Your brand is your most valuable asset, and we are committed to creating packaging that will help it stand out from the competition.
Whether you already have a clear design and concept in mind or need help refining your ideas, our experienced team is here to provide packaging solutions that combine style, functionality, and cost-efficiency.
Wilkin & Sons is a quintessentially British brand that began producing Tiptree jam in 1885. Holders of a Royal Warrant since 1911 and sold in 60 overseas markets, they have expanded to produce a wide range of preserves, condiments and beverages as well as opening tearooms across their home county of Essex.
The brief was to create gift packaging for a set of six preserves to be retailed as an exclusive line in Costco stores.
Wilkin eschewed the use of plastic in their packaging long before it became a wider talking point, but holding six jars of significant weight without plastics properties is a challenge.
With our experience in packaging we were able to develop a solution that achieved all the specification points; a premium look, hit a particular price point, and keep the product safe and secure whilst also ensuring good visibility of the jars’ labels.
The solution devised was a double-walled carton gift box with a robustness comparable to rigid board but without the price tag. A simple to use insert ensured the sets were easy to pack, and that the jars remained secure and forward facing once in place. A cleverly utilised Union Jack motif in the design gave tribute to the brand’s British heritage.
Wilkin has adopted this successful approach for a number of other in-store activations for their key national accounts.
Global skincare brand Olay wanted an innovative way to package one of their lead products – Total Effects Eyecare – as an exclusive line in Superdrug stores in the crucial Christmas gifting period. Their idea was to produce a plastic bauble which could be hung as a gift on a Christmas tree, and would have considerable stand-out off shelf. Their existing supplier base had been unable to rise to the challenge in time, and Zest were introduced to the Olay team in early August by a senior manager to try and achieve a better outcome.
This process married Zest’s engineering and creative skills with production management and logistics to deliver a unique piece of packaging that was both functional and stylish. Olay’s campaign was such a great success that we were approached to deliver an ‘Egg’ shaped solution for their Easter promotion .
The client’s concept was simple in theory but more complex to realise in practice. Key design and manufacturing challenges included ensuring the product was securely held in place inside the bauble, something achieved through a precisely sized internal moulding. A twist-lock mechanism was added to lock the two halves together enabling the bauble to be hung on a Christmas tree and a flat base completed the new moulding so the unit could also sit on shelves.
Aesthetic considerations, including details such as the concentration of glitter in the plastic and how to unobtrusively include safety information were also addressed.
It was then down to our robust and reliable supply chain in the Far East to deliver the product to specification and to time. Within two months this product was designed, manufactured and 50,000pcs delivered to Superdrug ready for the start of the Christmas campaign.
For the launch of the new Cavill & Co. luxury jewellery brand, we undertook the design and development of a universal jewellery box. The primary objective was to create a sophisticated and versatile piece of packaging capable of housing various combinations of their diverse range of luxury jewellery.
We consulted with client about all aspect of the box including the shape, size, materials and branding. Even the outer protective box received extensive scrutiny.
Our collaborative efforts involved iterative design discussions with the client, allowing us to refine the concept through a series of exchanges. We also needed to develop an inner fitment that could be used for rings, studs, long earring and pendant necklaces. The sampling process played a crucial role in finalising details, including font size, inner lining colour, and the overall aesthetics of the box.
The final product is a genuinely stunning, high quality box that was received with great enthusiasm from the client and the team at Gemporia. The Cavill & Co. box has generated interest from other jewellery brands to develop a similar style box for their own brands – which is the sort of outcome we always love to see!
Situated at the historic dock where the Titanic was constructed in Belfast, Titanic Distillers has a unique narrative that sets them apart from other whiskey distilleries. For this project, they asked us to develop their exclusive 401 members club box; a bespoke, high-quality oak box designed to represent the oak barrels in which the whiskey is stored. The box includes a silver coin, a member’s card, a certificate of ownership, and a token bottle of whiskey—a special package for members who have invested in their casks.
With the concept and design provided by Titanic, it was our job to go out and find the best suppliers of each individual element for the box. With this project, it was important that the box and all the elements within it reflected the story of Titanic Distillers, through the materials, finishes, and the quality of all the elements. This is where we leveraged our industry connections and partnerships; approaching familiar and new manufacturers for each component of the project. Firstly, we gained a clear understanding of what could be achieved/the feasibility and then collaborated with them to develop and produce each element to its specific requirement.
With a range of samples from European and Far Eastern suppliers – chosen for their different price points and range of styles – we presented options to the Titanic team to decide on the direction to take. This in-person meeting, allowed each person involved to see, assess, and discuss every part of the products which helped us move forward in the right direction and ensures that each stakeholder was happy with the decisions being made.
We could then get started on producing the final samples, navigating several unique challenges along the way; Ensuring sequential numbering on each box and coin, achieving precise Pantone colour matching for every detail within the box, and maintaining tight time management with each manufacturer.
Before creating the final box sample, we got sign-off on every element, down to the finest details like card stock selection. This meticulous attention to detail was crucial to ensure all the inserts were correct and would fit each element perfectly, guaranteeing a perfect fit for each element and upholding the box’s high quality.
This is kind of project where Zest shines, where our global networks and broad expertise bring unparalleled value to our clients. We know the right people to consult, the right questions to ask, and we have the insight to guide you through any compromises that need to be made, ensuring cost-effectiveness without sacrificing quality. Our goal is to deliver a product that exceeds your expectations, something you can proudly showcase as a testament to your brand.
We’re proud of this premium membership box that we created, with every detail was meticulously considered to embody the brand’s rich heritage.
Trust us to create tailored, high-quality packaging solutions that elevate your brand. Contact us today to discuss your packaging needs and unleash the full potential of your products.
