Custom Packaging Symbols: A Detailed Guide on Different Types

Custom-printed packaging is far more than enclosing and protecting products. It’s a strong ground to educate consumers about products, brands, and safety protocols. Even though it has special instructions for businesses to ensure their customers’ health, hygiene, and safety. In today’s era, where minimalism is trending everywhere, precise and informative custom packaging symbols are used to educate and instruct consumers. Therefore, we must learn the actual meaning of each international packaging symbol, its importance, and usage.

In the packaging and printing industry, a custom packaging symbol is defined as a unique graphic symbol or icon added to a packaging box, perfectly customized to meet a specific brand, product, and box needs. Various global groups, such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), create and standardize custom packaging symbols across various industries to ensure consumers’ safety, product consistency, and quality. Want detailed insights into custom-printed packaging symbols? Read this guide and learn about different packaging symbols printed on custom boxes.

Some Famous Symbols on Packaging: A Sneak Peek into the Popular Types

The following are some of the universally accepted custom packaging symbols that are often presented on bespoke packaging boxes used by the brands of different industries. Let’s give a once-over to these symbols for a better understanding:

1-  Recycling Symbol:

Representing a “Mobius Loop”, this universally accepted packaging symbol is highly used on the packaging solutions of consumer goods, food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical items. The recycling symbol shows that a packaging box or product is made up of eco-friendly products and can be fully or partially recycled to help you reduce your carbon footprint for environmental preservation.

2-  Fragility Symbol:

Showing a “broken glass icon”, this commonly used packaging symbol is used to indicate the delicate nature of the packaged content present inside a custom packaging box. The fragility symbol is used to educate buyers that the package is advised to be handled with care to preserve the quality of packaged products. Usually, this symbol is present on the packaging boxes that hold electronics, glassware, ceramics, or any other such delicate items.

3-  This Way Up Symbol:

Distinctive “Two Arrows” are usually printed on custom packaging boxes to indicate that a package should be kept upright during transit. By following this position, products remain intact and safe during transit and display. Typically, the shipping packages or the high-end products belonging to logistics, appliances, and industrial parts are packaged in boxes with this unique symbol.

4-  Keep Dry Packaging Symbol:

It’s typically represented as an “umbrella with raindrops”. This unique packaging symbol educates consumers to protect the product’s packaging from moisture to retain the product’s quality and composition. The keep dry packaging symbol is often placed on custom-printed boxes, pouches, and bags having electronics, paper, textiles, or wooden goods inside them.

5-  Heavy Item Symbols on Packaging:

This packaging icon is usually represented as a “box with a weight indicator”. It means special cautions are needed as a heavy-weight product is packaged in a custom box. Therefore, one must be prepared to handle, carry, and transport these heavy-weight products, often including the heavy machinery, bulk goods, and hardware tools.

6-  Temperature-Sensitive Symbol:

Featuring “thermometer icon”, temperature-sensitive packaging symbols are often embedded on custom-printed packaging solutions to indicate that the product must be stored within a specific temperature range to maintain its quality and composition over time. Using temperature-sensitive symbols is one of the major concerns in pharmaceuticals, food, chemicals, cosmetics, and other such industries.

7-  Do Not Stack Packaging Symbol:

This informative and educative packaging symbol features a “minus sign in a red-colored circle”. Do not stack packaging symbols means that boxes must not be stacked on each other to avoid the risk of damage. This custom packaging symbol is generally printed on the packaging boxes holding fragile goods, high-end items, and retail display products.

8-  Food-Safe Packaging Symbol:

It is represented by a “fork and wine glass symbol”. This educative international packaging symbol indicates that the packaging material is safe to come in contact with packaged food items. ISO-certified food-safe packaging symbol is often applied to different-sized custom food containers, utensils, and bespoke food packaging solutions.

9- Tamper-Evident Seal Packaging Symbol:

Presented as a “lock” sign, the tamper-evident seal packaging symbol provides information about whether a package is opened, closed, or broken. It’s highly suggested for the packaging solutions holding pharmaceuticals, food, skincare, supplements, and other such sensitive products.

