Dave Jones Design - is an award winning packaging designer based in Leeds/London, UK - specialising in awesome and innovative food and drink product packaging design to help your company and brand stand out online and on shelf.
As a freelance packaging designer, I help brands create packaging that stands out, communicates clearly, and drives sales — whether you’re launching a new product or refreshing an existing range. I work directly with startups, growing brands and established FMCG/CPG companies, providing strategic packaging design without the cost or complexity of a traditional packaging design agency.
When it comes to packaging design - You need more than just nice looking product packaging. You need a strong brand that resonates with your target customer/audience - this helps your brand stand out on shelf, and as a result helps drive sales. I have over a decade of design experience - as a packaging designer working with start-ups, in all shapes and sizes, from small challenger brands - to large retail brands.
Whether you're a food and beverage start-up breaking into the market or an established health or wellness brand looking to refresh your packaging design - my portfolio demonstrates a wide range of packaging design projects. I’ve also successfully helped many brands get listed with major and independent UK retailers such as: Harrods, M&S, Booths, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic and Selfridges.
Concerned about the costs?…don’t be, as I provide packaging design agency-level creativity, and design without the heavyweight agency fees.
Packaging Design That Helps Products Sell
Great packaging design isn’t just about looking good — it’s about clarity, differentiation and conversion. I design packaging that:
Grabs attention in crowded online and retail environments
Communicates key benefits instantly
Builds brand trust and recognition
Meets print, legal and retail requirements
From concept through to print-ready artwork, I ensure your packaging performs in the real world — not just on screen.
Freelance Packaging Design Services
I offer a complete range of packaging design services, tailored to your product, market and budget.
Packaging Design & Branding
New product logo, branding and packaging design
Packaging rebrands & refreshes
Visual identity development for packaging
Range extensions and line consistency
Food & Drink Packaging Design
FMCG food packaging
Beverage & drinks packaging
Nutritional panels & compliance layouts
Shelf-ready and retail-ready formats
Print-Ready Artwork
Cutter guides & dielines
Barcode placement & technical setup
Print specification & supplier liaison
Artwork amendments & versioning
Why Hire a Freelance Packaging Designer?
Working with a freelance packaging designer gives you direct access to senior-level expertise — without the delays, layers or costs of an agency.
Benefits of Working With Me
Direct collaboration with the designer (no account managers)
10 + years of packaging design experience
Faster turnaround times
Flexible pricing for startups and growing brands
Commercial understanding of the food and beverage/FMCG space in retail and online
Consistent communication from start to finish
You get a dedicated packaging specialist who understands both design and commercial realities.
Industries I Work With
I design packaging across a wide range of consumer categories, including:
Food & grocery
Drinks & beverage
Health & wellness
Supplements & nutrition
Beauty & personal care
and more…
Startups, challenger brands & established FMCG companies and brands
This industry focus helps your packaging meet category expectations while still standing out.
My process is clear, collaborative and designed to avoid costly mistakes later.
Discovery & Strategy
Understanding your brand, audience, competitors and goals.Concept Development
Creating design directions aligned with positioning and shelf impact.Design Refinement
Developing the chosen concept into a fully resolved packaging design.Artwork & Print Prep
Delivering print-ready files that meet supplier and regulatory requirements.Support to Launch
Ongoing support through print, production and rollout if needed.
I operate with full transparency - keeping you informed every step of the way, ensuring your packaging design project is on track and within budget. The process begins with a thorough packaging design consultation, to understand the project brief/details.
From there, I undertake targeted market/brand research before the packaging design development to ensure the packaging design/branding resonates with your customers, and stands out on shelf. Once the project is complete - I then send across your new print-ready packaging design, so you can start shouting about your shiny new brand.
Freelance Packaging Designer for UK Brands
I work with clients across the UK and internationally, supporting brands launching into:
Supermarkets & grocery chains
Independent retailers
Amazon & eCommerce
Direct-to-consumer channels
If you’re looking for a freelance packaging designer in the UK who understands both design and sales, I can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does freelance packaging design cost?
