is PCW (post consumer waste)? Is it 100% recycled content? Are your boxes made from FSC certified board? Are they printed with eco-friendly, sustainable inks? Is your packaging oversized, wasteful and using unnecessary void fills and plastics? Can your packaging be reused and reshipped? These are the questions of today’s sustainability-focused packaging buyers. If you aren’t asking the questions and working with a supplier who can get you the answers you need, then you are behind the curve.
Minimalist Branding
The pendulum has swung, so to speak, from packaging with all of the bells and whistles not that long ago, to today’s trend of a more modest, natural look. Companies decided perhaps that some of their messaging was getting lost among a flashy design or box that was too “busy.” And they were losing their eco-friendly messaging in the process. Now the less is more approach has shifted to a narrow-scope focus that centers around the above sustainable presentation, with simplistic designs that display perhaps a logo, tagline or a few other points of emphasis without all of the distraction. Texture, color and feel are now more important than ever, as companies look for subtle ways to differentiate the hands-on experience end users have in a digital-driven world.
Domestic Production/Supply Chain Focus
This is the big one because of the “T” word that came about in 2025, and will likely continue through 2026. Tariffs have wreaked havoc on the supply chain, and the overwhelming benefit of companies like ours that produce all of our products in the USA have the leg up on China and other overseas suppliers. At Salazar Packaging, we can typically ship boxes to a first-time buyer in as little as 3 weeks or less. This is a distinct advantage. We understand the supply chain struggles more than anyone, and are always looking for ways to reduce supply chain costs or possible hiccups. This includes an emphasis on structural design and blending protective and functional packaging with ease of assembly in mind.
We are already aware of the packaging challenges that are likely to permeate into 2026. We have been an industry-leader for decades in helping our customers create custom packaging that stands out among the crowd. We are eager to hear from you.
Please Contact Us Today
As always, if you have any questions, one of our branded packaging advisors is standing by to assist, with decades of experience behind them. Want to know more about custom packaging options? Please call us at 630-551-1700 or contact us via email at www.SalazarPackaging.com.
Related Posts:
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/creative-dtc-packaging-design-now-can-create-huge-savings-later/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/tariff-free-boxes-for-made-in-the-usa-products/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/the-4-most-important-things-when-creating-a-new-e-commerce-package/
https://www.salazarpackaging.com/the-unboxing-experience-still-matters-in-2025/