Cannabis branding and packaging have come a long way since legalization.

The industry has grown into a thriving market with amazing design throughout. This industry seriously places a premium on quality and originality in design.

I remember brands and dispensaries were literally selling a syringe or a simple ziplock bag with a label attached in 2015. When I got the chance to work on some branding, I advocated toward much more legitimate packaging. I found an awesome solution for rino Research. 

We wanted to sell concentrated but the small puck-style container with a dab scooper isn’t exactly appealing from a user experience standpoint. And putting a syringe on the shelf just wasn’t an option if we wanted to maintain a high-class medical grade image. So after some research, I came across CoolJarz.

This company created a new type of packaging that concealed a syringe within a bottle. Absolutely genius solution! Check it out in more detail here. This container also allowed for label to be placed on the product. Additionally, the syringe has a metal tip, so users could apply the product directly onto their smoking device.

Image of package (left) from CoolJarz.com,

Brands are now using all kinds of cutting-edge materials and techniques to create striking and visually appealing packaging. Eco-friendly materials are paramount and high-quality, textured papers can provide a high-end appearance and feel.

Sherbinskis - Clio Cannabis Award winner for packaging design. Photo Courtesy of Clio Awards website.

The photography, artwork and graphic design of cannabis industry branding and packaging has also improved dramatically. There are now bold, eye-catching shapes and thoughtful color schemes that elicit the desired mood and attract customers. Numerous brands are also incorporating distinctive typography, illustrations, and other graphic elements to achieve a distinct appearance and feel. 

Competition for attention is driving a high level of innovation in design throughout the industry.

Another crucial aspect of high-quality design for cannabis packaging and branding is considering accessibility and usability. Through the use of concise, comprehensible labeling, brands are able to provide customers with all of the information they require about their products, including instructions regarding their use, dosage, and potency. 

Packaging is also becoming more user-friendly by providing options that are simple to open and resealable, making it simpler for customers to access their products. The CoolJarz product I used in 2015 has yet to replace the classic small puck style jar due to changing consistency in products.

In conclusion, the design of cannabis packaging and branding has never been better. Brands are creating packaging that is effective, appealing to customers, and differentiates them from the competition by using innovative materials and methods, sophisticated graphics and branding elements, and user-friendly packaging. As the cannabis industry continues to grow and change, it will be exciting to see what new design trends and innovations emerge in the years to come.