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THE PACKAGING ZINE WINTER 2023

Editor in Chief Gabrielle Ho Art Direction Samneet Mann Taylor Tran Editors Gabrielle Ho Taylor Tran Graphic Designer Samneet Mann Writers Gabrielle Ho Taylor Tran Cover Photo Samneet Mann

WINTER 2023 EDITION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the Team

Bold Minimalism vs Maximalism

Packaging Design Trends for 2024

Featured Product: Wine Carriers

Pantone Colour of the Year 2024

LeKAC Flashback 2023

Learn with Lenny: Packaging Dictionary

Packaging Q&A

MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

The ho-ho-holidays are here, and

by appointment only. Especially with

we’re cozying up with the latest edition the holidays around the corner, this of our seasonal zine! If you’re a new

ensures that one of our consultants

reader, welcome! We’re a Canadian-

will be available to assist you.

based custom packaging company

Can’t make it to one of our offices?

that also offers sourcing and branding

Our consultants are also available via

services internationally. We wanted

phone and video call to assist you!

to take a moment to thank our existing customers for making our

We hope you have a magical holiday

year so special! We’re grateful to be

season, and can’t wait to help

a part of your business’s journey.

you whip up stunning and unique packaging in the new year!

If you’re an existing client and you have a question about your order,

Stay cozy!

please contact your Business

The LeKAC Pack

Development Consultant and they’ll be happy to help! As a final reminder, please note that our offices are open

Learn with Lenny! Check out pages 20–21 to f ind Lenny teaching you about packaging terms you’ll f ind useful the next time you order custom packaging!

BOLD MINIMALISM VS MAXIMALISM CHOOSING A DESIGN STYLE FOR YOUR PACKAGING CAN BE OVERWHELMING. BOLD MINIMALISM AND MAXIMALISM ARE TWO OPPOSING IDEAS, BUT THEY CAN EACH BE USED TO CREATE INTRIGUING AND UNIQUE DESIGNS!

Bold Minimalism Inspiration: LEFT – Dossit Vape Pens [dosist.com] RIGHT - Kosas Cosmetics [kosas.com]

WHAT IS BOLD MINIMALISM?

a solid background. A knowledge of colour

Those two words might sound like

theory, and design principles is key to making

completely different ideas, but they can

this style effective. Since there are fewer

actually complement each other! Bold

elements to draw your customers’ attention,

minimalism is an industrial stye defined by

the arrangement of every design element has

clean, simple lines and shapes, with a bold

to be intentional.

contrast. Think high-contrast colours, clean,

We see minimalism in all kinds of business’

industrial fonts, and use of negative space to

branding and packaging! Overall, the minimal

reveal your brand’s essence.

“less is more” approach is great for businesses

This design trend is ideal for brands that

looking to make sure that their message gets

want customers to focus on the message

across. This is often seen in industries like

they’re sending. Despite its simplicity, there’s

beauty, skincare, and natural foods!

more to it than just slapping some text on 6

Maximalism Inspiration: LEFT – Simply Nuts [simplynuts.ca] RIGHT - Rogue Cereals [penji.co]

WHAT IS MAXIMALISM?

HOW DO I CHOOSE BETWEEN MINIMAL

On the other end of the spectrum, you can

AND MAXIMAL?

find maximalism. If minimalism’s approach

Not sure which of these design trends is

is “less is more”, maximalism says “the more

right for you? If your business has brand

the merrier”! Maximalism is all about bold

guidelines, make sure to take those into

colour combinations, contrasting patterns,

consideration! While both design styles can

little to no white space and lots of elements.

produce beautiful, impactful packaging, each

Similar to bold minimalism, maximalism

has a time and place that it would work best.

requires intention and knowledge of design principles to be effective. Creating balance

If you’re still not sure how to make these

in maximalist design is important to make

trends work for you, contact us to speak

sure you convey your brand’s identity

with our knowledgeable team!

accurately! Maximalism is achievable by

Whether you’re starting from scratch or already have some ideas in mind, we’re with you every step of the way!

using concentrating on text or illustration heavy design (or a combination of both). We see this trend in products like coffee, alcohol, and even chocolate! The playful nature of the maximalist style is great for illustrating product origins in a fun, playful way. 7

PACKAGING DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2024 With the holiday season upon us, we always get ready to look ahead to packaging design trends for the upcoming year! NATURAL MATERIALS After the first full year of the plastic ban being in effect, we’re seeing an increase in the use of natural materials in packaging. The most obvious way to incorporate this trend is by using a brown kraft material! Our brown kraft provides an organic aesthetic (while also being completely recyclable!). Looking for other natural materials besides classic paper? We also offer alternative materials such as cornstarch, sugarcane, and even bamboo! Incorporating this trend can also extend to the type of ink you use to print your packaging designs. Soy and water based inks are great natural alternatives to their

TOP: Wise Men’s Care [thedieline.com] BOTTOM: [thecommonfolkcollective.com]

traditional petroleum based counterparts! 8

Utilitarian Design Inspiration: Kef Industrial [worldbranddesign.com]

Neon Design Inspiration: Glenmore’s Valentines Promo [fontsinuse.com]

UTILITARIAN DESIGN

go all out, neon is sure to make a statement.

