In today's crowded marketplace, it is challenging for brands to catch consumers' eyes amidst aisles of similar products. Standing out from the competition has never been more important for gaining new customers and boosting sales. While innovative product formulas and creative marketing are crucial, the packaging a brand chooses plays a significant role in whether or not a product captures attention on shelves. Fortunately for environmentally-conscious companies, sustainable packaging options now exist that allow brands to protect the planet and turn heads.  

Finnish startup Otarapack has developed a line of eye-catching sustainable packaging solutions made from renewable, plant-based materials. The company was founded in 2019 with a mission to make the packaging industry more sustainable through innovative fiber-based products. All Otarapack packaging is FSC certified and fully recyclable or home compostable. Their range of paperboard, carton, and fiber products are designed to pop on store shelves thanks to vibrant colors, textures, graphics and shapes that stand out amid sea of beige and gray boxes commonly found in aisles.

Through patented fiber structuring technology, Otarapack is able to imbue their renewable paper materials with unique three-dimensional textures and appearances not traditionally associated with fibers. This allows brands using Otarapack packaging to create maximum shelf impact through distinctive designs impossible with plastic or other materials. “We believe sustainable packaging doesn’t have to mean compromising on design or visual qualities,” says Otarapack CEO Tuomas Rutanen. “In fact, using biodegradable fiber materials unlocks a whole new world of creative possibilities brands can leverage to stand out.”

Why Sustainable Packaging Can Boost Sales

There is a common misconception that opting for more sustainable packaging means sacrificing functionality, appearance or shelf-presence crucial for sales. However, research shows the opposite may be true. A Nielsen study found that 66% of global consumers are willing to pay extra for sustainable offerings, and this number is growing each year as environmental issues rise up consumer priority lists. Another study from global design firm Dragon Rouge revealed that 83% of shoppers are strongly influenced by packaging design and graphic qualities when making purchase decisions in-store. 

With consumers demonstrating a growing appetite for eco-friendly products and packaging playing such a vital role in the buying process, sustainable brands actually have a competitive advantage if they leverage high-impact, eye-catching designs. Otarapack packaging allows companies to benefit the planet and their bottom lines through appealing sustainable solutions that enhance shelf visibility and attract new customers drawn to the products' eco-credentials as well as physical appeal. Their fiber-based materials and structural forming techniques open up new possibilities for vibrant colors, textures, embellishments and contours that make products stand out from crowded store shelves sea of packages.

Tips to Optimize Shelf Impact with Sustainable Packaging

For companies looking to upgrade their packaging and gain shelf presence through more sustainable materials, here are some tips to maximize impact:

- Consider 3D shapes, textures and surface designs beyond basic rectangular boxes. Indented patterns, embossing, contours and more can create visual interest. 

- Leverage vibrant colors and color-blocking techniques instead of relying solely on colors traditionally used for packaging like beige and gray. Bright hues pop more on shelves.  

- Incorporate graphics, illustrations and branding elements creatively across multiple surfaces instead of just front and back panels.

- Experiment with different recyclable paper and fiber materials. Uncoated papers and cardstocks have rougher tactile textures appealing to shoppers.

- Allow the packaging design to tell the brand story through images, messages and fonts. Connecting packaging aesthetics to overall branding builds cohesion.

- Include sustainability messaging on packaging that highlights eco-materials, recycling logos and impact. This attracts consumers seeking sustainable options. 

- Test designs through mockups and focus groups to ensure visibility, functionality and messaging come across as intended on crowded shelves before full production.

- Consider shelf strips, headers or displays to make products stand out together as a set amidst competitors. Coordinated sustainable packaging across a brand line creates a unified identity.

- Monitor sales data after a redesign to see if shelf impact translates to increased conversions by assessing period-over-period numbers. Adjust packaging elements as needed. 

Brands wishing to prioritize sustainability while enhancing shelf presence now have attractive fiber-based packaging solutions and design recommendations at their disposal through innovative companies like Otarapack. Eye-catching designs made from renewable materials provide an opportunity to attract new customers, outshine competition and strengthen the bottom line—all while protecting the planet. With sustainability as a key purchasing factor, one thing is clear: in today's retail landscape, standing out on the shelves pays dividends.