How to create packaging with Illustrator?
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In marketing, if there is one element that is not trivial, it is the packaging. A true extension of your brand, it protects while being a tool of seduction.
You have fully designed your product, why not go further by designing its packaging? There are many software programs today that allow you to play graphic designers at a lower cost.
Also, let’s discover step by step how to create packaging with Illustrator for an equally professional rendering.
Packaging, what for?
The packaging is above all a practical tool. It allows your product to reach its various points of sale in complete safety.
In addition, it sneaks up to the emotional dimension of the buyer. It carries with it the entire story of your brand and your product to stimulate the desire to buy.
A real asset in the race for distinction, packaging often makes the difference between two similar products. In short, an essential element to be developed with the greatest care for a message that is faithful to the product
Why create packaging with Illustrator?
In the DTP industry, Adobe Illustrator is software for creating vector images. A great value tool that has many strengths.
Zero pixelation: Your images stay perfectly sharp even when zoomed in to the maximum.
Wide variety of options: Free drawing, defined shapes, fills or shading for an infinite number of creations.
Perspective drawing: Create and modulate your 3D models for an accurate perspective view in the blink of an eye.
In other words, Illustrator is the promise of a rich achievement that will resemble you.
Complex in appearance, its use is rather simple for those who dare to get started. So let your imagination run wild and use your talents as a graphic designer for too long ignored!
I create my packaging
At this preparatory stage, you have two options.
You can easily download and customize our predefined templates. Saving time for those in a hurry or people with less technique.
They're aspiring artists rather open the software on their computer and try to complete the design of their packaging. To this end, it will be wise to draw your project in advance on a sheet of paper
Design the basic shape
To create your packaging using Adobe software, download Illustrator and start the software. Then click on “File” and “New document”. Define its size and orientation, select “ Print” in the “Profile” section and validate.
Check-in “Display” that “Commented Tags” is checked for more modulation facilities. In the same way, bring up the “Transformation” box in the “Window” menu. Ready to start?
From the shape creation tool in the left vertical menu, draw the first shape. We will start here on a simple rectangle.
Duplicate the shape as many times as necessary (alt + shift on the keyboard) to create the body of the packaging. Each facet created can be modified independently, in particular in terms of its dimensions.
Develop tabs
With the shape creation tool previously used, draw a new rectangle of the same width above the first one. Lock the lower middle reference point to work only on this new side and modify the height.
Subsequently, you will create as many tabs as necessary that you will drag with the mouse. You will place those at the bottom in the right direction by right-clicking then “Mirror” and “Horizontal”.
Your packaging is already starting to take shape!
Refine the shape of the tabs
Keep in mind that folding requires tabs of different shapes. This is why you will take care to work on the aspect of each one.
The front and back tabs: Superimpose two rectangles of different sizes. Select them and choose “Shape Designer” from the left tool menu.
The boundaries are erased to make room for a well-drawn
Side tabs:
Create a horizontal guide 5mm or more from the bottom line of your rectangle.
In the left toolbar, select “Pen + Anchor point”. Click on the two points of intersection between the guide and the sides of the rectangle to lock the points.
Finally, with the white cursor on the toolbar, click on the upper left corner of your rectangle. Then click on the newly created left anchor point.
Hold the shift key and type as many times as necessary on the right arrow of the keyboard. Your tab changes quickly to take the desired shape!
Do the same on the other side.
I create my design
Now that the shape of your packaging has been determined, it’s time to move on to filling! This is where you’ll appreciate the breadth of functionality Adobe Illustrator offers.
The choice of colors
In the right toolbar, click on the swatch to select your background. Do not hesitate to use the Pantone references so that the color reproduction in printing is optimal.
Gradient effects are also possible. It’s up to you to play with the colors on the different sides!
Drawing tools
Beyond the rectangular or star shapes already defined, the software offers you total freedom of creation.
Draw your freehand vector drawings using the “Brush” you will find in your left toolbar. You will be able to modify the color, size, and even the appearance of the line.
In addition, the “Pen” tool will allow you to create an infinitely adjustable curve ideal for creating a logo.
Tip: If drawing isn’t your thing, just add some pretty photographs.
Adding texts
Convey your message in a powerful way with customizable texts perfectly adapted. Beyond the style, the font, and the size, you will shape the shape of the letters and arrange them as you wish.
A wide choice of options to offer your consumers a coherent, attractive packaging full of clear information.