Cannabis Packaging Design

UpNorth Distribution, a pioneering cannabis company based in Arcata, CA, needed packaging that could do more than just comply with regulations—they needed packaging that would capture attention, reinforce brand identity, and boost sales in competitive dispensary environments.

As a freelance designer, I collaborated with UpNorth to create vibrant, eye-catching packaging for their pre-roll boxes and bulk cartons—turning every product into a true brand ambassador.

The cannabis market is saturated with repetitive black-dominant packaging designs, making it hard for even quality brands to stand out. UpNorth needed a solution that would:

• Break away from common cannabis aesthetic clichés
• Maintain strong brand recognition with customers
• Align precisely with production die lines for flawless manufacturing
• Enhance shelf presence while preserving the brand’s premium image

Every detail—from color to layout—had to work in concert to outshine the competition.

I led a strategic redesign that elevated UpNorth’s brand:

• Color Strategy:
  Flipped the traditional cannabis packaging model by promoting UpNorth’s signature green color to the forefront, using black only for text and detail work.
• Production-Ready Design:
  Adapted all artwork meticulously to match provided die lines, ensuring seamless mass production with no surprises at print time.
• Visual Brand Cohesion:
  Maintained consistency across individual pre-roll boxes and bulk cartons—creating a strong, unified product line on dispensary shelves.

The result: packaging that demanded attention and instantly communicated the brand’s freshness, quality, and distinction.

The new packaging design delivered tangible results:

• Stronger shelf visibility and easier consumer recognition
• Increased product interest and purchase rates in dispensaries
• Enhanced brand loyalty through consistent, memorable presentation
• Positive feedback from both retail partners and customers

UpNorth’s revamped look redefined how their products competed at the point of sale—turning packaging into a competitive advantage.

“Andrew’s creative digital marketing services and approach to our packaging design has transformed how our products compete in the marketplace. The new design captures the essence of our brand while ensuring we stand out on the shelves. This has not only pleased our team but has also excited our customers who now easily recognize our products. Andrew has been instrumental in taking our brand visibility to new heights.”
– Geoffrey Hoopes, CEO, UpNorth