Top 10 Packaging Designer Certifications

Certifications are important for a packaging designer in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the designer has the skills and knowledge required to be successful in their role. Certifications also provide evidence of a designer’s commitment to continuing education and staying up-to-date with industry standards. Additionally, certifications can give designers an edge over other applicants by showing that they have taken the time to gain specialized knowledge in their field. Lastly, certifications can help designers stand out from the competition when looking for jobs or promotions, as employers may view them as more qualified than those without any certifications.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Packaging Designers and explain how they can enhance a packaging designer's career.

What are Packaging Designer Certifications?

Packaging designer certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of packaging design principles, practices, and techniques. It is awarded by organizations such as the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) or the Graphic Artists Guild (GAG). Certification requires passing an examination that covers topics such as package design, product development, printing methods, labeling requirements, and marketing.

Having a packaging designer certification can be beneficial for many reasons. For example, it can demonstrate to employers that you understand the fundamentals of designing effective packages and are knowledgeable about current trends in packaging design. A certification also helps to set you apart from other designers who may not have this specialized knowledge. Additionally, being certified means that you are more likely to be able to provide clients with valuable expertise during the entire design process. Finally, having a packaging designer certification may help improve your chances of obtaining employment and/or advancing in your career.

Pro tip: Before signing up for any packaging designer certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly. Read reviews from past students and ensure that the program is accredited by a recognized organization. Additionally, make sure to understand what you are getting out of the certification, such as learning objectives and job opportunities after completion.

Related: What does a Packaging Designer do?

Top 10 Packaging Designer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Packaging Designers today.

1. Certified Packaging Professional (CPP)

Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) is a certification that recognizes individuals who possess the knowledge and skills needed to design, develop, and manage packaging systems. The CPP credential is offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), an international professional organization dedicated to advancing the packaging industry.

To become a Certified Packaging Professional, applicants must have at least three years of experience in the field and pass a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as package design, materials selection, regulations, sustainability, and more. It takes approximately four hours to complete the exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Packaging Professional varies depending on whether you are already an IoPP member or not. For non-members, the cost is $695 USD; for members, it is $495 USD.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also adhere to a code of ethics and agree to participate in continuing education activities every two years in order to maintain their CPP certification.

2. Certified Packaging Technologist (CPT)

Certified Packaging Technologist (CPT) is a certification program designed by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and experience in packaging technology. The CPT program is an international certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a comprehensive understanding and mastery of packaging technology.

The CPT program consists of two parts: a written exam and an oral examination. The written exam covers topics such as packaging materials, design, processes, regulations, sustainability, and quality assurance. The oral examination focuses on the individual’s ability to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.

The entire process typically takes about six months from start to finish. To get started, you must first submit an application for the CPT program along with any applicable fees. After your application has been approved, you will receive access to the online study material which includes videos, webinars, articles, and practice exams. Once you have completed the online material, you may register for the written exam which is offered twice per year at various locations around the world.

After passing the written exam, you may then register for the oral examination which is administered by IoPP-certified professionals in various locations around the world. Upon successful completion of both parts of the CPT program, you will be awarded your certificate as a Certified Packaging Technologist (CPT).

The cost of obtaining your CPT certification varies depending on where you take your exams and how many times you need to retake them if necessary. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $800-$2000 USD including all fees associated with taking both parts of the exam (written and oral).

3. Certified Packaging Design Engineer (CPDE)

Certified Packaging Design Engineer (CPDE) is a professional certification that recognizes the expertise of packaging design engineers. It is offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), which is an organization dedicated to advancing the profession of packaging engineering.

To obtain the CPDE certification, individuals must have a minimum of 5 years' experience in packaging engineering and have completed at least two approved IoPP courses. The courses are offered online or in-person and cover topics such as package design, material selection, testing methods, sustainability, and more. Additionally, applicants must pass a written exam that covers these topics.

The cost for the certification varies depending on how many courses are taken and whether they are taken online or in-person. Generally speaking, it costs around $2,000-$3,000 to become certified.

The entire process typically takes 6-12 months to complete depending on how quickly you can complete the courses and pass the exam.

