AI packaging design: From flashy concept to finished asset

The question isn’t if we can start with AI packaging design, the question is if we should do it. In this article we’ll talk about the different ways to use artificial intelligence in design, and take a look at some of the best AI for packaging design.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, there’s a good chance someone has asked the question, couldn’t we just use AI packaging design? But what is the correct answer to that question?

Sure, we could start down the road of AI packaging design, but the more relevant question is; should we?

So, let’s talk about the different ways you can use artificial intelligence in design, and we’ll take a look at some of the best AI for packaging design.

What is AI product packaging design?

AI product packaging design is simply the act of using artificial intelligence to design and create packaging design. While simpler packaging design AI’s deliver a visual output based solely on a prompt, but more advanced AI will be able to generate packaging that comply with brand guidelines, packaging regulations etc.

Different ways to use AI packaging design

Every time we talk about using AI in a business process, it’s important to understand how and where to use it. So, let’s take a look at how you can successfully use AI for product packaging design.

If you’re just starting out using AI for packaging design, don’t make it responsible for every part of the process. 

1. Use AI to get your design process off the ground quickly

One way to use AI in your packaging design is to lean on artificial intelligence in the beginning of your design process. Use AI to create packaging templates and mock-ups which your designers and content creators can  perfect and then use to create packaging for different products.

This will save time, but without a good review process to back it up, you run the risk of publishing something that is off brand, poor quality or directly harmful to your brand.

2. Test variants with AI

Another way to use AI in product packaging design is to use it when you need to test variant packaging designs.

Here you would usually begin your design process by having a designer create the initial packaging design. When the design is finished you would then use AI tools to create design variations, which would let you A/B test different versions, or you could use AI tools to recreate the same design in multiple formats.

3. Manage asset proofing and reviews with AI

The single most important part of AI design is having a robust review and approval process to make sure that no AI fails make it through to production. However, reviews and proofing is one place where many companies look to implement AI, in an effort to increase efficiency.

The challenge here is that most AI proofing tools are limited to specific formats.

AI tools like Grammarly, Hemingway Editor, QuillBot, and ProWritingAid can be used to review grammar and style choices for writing. 

AI Design Review for Figma and  Zeppelin AI Design Review can be used to review designs to detect inconsistencies and accessibility issues. 

And finally more specific review tools like DocJuris can be used to review the information to make sure that it is correct and relevant.

While there are ways to work around this, such as running reviews and proofing in multiple systems, you still end up losing a lot of the benefit of employing AI—the speed and efficiency.

Want to avoid mistakes in your proofing rounds?
Our online proofing tool helps you manage every part of your approval rounds and helps speed up your approval process.

Best AI for packaging design

On this list talk about some of the best ai packaging design tools, but before we get on to the ai tools themselves, we want to take a moment to remind you that the most important part of any design process is in the review and approval of those assets, which you can see a number of examples of on our list of the biggest ai fails.

1. Adobe Sensei

Adobe Sensei is an integrated function of the Adobe suite. The AI assistant lets you automate layout decisions, font pairings and color matching. As such, Adobe Sensei is ideal when it comes to packaging design consistency.

2. Canva AI

Using the Canva AI for packaging design is mostly going to be relevant for startups and small businesses. Much like the general difference between Canva and higher end design tools, Canva AI can give design suggestions and has a number of packaging design templates you can use, but compared to something like Adobe Sensei it’s a bit limited.

3. MidJourney & DALL-E

Both quite similar in capabilities MidJourney and DALL-E can be used to create concept mockups for custom packaging design, but that’s by and far where their usefulness ends.

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