How CoralBay Skincare Found the Perfect Packaging & Label Design Partner on ZapMyWork

When Packaging Needs a Story: CoralBay Skincare's Freelance Journey

CoralBay Skincare had a strong identity from the very beginning—natural, gentle formulations made from ocean-sourced botanicals and minerals, designed for people who wanted clean beauty without the frills. Their branding leaned into that coastal vibe: soft blues, sandy neutrals, and a sense of calm that mirrored the shorelines that inspired their products.

What they didn’t have, though, was packaging that really told that story. Their existing labels were serviceable—basic fonts, standard layouts, and not much personality. The look didn’t capture the freshness of their ingredients or the laid-back luxury they wanted customers to feel when holding one of their products. For a brand so rooted in aesthetic simplicity, this mismatch was becoming a problem.

They knew they needed something more custom, more intentional—packaging that didn’t just inform but invited. Labels that looked just as beautiful on a bathroom shelf as they did in an Instagram flat lay. That’s when the CoralBay team decided to search for a freelance designer who could bring that vision to life.

They turned to ZapMyWork, looking for a designer who not only understood layout and typography but could interpret their brand’s values visually. Within a few days, they had several promising proposals in their inbox, each with a different take on what CoralBay’s next chapter could look like.

That’s how they met the freelancer who would end up reshaping their entire product presentation—someone who instantly understood the balance they were after: fresh but not flashy, informative but not cluttered, minimalist but far from boring.

Here’s how CoralBay Skincare brought a new level of clarity and appeal to their packaging with help from a talented freelance designer they connected with through ZapMyWork.

The Packaging Problem They Were Facing

After launching their initial product line—which included a mineral face cleanser and a reef-safe sunscreen—CoralBay Skincare began to build a loyal customer base. People loved the way the products felt on their skin, appreciated the natural ingredient lists, and supported the brand’s commitment to ocean-safe formulations. The performance was solid, and the reviews reflected that.

But then came the feedback that made the team pause.

While the products were getting praise for their effectiveness, several customers mentioned that the packaging felt “basic” or “unmemorable.” Retail partners shared similar sentiments, noting that on shelves crowded with skincare options, CoralBay didn’t stand out. Some even mistook their products for generic store-brand items—an issue that had nothing to do with quality and everything to do with presentation.

That’s when the team took a hard look at their packaging. They had initially leaned on stock label templates—quick, affordable, and easy to customize with product details. But these templates, paired with generic fonts and minimal design elements, didn’t reflect who they were as a brand. Instead of telling their story—about clean beauty inspired by the sea—the labels made them blend into the background.

They realized they were at a crossroads. They had something special, but the outside didn’t match the inside. It wasn’t about adding flashy colors or trendy graphics—it was about finding a design style that communicated their brand’s calm, coastal identity in a way that felt fresh, modern, and trustworthy.

The packaging needed more than a few tweaks—it needed a full redesign with intention and creativity behind it.

That’s when the decision to seek out a freelance packaging designer came into focus. CoralBay was ready for a change, and they knew they couldn’t settle for generic any longer.

What They Needed:

• Custom label designs for six product SKUs
• Packaging layouts that could work across tube, jar, and box formats
• A modern coastal aesthetic with soft color palettes
• Clear ingredient and usage details without cluttering the design
• Ready-to-print files for their packaging supplier

Finding the Right Designer on ZapMyWork

After outlining what they needed in a project brief on ZapMyWork, CoralBay’s team didn’t have to wait long. Within just 48 hours, their inbox was filled with proposals from talented freelancers across different time zones—each one offering a unique perspective on how to bring CoralBay’s packaging to life.

Some designers emphasized bold, trend-driven aesthetics. Others leaned into highly stylized, editorial looks. But there was one portfolio that stood out right away. It belonged to a designer who had previously worked with a handful of natural beauty brands and indie wellness companies. Her style wasn’t flashy—instead, it had a quiet confidence. Every label she designed felt intentional. The typography was clean, the color palettes were soft and inviting, and there was a clear understanding of how to use space thoughtfully.

The CoralBay team was immediately drawn to her approach. There was a calmness to her work that aligned perfectly with the essence of their brand. It didn’t scream for attention—it invited you in.