Pricing depends on the scope, number of SKUs and complexity. Freelance rates are typically more cost-effective than agencies while maintaining high standards.
Do you work with startups?
Yes — I regularly work with startups and early-stage brands, helping them launch professionally and competitively.
Can you work with existing dielines?
Absolutely. I can design to existing cutter guides or liaise with printers to source them.
Do you handle print-ready artwork?
Yes — all designs are supplied fully print-ready and compliant with production requirements.
How can I help you with your packaging design project?
Custom packaging design that helps your packaging/brand stand out on shelf
Creative packaging designer with over 10 years of experience
A strong design portfolio for a range of startups and established brands
I’ve helped many brands get listings with large, and independent UK retailers
Agency level design - without the design agency cost
I can work with you to ensure your project is delivered on time, and on budget
Let’s Discuss Your Packaging Design Project
If you’re looking for a freelance packaging designer who delivers clear, effective and commercially focused packaging design, get in touch.
Contact me today to discuss your project, timeline and budget.
Get a free consultation from an expert UK based packaging designer and packaging design consultant.
I help ambitious CPG, and FMCG brands and startups, stand out with innovative packaging design solutions. From initial packaging design concepts, and mockups to full scale print and shelf ready packaging, and label design.
Book a free packaging design consultation with me today, to get professional guidance on how I can create packaging design to help your brand stand out from competitors, and on shelf. If you would like to discuss a packaging design project, then please fill out the form below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
GET IN TOUCH
FAQs
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Packaging design is a lot more than just designing a fancy looking product pack - It's about creating a brand experience that enhances your product, and resonates with your target market. As a result this creates more visibility on shelf, which leads to more brand exposure and sales.
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Choosing a freelance packaging designer over a packaging design agency, normally has lot’s of benefits including:
Cheaper rates
No additional/hidden fees
A personal one-on-one service, so no account managers
I also collaborate with lot’s of other freelancers, including: illustrators, photographers, web developers, marketing and SEO specialists, meaning I can offer a full packaging design agency service, without the high costs
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Packaging Design Consultation/audit
Packaging design research/brand strategy and positioning
Packaging and label design (refresh or from scratch)
Packaging art-working
Custom brand world and packaging design illustration
Packaging design artwork, and cutter-guide setup for print
Packaging mock-ups and renders
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The packaging design process is pretty much the same for every project, and normally consists of the following:
Brand strategy/research, and mood-board
Design concepts/mockups
Design development
Artwork/cutter-guide setup
For a full breakdown of the packaging design process, please click here
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Packaging projects generally include:
Packaging design consultation
Brand research/mood-board
Design concepts/development - including design/layout colour/typography revisions, and changes
Custom illustrations
Unlimited revisions
Final artwork/cutter-guide files
I also offer lot’s of additional services, as outlined in my services section here, so if you have are any other requirements - then feel free to let me know.
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Yes - I offer custom packaging/brand world illustration with all packaging design projects. I normally offer:
Product ingredient illustrations
Pattern design and illustration
Icon/symbol designs
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I have a good working relationship with a number of different suppliers, including packaging companies and printers. I can happily share their details if you’re looking for a specific supplier.
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Unfortunately not - as my main focus is on branding, and packaging design, but I do work with a handful of photographers on a regular basis, and I would be happy to send you their details so you can get in touch with them to discuss your requirements directly.
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The project turn-around time depends on the project brief/details. As a guide small packaging design designs can take as little as 2-3 weeks, while larger packaging projects can sometimes take around 4-5 weeks or longer. Feel free to get in touch, with the packaging design project details, and I will be able to give you a specific timeframe for the project
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Feel free to get in touch via my contact form below. We’ll then discuss the project details/brief and schedule a call to discuss further.