Utilitarian design is all about function.

Using highly saturated and bold colours in

This style prioritizes the usefulness of the

your packaging is an easy way to help your

design over aesthetics. Designs that use

brand stand out on shelves.

this style should be readable and useful,

If you’re planning to use this trend, beware

often achieved by focusing on text-heavy

when designing! Make sure that your designs

elements rather than illustrations. When

are being made in CMYK rather than RGB.

using utilitarian design, understanding the

Since RGB is a colour mode more suited to

importance of textual hierarchy will help

digital applications, the vibrant colours you can

ensure that the most important information

achieve may not be translatable to physical

is communicated to your customers.

and print applications! If you’ve already made

FLUORESCENT POPS OF COLOUR

a design in RGB, don’t worry! Our in-house

In 2024, we’re projecting a throwback to neon! Whether your packaging incorporates these

graphic designer can help get your design as close to your original vision as possible!

vibrant hues in small ways or you choose to 9

Gradients Inspiration: Snowline [thedieline.com] & Avee Skin [instagram.com/lekac.com]

GRADIENTS Back in 2021, we predicted colour mists as an up and coming packaging trend. This year, gradients are back but not just in colour mist form. We’re anticipating all kinds of gradients, from colour mists to full coverage! Gradients are an easy way to incorporate multiple colours in your packaging designs. PLAYFUL Add a touch of whimsy to your packaging by going playful! This style uses illustrations, cartoon styles, and playful fonts to create unique designs. Though this design trend can appeal to a variety of audiences, it doesn’t necessarily work for all kinds of businesses. For example, fun and innovative products may benefit from the use of playful packaging design to make them appear more approachable. On the other hand, businesses looking for

Playful Inspiration: Thanks Plants [thanksplants.co] & Nuts Packaging Design [behance.net]

their brand to have a more refined, luxurious aesthetic may not be as suited to this style. 10

SERIF FONTS

HOW CAN I USE THESE PACKAGING DESIGN TRENDS?

When creating your packaging designs,

One or more of these design trends caught

choosing the right font can make or break

your eye, but not sure how to incorporate

the design. Serif fonts are traditional, and

them into your designs? Contact us to speak

might seem boring but we’ve seen them take

with one of our knowledgeable Business

a more modern twist! By incorporating serif

Development consultants and in-house Graphic

fonts in your designs, you can add a level of

Designer for a free consultation! Don’t need

sophistication to your packaging. Using this

custom packaging but need help with design?

design trend is best for evoking tradition

Check out our Marketing Services for more!

and simplicity in your packaging.

Serif Inspiration: Pure Plant [packagingoftheworld.com], Idyllic Branding [behance.net] & Hayman’s of London [thedieline.com]

FEATURED PRODUCT

WINE CARRIER KRAFT PAPER OR CORRUGATED R ECYC L A B L E | CU STO MI Z A B L E | D U R A B L E

Looking for wine packaging? Check out our wine industry catalogue! From size to printing, we can help design a box that meets your needs. Get in touch with our team to learn more about what we offer.

PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2024 PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz It’s our favourite time of the year now that the Pantone Colour Institute has announced their Colour Of The Year! In 2024, the new colour on the scene is PANTONE 13-1023 Peach Fuzz. CHECK OUT OUR FULL BLOG POST FOR ALL THE DETAILS

lekac.com/category/design-trends

Introducing Peach Fuzz

The tone has a vintage vibe, but is being embraced in a more modern setting. We’ve

Peach Fuzz is a velvety gentle peach that

already seen the shade gaining traction in

is appealing to a wide audience. Very Peri

fashion for Spring and Summer collections!

(2022) and Viva Magenta (2023) were bold, vibrant colour choices that placed emphasis

Peach Fuzz’s Impact On Packaging

on connecting to one another through the

Overall, the colour’s warm and inviting nature

merging of our digital and physical lives.

makes customers want to reach out and

Similarly, Peach Fuzz’s selection highlights our

touch it. This means that incorporating this

“desire for togetherness” and sanctuary in a

year’s Colour Of The Year into your packaging

year of global turmoil.

design may increase shelf appeal and draw your customers’ eye! Peach Fuzz “tempts the

In seeking a hue that echoes our innate

taste buds with thoughts of sweet and delicate

yearning for closeness and connection,

scents and treats”.

we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates

Interested in incorporating the newest Colour

with compassion, offers a tactile embrace,

Of The Year into your packaging or branding?

and effortlessly bridges the youthful

with the timeless.

of our knowledgeable Business Development

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Colour Institute

consultants or in-house Graphic Designer!

