Check out these inspiring mockup trends for 2024. From standout product mockup designs to apparel mockup concepts, these trends will make waves in the year to come.
Looking for a product mockup generator? This article will show you where to find the perfect apparel mockup and product mockup creator—and it doesn’t even require software! We’ll even share resources on how to create a product mockup of your own.
Mockup Trends to Follow in 2024
1. Products in Action
This is a trend that has repeatedly withstood the test of time—and for good reason. Nothing showcases (or sells!) a product like seeing it in practical use. The beauty of modern mockups is that we don’t have to enter full production and have an expensive photoshoot to make this happen.
Keep in mind that imagery is very communicative. This is more than just “seeing what the product looks like”. You can create an entire narrative with your product mockups. These bags are a great example—think about what these images communicate. They’re out and about, on the go, and they look stylish. It becomes easier to imagine this bag as a part of everyday outings.
Or check out these amazing product mockups for pizza. The colors all have a warm tint—this is deliberate, as it helps evoke feelings of warm food, ready to eat. Seeing the boxes in someone’s hands, on a table—this all creates a communicative (and enticing) scenario.
Apparel mockups are probably one of the best examples of why in-action mockups are so successful. Seeing a cool shirt on someone else gives you a preview of how it might look on you, for example. It can also give insights into things like how the shirt fits or where graphical elements lie on the shirt itself.
2. Clean, Elegant Simplicity
Simplicity is absolutely on trend for 2024. This particular mockup approach is excellent for putting the emphasis on the design itself. Keeping things clean and simple can also communicate luxury and sophistication.
This approach can be especially successful with products like cosmetics. Check out this stylish example, below. Think about how the clean, open space visually communicates. It makes the products look more high end. There’s also such a clean, smooth quality about the presentation—keywords that could relate very well to things like cleansers, face creams, and other cosmetics.
This can be an excellent approach for posters, artwork, and even book covers too, as it puts the emphasis on the piece itself. This minimalist approach isn’t limited to white backgrounds, either. It can work very well with a single color too. Take a look at the before and after, using this product mockup generator. It makes for a clean, sophisticated look.
4. Arrangements That Play With Space
But you’re not limited when it comes to product mockups—in fact, mockups that play with space are very on-trend. This would include product mockups that appear to be flying, floating, bouncing, or defying some other aspect of day-to-day composition. It adds a certain excitement and energy to the composition.
We’d never expect to see a computer the way we see one in this example, below. And we certainly wouldn’t expect to see all of these playful, energetic shapes. However, a mockup like this one illustrates a ton of excitement—maybe even the unexpected. It could be perfect for sharing a fun, playful website redesign.
This can work with apparel mockup designs too. We’d never actually see a tank top like the one in this example—it’s almost as if it’s being worn by an invisible model. The look, though, is absolutely on-trend, and it still gives us an accurate depiction of things like the garment’s fit.
5. Communicative Complementary Texture
As we’ve discussed, mockups can be very communicative. Texture is a trendy approach, and it can make a huge difference in how you present your work. Check out this example. Simplicity can be clean and stylish, but if not used strategically, it could end up looking sterile or maybe even boring. On the right we have color and texture. It really brings things to life.
It can be helpful to think about mockups as a means of telling your product’s story. For example, check out these iPad product mockups. Texture is used here to craft an interesting narrative. Note the wood background and the leaves. Suddenly, these iPads have a warm, cozy, autumn vibe—perfect if this complements the product you aim to showcase.
7. Reach Out and Touch Your Product Mockups
Mockups are designed to give us a feel for the product—so it’s no surprise that mockups that feature hands are trending. Not only do they give us the vibes of an “in-action” type of mockup, but they can also help with things like scale. This mockup feels just like previewing the online shop in our own hands.
This can work well for printed products too. Think back to the last time you bought a hard-copy book online. It’s getting increasingly common to see previews with the dimensions to help folks get a feel for the size of the book. Show off your book cover with a mockup that shows the book itself in hand.
All kinds of printed pieces can benefit from this approach. This mockup is so much stronger than just a plain example of this newspaper’s design. We see it in someone’s hand, in their living space, and it feels so tactile and real. Without thinking, you might associate it with the feeling of newspaper in your hands. Visuals are so powerful when it comes to communication.
8. Create Your Own Custom Product Mockup Scene
Now, here’s a trend that might be a bit of a secret to you. Ever heard of a mockup scene generator? They’re a trendy resource that gives you the power to create all kinds of custom scenes for your mockups. In this example, you can create a pegboard layout. This could be amazing for showcasing printed goods.
Or maybe you want to showcase content on a desk. This scene generator has all kinds of clutter you can use to create an organic scene. Add flowers or a pair of glasses. Maybe you want to see a camera next to your business card design. These amazing resources give you so much power and flexibility. It’s no wonder they’re such a trendy resource.
There are many different types of mockup scene generators. Check out this amazing set, perfect for natural products. Add fruits, leaves, flowers, and more. They look like pro photos, where everything’s been meticulously laid out before the shoot—but nope! You can add and shift things on the fly. It’s absolutely worth the hype.
9. Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Mockups that share multiple pieces in a single “family” are popular too. It’s a great opportunity to showcase how well your pieces visually relate to one another. They should look like a family! Check out this example. The label on the can and the business card are clearly related. This consistency is a core part of strong branding.
And look at how amazing this feels for the viewer as we expand it to include even more items. We start to get a feel for the brand coming together as one continuing visual theme. From grocery bags to coupons, they are clearly an extension of each other. It’s no surprise that this is a trendy approach—and notice that it works in other trends too.
Here’s another example. This one is much cleaner, with less reliance on texture. This clean approach works well for cosmetics. Seeing multiple pieces from this brand helps illustrate its success—it works well on wide products, slender ones, and more. Again, notice how the mockup visually communicates. The plant elements could imply things like natural or organic. The bag could work for scale, as well as implying that these items are travel-ready.
You can mix tactile qualities too—like pairing a printed product with a digital one. Check out this product mockup. It’s perfect for showcasing a digital mobile ad with a printed one.
Looking for the Best Product Mockups?
Your concepts deserve the best mockups to showcase them. Find the best product mockup, apparel mockup, and more on Envato Elements. One low price gets you unlimited access to thousands of professionally made mockups.
Easily insert your design into any of these amazing mockup templates, and download as many as you like. They’re licensed for commercial use, so you can use them in your store, advertising, and more.
Want to Learn How to Create a Product Mockup?
Making a product mockup or an apparel mockup is easier than you might think. Let’s say you’re trying to figure out how to make apparel mockups of your own. Did you know you could use a product mockup generator to create your own apparel mockup?
Sound awesome? Then you should check out Placeit. It’s an online design tool, so it doesn’t require software—you can create the perfect product mockup right in your browser.
But let’s say you’d prefer to learn how to create a product mockup via software, like Adobe Photoshop. There are plenty of resources out there for you too. Check out these free tutorials, right here at Envato Tuts+. Learn how to make apparel mockups, product mockups, and more.
Which Mockup Trends Are Your Favorites?
Which mockup trends resonate best with your design project? There are a lot of awesome choices out there—remember to choose based on what you aim to communicate.
Curious about last year? Check out some Mockup Trend Inspiration from 2023.
Looking for even more product mockup inspiration? Check out these inspiring collections, here at Envato Tuts+