Condensed Labeling

Brands have found a new way to engage their customer and it all fits in this little square called a QR code.  These are becoming very common on packaging and all you have to do is take a picture of this little code and your smart phone takes you to a mobile site where you can access promotions, product info, origin, ingredients, etc.  QR or 'quick-response', codes are a form of two-dimensional code that are capable of encrypting large amounts of data in a square of black and white dots. This is a great way to communicate to the customer without increasing the packaging size or label space.  This technology has been around for a while in Japan and is growing in Europe and the US.

The Perfect Pairing Take 2!

I came across this the other day and it seemed to fit well into last months topic. Concieved by CSA Design to be a licesed retail distillery brand, Artist Proof truly uses their bottle as a canvas. The glass bottle is custom molded into the shape of a picture frame including embossed woodgrain around the sides of the bottle. The front will depict various pictures depending on the season or target market.

The Perfect Pairing

Brands everywhere are looking for ways to make you stare at their packaging just a little longer.  Pairing packaging with creative forces such as artists, writers and the consumer themselves, Brands are seeking another way to connect with it's user.

Beer for the Bohemian

This Mexican brand has partnered with the Frida Kahlo estate to launch a Limited Edition Frida Kahlo-themed Bohemia packaging. Featuring the iconic, world renowned Mexican painter, Bohemia hopes to appeal to their art-loving, open minded bohemian users. Also, Frido was known to throw back a Bohemian or two.

Bottled Water Goes Couture 

  
Since it's inception, Evian has been synonymous with luxury so it comes as no surprise that they're packaging went couture. For the past four years, Evian has introduced a limited edition collection of designer water bottles.  Each bottle purveys that designers image and style.  This year didn't disappoint with Issey Miyake's simplistic and playful design.  I've included the previous three years designed, respectively by Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier and Paul Smith.

A cup of coffee for your thoughts?

The new design is meant to work with their existing tagline, "Life is short. Stay awake for it".  Caribou asks their customers what staying awake means to them and voila!  You have a cup that displays America's caffeine induced thought bubble of optimism.

Liner Basics

For those who are inexperienced, picking a liner material can give you a headache, though this may be one of the more important packaging decisions you make.  A properly sealed liner can ensure freshness of the product and sustain it's shelf life.  Not any one liner can work for all products.  Because the liner comes in direct contact with the product, much attention should be paid to compatibility.  There are many liner types to choose from and from those types (especially induction liners) there can be many options among them.  Since we're starting with the basics, I will give you a rundown of the three most common liner types.  We'll save the specifics for another learning session.

Pressure Sensitive

Composed of polystyrene foam, this liner is pressure activated to seal to the container. Using an adhesive, the liner adheres to the container when the closure is screwed tight.  When the closure is removed, the liner remains sealed the the container.  Mainly used for dry products and can be used on Glass or plastic.

 

F-217

This is a three layer liner with HDPE outer surfaces and a foam inner cushion.  It is commonly used for liquids but can also be used for dry goods and semi-solids (creams).  This liner usually comes inside the closure from the manufacturer and remains in the top inside of the closure when removed from the container.  Because it has the inner foam cusion it presses into the top of the bottle when sealed and prevents leakage.

Heat Induction liners

Heat Induction liners leave a layer of aluminum foil on the container when the closure has been sealed to the container and heated.  It is important to pick an induction liner that is compatible with the material the container is made of.  There are options for how the liner will then be removed from the container such as clean peel, easy entry and tamper evident.  Heat Induction liners can also be used with additional liners such as PE foam or F-217. Since the induction liner is disposed of when the closure is removed, you may need an addition liner which will remain in the top of the closure to ensure a proper seal everytime the closure is removed and replaced.

Simply Beautiful-The Boston Round

Sometimes, in attempt to stand out in the busy packaging design world, you need to get back to the basics.  When custom tooling isn't in the cards, best to stick to the classics.  One of my personal favorites is the Boston Round.  We offer these in many sizes, materials and colors.  The broad shoulders and a sturdy frame will make your product stand out amongst the clutter.  Put it in an Amber colored bottle and give your product an old school apothecary feel.

Why Distributors? Because we've been there--we've done that.

Is there a chance your looking for a 100% PCR HDPE Cylinder? Perhaps a disc top dispensing closure that's stocked in shiny metallic silver? Or maybe a full line of Glass Boston Rounds stocked somewhere on the west coast in multiple colors and easily accessible with short or no lead times?   A distributor is thoroughly acquainted with these sorts of requests.  Chances are most companies seeking packaging call a manufacturer and when said manufacturer doesn't have what they're looking for, they point them in the direction of the nearest distributor. In the five years I've been selling packaging, people have come to me from every industry looking for almost every kind of package.  Most of the time we readily supply the package they're looking for and if we don't, we call everyone we know looking for it (in my case sometimes out of sheer curiosity). Distributors work with a giant network of manufacturers so chances are, we can supply what you're looking for or something a lot like it. 

What is the difference between PLA and PCR?

Post consumer regrind (PCR) is Plastic (mainly HDPE, LDPE and PET) that has been cleaned and reground into pellet or flake form to make a new plastic object (packaging is a big one). So in short post consumer regrind or PCR is recycled plastic.

PLA is short for Poly lactic acid and is one of many bioplastics. This one in specific is made from corn starch. Not sure but I think Natureworks is the main supplier.

The difference? PCR is more stable and has many more uses because the material is just recycled plastic. PLA, because it is made from natural substances, breaks down, melts and losses its rigidity a lot faster and is typically better for one time use. PLA is best used for products that will not have to endure a long shelf life or hold volatile products.

There are many advancements being made to bioplastics/biopolymers that will improve its rigidity, strength and shelf-life. It's hard to keep up! PLA is only one of many biopolymers. They can be made from starches such as potato, pea and corn as well as sugar. But I'm sure there are many more in development!

And now for my shameless plug: Packaging Logistics offers a wide range of beautiful packaging in 100% PCR PET!  The material is FDA approved and minimums start at 50,000 pieces. Consider converting your current PET packaging to PCR PET! You'll be doing the environment a favor!