2010 May | Sunrise Packaging Blog

Archive for May, 2010

Are You Getting A Vacation With Social Media?

Monday, May 31st, 2010

The US has the highest percentage of mobile workers in the world. By 2013, 119.7 million people or 75.5 % of the US workforce will be mobile workers. That’s according to a study from IDC earlier this year. Of those 119.7 million people, 79% of them plan on taking their work-related devices with them on vacation.

A growing number of employees are not leaving their work behind when taking time off. 30% of workers polled said they stay connected to their work 24/7. For many of them, staying connected means staying social—with social media of course.

57% of US workers use social media for business purposes each week. Citing ease of use and low cost as being factors for using social media, the number 1 reason for using it for business was to ask questions and acquire knowledge from a community of social networkers.

With mobile devices getting more and more technologically advanced, it’s getting easier for workers to stay connected to social media circles thus social media business use is growing. So are marketers ever going to take a vacation? I guess it’s up to the individual and how strongly they can resist temptation.

The irony is that it’s Memorial Day. But don’t worry about me. I’m enjoying a camping trip with my lovely wife and beautiful daughter in the lush countryside of southwestern Wisconsin. I scheduled this post before I left the office on Friday!

Tags:business, facebook, Marketing, Social Media, social networking, time off, Twitter, vacation
Posted in Social Media | No Comments »

Sofa Packaging?

Friday, May 28th, 2010

If you asked me yesterday what sofa packaging was, I’d say my brother’s truck and trailer (Thank you Chad for hauling my sofa 4 times in the past two years). Sofas have conventionally been shipped in one piece until now.

The Oi sofa is a modular sofa that ships in a cardboard box. Shipping these sofas is more economical and easier on the environment because the boxes can fit easier and more efficiently when being transported.

The seating pods are created to accommodate three times more seating room than traditional sofas. Because of the modular design, there are many different configurations in which you can set up the seating pods. What is even better is one person can move the sofa by themselves through doorways and around corners. We can all relate to that!

The name Oi means “Hello” in many languages. Since the Oi can be in a new configuration every time you see it, it’s as if you’re meeting it for the first time.

The packaging was created to give the product some attitude and quirkiness. The talking sofa gives you eccentric little messages as you interact with the packaging. These messages were also designed to emphasize the key product benefits.

More info:
Oi Cellular Furniture

Tags:creative packaging, furinture, innovative, modular design, sofa
Posted in Eco-Friendly, Packaging Design | No Comments »

Library Offers Summer Reading Program For All Ages

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

McPherson Public Library in Kansas is offering summer reading programs for all ages. The programs provide a great opportunity for children and teens to keep their reading skills sharp over summer vacation while indulging in some fun activities. Programs are offered for three different age groups.

The kid’s program called “Make a Splash–READ!” lets them explore the world of water through stories, songs, games, and other activities. They can also earn prizes for completing a summer reading board. All summer long there will be special music performers, magicians, snacks, lunch, puppet shows, etc. What a great opportunity to put children into a fun environment where reading and learning is encouraged.

Teens can sign up for a program called “Make Waves @ Your Library” where they can come to the library all summer to read and take part in special events. They will also be able to earn prizes for reading.

“Dive into Reading” is the adult summer reading program. Adult readers can explore new genres, give book reviews, sign up for book suggestions, join the library’s online book discussion group and receive prizes for each level of participation.

The McPherson Public Library is sponsoring a fun festival for the “Summer Reading Kick-Off on Thursday, June 3rd from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the library. All ages are invited to help us kick off the Summer Reading Program “Make a Splash . . . READ!”. The library will have free games, art activities, balloon animals, and temporary tatoos. Children will also have a chance to sign up for the Summer Reading Program during this event.

More info:
McPherson Public Library

Tags:books, Learning, libraries, library, Novels, reading, Summer
Posted in Case Studies | No Comments »

Clamshells

Monday, May 24th, 2010

What is clamshell packaging? If you don’t know it by name, it is almost certain that you’ve seen it. It’s the clear plastic packaging that showcases an array of products from retail, food, medical, etc. The word clamshell indicates that the formed plastic package has one or more hinges. A single hinged clamshell usually includes a hanger tab so the product can hang from store pegs. Multi-hinged clamshells allow for the packaging to have a flat base so the product stand upright.

There are many benefits of clamshell packaging. It’s a wonderful way to showcase a product while being very cost effective. The clear plastic packaging provides great visibility for the consumer to see the product as it sits protected inside the clamshell. The header card can be printed and placed inside the clamshell to provide more information for the consumer to make a purchasing decision. Clamshells also allow for great display versatility. They can be hung from pegs or sat upright on a store shelf giving great flexibility for retailers to position the products to sell.

Clamshells are plastic and cause some concern about the environment. Manufacturers are using different types of plastics to overcome this. PETG is a type of PET plastic that is fully recyclable after its use. RPET is previously recycled PET plastic. Both types can work together to promote the global recycling effort.

More info:
Ask Sunrise about clamshell packaging

Tags:blister, clamshell, Medical, packaging, plastic, recycle, retail, Thermoforming
Posted in Custom Packaging Products, Product Information, Thermoforming | No Comments »

First Look: HTC EVO 4G Packaging

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

It’s coming June 4th. The most highly-anticipated android release of the year. It’s the Sprint EVO- the first of its kind that supports the 4G network. As it will be a few weeks before it hits the shelves lets take a sneak peak at the packaging.

Sprint is on the green scene, making a concerted effort to promote their environmental responsibility. It would only make sense then that the packaging is made out of recycled cardboard- nice touch!

Now lets look at the shape of the box. It’s interesting. Like none other we’ve ever seen in this market. It kind of looks like a microwavable dinner though if you’re planning on purchasing one of these phones, we don’t recommend that.

As more and more companies are looking to sustainable packaging solutions, packaging providers are trying to find unique ways to use the limited amount of resources to create eco-friendly packaging.

Tags:4G network, android, cell phones, Eco-Friendly, Sprint, sustainable packaging, technology
Posted in Eco-Friendly, Packaging Design | No Comments »

Dieline Awards

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Here are some highlights from The Dieline awards that took place last month at the Fuse Conference in Chicago. Over 800 entrants participated and while there were so many wonderful packaging designs, we highlighted a few of the first place winners. We encourage you to see all of the winners by clicking here.

Award: Best of Show
Entrant: ChappsMalina, USA

Chapps Malina was approached by Help Remedies, a New York City-based company with a big idea: to revolutionize over-the-counter medication. The product packaging communicates symptoms more empathetic rather than using phrases like “Extra Strength” and “Fast Acting”. The case adds comfort with its look reminiscent of a soft white pillow. Also, the packaging uses a highly innovative combination of paper pulp and co-molded corn-based plastic, making it completely compostable and a first of its kind.

Award: First Place, Health & Beauty
Entrant: Kimberly-Clark / Kleenex, USA

The packaging objective? Scream summer! Create differentiation, thru packaging, from familiar facial tissue cartons that will generate interest during the historically slower summer season. Graphic design, stylized photo-realistic illustration and carton structure come together to create an undeniably summer display for the brand.

Award: First Place, Electronics
Entrant: Fuseproject, USA

The latest product to be introduced into the Jawbone brand is the Jawbone PRIME marrying technology and design to deliver the best Bluetooth headset on the market.

Regarding the packaging, the Jawbone jewel case is a stunning alternative to the competition. A Jawbone headset elegantly suspends within a museum-like cube, offering a 360-degree view of the product.

Sustainability is another quality that sets Jawbone packaging apart from others. The yoke that holds the headset securely inside the box reduces the need for plastic or Styrofoam cushioning during product shipment. Because of the sleeve’s functionality as an enclosure, the need for a heat seal, adhesives or shrink-wrap was also eliminated. Additionally, all the components in Jawbone’s packaging are recyclable. Not to mention, the jewel case itself can always be repurposed to house small odds and ends.