What really sealed the deal was how she presented her portfolio. Each project included context: the client’s goals, the creative direction she pursued, and how she adapted her designs across different packaging formats. She even included mockups that showed how products looked on retail shelves and in real-world settings, which helped CoralBay visualize what their own line might become.

It wasn’t just her technical skill—they could tell she understood what matters in skincare packaging: clarity, trust, and a connection to the product’s purpose. Her ability to make packaging feel fresh without overcomplicating it was exactly what they had been searching for.

They reached out to schedule a call, and after a friendly, collaborative chat, CoralBay knew they’d found the right designer for the job.

Why They Chose This Freelancer:

• Strong understanding of beauty packaging trends
• Ability to design for multiple packaging shapes
• Fast turnaround time and collaborative attitude
• Familiarity with eco-friendly packaging design requirements

The collaboration started with a deep dive into the CoralBay brand story—sun, sea, simplicity—and a review of mood boards to lock in direction.

The Design Process Step-by-Step

The freelancer didn’t just jump into design work—she brought structure and clarity to the entire process, which immediately put CoralBay’s team at ease. From the very beginning, it was clear she had a thoughtful approach, one that was built around communication, collaboration, and timelines that made sense.

Right after their kickoff call, she outlined a step-by-step roadmap that broke the project into manageable phases. This wasn’t a rushed process or a vague back-and-forth. Instead, every step had a purpose and a deadline, helping CoralBay stay aligned and involved without feeling overwhelmed.

She started by setting expectations—what she'd deliver, when she'd deliver it, and what she’d need from CoralBay along the way. Whether it was brand assets, product descriptions, or approval windows, everything was mapped out from the start.

Here’s how she organized the project:

• Phase 1: Discovery & Brand Immersion
  She asked questions—not just about fonts and colors, but about CoralBay’s values, ideal customer, and long-term goals. She wanted to understand not only what the packaging needed to say but how it should feel in someone’s hands.

• Phase 2: Visual Direction & Mood Boards
  Based on their input, she created a few mood boards to explore style directions—soft coastal palettes, minimalist layouts, and natural textures. These weren’t locked-in designs yet, just early visuals to get everyone aligned on tone and personality.

• Phase 3: Concept Development
  From there, she developed a few packaging and label design concepts. Each one had a different take on layout, typography, and visual hierarchy. She even mocked them up on CoralBay’s actual product shapes—jars, tubes, and boxes—so the team could see how everything would look in real life.

• Phase 4: Revisions & Refinements
  With feedback from CoralBay, she fine-tuned the chosen concept. That meant tweaking colors, adjusting the placement of ingredient lists, and refining icons to improve legibility without cluttering the label.

• Phase 5: Final File Delivery
  Once everything was approved, she delivered a full package: high-resolution print files, editable design files, and production-ready layouts. She even included flat and 3D mockups they could use in their marketing.

Throughout the process, she kept communication smooth and simple. Weekly check-ins, quick responses to questions, and clear file naming—nothing was left to chance. CoralBay’s team didn’t have to chase updates or wonder what was happening behind the scenes. They always knew what to expect and when.

That level of structure turned what could have been a stressful rebranding project into a collaborative, creative experience that stayed on track from start to finish.

What Changed for CoralBay

The redesign did far more than just improve appearances—it created a shift in how CoralBay Skincare was perceived. Suddenly, the outside of the packaging reflected the care and intention that had always been inside the bottle. It brought the brand’s identity into sharper focus, and people started to take notice.

Within just two months of rolling out the new labels and packaging, the impact was clear—and measurable.

• Sales saw a 28% jump
  Not from new products, but from the exact same lineup. Customers who had previously passed over CoralBay’s items on store shelves were now picking them up, drawn in by the new look. Existing customers began buying more frequently, even gifting the products to friends. Something as simple as a well-designed package made the products feel more premium, more giftable, and more shareable.

• Retail partners responded almost immediately
  Store buyers reached out with compliments, noting how much better the products stood out on shelves. One partner said the redesign made CoralBay “look like a brand with its own story, not just another skincare line.” The consistent visual identity across jars, boxes, and tubes gave the entire display a more polished presence.