An Industry-Wise Overview of the Commonly Used Packaging Symbols:

After discussing some of the most famous, generally used packaging symbols, we have broken down the requisite information on custom packaging symbols according to different industries. Let’s check them out for a better understanding:

Cosmetics & Personal Care Industry Packaging Symbol:

Here are some of the highly used custom packaging labels for cosmetics and branded personal care products:

• Period After Opening (PAO): Represented as an open jar with “6M”, “12M”, etc. This symbol shows how many months the product remains safe after opening.
• Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny) packaging symbol, meaning that a product is not allowed to be tested on animals.
• UV-protected packaging, presented by a shining sun to indicate that the packaging blocks UV rays to preserve the product’s quality and composition.
• Airless pump symbol on custom packaging box, showing that the packaging prevents air contamination.
• Post-consumer recycled content packaging symbol, often featuring a percentage of post-consumer content to indicate that the packaging is made fully or partially from materials that have already been used and recycled by consumers.
• Refillable packaging icon, featuring arrows forming a bottle or pump, is usually printed on the cosmetic boxes to indicate that the packaging can be reused by refilling it.
• Hypoallergenic packaging symbols, presenting water droplets, face outline, or a leaf, are often applied to the packaging of skin-sensitive personal care, cosmetics, and other such items.

Food & Beverage Packaging Symbols:

A few of the most commonly used packaging symbols used for food and beverage packaging symbols are listed below. Give them a thorough read and find out what basic packaging symbols are trending in the respective industry:

• Compostable packaging symbols to show that the packaging material can break down into compost and is safe for the environment.
• Plant-based packaging symbol, featuring corn, sugarcane, or any other renewable plant-based icon.
• Freezer-safe packaging symbols, showcasing a snowflake or thermometer on a packaging box. It shows that the food packaging can be stored in freezing temperatures.
• Microwave-safe packaging symbol, featuring wavy lines to indicate that the custom packaging box is safe to use in microwave ovens.
• Cold chain symbol to show that the packaged food product must be refrigerated during transit.
• Peel & reseal packaging symbols, meaning the lid or label can be peeled and reclosed.

Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare Packaging Symbols:

The following are some of the highly recommended symbols for packaging of pharmaceutical and various healthcare products. These packaging symbols are usually informative and educative. Have a look at them for better understanding:

• Lock with child icon or “Push & Turn” graphic to indicate a child-resistant packaging.
• Prescription only or Rx to show that the packaged box contains regulated medicine, not OTC.
• Sterilization icon to show that the packaged medicine or healthcare item is fully sterilized and sealed.
• A large cross sign or symbol “2” in a circle with a line through it to show that the product is for single use only.
• Flames with a cross to indicate that the packaged product should avoid exposure to heat sources and must be kept away from heat.

E-Commerce & Retail Packaging Symbols:

The flourishing e-commerce and retail industries focus a lot on their products’ packaging. All the biggest brands strictly follow the industrial and international safety regulations. They come up with custom-printed packaging solutions featuring bespoke packaging symbols. The following list highlights a few of the most famous packaging symbols used in the e-commerce and retail industry:

• An e-commerce certified trolley icon to show that the packaging is designed to survive shipping without extra boxes.
• A cyclic arrow symbol to indicate that the packaging is reusable for shipping returns.
• Scissor icon or hand pulling flap to point out the opening or tearing spot on the custom packaging box.
• Tools or wrench icon, representing that the box assembly is required on arrival.
• Frustration-free packaging symbol on custom boxes to indicate that no excess products are packaged in the box. Moreover, the opening is quite easy. No need for scissors or knives for opening.

Industrial, Logistics, & Electronics Packaging Symbol:

Many specific packaging symbols are internationally recommended to be used for a wide variety of electronics and industrial items. These custom icons are informative and educative, guiding consumers about a product's features and usage. Check out some of the highly used packaging symbols in the electronics and logistical industries listed below:

• Triangle with hand and spart to show that electrostatic sensitive devices are packaged inside a box, and they must be shielded from static.
• Magnet with a cross symbol to indicate that the packaged products must be kept away from magnets to avoid data corruption in electronics.
• Wrench and hammer in a cross shape to show that special facilities for the product’s maintenance are available.
• Open the booklet or wrench packaging symbol to provide assembly or setup instructions inside.
• Charged battery icons to indicate that the custom packaging box contains lithium batteries inside, compulsory for air shipping.