4. Certified Flexible Packaging Designer (CFPD)

Certified Flexible Packaging Designer (CFPD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of packaging professionals. It is offered by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). The CFPD certification is for individuals who design, develop, test, and manage flexible packaging solutions for consumer products.

The CFPD program consists of two parts: an online exam and a portfolio review. To become certified as a CFPD, candidates must pass the online exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam covers topics such as materials science, design principles, manufacturing processes, regulatory requirements, sustainability practices, and quality assurance. After passing the exam, candidates must submit a portfolio demonstrating their work in flexible packaging design. This portfolio should include at least three projects that demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field.

The cost of the CFPD program varies depending on whether you are an IoPP member or non-member. For IoPP members, the cost is $295 USD; for non-members it is $495 USD. The cost includes access to study materials and resources as well as the online exam fee.

It typically takes 6-8 weeks to complete all requirements for CFPD certification once you have registered for the program and submitted your application materials.

5. Certified Sustainable Packaging Professional (CSPP)

Certified Sustainable Packaging Professional (CSPP) is a certification program offered by the Institute of Sustainable Packaging (ISP). The CSPP program is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to design, develop, and implement sustainable packaging solutions. It is intended for professionals who are involved in designing, producing, or selling packaging materials and products.

The CSPP certification requires individuals to complete a comprehensive coursework that covers topics such as sustainability principles, packaging materials and processes, waste management systems, product life cycles, and more. Upon successful completion of the coursework, individuals must pass an exam to receive their certification.

The CSPP program takes approximately six months to complete. It consists of two parts: an online course and a final exam. The online course consists of four modules that cover topics such as sustainable packaging principles, material selection, package design and production processes. After completing the online course, students must take the final exam which tests their knowledge of sustainable packaging principles and practices.

The cost of the CSPP program varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $1,000-$2,000 USD for the entire program including the online course and final exam.

Overall, obtaining the Certified Sustainable Packaging Professional (CSPP) certification provides individuals with a valuable credential that demonstrates their commitment to sustainability in packaging design and production processes.

6. Certified Corrugated Packaging Designer (CCPD)

Certified Corrugated Packaging Designer (CCPD) is a professional certification offered by the International Corrugated Packaging Foundation (ICPF). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in designing and producing corrugated packaging. The certification program consists of three parts: an online exam, a hands-on project, and an oral interview.

The online exam covers topics such as design principles, material properties, testing methods, printing technologies, and more. The hands-on project requires applicants to develop a corrugated packaging solution for a specific product or application. During the oral interview, applicants must demonstrate their understanding of the concepts covered in the exam and project.

The entire CCPD process typically takes 6-8 weeks to complete. Applicants must first register for the program through ICPF’s website and pay a fee of $495 USD. After registering, applicants will be given access to the online exam which they must pass with at least 80% accuracy before proceeding with the hands-on project and oral interview. Once all three parts are completed successfully, applicants will receive their CCPD certification.

7. Certified Structural Package Design Engineer (CSPDE)

Certified Structural Package Design Engineer (CSPDE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise of engineers who specialize in the design, development, and implementation of structural packages. The CSPDE certification is offered by the International Packaging Institute (IPI), an organization dedicated to advancing packaging technology and education.

The CSPDE program consists of three parts: a written exam, a practical project, and an oral exam. The written exam covers topics such as package design principles, materials selection, testing methods, and industry standards. The practical project involves designing a structural package for a specific product or application. Finally, the oral exam tests the engineer’s ability to explain their design decisions and answer questions about their work.

In order to be eligible for the CSPDE certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in structural package design and hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited university or college. Additionally, applicants must pass the written and practical exams with a score of 80% or higher.

The entire process typically takes between six months to one year depending on how quickly an applicant can complete all requirements. The cost of obtaining the CSPDE certification varies depending on the country in which you live; however, it typically ranges from $1,500-$2,500 USD.

8. Certified Folding Carton Designer (CFCD)

Certified Folding Carton Designer (CFCD) is a certification program offered by the Folding Carton Council of the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and expertise in the design, production, and marketing of folding cartons.