• An unexpected opportunity arrived
  A well-known regional beauty chain that focuses on clean and cruelty-free products invited CoralBay to be featured on a curated shelf for emerging brands. It was a small but highly visible placement near the store entrance—something they likely wouldn’t have been considered for with their previous look.

• Customers started spreading the word
  On social media, CoralBay began seeing a wave of organic posts from buyers. Flat lays of their sunscreen against beach towels, videos of the cleanser being unboxed, and compliments like “this packaging is gorgeous” or “love the beachy vibe—super calming.” For a small brand with a modest marketing budget, this kind of organic buzz was priceless.

The packaging redesign didn’t just improve aesthetics—it sparked real momentum. It gave CoralBay Skincare a stronger presence in the market, a visual identity that people connected with, and most importantly, the confidence to step into the next phase of their business with packaging that finally told their story.

Why Freelance Worked for Them

For CoralBay, choosing to work with a freelancer instead of a large agency turned out to be one of the smartest decisions they made during the rebrand. It gave them room to breathe creatively and financially, all while getting results that felt tailored—not templated.

What stood out most was how different the experience felt from the typical agency process. There were no long email chains with multiple contacts, no delays waiting for a project manager to relay feedback. Instead, the communication was direct and personal, and that made all the difference.

• Personal attention
  From the very first conversation, the freelancer treated the project like it mattered. She was responsive, easy to reach, and genuinely interested in understanding the CoralBay brand—not just as a concept, but as a small business with specific goals. When the team had questions or wanted to tweak a layout, they weren’t routed through layers of middle management or stuck waiting days for a reply. A quick message or a short Zoom call was usually all it took. That level of one-on-one collaboration created a smoother, more creative workflow.

• Cost-effective approach
  With a freelance arrangement, CoralBay only paid for the work they needed—no retainers, no bundled services they wouldn’t use, and no overhead. It made budgeting a lot simpler. They could put their resources toward actual design work instead of covering project management or administrative fees that often come with agency contracts. Every dollar went toward making the packaging better, not covering a boardroom.

• A fresh set of eyes
  Perhaps the biggest value was the new perspective the freelancer brought to the table. Because she had worked with other independent brands in different niches, she wasn’t stuck in one style or locked into outdated industry norms. She suggested layout changes that made labels easier to scan, introduced a color scheme that better echoed the brand’s coastal inspiration, and even recommended using subtle texture effects on certain packaging to create a more tactile, premium feel. These were details CoralBay hadn’t even considered—and they ended up making a big difference.

Working with a freelancer through ZapMyWork didn’t just solve a design problem—it gave CoralBay the creative partnership they didn’t know they were missing. It was hands-on, collaborative, and ultimately, more aligned with the way they like to work: with purpose, care, and flexibility.

Final Thoughts

Bringing on a freelance packaging and label designer through ZapMyWork turned out to be more than just a smart move—it was a turning point for CoralBay Skincare. What began as an effort to update their visuals became something much bigger. With the right creative partner, their packaging finally started to reflect what the brand had stood for all along: clean ingredients, coastal simplicity, and products you can feel good about using.

The new designs didn’t just look better—they communicated better. They told a story. Whether customers were seeing the products for the first time on a store shelf or unboxing an order at home, the visuals now matched the brand’s personality. That consistency built trust and recognition, and over time, CoralBay started seeing real results: higher sales, more organic buzz, and stronger relationships with retailers.

It’s a reminder that packaging isn’t just decoration—it’s communication. And when it’s done right, it works just as hard as the product inside.

If you're running a business and feel like your packaging doesn’t quite do your brand justice, ZapMyWork is a great place to start. You don’t need a huge budget or a big team. You just need the right designer who gets what you’re trying to say—and knows how to turn that into something your customers can see and feel.

The right freelancer can bring a fresh perspective, work with your budget, and deliver designs that help your products stand out for all the right reasons.

So whether you're launching a new product or rethinking your existing packaging, ZapMyWork makes it easy to connect with creative professionals who can help you bring your brand’s vision to life—clearly, thoughtfully, and beautifully.