Packaging Like the Pros: The Hidden Process Behind Your Favorite CPG Brands

Danielle Kidney is the founder of The Creative Pack, a Los Angeles-based agency specializing in packaging design for CPG and DTC brands. With over two decades of experience in the industry—including work with Tesco and a diverse portfolio of well-known consumer brands—Danielle brings a wealth of expertise in every aspect of packaging, from strategy and brand storytelling to materials and production.

In this episode of DTC Pod, Danielle breaks down the behind-the-scenes process of creating packaging that not only looks great but also delivers on function, compliance, and scalability. She covers everything from the earliest stages of design and competitor audits, to the nuances of materials, regulatory requirements, and print production. Danielle shares practical advice on how brands can avoid costly mistakes, streamline their supply chain, and create packaging that stands out both online and on the shelf.

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On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:
1. The importance of packaging in brand perception and sales
2. Process: From initial idea to production-ready design
3. Building a design brief and establishing project scope
4. Competitive reviews and designing for hierarchy and function
5. Balancing creative innovation with must-have regulatory details
6. Collaborating with clients, manufacturers, and printers
7. Prototyping, mockups, and unboxing experience
8. Print technology, material choices, and cost management
9. Regulatory review, legal claims, and compliance essentials
10. Lead times, timeline planning, and pitfalls of rushing production
11. Early-stage packaging vs. scaling up for retail and DTC
12. Lessons learned: common mistakes and strategic tips
13. Pricing, form factor, and packaging design as sales levers

Timestamps
00:00 Introducing Danielle Kidney & The Creative Pack
05:42 The Creative Pack’s client process: from idea to brief
10:50 Balancing branding vs. functionality for sales and conversion
18:03 Manufacturing realities: materials, dielines, and cost constraints
24:39 Colors, mockups, and bringing digital designs to life
26:22 Real-world costs of packaging mistakes and risk mitigation
29:27 Regulatory musts: nutrition facts, barcodes, legal pitfalls
35:10 Realistic timelines for packaging launches and scale
40:33 Strategies for startups vs. brands scaling up
43:23 Lessons learned and tips for optimizing packaging decisions
50:20 Where to connect with Danielle and The Creative Pack

Show notes powered by Castmagic

Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  

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• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views

• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands

• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook

• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands

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Danielle Kidney - Founder of The Creative Pack
Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic
Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic