Not Quite the North Pole: Santa Signal Packaged by Folded Color
FoldedColor Packaging, through its innovative web-to-carton interface, provides high-quality, cost-effective custom folding carton solutions to small businesses and startups. Erik Knear is an example of an entrepreneur who leveraged the unique capabilities available through FoldedColor.com to bring his invention to market.
Knear credits his young children with bringing out the inventor in him. About four years ago, he created a nifty little device called The Santa Signal as an alternative to climbing on rooftops.
“I used to climb up on my roof on Christmas Eve and stomp around in my boots yelling ‘ho, ho, ho!’ down the chimney for my kids," Knear said. "Aside from risking a Christmas in the emergency room if I slipped, I was never in the room to share in my kids’ reactions to hearing Santa Claus.”
The Santa Signal, tucked in a chimney or another inconspicuous place, electronically reveals Santa’s arrival. Santa spreads his jolly good cheer, wonders aloud if the children are sleeping, and calls out to his reindeer, including Rudolph, whose nose glows bright red for all to see. The Santa Signal not only keeps ambitious parents and grandparents off slippery rooftops, but it also spreads Christmas magic and produces unforgettable memories.
FoldedColor is the inventor’s invention
As Knear can attest, bringing a new product to market isn’t always a bowl full of jelly. He struggled to find the right packaging provider.
“There are many manufacturers that can make inventions like The Santa Signal at decent prices, but packaging was a challenge until I found FoldedColor.com,” he said.
Before landing on FoldedColor.com, Knear learned that most package printers have order minimums ranging from 500 to 10,000 units, and those that do short runs favor digital output.
The Santa Signal, Knear said, was a “fledgling” product.
“I wanted a great quality package because I know that a customized and professionally printed package adds credibility to the product and strengthens the brand," he explained. "But I didn’t need thousands or even hundreds of boxes. I think I speak for many small businesses and startups when I say even $500 is a lot of money.”
Jan Steiner, president and CEO of FoldedColor, an online division of Thoro Packaging, said, "What we offer is very unique: high-quality custom cartons printed using a seven-color offset process – which blows digital print quality out of the water – and a low 50-piece order minimum.”
FoldedColor.com’s web-to-carton process is also unique. Knear priced, designed and ordered his folding cartons using the streamlined online workflow at www.foldedcolor.com.
“I customized the size I needed, getting it down to 1/8˝ of the product," Knear said. "The system generated a price. Then I downloaded the design template and created the artwork using the simple built-in design editor. After that, I chose the quantity I wanted and submitted the order.”
Knear approved his 3D proof online and received his custom-printed cartons about 10 days later.
“It’s clear that my boxes were printed with care and precision," he said. "I can say for certain that The Santa Signal in its package has impressed more investors and retailers than the product alone.”
