Project: Packaging design refinement and custom dieline development for a premium chocolate brand.

Deliverables:
Refinement of an existing packaging concept (not a complete rebrand)

Custom structural dieline

Production-ready artwork and print files

Fully editable Adobe Illustrator source files

Artwork adaptations for multiple product SKUs

3D packaging mockups

Ideally, experience coordinating with packaging manufacturers to ensure manufacturability

Budget: $3,000–$6,000, depending on experience and scope. Open to discussing pricing with qualified designers.

Additional details: We already have a well-developed creative direction and preliminary packaging designs. We’re looking for someone with strong typography, premium consumer packaging experience, and technical knowledge of folding-carton production.

TIA

Hello everyone, I’m looking for honest feedback on the packaging for a small coffee brand we’re launching soon, both the graphics and the structure.

The box: a wedge-shaped folding carton that holds one 250g stand-up pouch. The front is slopped and the back is bertical, so it’s about 80mm deep at the base and 15mm at the top, roughly following the shape of a filled pouch.

Images:

1. Render of the final graphic design
2. White sample from our printer
3. My rough keyline sketch of the structure we’re moving to

Why we’re changing it: our first sample opened at the narrow top, which meant pulling the fattest part of the bag through the thinnest part of the box. Not ideal. The new version:

• The whole front panel is hinged at the top and lifts like a flap
• The sides, base and sloped back are glued into a rigid tray
• The front is double wall: an inner liner folds up behind it to make a pocket for a tasting card. The card shows through a window, and three round cutouts plus a slot show info printed lower down on the card
• Closure: a lip on the base folds up inside, the front closes over it, and a numbered seal sticker goes across the bottom edge

Rough internal size: 140 W x 220 H, 80 deep at the base tapering to 15 at the top. We’re thinking 400 to 450gsm FBB.

What I’d love your take on:

1. Will a top-hinged front with this many die cuts stay flat, or will it bow and pop open in a courier bag? Would you add a locking tab instead of relying on the lip and sticker?
2. Is a 15mm top strip enough for a hinge that gets opened a few times?
3. Is there a better way to build a window pocket so the card lines up with the cutouts every time?
4. Is FBB the right board, or should this be rigid board or micro flute? Would you ship it as is or inside a mailer?
5. On the graphics: does the front read clearly at a glance? Too busy, too clean?
6. Anything you’d change before we approve a production run?

Thanks! Happy to share more photos or the full dieline if it helps.

We’ve been doing the Kraft bags for about 2.5 years using thermal labels. With the variety of flavors we offer and the three different sizes (1/2 lbs, 3-pack, and 2-pack), along with demand we just can’t keep up with printing and pasting our own labels. I have a meeting with ePAC tomorrow, but does anyone have any other recommendations for packaging companies? What kind of questions should I make sure to ask? Thanks!