Simcha Blogs

First impressions don’t start with the first team meeting or orientation call. They begin when an onboarding kit for new employees stands out. During times when user experience shapes perception, the unboxing moment can be more powerful than many companies realise. It sets the tone, builds anticipation, and shows that the organisation values thought and detail.

The concept of onboarding kits holds major value that stretches beyond HR formality. Today, an onboarding kit for new employees is part of the company’s identity. And design is at the heart of it.

Why packaging matters more than you think…

Good packaging tells a story before a single word is read. The feel of the box, the texture of the paper, the way items are arranged, all send subtle cues. A well-designed onboarding kit for a new employee invites curiosity. It creates a moment of pause.

This experience is a design decision. A brown cardboard box with company swag stuffed into it communicates a very different message than a thoughtfully arranged kit with each element placed with care. One feels obligatory. The other feels considered.

Personalisation makes it personal

A name on a card. A notebook embossed with initials. A welcome letter that mentions the role, the team, or the journey ahead. These aren’t extras, but connection points.

In an age of automation, people do notice when something feels personal. That one small tag with their name, printed in a style consistent with the rest of the kit, creates an emotional response. It gives the sense that someone prepared this with intention.

Simcha Ventures offers personalised elements that are thoughtful and designed to be applied to onboarding.

The story inside the box

Every Employee welcome kit is a story waiting to be told. The story can be one of company values. It can introduce the brand's tone, design philosophy, or commitment to people. Storytelling through packaging is not about writing a novel, it’s about curating elements in a way that creates coherence.

What goes first in the kit? What opens last? Are the items aligned in color or theme? Is there a message printed inside the box lid? These are all moments of interaction. Each one adds to the experience.

A Simcha Ventures onboarding kit, for instance, might include a welcome message printed with elegant typography, followed by color-matched contents, from notebooks and pens to reusable bottles and snack jars.

Even small choices like the fragrance of the packaging or the way a ribbon is tied can shape the sensory experience. And sensory memory stays long after the contents have been used.

What does onboarding kit design tell about a company?

A well-packaged onboarding kit tells the new hire how the company thinks. Do you value sustainability, innovation or creativity? These ideas can be communicated through the type of materials used, the items chosen, and the design decisions made.

Common pitfalls to avoid in onboarding kit design

While it’s easy to focus on what to include in a kit, many brands overlook what to avoid. A few missteps can turn a well-intended gesture into a missed opportunity.

1. One of the most common mistakes is overloading the box with branded merchandise that lacks purpose. A new employee doesn’t need ten items with the company logo, they need a few items that help them settle in, feel welcome, and understand the brand they’ve joined. Kits should feel thoughtful, not like leftover marketing material.
   
2. Another mistake is ignoring consistency. If the contents of the kit are great but the box looks generic, the experience loses impact. The outer packaging is as important as what’s inside. The tactile experience, colors, fonts, and finishes should all feel part of one cohesive idea.
   
3. Timing is often underestimated. Kits that arrive too late, days or weeks after the joining date, miss the critical first impression window. The impact of an onboarding kit is strongest when it arrives just before or exactly on the first day. It becomes part of the welcome.
   
4. There’s also the issue of tone. Sometimes, the message inside the kit is too formal or overly promotional. A robotic welcome letter doesn’t create the same emotional link as a note that feels human. Avoid jargon. Speak as people do.
   
5. Finally, personalisation should never be superficial. Adding a name on a generic card without aligning the kit’s content to the recipient’s role or team often feels like an afterthought. True personalization comes from understanding who is receiving the kit and curating the items accordingly.

From unboxing to belonging

If you're looking to bring meaning, structure, and delight into your company’s onboarding experience, Simcha Ventures can help. Our approach to packaging and personalization is grounded in detail, design, and a deep understanding of human connection. Whether you're creating kits for a tech team, a creative department, or remote hires across the country, we’ll help you curate something that feels right, down to the last element.

When employees experience thoughtful packaging, clear structure, and personal relevance, the gap between joining and belonging narrows. They feel that their time, role, and presence matter. A modern onboarding kit for new employees must bring a curated experience. And design is what brings it all together.