Inclusive Packaging Design: Making Unboxing Easier for Everyone
In today’s rapidly evolving consumer market, accessibility and inclusion are no longer optional — they are essential. Inclusive packaging design is about creating packaging solutions that work for everyone, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and anyone who may find traditional packaging difficult to handle.
From easy-open tabs to tactile indicators, brands are finding innovative ways to enhance usability while reinforcing a positive customer experience. Here’s how inclusive packaging is shaping the future — and why your brand should care.
What Is Inclusive Packaging Design?
Inclusive packaging refers to design strategies that ensure packaging can be easily opened, read, and used by people of diverse abilities, ages, and backgrounds. This can include:
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Individuals with limited mobility or grip strength
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Visually impaired consumers
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Elderly users with dexterity issues
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Children or people with cognitive disabilities
Instead of retrofitting accessibility features after complaints, inclusive design starts with empathy and user-centered thinking at the earliest stages of packaging development.
Key Features of Inclusive Packaging
Below are some of the most effective inclusive packaging design elements:
1. Easy-Open Mechanisms
Forget sharp scissors or broken nails. Designs with tear notches, lift tabs, or loop handles reduce frustration for people with arthritis or low grip strength.
Easy-open tabs make a world of difference for users with limited dexterity.
2. Tactile Markers and Braille
Adding tactile icons or Braille labels can help visually impaired users identify contents, orientation, and even dosage (for medicine or food items).
Inclusive design often starts with tactile and visual accessibility.
3. High-Contrast & Large Print
Many consumers, especially older adults, struggle to read fine print. Use bold fonts, high-contrast text, and clear iconography for legibility.
Clear fonts and contrast enhance usability for older customers.
4. Audible Cues
Clicks, snaps, or other auditory feedback can let users know when a package is securely closed or opened.
Audio and tactile cues enhance the unboxing experience for all users.
5. Logical Navigation
Instructions and components (like seals or layers) should follow a logical order so the user doesn’t need a manual to understand what to do.
Real-World Brands Doing It Right
Procter & Gamble (P&G)
P&G introduced easy-grip shampoo bottles with tactile stripes and Braille to help blind consumers distinguish between products in the shower.
Microsoft
Their packaging for the Xbox Adaptive Controller features one-handed unboxing, no twist ties, and loop pulls that allow users to open it independently.
Nestlé
Nestlé has adopted accessible QR codes that read out product information when scanned, helping people with reading difficulties or visual impairments.
Why It Matters (Beyond Social Good)
Investing in inclusive packaging design isn’t just about doing the right thing — it’s also smart business. Here’s why:
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Market reach: Over 1 billion people globally live with a disability. Inclusive design opens your product to a wider audience.
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Customer loyalty: Accessible packaging improves customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
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Regulatory advantage: With accessibility guidelines tightening globally, early adopters reduce future compliance risks.
Quick Tips for Brands Getting Started
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Conduct usability tests with diverse users.
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Simplify interactions — fewer steps, less force.
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Choose accessible materials (no slippery plastics or hard seals).
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Incorporate inclusive symbols, not just text.
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Partner with organizations representing people with disabilities for co-creation.
The Future of Inclusive Packaging
As technology advances, expect more innovation in this space — such as smart packaging with voice feedback or augmented reality apps that assist with usage. The trend is clear: the brands of tomorrow are thinking inclusively today.
Ready to Make Your Packaging More Inclusive?
Our team at BestBoxStore and Imperial Paper is here to help you take your packaging design to the next level — ensuring it meets accessibility needs while staying on-brand and beautiful.
📩 Contact us to start designing for everyone.
