Design Innovation September 2010

Printpack's Shrink Sleeve Takes ZUN to the Moon

ATLANTA—ZUN® (rhymes with moon) is a brain-boosting energy drink packaged in a patent-protected rocket-shaped bottle decorated with a shrink sleeve label printed by Printpack. ZUN is owned by Fuzzee Bee Beverage Co.

The five-color label, printed flexographic, is as distinctive as the rocket-shaped bottle that it covers. The all black background makes a strong visual impact leading customers to associate the bottle with the brand. The label is printed on Pure Affinia™ PETG, which enables the label to shrink to the curves on this unique bottle which tapers more than 75 percent at the top.

"The curvature of the bottle created labeling problems that only a shrink sleeve could solve," says Brian Stearns, founder and CEO of Fuzzee Bee Beverage. "In addition, I had tight deadlines to meet due to selling out the product faster than expected. Printpack was able to exceed our expectations." The packaging has played a part in expanding the ZUN customer base. Stearns says to look for a new ZUN Lite in stores soon.

Shrink and roll fed labels, tamper evident bands, and heat shrinkable sleeves for multipacks are printed by Printpack in up to ten colors using flexographic and rotogravure printing on a variety of shrink films and laminations.

Patch Handle and Top 
Slider Facilitate Packaging Handling

Jackson, Mo.—FlexZiBox®, from NORDENIA is flexible and robust at the same time, easy to carry, and well-suited for volumes up to 55 pounds. The NORDENIA plant, located here, has refined the high-grade, reclosable side gusset bag for the American market. With a robust patch handle and top slider, the packaging combines simple handling with convenient reclosability. The FlexZiBox is well-suited to pet care or lawn and garden products, as well as the agrichemical industry. The patented patch handle is particularly tearproof and resilient due to a combination of materials. The handle also enables the consumer to pour the contents of the packaged product more precisely and lowers the risk of the contents being spilled accidentally.

The handle is also an optically attractive distinguishing feature. It can be printed on and included in the graphic design of the packaging. The top slider on the packaging guarantees the convenient opening and closing of the bag and also facilitates the dispensing of the product. The reclosable seal is completely airtight and protects the product from moisture.

Land O' Frost Incorporates 
Resealable Closures from Zip-Pak

Manteno, Ill.—Land O' Frost has incorporated the ZIP-PAK® DoubleZip™ press-to-close solution to its Premium, Deli Shaved, Canadian Bacon, Bistro Favorites, and Sub Sandwich Kit product lines.

Zip-Pak recently commissioned a study from an independent research firm to assess the environmental impact of both resealable flexible pouches and rigid polypropylene tub alternatives.

The study found that deli meat pouches had significantly lower energy consumption, solid waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions than the rigid tub alternative.

The DoubleZip reduces product exposure to oxygen and other environmental contaminants that lead to food spoilage, helping to ensure the deli meat maintains maximum freshness throughout the final use. Maintaining freshness ultimately contributes to sustainability by reducing food waste.

Along with sustainability, the DoubleZip provides added convenience. DoubleZip features two sets of interlocking profiles that are ergonomically designed to guide consumers' fingers along a path when closing a package, ensuring complete closure.

Citrus Soft Drink Breaks 
Out Retro Graphics

ATLANTA—Starting this summer, Mello Yello decided to introduce a remixed version of the original package design for the popular soft drink.

The new look, created by New York-based design agency Stag & Hare, features the original tilt of the green and orange logo, but now with the pair of double L's strolling off the edge of the label or can. Bubbles of citrus flavor and stylized fruit images float in the signature yellow background behind the Mello Yello logo. The soft drink will be rolling out with the new packaging in 2-liter bottles, Fridge Packs, and 20-ounce PET bottles in all markets, with 16-ounce PET bottles and 20-can packs available in select locations.

Schawk U.K. Division Wins 
International Award

DES PLAINES, Ill.—Schawk, Inc., a provider of brand point management services, recently announced that its U.K. division has earned an International Grand Prix Cyrel® Award in the corrugated pre-print category for its premedia work on the Hussqvarna brand.

Initiated by DuPont Packaging Graphics in 1982, the Grand Prix Cyrel® competition is recognized as a prestigious competition in the flexo and package printing industries that acknowledges companies located around the world that design and produce outstanding packaging.

Color Solutions for Packaging

CLEVELAND—DayGlo Color Corp. has announced tools and resources to engage brand owners and designers, as well as enhance business for supplier/manufacturing customers.

DayGlo has launched a new messaging campaign, "Color. Only Better.," which comprises a newly designed www.DayGlo.com featuring an interactive design center and the introduction of its Brand Action Team to help brand owners and designers implement specialty color in products and packaging to increase brand sales across consumer touch points.

The Brand Action Team builds on the company's role as a partner and consultant in the design and development of products and packaging for consumer goods, plastics, and graphic arts, as well as ingredients for the personal care and cosmetics industries.

"Color. Only Better." communicates how DayGlo's technical color expertise and its diversified portfolio of specialty color effects improve, enhance color, and make color better. pP