Do you want to make lip gloss containers for personal or commercial use? If YES, here is a 6-step guide on how to make lip gloss containers (plastic or glass). Just like with soap and some other cosmetic products, there are many different options when it comes to packaging your lip gloss. Tubes, jars, bottles; the options for customization are nearly unbelievable!
Deciding on the shape, size and colour wisely is very crucial, but it is also pertinent to consider factors like durability and shipping convenience, if the material can be recycled, whether it is sustainably and responsibly sourced, and how you will fill the containers with your lip gloss.
Types of Lip Gloss Container – Plastic or Glass?
No matter the sort of container you choose for your lip gloss; be it tubes, jars or bottles, you will likely have to also choose between plastic and glass packaging. In this modern era, consumers are beginning to understand the effect they have on the environment and are becoming more environmentally conscious. It is critical you understand some terms that can help you navigate the different materials at your disposal.
HDPE, for instance, is one of the most common materials used in making cosmetic containers. This material is a very strong and is effectively moisture and chemical resistant (although some essential and fragrance oils can cause a collapse of bottle walls). This material is also renowned for exposure to temperatures ranging from -100ºF to 120ºF, making it more resistant to climate-related damages. It is also easily recycled.
Just like HDPE above, PET is lightweight and relatively durable. However, temperature resistance for PET stays between -40°F to 120°F, which lends resistance to climate damage. But unlike HDPE, which has a cloudy appearance, PET tends to be quite clear like glass and comes in varying colours, from cobalt blue and amber to crystal clear. PET is also easy to recycle, making it an environmentally friendly container choice.
Do not also forget that glass containers have been and can certainly make an impact on your customers. In terms of possible container materials, it is the most inert and will not react with 99% of any products or ingredients. It exudes class, and is available in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colours. It is also easy to recycle.
However, to encourage customers to recycle your lip gloss or the containers, consider giving them recycling options. Ensure to let them know that they can choose to recycle the container themselves, or they are welcome to bring it back to you when they return for a new product; offering an incentive like a discount on a new product will encourage them both to recycle, and to become repeat customers. Remember that if you use the recycle symbol on your package label or in the product description, you need to clarify what is recyclable (container or product).
How to Make a Lip Gloss Container in 5 Easy Steps
In this modern era, a lot of container manufacturing companies have started to offer PLA plastic (Polymerized Lactic Acid) containers in place of traditional plastic containers. PLA is biodegradable and compostable and is made from corn or sugarcane. PLA containers are durable and offer a great alternative to less sustainable methods.
However, the minimum order quantity for these containers is usually a bit higher than normal. There are some container manufacturing companies that offer wooden jar and bottle tops, or containers made for fragrances and lip gloss.
Nonetheless, if you are looking to make lip gloss containers for your cosmetic venture, below are important steps to consider and follow.
1. Clearly Define the Basics
It is pertinent you know who you’re designing for. Who’s your ideal customer? And once you know who they are, what are they looking for in a cosmetics brand? What’s going to grab their attention? Remember that your lip gloss container is the first thing your customers are going to see. If your container gets their attention and speaks to what they’re looking for, they’re likely to take your lip gloss home and give it a try.
Just as crucial as your customer’s identity is your identity. Who are you as a brand and what personality do you want to buttress to your customers? You also want to consider how you’re going to sell your lip gloss. Are you selling online or in store? Do you intend to sell in small boutiques or in large retailers?
Your design strategy might change depending on where you’re selling your goods. Nonetheless, a great thing to do before you start designing is to create a mood board for your brand. Pull together images, colours, advertisements and whatever else you feel embodies your brand personality; these will act as inspiration as you go through the design process.
2. Let Industry Trends Inspire you
If during this process you need a little inspiration for your container design, there’s no better place to start than looking at the latest cosmetics container trends in the United States. Once you know what’s currently trending in the industry, you can innovate and design a container that caters to what’s important to your customers and what speaks to them in the right way.
Don’t forget that the goal is to pick a look that’s both modern and on trend, but also timeless and universally appealing, so your container design looks up-to-date for as long as possible.
3. Create your Lip Gloss Container
If you are feeling inspired and ready to get things done, then start designing your lip gloss container. The first thing you have to do when designing your container is to set your elements of design. There are a few different elements you’ll need to consider:
- Style
At this point, the first thing you have to consider is the mood and personality you want to bring to/with your container. Are you going for a minimalist vibe or do you want to go over-the-top? Understanding the style you want will help lead the rest of your design process and ensure your container decisions are in line with your overall design goals.
- Colours
In terms of choosing colours, remember to choose colours that a) match your brand personality, b) grab customer’s attention and c) stand out from the competition. This last point is especially important in the Uber-competitive world of beauty and cosmetics.
4. Choose your Container Type
When it comes to beauty and cosmetics containers, the sky’s the limit. Some popular container options for lip gloss packaging include: Airless bottles, Jars, Tubes, Droppers, and Compacts etc. Most lip glosses are packaged in a lip gloss tube. But that shouldn’t hinder you from thinking outside of the box! It used to be the standard to put lip gloss in a tube with a wand.
And while that is certainly still the most common container choice, plenty of brands are innovating and switching from the “norm” and have introduced other options, like squeeze tubes, jars, and twist tops. So don’t feel like you need to stick within the confines of “standard” packaging!
After you must have decided on the type of container you want, you need to figure out how and where you’re going to get it. There are tons of lip gloss container companies out there where you can buy empty containers at wholesale prices. You can also get custom bottles, boxes or tubs designed, which can make your product stand out on shelves, but will definitely cost you more than a pretty penny.
5. Choose the Right Designer
Note there are a two available ways you can move forward with your lip gloss container design:
- DIY
Yes, the very first option for you in terms of making your lip gloss container is to do things yourself. Although you might be tempted to take on the design yourself in an effort to keep your budget low, unless you have design experience, it is not advisable especially if it is for business purposes. Your lip gloss container design is very crucial to the success of your business; it is not the place to cut corners.
- Hire a Designer
Your second option when making your lip gloss container is to hire a designer to manage the design process for you. There are two good ways to do this: you can hire a freelancer or you can launch a design contest.
Note that when you work directly with a freelancer, you’ll want to look for someone with experience in cosmetic product packaging design. If you want to write a single brief and have designers from all over the world forward you unique ideas, you can run a packaging design contest on 99designs.
6. Start Designing
At this point you must have reviewed your container style and design with your designer and let them know exactly what you’re looking for, you’ll want to ask them to develop a design mock up. This will give you a concrete piece of packaging to look at before you finalize your design. Immediately you have your design mock up, you’ll want to evaluate your design and see if it feels like the right fit for your lip gloss.
- Does this grab my ideal customer’s attention?
- Is it clear what this product is from the packaging?
- Does the container seem accessible/easy to use?
- Would this stand out against competitor?
- Will this design be as relevant 5 years from now as it is today?
Conclusion
There’s a ton of opportunity in the beauty and cosmetics industry. And with the right product, the right container, and the right design, that opportunity is yours for the taking!
If you choose to go with a sustainable packaging option, be sure to evaluate all the aspects including the environmental impact of production and transportation as well as the product components. If you use your sustainability options as part of your marketing campaign, be sure that you comply with the FTC Green Guides in the wording and presentation of your claims of sustainability.