With the new year upon us, it means new beginnings and prospects! The same applies to the print and packaging industry. We feel that 2026 holds a lot of exciting new global trends and shifts, especially with the rapid increase of technology and digital integration we have witnessed.
With this in mind, we look forward to 2026 with a sense of curiosity and a keen attitude. In this blog post, we look at our 2026 predictions for the packaging industry. We hope that you are as excited as we are!
Increasing Sustainability
As we have seen over the past few years, the focus on sustainability and eco-consciousness has been at the forefront of packaging:
⭐️ Think bio-friendly material such as compostable material and natural fibers, as well as a reduction in overall packaging
⭐️ Previous years have seen an emphasis on a maximalist approach to packaging with multiple packaging elements.
⭐️ It seems like trends are shifting away from this to a more efficient focus on premium, minimal material
Explore our canvas pouches, kraft shopping bags and kraft mailer boxes.
Design
Design has remained at the forefront of global shifts and trends in the print and packaging world and has shaped the trajectory of the industry in significant ways:
⭐️ From colour choices to typeface and box shapes, both graphic and physical design within the packaging industry is expected to witness more shifts in 2026
⭐️ We expect a fusion of clean minimalism and nostalgic elements for a more emotive approach to creating connections with clients, as well more hand-drawn elements for a more authentic feel
⭐ ️Bold colours are predicted to remain with an emphasis on personalisation and tailoring, suited for the social media scape of influencer-marketing.
Technology Integration (AR, QR Codes)
It is no surprise that we will be seeing more integration of technology in packaging with the rise of QR and AR codes:
⭐️ These allow customers to seamlessly access your website, personal links and pretty much anything with these nifty features
⭐️ These digital integrations into print are an excellent and effective way to get clients to your website with ease, and creates a positive image of your brand being tech-forward
⭐️ These codes are great on our thank-you cards, labels and retail print items.
Universal Appeal: Gen Z
As Gen Z consumers rise, so do their preferences. 2026 is likely to see a focus on transparency and information that allows the Gen Z consumer insight into the brands they consume:
⭐️ We predict that having transparent information on brand labels and packaging will become increasingly important as we see a rise in the young consumer
⭐️ This is something to note within the arena of design and the choices brands make in terms of what they include on their packaging
⭐️ We recommend integrating this design element with QR codes for example, an excellent way for your clients to view your company values, ingredients, suppliers and other information. Integrate a QR Code onto the stickers + labels, thank-you cards and even your mailer boxes!