Boxes are definitely having a moment right now. In fact, a recent study by Google found that 1 in 5 consumers has watched an unboxing video? Seriously: 20% of us have intentionally watched other people open boxes! What a world.

First, there’s the wild proliferation of subscription boxes now available for people of all stripes and sizes. Forbes reports that the subscription e-commerce market has grown by more than 100% percent a year over the past five years, with the largest retailers generating more than $2.6B in sales in 2016. The rise in e-commerce has also made boxes more ubiquitous than ever, which means retailers of all kinds are starting to give some serious thought to their packaging.

So how do you get started? Sure, you could just send your customers a brown cardboard box and call it a day. But as we found out in our chat with Arka CEO Phillip Akhzar, companies that don’t brand their packages are missing out on a serious opportunity to build brand awareness and loyalty. That’s why Arka has made it its mission to streamline and simplify the entire package branding and ordering process.

So as we wrap up production on our upcoming podcast episode with Phillip, here are a few of the coolest box designs we uncovered as our team ventured down the unboxing rabbit hole. 

1. Reese Whitherspoon's Hello Sunshine Book club

Reese Witherspoon fans are in for a treat! Not only is she introducing powerful female characters and stories through her work in television and film, but now she’s also shining a light on female narratives with her popular subscription book club filled with compelling novels, adorable accessories and beautiful packaging to boot. We love the cheeky copy, the elegant color palette, and the handy size. 

In fact, you might just want to keep your good reads in the box and give it a prized spot on your bookshelves!  

2. Jonesy

To so many of us, underwear shopping is a bit of a nightmare. That’s why Jonesy is hitting it out of the park with a subscription box featuring comfy and stylish bralettes for women. The box design is clear proof of one of design’s most important rules: less is often more. A simple brand logo pattern with a beautiful font is just enough to get us excited about what comes next and really drill in that brand awareness.

3. Lootcrate x Marvel Subscription box

Die-hard fans of Avengers gear should check out Marvel’s subscription box collab with Lootcrate. The packaging features iconic comic-book illustrations of our favorite Marvel superheroes that not only hint at the great merch inside, but will undoubtedly tempt fans to keep the box out in the open as part of their own geeky collection.

4. Global Meal Kits 

Global Meal Kits offers boxes filled with pre-measured ingredients and simple step-by-step instructions to create delicious recipes from across the globe. To tickle our taste buds, the packaging features craving-inducing icons of popular meals like curry noodles, pies, and pizzas. We’re loving the simple addition of their website details and logo on the right-hand band too – just in case your dinner guests get a peak in the kitchen and want to know the secret behind your culinary prowess.

5. Brotein Box

For the health nuts amongst us, Brotein Box sells healthy protein-packed snacks that will keep you fueled for hours. Their bare-bones box design proves that you don’t need to have an elaborate, sophisticated design to make a solid impression. Sometimes a clear logo and brand color are enough to grab people’s attention.  After all, why fix something that ain’t broken?

6. Burgundy Fox

Exuding the very essence of zen and self-care, each Burgundy Fox subscription box is filled with exquisite lotions, candles, soaps, and lingerie. Minimalist yet elegant, their boxes follow suit with a touch of luxury and delicate detailing that beautifully hint at the pampering and delight that await inside. 

7. Lipstick Junkie

Boasting the brightest subscription box out there, Lipstick Junkie’s subscription boxes are as bold and colorful on the outside as they are on the inside. We love the pop-up feel reminiscent of our most intricate high-school collages and the fact that the words Lipstick Junkie from their logo look like they’ve been directly smudged on to the box by lip products. 

8. Dollar Shave Club

And of course, no box list would be complete without the Dollar Shave Club subscription box. Perhaps one of the most successful subscription brands out there, TradeGecko reports that the company has 3.2 million subscribers in North America, Australia, and the UK. They also grabbed  52.4% share of the shaving market, and beat long-time companies like Gillette, which held 21.2% of the market.

We think their clever packaging plays a big role in the love and loyalty that’s built up around the brand, and can’t help but gush over the simple cardboard and retro aesthetic. Add a cheeky quote and practical compartments, and you’ve got a box design that ties in perfectly with their powerful branding. 

9. Bombay Cedar

For those looking to pamper themselves guilt-free, Bombay & Cedar has a monthly aromatherapy box stuffed with vegan and cruelty-free products you can feel good about. True to its branding, the box features leaves of different shapes and sizes to represent their love for all things organic and natural. The pastel pink also adds a soothing, elegant touch that would look beautiful on any bedside table!

10. Atlas Coffee Club

Coffee connoisseurs looking to explore new flavors don’t have to travel too far anymore. The Atlas Coffee Club subscription box introduces java-lovers to coffees from across the globe and boasts a bold, simple logo that looks sturdy and well-traveled. Tie it all together with a minimalistic, monochromatic font and you’ve got yourself a box equivalent of a strong, black coffee.

Curious to find out more about the intricacies of package design and branding? Be sure to sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know when our podcast episode with Arka CEO Phillip Akhzar drops. Until then, we suggest you check out our Ultimate Guide to Brand Awareness for more tips on how to make an impression that sticks!