Jam jars depart from Amish life and embrace the flair of rumspringa

jam-jars-depart-from-amish-life-and-embrace-the-flair-of-rumspringaWhen in need of inspiration, Keith (CPS EVP, Art Director, Designer – a man of many hats) finds wandering through store aisles enlightening. Stocked shelves are the perfect place for a packaging geek (something we're all proud to be!) to reaffirm his or her commitments to the industry. It's here that we are privy to new molds and designs; it's a place rife with life and innovation. That is, Keith says, until you get to the jam jars. He's not the only one infuriated by the lack of creativity and pizzazz in the jam jars category of packaging. It's as if jam jars were once Amish (created in private facilities), then they went on rumspringa (came out into the world) and decided the old life wasn't for them. But instead of setting themselves apart, jam jars choose to live in muted-misery, cloaked in homey gingham instead of embracing the newest threads at Urban Outfitters, or wherever hipster jam jars would shop. Why design plain jam jars when they're made to flavor life? Here's three components to keep in mind when packaging in jam jars. Jam jars have shape, accentuate it Jam jars have more than one look. I know you've got the image of Smuckers stuck in your head (especially the PB & J striped bottle. There's a reason it's called Goober, gag!) but the answer to Cher's question Is there life after love? applies to this scenario as well, and yes, there is life beyond the cookie-cutter shape of run-of-the-mill jam jars. <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/catalog/mason-jars/74/#0,0&0&0&0&0&0&0&74&0&0&list&0&0,0>Mason jam jars </a>may be the traditional choice, but trying a different shape of container can do wonders for a product. Consider how your goods might look packaged in elegant <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/catalog/hex-glass-jars/75/#0,0&0&0&0&0&0&0&75&0&0&list&0&0,0>hex glass jam jars</a>. Sharp angles and varied heights allow for a bit more freedom when compared to standard round jam jars. If you're after a more sleek and modern look check out our <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/catalog/paragon-glass-jars/76/#0,0&0&0&0&0&0&0&76&0&0&list&0&0,0>paragon jam jars</a> collection. The height and slender shape of these jam jars communicates messages to consumers different from those coming from mason or hex jam jars. A fly design helps jam jars shine Clip art was introduced to personal computers in the1980s (Keith believes most clip art libraries are collections of failed Disney auditions). That was 30 years ago. So why are you still using images of this caliber to decorate your jam jars? Here's where the Amish fears come in again. Marketing an appealing product packaged in jam jars is not a crime, I promise. Invest in a worthwhile design (with <a href=https://www.containerandpackaging.com/services/cpsdesign.asp>CPSD</a>? Hint, hint) and don't be afraid to break out of the homey illustration mode. We've seen enough strawberries and grapes, most of us over the age of four know what they look like anyway, so step outside your box and visually articulate the product inside your jam jars a little differently. Color adds a new dimension to jam jars I was about to postulate a connection between the Amish and colorblindness but I thought that might be pushing my analogy too far. Instead I'll just say that it seems customary to use deep tones like reds, oranges, blues and purples when it comes to decorating jam jars. Don't limit your creative palate to fruit-based colors, embrace whatever inspires you or represents your product. Tangerine Tango is the color of 2012, start there (as long as your jam jars aren't full of tangerines)! There are so many small details that set different forms of packaging apart. The same should hold true for jam jars specifically. Drop the preconceptions associated with jam jars as a whole and use shape, design and color to create your own attitude and class of packaging!