Best 8 Packaging Design Agencies in Chicago Supporting Food and Retail Brands

Last Updated on July 5, 2025 by YPGreen

At YPGREEN, we help brands around the world bring packaging ideas to life—connecting them with trusted Chinese manufacturers for fast sampling and quality production. During our research into Chicago’s creative industry, we identified top packaging design firms delivering work that’s strategic, sustainable, and highly effective.

How to Choose a Packaging Design Company in Chicago

When choosing a packaging design company in Chicago, look for teams that understand your industry’s needs—whether it’s food and beverage, health products, or e-commerce. The best agencies combine aesthetics with real-world function, offering everything from branding strategy to technical dielines and packaging engineering.

Given Chicago’s strong retail and CPG (consumer packaged goods) presence, many local firms are experienced in designing packaging for shelf display, Amazon fulfillment, and local grocers. Sustainability is also top-of-mind, with many agencies offering recyclable, compostable, or minimal-material packaging concepts.

Make sure your chosen design partner can work hand-in-hand with your production team or sourcing agency—like YPGREEN—to ensure designs are not only beautiful but also practical to produce. Ask about their experience collaborating with overseas manufacturers and handling quality control.

Chicago is known for collaboration, reliability, and results. The right packaging design firm here will reflect those values—and help your brand grow.

PKG Brand Design

Services & Client Cases

PKG Brand Design, based in Chicago with a 2012 foundation, is an award-winning full-service agency focusing squarely on consumer-first packaging for CPG brands. Their offerings include brand strategy, identity, structural and graphic packaging, copywriting, photography, and print-ready artwork.
They collaborate with major brands such as Kellogg’s, Sara Lee, Hillshire Farm, Perdue, Hostess, ConAgra, Keebler, Jelly Belly, and more. Their Consumer First® design process includes shopper testing, ensuring packaging grabs attention, clarifies messaging, and drives purchase intent—delivering measurable revenue gains (5.5% forecast lift on average).
Notable projects include packaging redesigns for Bumble Bee Tuna, Perdue ThanksNuggets, and frozen seafood lines.

Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend PKG Brand Design for food and CPG brands seeking packaging that’s consumer-validated, shelf-effective, and brand-consistent. Their robust experience with national household names and data-backed design process ensures outputs that are review-worthy, delivering aesthetic appeal and commercial performance in equal measure.

Link: http://pkgbranding.com

Rosemint Media

Services & Client Cases

Rosemint Media is a Chicago-based brand growth agency (2–10 employees) offering brand identity, marketing strategy, e‑commerce visuals, including product packaging support within a broader digital strategy.
Their services include brand messaging, UI/UX, and e-commerce content and packaging visuals, along with consulting and product packaging—designed to support passive income and full brand ecosystems. Their agency caters to entrepreneurs and nonprofits, frequently extending brand identity into packaging mockups tied to e-commerce and event merch .

Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend Rosemint Media for small to mid‑size brands seeking packaging aligned with e‑commerce visuals and brand strategy. Their integrated packaging visuals, web, and social-first planning ensures product presentation is cohesive and compelling—making it review-worthy for entrepreneurs building packaged product revenue streams.

Link: http://rosemintmedia.com

Studio One Eleven

Services & Client Cases

Studio One Eleven is the innovation and packaging design arm of Berlin Packaging—serving global markets with strategy, structural engineering, prototyping, sustainability consulting, industrial design, and full production support. Their service set includes branding, packaging graphics, 3D modeling, label architecture, and sourcing through Berlin’s supply chain.

They’ve delivered award-winning packaging across sectors—spirits (Lantic Gin), non-alcoholic sparkling beverages (Libby Wines), refillable spray bottles (Branch Basics), and athletic care products—integrating functional innovation with premium aesthetics. They support brands by integrating ergonomics, ISO-certified sustainability, structural packaging, and tooling—all through a single partnership.

Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend Studio One Eleven for brands seeking fully integrated packaging innovation at scale, combining structural engineering, sustainability, prototyping, and global manufacturing under one roof. Their system-level approach and award-winning execution make their packaging review-worthy for premium and high-volume brands aiming to impact shelf and consumer experience.

Link: http://studio111design.com

TS Design Studio

Services & Client Cases

TS Design Studio operates in Chicago and Tampa as a full-service creative studio, offering packaging design alongside art direction, graphic design, signage, web, video, and branding.
Their packaging capabilities include brand-aligned dielines, label style development, structural wrap design, and printed mockups for digital and in-store use . They emphasize eco-conscious materials—like recycled wraps and minimal plastic—and custom packaging for promotional apparel, event merchandise, and garment packaging with structural sleeves and wraps .

Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend TS Design Studio for brands needing packaging that bridges apparel, promo, and consumer goods, especially with eco-sensitivity. Their blend of art direction, structural design, eco-material guidance, and mockups ensures packaging that feels crafted and context-aware—making it review-worthy for lifestyle and retail-integrated brands.

Link: http://tsdesignstudio.net

Bluetiful Design

Services & Client Cases

Bluetiful Design is a Chicago-based boutique studio specializing in strategic brand development, packaging, and digital presence. They craft distinctive logo and identity systems before translating those into consumer packaging that resonates across print and digital platforms.

