This paper aims to explore the reference of modern packaging design to folk art elements. In this paper, starting from the history of folk art, together with its typical form, folk art and art design was discussed. It is found that the relationship between these two fields not only exists similarities and integration, but also promotes each other closely, folk art is the foundation and source of modern art design, bringing more creative possibilities for packaging design, and then spread out the discussion to representative elements of folk art colors, symbols, paper-cuttings, etc. to explore the integration and promote the direction of the path of these two aspects. In modern packaging design, the application of folk art elements can not only enrich the form of packaging design, but also reflect the unique culture and art of the region, which makes the product full of cultural and artistic flavor.