How to Make My Packaging Look Expensive?

Your product is exceptional, but your packaging looks ordinary. It fails to communicate the high quality within, causing premium customers to overlook your brand entirely, costing you sales.

To make packaging look expensive, you must focus on three key areas: premium materials¹ like rigid board², sophisticated printing finishes³ like foil stamping⁴, and a solid, well-thought-out structural design⁵.

Since starting Wansa Packaging in 2010, this is the most common request I hear: "I need a box that looks nice and doesn't look cheap." But clients often don't have a clear concept of packaging design or what materials to use. My job is to guide them. Based on each client's budget, we present a range of options covering packaging design, material selection, and the printing processes that follow. Creating an expensive look isn't about spending a fortune; it's about making smart, strategic choices that create a feeling of luxury and value.

How to make packaging look more premium?

You want "premium" packaging, but the term feels vague. You are stuck looking at endless options, unsure of what elements actually create that high-end feel you're searching for.

To make packaging more premium, use thick, rigid materials instead of flimsy cardstock, choose specialty papers⁶ with unique textures, and invest in a structural design⁵ that feels substantial and interesting.

The journey to creating a box that looks and feels expensive starts with a solid foundation. We can approach this by looking at three areas: material choice, production process, and structural design⁵. My first recommendation is always to invest in the material. We suggest our clients use a rigid paperboard gift box. These boxes have a feeling of permanence and quality. If you use thin cardstock or kraft paper, the packaging can look weak and cheap because the material is too thin and feels soft. For a premium project, we use rigid board²s that are 2-3mm thick. This composite board feels strong and sturdy in the customer's hands. It has a weight and solidity that immediately signals "quality." The material itself becomes the first clue that the product inside is special.

Material Type	Premium Feel	Common Use
Rigid Board (2-3mm)	High. Sturdy, heavy, protective.	Luxury cosmetics, electronics, gifts
Folding Cardstock	Medium. Lightweight, flexible.	Cereal boxes, medicine packaging
Kraft Paper	Low. Flimsy, soft, rustic feel.	Basic bags, simple mailers
Corrugated Cardboard	Low. Strong but industrial look.	Shipping and transport boxes

How to make premium packaging?

Your box is sturdy, which is a good start, but it still looks plain. It lacks that final touch of luxury that stops customers in their tracks and makes them want to pick it up.

You create premium packaging by adding special printing finishes. Sophisticated techniques like foil stamping⁴, embossing, and spot UV elevate the visual and tactile experience⁷, making the package feel luxurious.

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Once you have a strong, rigid box, the next step is to make the surface beautiful. A box with simple printing alone will not look high-end. The magic happens in the finishing touches. For the paper that wraps the outside of the box, we recommend using specialty paper or a very smooth coated paper⁸, not a rough one. A perfectly smooth surface enhances the printing quality, making colors look richer and details sharper. This creates an immediate visual appeal that people love. Then we add the techniques, or special processes. To improve the visual height of the box, you must add finishes like Spot UV⁹ (which makes one area glossy) or hot foil stamping¹⁰g](https://wansapackaging.com/problems-and-solutions-of-hot-foil-stamping-for-custom-packaging-box/)%%%FOOTNOTE_REF_4%%% in gold, silver, or other metallic colors. These details catch the light and draw the eye, signaling luxury. We can also consider a soft-touch matte lamination¹¹. This finish doesn't just look good; it feels incredible, improving the customer's tactile experience⁷ and making your packaging unforgettable.

How to make packaging more attractive?

Your packaging is high-quality, but it doesn't stand out on a crowded shelf. It follows all the rules of being "premium" but still gets lost among dozens of other boxes.

Make packaging more attractive by using a unique structural design¹²n](https://wansapackaging.com/what-kind-of-packaging-design-makes-you-feel-expensive/)%%%FOOTNOTE_REF_5%%% that goes beyond a simple cube, combined with high-impact graphics¹³ and elegant finishes. The goal is to create visual intrigue.

Attractiveness is the result of all the elements working together in harmony: structure, materials, and finishes. While a standard box shape can be premium, a unique structural design¹²n](https://wansapackaging.com/what-kind-of-packaging-design-makes-you-feel-expensive/)%%%FOOTNOTE_REF_5%%% can be the key to making your packaging truly attractive and memorable. Think about drawers that slide out, lids with magnetic closures that snap shut with a satisfying click, or boxes with unique angles and shapes. These details create a sense of discovery and delight during the unboxing experience. This is where we combine a solid foundation (a 2-3mm rigid board²) with thoughtful design. The smooth coated paper⁸ we use provides the perfect canvas for your branding, and the special finishes like foil stamping⁴ become the beautiful accents that complete the picture. Many of our clients don't have a fixed design concept, so our role is to show them what's possible within their budget, creating a package that is not only attractive but also a powerful marketing tool.

What makes packaging feel premium?

You know premium packaging when you see it, but what is it that makes it feel that way? You want to capture that intangible sense of quality and luxury for your own brand.

Packaging feels premium through a combination of sensory cues. The satisfying weight of a rigid box, the smoothness of a soft-touch finish, and the visual pop¹⁴ of foil all work together.

The "premium feeling" is not an accident; it's a carefully crafted sensory experience. It's the sum of many small details that we've been discussing. When I advise my clients, I ask them to think about every way a customer will interact with the box.

• Weight and Solidity: A premium package feels substantial, not flimsy. That feeling comes directly from using a thick 2-3mm rigid board². It has a presence that light cardstock can't replicate.
• Touch: The tactile experience⁷ is huge. Running your fingers over a silky soft-touch matte lamination¹¹ is completely different from touching raw, rough paper. Feeling the raised texture of an embossed logo or the smooth depression of a foil stamp adds layers of perceived quality.
• Sight: Premium packaging is a visual delight. It’s not just about the graphics but how they are presented. Hot foil stamping⁴ in gold or silver catches the light, creating highlights that convey value. A perfectly registered Spot UV⁹ adds a jewel-like gloss. These finishes show an investment in detail.

When all these elements come together, the packaging no longer feels like a disposable container. It feels like part of the gift itself.

Conclusion

Making your packaging look expensive is about strategic choices. By using rigid materials, elegant finishes, and thoughtful design, you transform a simple box into a powerful statement about your brand's quality.

My Role

About me

Brand Name: Wansa Packaging Slogan: Cosmetic box manufacturer Website: www.wansapackaging.com

Our Mission: Custom printing and packaging turn-key service manufacturer

About me: WANSA has been providing custom packaging¹⁵ and printed products since 2010. We believe every business deserves affordable, high-quality branded packaging. Let us handle your packaging needs while you focus on growing your business.

What We Offer We assist businesses with customized packages and Printing service . Our custom packages include cosmetic boxes, liquor boxes, Luxury packaging , Rigid box , gift boxes, Product boxes , bags.

The packages are designed with sturdy materials to keep your products intact during transit. With our gift boxes and product boxes , you will give your customers a classy, prestigious, and luxurious feel¹⁶.

At WANSA, we also provide businesses with marketing materials¹⁷ like brochures, catalogs, booklets, etc. Our team of qualified designers will give you the perfect marketing materials¹⁷ for your brand.

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