Package Design

The packaging for Smithmade Essentials is a vital part of the brand design and a core selling point. The package design has helped generate brand recognition, attract consumers and retailers, and help the brand stand out in a competitive market.

Smithmade Essentials artisan soap packaging

Overview

In 2018, modern artisan soap was still a new market. These handmade bars were a unique and luxurious addition to personal care routines. These premium products needed packaging to match.

The challenge

Design packaging for bar soap that allows the design to be visible, is durable enough to withstand repeated handling, and is easy and affordable for a small business to produce.

The Solution

An elevated version of the common soap sleeve that’s tied onto the bars to prevent it from slipping off when handled by customers.

Prototypes

During the early stages of development, I tested selling the bars without any packaging. I found that consumers preferred the bars to have a label so that they could read the ingredient information and check for allergens themselves.

To match the company’s sustainable positioning, I wanted the packaging to remain plastic-free. Through development, I created paper prototypes to gauge build, handling, and product appeal.

The Final Design

The finished design is a sleeve that encircles the soap bar and is tied on with jute string that’s threaded through the sleeve. The result is a product with a gift-wrapped appearance. Since its launch, This packaging has received many compliments and attention from consumers and retailers.

Sunkissed Oats Artisan Soap — Alt. Version

With the launch of the Garden Collection and new soap designs with hand-piped and textured tops, a modified sleeve was created to better display bars where the top design was the main feature.

Candles

In 2019, candles were introduced into the product collection. With candles falling into the category of home decor, the container is the most important part of the package design. Each new candle collection gets a new container style to not only differentiate the collections but also add more home decor options for consumers.