Packaging Design & Procurement

Every business wants their customer to have that “fall-in-love” feeling from the moment they pickup a product at the store to the moment they use the product at home. However, oftentimes simple operational logistics (identifying manufacturers and/or establishing a relationship with packaging and fulfillment centers) are what prevent small businesses from launching new products. DNEP’s packaging and procurement team focuses on identifying packing options and establishing vendor relationships to get new products into the marketplace.

Services offered include:

Documenting the technical requirements for the packaging
Collecting pricing and samples from vendors
Researching compliance requirements
Designing product labels

See Examples of Past Work

Documenting Technical Requirements

Sweet Potato Delights Request for Pricing/Quotation

Sweet Potato Delight local bakery specializing in vegan desserts. Velonda asked for help identifying co-packers and/ or wholesale packaging vendors that would enable her to (re)enter regional grocery markets. The +ISLB Team created a Request for Pricing document (RFQ) and Request for Quotation document (RFQ) that Sweet Potato Delights was able to send to vendors for requested pricing and samples for four different items.

Download Sweet Potato Delights' Request for Pricing and Quotation

Vendor Comparison

Bags to Butterflies Dust Bags

Bags to Butterflies (BtB) creates one of a kind statement handbags and accessories built by formerly incarcerated women. Michelle was looking for a shopping bag that would advertise their new brand identity at local markets and a luxurious unpacking experience when items were shipped. The +ISLB team created vendor comparisons to help BtB select the most suitable packaging option given its needs and price range.

Downlaod Bags to Butterflies' Vendor Comparisons

Product samples of the Mami Wata product line

Packaging & Labeling

Mami Wata Hair Product Labels

Mami Wata is a new hair care product line for kinky curly hair inspired by the West African water spirit, Mami Wata. The packaging needed to communicate Mami Wata’s nurturing mythology while connecting the product line to Nefertiti (the owner’s) personal brand. The +ISLB team designed appropriately sized labels that fit Mami Wata’s packaging needs while representing its unique brand identity.

Download Mami Wata's Printer File Labels

Student Voices

Sarah Pisarczyk

Stamps School of Art & Design

"Collaborating on interdisciplinary teams of students and doing such impactful work for the small business owners of Detroit was an experience that made me a better designer, community member, and prepared me to enter the job market more confidently. I appreciate the trust you put in all of us to do this work. It means everything to be taken seriously, trusted with real clients, and see the fruits of your labor."