Environmental & Sustainability Focused Packaging Symbols:

Considering the increasing sustainability trends, international organizations have special environmentally focused packaging symbols to make sure that a custom packaging solution is safe for environmental use.  The following are some of the most popular environmental and sustainability-focused packaging symbols:

• Globe or carbon meter icon to show a carbon-neutral packaging for products.
• FSC-certified packaging symbol to affirm that a packaging material is sourced from well-managed forests.
• Zero waste packaging symbol, describing that the box is designed to produce no landfill waste.
• Green dots symbolize that the manufacturer financially contributes to the recycling program.

Tips for Creating the Best-Quality Packaging Symbols for Custom Boxes

In the world of product packaging, first impressions matter, and packaging symbols play a critical role in communicating important information quickly and clearly. Whether you're shipping fragile items, indicating eco-friendliness, or providing handling instructions, these small icons pack a big punch. For businesses that rely on custom boxes, using high-quality, professional packaging symbols can elevate the brand and ensure safety, compliance, and consumer trust. Here are some essential tips for creating top-tier packaging symbols for your custom boxes.

1. Understand the Purpose of Packaging Symbols:

Before designing your symbols, it’s important to understand what they communicate. Packaging symbols serve several key purposes:

• Safety and Handling: Icons like “Fragile” or “This Side Up” inform handlers about proper treatment.
• Compliance: Some symbols are required by law, especially for hazardous or recyclable materials.
• Sustainability: Indications such as the recycling symbol or FSC-certified logos highlight your brand’s eco-friendly efforts.
• Informative: They help consumers understand storage instructions, expiration dates, and country of origin.

Knowing your goals allows you to choose and design symbols that are relevant and functional.

2. Use Industry-Recognized Icons:

Don't reinvent the wheel. Wherever possible, use globally recognized and standardized symbols. Icons standardized by organizations like ISO (International Organization for Standardization), ASTM, and the EU are widely understood and trusted.

For example:

• Mobius Loop for recycling
• Glass with Fork for food-safe packaging
• CE Marking for European compliance
• Green Dot indicating producer responsibility in some regions

Using official icons ensures clarity, boosts credibility, and reduces misinterpretation.

3. Ensure Scalability and Clarity:

Symbols must remain legible and recognizable at any size. Design or select symbols as vector graphics (e.g., SVG, AI, or EPS formats) so they can be scaled without loss of quality.

Key design tips include:

• High contrast: Use strong contrasts between the icon and the background.
• Simple lines: Avoid excessive details or gradients.
• White space: Give icons room to “breathe” so they don’t feel cluttered.

Testing your symbols at various sizes and on different packaging types (like kraft paper, glossy, or matte finishes) ensures they’re versatile and effective.

4. Keep Brand Consistency:

While functionality is vital, your packaging symbols should also align with your brand identity. This doesn’t mean redesigning standard icons but rather ensuring they visually complement your packaging style.

Tips for branding through symbols:

• Use your brand colors where appropriate (while ensuring readability).
• Maintain the same design style (e.g., line thickness, rounded vs. sharp corners).
• Position symbols consistently across your packaging designs.

This consistency enhances the professionalism of your packaging and strengthens brand recognition.

5. Place Them Strategically:

Placement is often overlooked but critical. Symbols should be located in places that make logical sense and attract attention when needed.

Some practical tips:

• Handling symbols should be on all sides to ensure visibility during transport.
• Sustainability or brand-specific symbols can go near the barcode or the bottom panel.
• Avoid placing symbols near cluttered artwork or essential branding elements to maintain clarity.

Make sure your packaging design workflow includes a phase where symbol placement is reviewed for functionality and aesthetics.

6. Test and Validate Before Mass Production:

Before rolling out your packaging to large-scale production, do a small print run or digital mockup. Get feedback from stakeholders, including:

• Logistics teams (for handling clarity)
• Regulatory compliance officers
• Marketing/branding experts
• Customers (for user interpretation)

This real-world validation can catch issues like poor visibility, misinterpretation, or aesthetic mismatches.

Final Thoughts

High-quality packaging symbols are more than just visual elements, they’re essential tools for safety, compliance, sustainability, and brand communication. By investing the time to design or select appropriate, scalable, and consistent symbols, businesses can create packaging that not only protects the product but also promotes a professional and responsible image. In a market where packaging is a silent salesman, every detail, including symbols that can make a lasting impression. Contact CPP Boxes and get the best-quality custom packaging symbols for bespoke boxes at wholesale prices.