• Their packaging projects often involve artisan food, beverage, and wellness brands. They’ve designed label systems and flexible packs that reflect brand personality while delivering shelf impact.
• Notable case work includes Volition Tea and Nuovo Chicago, where Bluetiful seamlessly integrated packaging into broader brand storylines, achieving quality aesthetic across utensils and containers.
• For Thrive Eye + Optical and Hamlin Modern Dentistry, their packaging extends into clinic retail packaging and branded items—tying identity to physical products. They also generate packaging photography to unify visual language across channels.
  They focus on the power of packaging to draw attention, express brand values, and drive customer engagement—making design both strategic and visually compelling.

Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend Bluetiful Design for small to mid-size Chicago-area brands seeking strategy-led packaging that doubles as brand storytelling. Our review notes how they transform identity systems into packaging that captures attention and builds emotional resonance—making it review-worthy for brands pursuing cohesion and growth.

Link: http://bluetifuldesign.com

Colin McKenzie Creative (CMcK Creative)

Services & Client Cases

Colin McKenzie Creative is a Chicago studio offering comprehensive packaging design, 3D mockups, logo creation, and marketing collateral. They serve a range of food, beverage, and consumer brands with visual packaging that supports both shelf presence and digital marketing efforts.

• Clint Black Cowboy Coffee involved a tight-turn packaging and logo redesign aimed at communicating brand heritage and premium quality under a tight deadline.
• For Mafia House, they crafted premium label design and 3D renderings to elevate the brand’s visual impact quickly.
• Their work on Free Day Popcorn, Dewitt’s Gourmet Cookie Dough, Carroll’s Corn, and Peppino’s combined fun, illustrative artwork with flexible packaging and production-ready dielines.
• They also support packaging with marketing visuals—like mockups for social media and label shots—ensuring packaging works online as well as offline.

Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend CMcK Creative for food and beverage startups seeking fast, creative packaging solutions with visual depth. Their ability to combine 3D mockups, illustration, and marketing visuals make their packaging review-worthy for brands seeking standout shelf and digital performance.

Link: http://cmckcreative.com

Equator Design

Services & Client Cases

Equator Design is a global packaging agency with deep expertise in delivering brand strategy, design, and packaging at scale. Their services include research-based concept development, structural design, illustration, photography, repro, and artwork preparation across global markets.

• With The Fresh Market, they designed over 700 private-label packaging SKUs across three tiers in under a year, ensuring brand consistency and shelf differentiation.
• For PZ Cussons and Sanctuary Spa, they developed holiday gifting packaging delivering premium elegance and storytelling.
• Their transformative redesigns include Co-op Fairtrade, Pure Balance pet food, Crispers snacks, C&H Sugar, and Domino Sugar, blending vibrant design with merchandising and sustainability concerns.
  Equator maintains design-to-shelf rigor with innovation labs, virtual research tools, and integrated material sourcing.

Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend Equator Design for brands needing comprehensive, research-driven packaging that bridges idea and execution globally. Their large-scale capability, strategic insight, and award-winning systems make their work review-worthy for businesses demanding premium shelf presence and cohesive brand impact.

Link: http://equator-design.com

Jansy Packaging

Services & Client Cases

Jansy Packaging (part of Berlin Packaging) is a Jersey-based packaging manufacturer and design boutique delivering turnkey, high-end packaging solutions for liquor, spirits, cosmetics, and gift brands.
-Their offerings include luxury rigid boxes, lacquered wood gift sets, leather wraps, custom inlays, and accessory packaging tailored to premium spirits.

• Smart Stock™ provides fast-launch stock cartons and bags that can be branded—ideal for startups needing time-efficient packaging.
• They support from structural engineering to global manufacturing and fulfillment, emphasizing practical, sustainable design grounded in science and material knowledge.
• Their notable clients include Hims, Ralph Lauren, Starbucks, L’Oréal, Diageo, Drunk Elephant, Kate Spade, Peter Thomas Roth, and tens of others.

Editor’s Recommendation

We recommend Jansy Packaging for premium or luxury brands seeking packaging that combines creative design with global manufacturing scalability. Their turnkey approach to structure, material, and finish ensures each pack is review-worthy—impactful in unboxing and high-end retail environments.

Link: http://jansypkg.com

How to Design Food Packaging That Appeals to Chicago Consumers

Chicago consumers value authenticity, practicality, and aesthetics that align with real-world use. Whether you’re targeting local coffee drinkers, gourmet snack fans, or wellness-focused shoppers, your packaging must deliver both form and function.

Start with a clean and confident design. Chicago buyers respond well to minimal layouts with bold typography, high-contrast colors, and clear brand messaging. Avoid excessive decoration—instead, focus on utility and trustworthiness. Packaging should feel dependable, modern, and unpretentious.

In terms of material, sustainable options are increasingly preferred. Chicago has a strong green movement, particularly in urban retail and boutique food markets. Use recyclable, compostable, or reusable formats where possible, and clearly communicate your packaging’s environmental impact.

Storytelling matters, especially in local markets. If your product is made in Chicago or supports Midwestern agriculture, say it. Consumers here support regional businesses and value connection to community. Highlighting small-batch production, family ownership, or ethical sourcing can help your product stand out.

Finally, make sure your packaging is functional: easy to carry, open, store, and display. Whether sold in grocery chains, farmers markets, or online, your packaging should reflect Chicago’s blend of heritage, innovation, and practicality.

Conclusion

If you’re a packaging design firm or product brand based in Chicago and want to be featured in our next content series, reach out to us. At YPGREEN, we help creatives and founders source packaging that reflects their values—with full-service support and trusted manufacturing.

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