Moonstruck Chocolate Co.

Our goal was to create a chocolate bar packaging line that imbues the same qualities that drive Moonstruck brand enthusiasm through its truffles: handcrafted quality, visual beauty, multi-sensory experience and imagination. The illustrations and typography are a hand-cut paper style. The finishes include: Matte Soft-Touch (color areas). Glossy Soya-kote varnish with emboss (white areas). Thick UV varnish (chocolate logo). Matte silver foil.”

Alton Brown

“Alton Brown is a spice range for blind and visually impaired people. The range also includes olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Together with these liquids a special spoon is provided which makes it easier to pour and measure them, it’s the measure of a tablespoon. The text is placed on the exact same place on all the products and all the braille is embossed. The tubes are made out of PLA to make them sustainable and the refill bags are made out of recycled paper. The logo is communicating the exact same thing for blind as for the non blind since A is one dot and B is two.”

Embossed logos

Each notebook features a different slogan, among these, “Opportunities aren’t given, they’re made,” “Take your work seriously and yourself, less so,” and “Don’t just sit there, create something,” all in bold capital type embossed on the cover. The agency’s logo is embossed on the back cover and is featured in repetition on the paper band enveloping each set.”


I like that there is nothing more needed other than the embossed title or slogan it works by itself. This is why I am hoping to keep my logo simplistic because it works well simply by the effect.

Coba & Associates

“Adoré are hand-made chocolates and as such fall under the category of higher quality status both in terms of product quality and packaging design, as well as consumer communication. Bearing in mind the active period in the development of the brand, we needed to create packaging for a new product – the chocolate tablet. The idea was to come up with packaging for 10 different flavors.

Each flavor got its own look and name! Whether it is Crunchy Mint or Orangella, each flavor received a specific packaging which are (from a production standpoint) very specific in this region. Using thermal block foil, laser-cut paper and special printing techniques have resulted in designs that communicate that Adoré Chocolate provides more than just taste – it is a brand that takes you on a journey.”

I really like the cut out element to thse packages showing a contrasting colour behind the cutout. This is something I have taken into consideration and quite possibly an element I am going to include in my designs. My design Practice

Nothing Diluted &c

Project- Ink kisses paper


Additional techniques- cover: foil blocking, magenta pigment foil, blind de-bossing, matte varnish


A host of printing and finishing techniques on a range of McNaughton paper stocks are galvanized by ambitious and engaging content, the result of collaboration between Grant Dickinson and Ciaran Hurson.

Dalziel + Pow

Project- Cha Tang tea room menu

Stock- GF Smith tapestry glace applique

Print technique- Metallic foil on embossed stock

Additional techniques- Hole-punched and gatefolded

The pearlescent and embossed floral pattern of the GF Smith Tapestry stock was chosen to reflect the elegance of the tea-room atmosphere  and eliminated the need for an otherwise costly embossing process. 

Ornate script and serif graphics are lent a contemporary sharpness by foil blocking in a vibrant red.

Surface effects- Konnect Design

Project: Notin: Snow
Stock: Book- enhanced matte, cover- Nytek Novasuede, linen
Additional techniques: Book: cover feautres Nitin's logo configured as a snowflake, debossed on Nytek novasuede, which is reminiscent of snow.

Die cutting

“Change the way people experience the world.” This statement inspired these packages, which have an outer sleeve with die cuts of the Sony logo and the product name on the back. On the inner boxes are images of nature that relate to the products inside. I wanted the packaging to be clean and simple, but still have an exciting and smart element that would accurately reflect the personality and functionality of Sony products.”
This is kind of similar to the idea I had for 'wrap it up' with the packaging die cut letters with something behind the letters to show something else however mine was just another colour behind the cut out letters, however I did like the outcome and it was something I wanted to develop further for what is good.

Die cutting

Debossing- Boots Original Beauty Formulas

This heritage range was created for Boots The Chemist. It was inspired by Boots own packaging from the 1880′s. The launch has been timed to celebrate their 160th anniversary. Each component has a different frame and typeface creating individuality within the range. All cartons are on uncoated card with debossing to create a genuine, premium feel.”
Like these products, I want my packages to create a 'premium feel' something which is unique to look at and also touch. I am really interested in embossing/debossing as an alternative to actually printing onto the stock or as well as. I do think though, by itself embossing type can look really effective and does create a premium feel.

Vera Wang

"For Vera Wang’s newest fragrance, Monahan & Rhee designed a secondary packaging program unique to the precious Parfum Elixir.
The two-box system for Look Parfum Elixir employs the watercolor paper of the product line, as well as its signature cool grey and bright orange color palette.
The bottle is nestled in a two-piece sliding tray carton that leverages the bold colors to present the bottle. The outer box utilizes the ribbon handle technique created by Monahan & Rhee for Vera Wang’s Fall 2008 Ready-to-Wear Jewelry line. The product logo on the outer box is abstracted as a blind embossing, wrapping the entire exterior to present different cropped views.”

