Welcome back to our “Build a Brand with Us” series. So far, we’ve introduced the heart behind the Monark Wild Rice brand and unpacked the power of building a strong visual identity. Now, it’s time to bring that brand to life on the shelf.
In this third instalment, we’re focusing on packaging design: what it took to translate our brand into a physical product, why we chose to partner with a Canadian packaging company, and the lessons we learned (sometimes the hard way) along the journey.
When it came to designing packaging, we had one clear vision: it needed to stand out. The shelf in a grocery store is a battleground of colourful and vibrant packages screaming, buy me, buy me. And this was done intentionally because it used to help packaging stand out, but now it’s oversaturated. So we actually went the opposite direction and made packaging that felt natural and intentional. Something that reflected the earthy integrity of the grain inside.
The final design features a brownish-gray tone as the base, a nod to the wild rice itself. Most importantly, we added a clear frosted window on the back. You can actually see the product inside. No more guessing what’s in the bag. That transparency was important to us, especially since many people don’t know what real wild rice really looks like. Quality shouldn’t be hidden.
Our first design was perfect. Gorgeous. Minimal, modern, on-brand. But here’s the thing: we’re social media marketers, not packaging designers. While the concept was beautiful, it wasn’t retail compliant.
We didn’t realize until after printing that Canadian packaging laws require both French and English if you want it on grocery store shelves. We also discovered that using a maple leaf in your design (specifically an 11-point one) requires a special government certificate. Who knew?
We also decided mid-process to adjust the brand name spelling for trademark purposes, from “MonarCH” to “MonarK.” That meant another redesign. And let’s not forget the red tape around words like “organic.” Even though the wild rice is naturally wild and grown without pesticides, claiming its organic requires extensive third-party certification. That process just wasn’t feasible for us at this stage.
So, back to the drawing board we went.
Thankfully, we had the right people on our side. We worked with Blukki for our design, and for printing, we partnered with a Canadian company called Pouchmakers. Based in Mississauga, they offered the professionalism, flexibility, and service we needed to get our product retail-ready.
Amina, our point of contact at Pouchmakers, was an absolute gem. She helped us navigate options, coordinate reprints, and make sure everything was delivered on time. It’s rare to find a partner who cares as much about your product as you do, but Pouchmakers truly did.
If you’re building a CPG brand, here are a few takeaways from our experience:
Now, we have a shelf-ready product that meets every requirement and still undeniably feels like us. And you know what people say when they pick it up for the first time? “Wow, I love the packaging.” Mission accomplished.
In our next post, we’ll take this offline success online. We’ll show you how we approached the very first step in bringing Monark Wild Rice into the digital world: profile optimization. It’s often overlooked but absolutely critical if you want to drive leads and build a brand online.
Until then, if you’re inspired by the Monark Wild Rice journey and want to build a brand that shines online, that’s where we come in. At Monarch Social Media, we specialize in helping brands show up powerfully and strategically across digital platforms. From optimizing your profiles to crafting content that connects, we’re here to help you grow your online presence with confidence. Ready to take the next step? Let’s talk.
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