A busy month of press checks and client visits—from a three-day Bay Area trip with Utah Paperbox to a book cover project blending Scodix, hot stamping, and embossing. I share a soft launch of my Packaging Audit Starter Kit, a quick pre-press tip to save hours later, and a Year-End Packaging Checklist to help brands finish 2025 strong.

Packaging isn’t a single topic. It’s a tangled web of timelines, materials, suppliers, cost buckets, and brand goals. I wanted to write a book to make it approachable, but also useful. Simple, but not watered down.

I’m sharing what happened when I walked the Amplify Print show with a student in tow - virtually. From mentoring moments to a standout student-designed shipper, plus a sneak peak look at luxury bag production, and a heads-up on the big barcode shift brands need to know about.

👉 Don’t miss the downloadable reference sheet and quick packaging tip at the end.

You probably know QR codes. They’re the square codes that open a webpage or app when scanned. A GS1 Digital Link (also a 2D barcode) looks similar, but it's smarter. It combines the product info used for checkout with the customer-facing info used for storytelling!

Sustainability is no longer a trend—it’s an expectation. Today’s customers are looking for brands that prioritize the environment, and packaging is one of the most visible ways to showcase your commitment to sustainability. But sustainability in packaging isn’t just about using recyclable materials; it’s about making thoughtful decisions that reduce waste, conserve resources, and align with your brand values.

After weeks or months of planning, designing, and producing your packaging, it’s tempting to jump straight into whatever’s next. But before you press the let’s-move-on button, it’s crucial to take a step back and evaluate the finished product. A thorough recap and review process allows you to assess whether your packaging meets your original goals, aligns with your brand, and delivers the customer experience you envisioned.

Printing is where your packaging vision becomes reality. After weeks or months of design and preparation, the print production stage is what transforms your ideas into tangible packaging that customers will see, hold, and interact with. But print production isn’t as simple as hitting “print” on a computer. It’s a detailed process that requires precision, expertise, and collaboration with your supplier.

Halfway through 2025 and the packaging world isn’t slowing down. From foil demos at Amplify to new EPR deadlines and a dieline oops you’ll want to avoid. Here’s what stood out this month, plus a 3-minute gut-check for your next box.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws for packaging are no longer a “someday” problem. They’re rolling out now; and depending on your sales and shipping volume, you may already be on the hook.

But don’t panic.

Let’s walk through what EPR is, who it applies to, and what to do next—even if you haven’t collected a single material spec sheet yet.