Lacoste- embossing

“In collaboration with Tom Dixon we worked on the branding and packaging for two very different types of polo shirts commissioned by Lacoste. The most eco-friendly way to package a shirt was not to print on the packaging at all but use embossing instead. For the techno polo we designed a speaking label that plays Tom’s voice at the push of a button – very techno.”

Embossing and debossing

La Sirena

Some simple food packaging using circular windows/die cuts to show the product inside, and pattern to create visual interest.
I like the idea of giving a glimpse of the product inside of the packaging whether its through some kind transparent plastic or a simple die cut out shape in the packaging. With a basic package like this, simplistic colour palette etc then an aspect like the die cut gives a glimpse of colour from the food inside which I like the idea of.

Print- 7 things to know about print

Colour models-
colour generated in print- different to that on screen, if you don't grasp that you will never be in contol of what you design.

• CMKY
• RGB
• Hexachrome
• Spot colour
• PMS pantone matching system

Formats-
Understanding format options and limitations will help you to be more creative and economical when necessary

• Standard ISO paper sizes
• A & SRA sizes ( SRA slightly bigger than A4 used for printing for bleed)
• Imperial (North America versus rest of the world)
• Tabloid ( compact) broadsheet, Berliner
• Envelope 'C' sizes

Stock-
The correct weight and finish of a paper or substrate are crucial to the feel of a job. If your knowledge only goes as far as 8gsm photocopy paper you're not serious about design.

• Weights (gsm)
• Finish- gloss/silk/matt/coated/uncoated
• Laid or woven
• Boards, carbon
• Plastic and aceitates- thin- flexo thick- screen print

Artwork-
Preparing artwork for print is a sign of a professiona, save you and the printer a lot of grief if you know what needs doing and check it twice. Get theclient to sign off the proof, it offers some insurance if things go wrong.

• Document set up
• File formats ( fonts must be owned)
• Spellcheck
• Colour specs
• Printer marks
• Pre-flight check
• Mock ups
• Proof
• Sign 0ff

Print processes-
You should know early in you design what processes and finishes are appropriate

• Litho
• Gravure
• Screen print
• Flexo
• Pad printing
• 6colour
• Laminate
• Foil black
• Embossing/ debossing
• Spot UV varnish

Finishing-
Closely linked with print process, discuss with printer, likely to do it in House.

• Binding
• Folding and creasing
• Doe stamping/drilling

Costs-
Get 3 quotes and check the spec is the same on each one otherwise it's impossible to see who's providing the best deal. Be aware of the impact sizes and finishes have on the overall costs.

• Get a quote
• Identical spec for 3 print estimates to work to
• Learn roughly what things costs (unit cost)
• Understand variable minimum quantities
• Extras/authors corrections
• Delivery?
  

Think Tank Media

Franz Ferdinand Megaphones
Domino Recording Company
Print techqnique is offset.
Additional techniques are fan shape folding
Low-cost megaphone merchandise, simply folded-paper construction that was cheap enough to be produced and distributed in large quantities.
The range comes from a kit made for students at a festival including branded condoms, t shirts and bottle openers. What I think is most appealing and inventive is this megaphone they've produced as it brings the image from the merchandising to life, in 3D. This is a really good idea, bringing the theme or image of a design to life, something to consider in my own work.

B&W Studio

Project: Brick Wall
Designers: B&W Studio

Stock: Colorplan mist with a granular embossed effect
Print technique: Special single colour
Additional techniques: Embossing, perforation

These business cards work together to create a wall and can be torn off when needed. I really like how when the cards are indivdual they are bery simplistc but when put together they create a wall which is very suitable to the construction company.

KonnectDesign

Project: Austin Walsh Identity
Designer: KonncetDesign


Print technique: Four-colour, sheetfed
Additional information: The image on each card was debossed, and the type was engraved, followed by additional printing and varnishing at a letterpress house.

Debossing and engraving were key processes to the project, as they establish a sense of the handmade and encourage the individual holding the card to really connect with the image.

B&W Studio

Project: 75th Anniversary annual appeal
Deisgners: B&W Studio

Stock: GF Smith Colorplan
Print technique: one-off colour offset litho
Additional technique: Silver foil blocking

What I like about these designs are that the designers have managed to create a range simply by using the same layout and design but changing only the colour. Very simplaistic and basic, something I should keep in mind.

Squires & Company

Project: Two peas ina pod
Designer: Squires & Company

Stock: seed packs, mohawk textures, flax, brown fraft envelopes
Print technique: Digital ( the budget dictated digital printing)

I like the humourous approach to this using the seed packets for envelopes, tied together with a vintage feel.
A number of stocks were testd for this but the final outcome uses recycled content that soaked in more of the digital-press ink which gives the appearance of a more traditional printing or silkscreened method.