The CFCD certification process consists of an online exam that covers topics such as design principles, materials and processes, sustainability, printing techniques, and marketing. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive a certificate from PPC indicating their status as a Certified Folding Carton Designer.

To become certified as a CFCD, applicants must be employed by or affiliated with an organization that produces folding cartons. They must also have at least three years of experience in designing folding cartons or related packaging products. Applicants must also submit two samples of their work for review by PPC's Certification Committee.

The cost for the CFCD certification is $295 USD per applicant. This fee covers the cost of taking the online exam and obtaining the certificate upon successful completion.

9. Certified Rigid Box Designer (CRBD)

Certified Rigid Box Designer (CRBD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the design and construction of rigid boxes. The CRBD program was created by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) to provide an industry-recognized standard for box designers.

The CRBD exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical skills assessment. The written exam covers topics such as material selection, design principles, production methods, quality control, and safety considerations. The practical skills assessment tests an individual’s ability to create a box prototype from start to finish.

It typically takes about three months to complete the CRBD program, depending on how quickly you can study and take the exams. To get started, you will need to register with IoPP and pay the registration fee. Once registered, you will receive access to course materials, including study guides and practice exams. After completing the coursework, you will be eligible to take the written exam and then the practical skills assessment.

The cost of registering for the CRBD program varies depending on where you live; however, it typically ranges from $400-$800 USD.

10. Certified Labeling and Barcoding Professional (CLBP)

Certified Labeling and Barcoding Professional (CLBP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Barcoded Professionals (IABP). The certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved an advanced level of knowledge in the labeling and barcoding industry. This certification is intended for professionals who are involved in the design, implementation, and management of labeling and barcoding systems.

It typically takes about three months to complete the certification process. In order to become certified, applicants must first submit an application form along with a fee of $250 USD. Applicants will then be required to take an online exam which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as barcode standards, label design principles, label printing technologies, data capture solutions, and more. Once applicants pass the exam they will receive their CLBP certificate.

The cost for the CLBP certification is $250 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees.

Do You Really Need a Packaging Designer Certificate?

The short answer is no. A packaging designer certificate is not a requirement for becoming a successful packaging designer. However, having one may be beneficial depending on your individual situation.

For many people, the best way to become a successful packaging designer is to gain experience in the industry and develop their skillset through real-world work. This means taking on projects that involve designing packages for various products. With enough practice and hard work, you can eventually develop yourself into an expert in the field without any formal certification or training.

On the other hand, obtaining a packaging designer certificate from an accredited institution could provide extra credibility when applying for jobs and help you stand out from the competition. If you already have some experience in the field but want to take it to the next level, getting certified could give you an edge over other candidates who don’t have any formal qualifications.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a packaging designer certificate will depend on your individual goals and circumstances. If you’re looking for an easy way to get started as a packaging designer without gaining experience first, then getting certified may be worth considering. Otherwise, if you’re confident in your skills and want to put them into practice right away, then focusing on real-world projects may be more beneficial in the long run.

Related: Packaging Designer Resume Examples

FAQs About Packaging Designer Certifications

1. What kind of certifications are available for packaging designers?

Answer: There are a variety of certifications available for packaging designers, including Professional Packaging Designer (PPD), Certified Packaging Professional (CPP), Certified Sustainable Packaging Professional (CSPP), and LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

2. How long does it take to complete a certification?

Answer: The duration of each certification program varies depending on the type of certification and the institution offering it. Generally, most programs range from one to two years in length.

3. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

Answer: Most programs require that applicants have a minimum amount of experience in the field prior to applying for certification as well as passing an exam or series of exams to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in packaging design.

4. Is there an age limit for obtaining a certification?

Answer: No, there is no age limit for obtaining a packaging designer certification. However, students may need to meet certain academic requirements such as having a high school diploma or equivalent before they can apply for the program.

5. How much does it cost to become certified?

Answer: The cost of becoming certified will vary depending on the institution offering the program and other factors such as course materials, exam fees, and travel expenses if necessary.