While Peach Fuzz brings in warmth for the new year, lets take a quick look at what’s in store for Spring/Summer 2024 according to the Pantone seasonal colour forecast!

SPRING 2024 MAGICAL, LIVELY, FRESH AND FREE

SUMMER 2024 EXHILARATING, RICH, VIBRANT AND ECLECTIC

WHY CHOOSE LEKAC? Avoiding going custom because you think it’s too expensive or just too much effort in general? At LeKAC, we strive for excellence across all boards. Our consultants work tirelessly to ensure the journey with us is as smooth as possible. We also work to get you the most competitive price on the market. Customers are more likely to return to your business if they have a reminder of it - and what better way to do that than creating a memorable packaging experience? By using custom packaging, you’re also benefitting from extended publicity and brand awareness! Best of all? You’re getting packaging that’s exactly what you want!

HOW IT WORKS

Lekac Flashback 2023

LEARN WITH LENNY!

PACKAGING DICTIONARY Here are a few terms we’ve used these last few months when working with you to create your custom packaging! WARM TONE COLOURS

feeling of being refreshed or relaxed. A soft blue colour, for example, can be

Consisting of colours such as red, orange or yellow, tones in this range tend to give off a warm feeling or can be connected to things of warmth. For example, the colour orange is

percieved as a cool spring breeze! In packaging, cool tone colours are often used to invoke calm, soothing feelings. 3D FOIL

commonly associated with summer! Including these colours in your

A specialty printing process using unique techniques to create a raised foil look.

packaging can help bring feelings

This type of foil printing does not use a

of warmth and energy.

stamp plate like a typical hot foil stamp,

COOL TONE COLOURS

which creates an imprint rather than a

Colours such as green, blue or purple are commonly known as cool tones. These colours give off a cooling effect and are often associated with the

raised impression.

MOLDED PULP INSERT Molded Insert

Typically made of recycled paper pulp. To create a molded insert, we must first make a custom mold of the product itself. The paper pulp is then pressed into the custom mold to mass produce your pulp inserts - this insert is quite costly due to the process of creating the custom mold for your goods. If you want an insert but your budget won’t allow for it, our

Impression of Product

recommended, cost-effective alternative would be paper inserts! STANDARD EMBOSS

3D EMBOSS Also known as sculptural embossing, this process is when the raised print has multiple levels or textures to create a 3D

3D EMBOSS

effect. The 3D embossing process requires a set of tools and skills, as of right now only a select few printers are able to create the effect! This makes it significantly more expensive than standard embossing.

PACKAGING Q & A Q: Why are shipping rates increasing so much? A: There are actually a few reasons rates have been increasing lately. Due to the pandemic, global supply chains have been disrupted and there’s a shortage of freight containers! That, coupled with limited staff available to work and increasing fuel prices, lead to delayed shipments. While we’re optimistic that things will go back to normal in the near future, our team is dedicated to keeping costs down for clients. Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do since this is a global issue, but if you’re in need of packaging soon, you may want to opt for premium or expedited shipping! Q: When should I order my packaging? A: Ideally, ASAP!!! The order process normally takes approximately 4 months, but we recommened ordering it as far in advance as possible.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? LEARN MORE ON OUR WEBSITE: WWW.LEKAC.COM

Q: I need help designing my packaging. Does it cost extra? A: We’ve got you covered! Our in-house graphic designer can help you bring your custom packaging vision to life. This includes the design layout and even 3D mockups! The best part? This service is included in our price!

Q: Are there any hidden fees I need to know about? A: No! Our pricing includes shipping/handling, customs/duties and plate charges. The only fee that can vary is the local delivery fee which your consultant will let you know about ahead of time. If anything changes, rest assured your consultant will let you know as soon as possible!

Q: I don’t need packaging, but I love your work! Is there another way I can work with LeKAC? A: Definitely! If you like our design work, but aren’t necessarily looking for packaging, try our custom Branding and Graphic Design services instead. Work with our Marketing team to bring your vision to life! CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT WE OFFER.

www.lekac.com 1 (866) 996-6818 TORONTO

MONTREAL

207-590 Alden Road Markham, ON L3R 8N2

7645 Rue Cordner LaSalle, QC H8N 2X2

@lekacsourcing