Think of product packaging as a brand’s “first impression” with a potential buyer. Even if you have a terrific product, subpar packaging can cause consumers to overlook your merchandise. The psychology of packaging goes far beyond design, colors, and logos. In fact, humans have a subconscious response to elements like materials, weight, and texture that determine their long-term buying habits.

That’s why it’s imperative to choose packaging material that catches buyers’ attention and makes a compelling case for your brand, and why it can also feel overwhelming to commit to a big first order without having seen what your packaging will look like.

In this article, we’ll discuss a wide variety of factors like cost, distribution, storage needs, and sustainability to help determine which sample packaging materials are best for you.