Award: First Place, Wine, Beer, & Tobacco
Entrant: Athanasios Babalis, Greece

The use of Oak plywood as the main packaging material was chosen because it makes references to the Oak barrels that this wine matures in. This is the first in a series of three sizes of boxes that contain one, two and three wine bottles each. The three sizes are either combined together or separately and by stacking them a wine-rack is formed. The shape of the box was chosen because it is sympathetic to the shape of the bottle and it also looks like a grape from one side when stacked. The box has a handle and can be carried like a bag without the need for additional packaging.

Tags:creative packaging, die line, fuse conference, innovative packaging, packaging awards, Packaging Design
Posted in Packaging Design | No Comments »

Coming Soon: ISO Sustainable Packaging Standards

Friday, May 14th, 2010

As the global sustainable packaging market is projected to double to $170 billion by 2014, ISO begins work on international sustainable packaging standards. ISO is the International Standards Organization who oversee a widely used portfolio of ISO certifications.

Packaging Digest reported that representatives from the US, 11 European countries, China, Korea, and Japan met late last year to iron out the details. ISO aims to develop six standards for the sustainable packaging certification:

1. Source reduction
2. Reuse
3. Recycling
4. Energy recovery
5. Chemical recovery
6. Composting and bio-degradation

After the six standards are finalized, a seventh standard will outline requirements for using the six standards. Final draft is expected to be completed by ISO sometime in 2012.

Although many major companies have resisted sustainable packaging initiatives in the past, citing the higher costs of implementing new packaging processes as the biggest deterrent, those that have persevered have typically seen dramatic savings and the disposal of far less packaging waste. A key misconception is the belief that higher costs are associated with sustainability efforts.

According to a 2007 survey by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and Packaging Digest magazine, 73% of 1,255 respondents stated that their companies were emphasizing sustainable packaging. In doing so, companies aimed to minimizing their carbon footprint through initiatives related to transportation, alternative fuels, and sustainable packaging.

Tags:certification, Eco-Friendly, ISO, sustainable packaging
Posted in Eco-Friendly, Packaging Design | No Comments »

The Newest Functional Beverage

Monday, May 10th, 2010

Introducing Rescue Water. The newest functional beverage that serves additional purposes other than simply quenching your thirst. Produced by AriZona Beverage Company, Rescue Water is a flavored water intended to help increase the rate of fluid replacement and balance nutrient absorption in the body. The beverage is marketed to active people and comes in four different flavors that feature AriZona’s classic green tea extract for an antioxidant boost. The water is made with no preservatives and no artificial colors and is sweetened with a natural sweetener derived from Stevia Plants.

For packaging, Rescue Water required a bottle that can withstand the high temperatures and pressures of processing. The 20.5 ounce PET bottles feature Constar’s X4™ technology, in which the panel-free design imparts a robust, in-hand feel similar to glass. The breakthrough technology also optimizes manufacturing during the hot fill labeling processes. The high-tech geometry of the bottles with the X4™ technology allows the vacuum hot-filling process to take place in the base of the bottle leaving the sides rigid and smooth giving the bottle a similar feel to glass.

The bottles also contain Constar’s DiamondClear technology which is blended throughout the PET giving a crystal clarity to the bottle while aiming to protect the freshness, flavor, and color of the beverage inside.

The Rescue Water bottle is also a sustainable packaging solution. PET bottles with X4™ technology are recyclable using the 1-PETE code and are BPA free. Accepted by curbside recycling programs, used PET containers can be recycled into a host of new products such as packaging, sleeping bags, clothing, and tires.

More info:
AriZona Beverage Company
Constar X4™ Technology

Tags:functional beverage, glass bottle, PET bottle, recycle, rescue water, sustainable packaging, vitamin water
Posted in Eco-Friendly, Packaging Design | No Comments »