Bhavika Shah (BS): Can you tell us a little bit about your company and the products you manufacture?
Aanisha Raud (AR): Oilori is a nature-conscious brand that offers a range of blends of high-quality essential oils for health and wellbeing. The brand offers inclusive, long-term health solutions that prioritise the benefits of nature. Several scientific studies were read and scanned thoroughly to understand the ingredients, its benefits and side effects. The brand is committed to customer satisfaction and offers health care products that are made with
natural ingredients. Oilori is also committed to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and animal cruelty-free production. By locally sourcing its ingredients, Oilori also supports the local community.

BS: What are some of the key challenges you face when it comes to product packaging?
AG: The main goal for us when we were deciding on packaging was that it should make it easy for customers to access, easy to use the product and to be of high quality. Which means using materials that are durable, environmentally friendly, and can withstand transportation and handling. Consider using biodegradable materials that are also aesthetically pleasing and on-trend as well.

BS: Any recent trend that helped you overcome these challenges?
AG: Speaking of trends, staying up-to-date with the latest packaging trends can also be a challenge. As a new brand, you want to ensure that the packaging stands out and is visually appealing to your target audience. This may involve using unique colours, textures, and designs, or incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly packaging elements. Overall, creating packaging that is both customer-friendly and visually appealing, while also being of high
quality and on-trend, can be a challenge.

BS: How important is packaging design to your brand identity and marketing strategy?
AG: The packaging design of an upcoming brand such as Oilori itself is a crucial step to establishing its brand identity and marketing strategy. Effective packaging design can play a significant role in building brand recognition and customer loyalty. The design should reflect the brand’s personality, values, and target audience. For example, if the brand is focused on natural and sustainable products, the packaging should use eco-friendly materials and feature a design that highlights these values.

Creating packaging that is both customer-friendly and visually appealing, while also being of high quality and on-trend, can be a challenge

BS: Packaging design acts like a marketing tool?
AG: Packaging design also plays a crucial role in the marketing strategy of a business. It can be used to convey information about the product, such as its ingredients, benefits, and usage instructions. It can be used to create a memorable and consistent visual identity that helps customers remember the brand and its products. Therefore, investing in quality packaging design is a wise decision that can pay off in the long run.

BS: What are your requirements when it comes to the materials used for your product packaging?
AG: The packaging should ensure that the product remains intact. It should be made from materials that are eco-friendly and biodegradable, in line with the brand’s values and commitment to sustainability. The use of materials that are safe for use with essential oils and do not interact with the product in a way that could compromise its quality. Additionally, the materials should be visually appealing and complement the brand’s aesthetic. Overall,
the choice of materials for product packaging should be carefully considered to ensure that they meet the brand’s requirements and align with its values and messaging.

BS: How do you ensure that your packaging is functional and aesthetically pleasing?
AG: Firstly, consider the intended use of the product and design packaging that is both user-friendly and practical. This may involve incorporating features which involve using user- friendly materials such as glass with roll-on caps or droppers that are easy to open and close, even while travelling. Secondly, make sure that the packaging is made from materials that are durable and environmentally friendly. The materials should also be safe for use with essential oils and protect the product from damage during transportation and handling. Thirdly, ensure that the packaging is visually appealing and aligns with the brand’s aesthetic. This may involve using unique colours, textures, or designs that reflect the brand’s values and messaging. Lastly, it is important to test the packaging to ensure that it functions as intended and meets the needs of customers. This may involve conducting feedback from focus groups to identify any areas for improvement.

BS: Have you ever faced any issues with regulatory compliance when it comes to your packaging? If so, how did you address those issues?
AG: As an essential oil business, you need to follow rules and regulations for packaging to ensure that it is safe and compliant with the law. For instance, packaging materials and designs may need to comply with relevant laws and regulations, such as those related to safety, labelling, and marketing claims. Sometimes it is difficult to find packaging that looks good but is also safe and compliant. For example, if you are looking to avoid using regular amber roll-on bottles for your oils, finding an alternative option that meets regulatory requirements may be difficult. To solve this, we worked with legal experts and several packaging suppliers to find alternative packaging options that are both safe and eye pleasing.

BS: Can you walk us through the process you typically follow when working with a packaging design agency or printing company?
AG: When working with a packaging design agency or printing company, it is important to be punctual, alert, precise, passionate, clear, and quick to respond. The process involves identifying your packaging needs, sharing your design brief and any relevant information, reviewing initial concepts, providing feedback, refining the design, and finalising the artwork. Effective communication and collaboration are important throughout the process to ensure that the final product meets your needs and expectations.

The packaging industry is constantly evolving with new trends and technologies

BS: How do you measure the success of your product packaging, and what metrics do you use to track its effectiveness?
AG: Firstly, to be honest, we would track our sales figures and analyse how our packaging designs are influencing customer purchasing behaviour. Secondly, we would gather customer feedback through surveys and reviews to understand how our packaging is perceived and how it can be improved. We would also keep an eye on industry trends and market research to ensure that our packaging is competitive and stands out in the market.

BS: Are there any emerging trends or technologies in the packaging industry that you are particularly excited about?
AG: The packaging industry is constantly evolving with new trends and technologies. Some emerging trends include sustainable and eco-friendly materials, personalised packaging, minimalist designs, and smart packaging that incorporates technology.

BS: How do you see your packaging needs evolving over the next few years, and what steps are you taking to stay ahead of the curve?
AG: We plan to stay ahead of the curve by continuously researching emerging trends and technologies in the packaging industry. We also aim to incorporate sustainable and eco- friendly materials into our packaging designs to reduce our environmental impact. Furthermore, we will gather feedback from customers and make necessary changes to improve our packaging designs. By staying ahead of the curve and continuously innovating, we aim to create packaging that not only meets our customers’ needs but also aligns with our brand values.