Designing Bilingual English + Arabic Packaging
Bilingual packaging works when both scripts are designed as first-class citizens, not translated afterthoughts.
Bilingual English + Arabic is the UAE standard for retail, corporate and government packaging. Done well, both scripts read as equally native.
Common failure mode
Arabic added late, in a mismatched font, at wrong size. Reads as translated afterthought.
What works
Custom or matched font pair (many foundries release English + Arabic pairs). Balanced sizing. Arabic on right, English on left, or top-and-bottom depending on hierarchy.
RTL layout
Full RTL layouts for Arabic-primary packaging — the entire visual hierarchy flips.
Foil and emboss both scripts equally
If English gets foil, Arabic gets foil. Any asymmetry reads as favoritism.
Categories that need it
Corporate gifting, government, luxury brands, any retail across the UAE.
Related
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