Let’s be honest, most of us swore we’d never rely on AI for creative work. But then came the deadlines, the last-minute requests, and the creative blocks, and well... things changed. 

I’ve had moments where my manager needed a social media caption right now, and instead of staring at a blank screen for 20 minutes, I’d throw a quick prompt into ChatGPT. In seconds, I’d have something to build on, tweak, and make my own. That’s when I realized, with the right prompt, ChatGPT can be beneficial to teams across the business.  

Packaging teams, too, can use AI to think outside the box (pun intended). After putting ChatGPT through its paces (so you don’t have to), I’ve rounded up 6 surprisingly useful ways packaging teams can make the most of it. 

6 practical ChatGPT use cases (plus prompts!) every packaging team should know 

1. Generating ideas for product packaging 

Have you ever looked at an eco-friendly product only to see yet another brown, kraft-paper look? Muted colors, minimalist fonts, maybe a tiny leaf or an eco-friendly claim. It’s all been done. So how do you break free from the ordinary? 

Think of Monster Energy’s iconic claw design or Pringles’ stackable can. These brands got it right from the start. But not every brand has a billion-dollar marketing budget or gets lucky with their creative team. This is where AI tools like ChatGPT can step in.  

For instance, if you need to learn how to use plant-based plastics for Whimsy, a simple prompt like this would do the trick.  

Prompt: 

Whimsy is an organic snacking brand that offers healthy alternatives for snacking. Our target market includes health-conscious individuals aged 25-40, particularly those interested in natural, on-the-go snacks. How can we differentiate our packaging from competitors on the shelf?

I fed it a simple prompt with details about the product, target audience, and brand values—and within seconds, it gave me 7 solid ideas to build on. If nothing, it gave me a new starting point.  

You could tweak your prompt further to learn more about packaging ideas. Here’s another one. 

Prompt:  

How can Whimsy use plant-based plastics for its packaging for granola bars, chips, trail mix, etc.

2. Make packaging specs easy for everyone to understand 

Ever struggled to explain packaging material details to someone who isn’t familiar with the terminology? Whether it’s your boss, a cross-functional team, or a stakeholder from another department, breaking down complex specs can feel like translating a foreign language. 

With ChatGPT, you can even tailor it for different audiences, whether it’s a high-level executive brief or a quick explainer for your marketing team. 

Try this prompt:

‍Summarize the following packaging material specifications in a way that’s easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand… 

3. Create romance copy for packaging 

Writing romance copy is fun—until it isn’t. When you’re juggling multiple product flavors, last-minute packaging revisions, and an impossible deadline, what started as a creative task quickly turns into an endless cycle of rewrites. One minute, your copy is playful and quirky; the next, the entire brand tone has changed, and you’re back to square one. 

This is where ChatGPT can help. Instead of spending hours brainstorming new variations, you can quickly generate multiple options in different tones and styles. 

A basic prompt like “Create romance copy for Whimsy’s chips, a healthy snack with zero oil and less salt” will get you something usable. But a more detailed one— 

We’re launching Whimsy Chips, a healthier snack alternative with zero oil, less salt, and no artificial flavors. Our target audience is health-conscious consumers aged 20-40, and we want the copy to feel playful, nostalgic, and eco-conscious. Can you craft engaging romance copy under 100 characters that highlights the product’s key benefits while making it irresistible? Show 15 options in different tones and styles.

—will give you far more refined results. 

With a few tweaks, you’ll have multiple copy options ready to go. 

4. Design smarter before committing to prototypes 

When a brand decides it’s time for a packaging update—whether it’s a fresh bottle design or a whole new look—the process can be exciting, but also overwhelming. You’ve got to make sure everything feels just right, but you don’t want to burn through prototypes and designs that might not even work out. 

That’s where AI comes in. Instead of jumping straight into physical prototypes, you can use AI to quickly generate multiple design variations and see which concepts feel the most on-brand and impactful. 

For instance, a prompt like “Generate 5 different bottle designs for our new organic juice brand, aiming for a minimalist and eco-friendly look” could give you instant visual options to review. 

By using AI to explore design possibilities, you can refine your concepts before committing to the more expensive, time-consuming prototype stage. It’s all about testing ideas quickly and narrowing down your options, so when you do move forward, you’re already closer to the final product. 

5. Audience research 

You’re launching a pet food brand. You’ve nailed the recipe, ensured it’s packed with nutrition, and even set a competitive price. But before you jump into packaging, there’s one crucial question: Will your audience actually pick it off the shelf? 

As Simon Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” Your packaging should tell a story, address concerns, and create an emotional connection. Think about Blue Buffalo, their packaging highlights real meat as the first ingredient, which immediately builds trust. 

So, how do you figure out what resonates best? Ask AI the right questions.  

Try feeding ChatGPT a detailed prompt like:

‍Whimsy is a pet food product that has created affordable biscuits for dogs that are high in nutrition and free from harmful ingredients. It’s designed for daily feeding without any health concerns. What kind of packaging can I create to attract pet owners? What hesitations might they have about switching brands, and how can I reassure them through packaging design and messaging?

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Also Read: 12 Pet Food Brands with Paw-some Packaging in 2025

6. Get creative with unusual packaging materials 

When it comes to packaging, it’s easy to fall into the habit of sticking with the usual materials. But sometimes, you just need to break away and explore something new, especially when sustainability is top of mind.  

Let’s say you’re working on packaging for a new line of yogurt, and you want something both unique and eco-friendly. Instead of brainstorming endlessly, just ask ChatGPT to suggest unusual material combinations.  

Prompt: 

We’re looking for sustainable packaging ideas for yogurt cups. Can you suggest creative material combinations, like innovative liners or caps that would be both eco-friendly and functional?

The takeaway 

Steve Jobs once said, “Creativity is just connecting things.” But when you're knee-deep in dielines, deadlines, and competitor research, making those connections can feel impossible. 

Maybe you've stared at the same packaging concept for hours, wondering why it doesn’t pop. Or maybe your team keeps circling back to ideas that feel too safe, too expected. That’s when a fresh perspective, like AI, can make all the difference. 

AI is here to give you a nudge. Sometimes, that nudge is a bold new color choice. Other times, it’s an unexpected storytelling angle. After all, all it takes is a little nudge to turn your packaging from meh to memorable. 

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