Remember when we blogged about Nestlé’s new marketing campaign featuring RFID embedded candy packaging? Popular U.K. hard cider company Strongbow partnered with digital agency Work Club to introduce the first RFID beer bottle packaging. The new packaging technology is called the “StartCap” which is a series of layered materials creating a high tech break seal. The active RFID tag is embedded into the bottom layer, a transparent paper is layered on top of that, followed by an inactive RFID tag embedded layer acting as the reader, and topped with a layer of aluminum. When a consumer opens the bottle, the inactive RFID tag sends a signal to the active tag triggering a reaction. Some of the reactions include playing music, checking that person in through social media, or releasing a shower of confetti.

As part of their test run, the company tricked out a bar in Budapest to show what could be done with the product such as turning up the music in the club when a bottle is opened. The company goes on to say, “The most promising fact about the StartCap prototype is that it can be technically used to trigger anything, so the areas of application vary.” Check out the Youtube video that shows how this unique packaging was created and how it works. What other RFID embedded products or packaging have you seen on the market? Let us know by leaving a comment today!

If you were a fan of Le Whif’s zero calorie breathable chocolate from last year’s blog, you are going to love their two new product innovations.  The breathable products company has now invented Breathable Coffee and Vitamins! Le Whif’s coffee promises the caffeine from a cup of coffee in an inhalable stick. In fact, popularity has grown so much that you can now buy Le Whif products in New York City, Boston, and Houston retail stores.  Even Stephen Colbert is treating himself to a chocolaty indulgence on his hit show The Colbert Report! Online you can buy chocolate and coffee products in both small and large gift sets. 

The newest line of Breathable Vitamins, not available in stores until 2011, comes in Antioxidant Green Tea, Multivitamin Hibiscus tea, and Age Smart Wine Tea.  Different from normal pill vitamins, Le Whif vitamins travels straight into your blood stream for rapid absorbance.  I know dozens of people who experience major difficulty swallowing pills and would line up to buy this new vitamin delivery system.  For up to date Le Whif news and products visit their website!

To ring in 2011, Microsoft Office has come out with the newest version of Office for Mac.  Year after year Microsoft has been redesigning both their software and packaging to be cutting edge; 2011 is no exception.  Software updates include a new template gallery for professional design work, a newly designed ribbon, and compatible software anyone can pick up and use. However, Office 2011 has not changed in that there are two separate versions available; Home & Student and Home & Business.

What I love about the new design is that it shares the same qualities as other Mac products.  When I think of a Macintosh I think clean, simple, and modern; and the 2011 version (top) is all of the above.  Design artists removed the large icon from the 2008 packaging (bottom) and centered the Office for Mac text instead.  Base coloring of the general packaging, however, has remained in the yellow and black family for easy product recognition. Office also simplified the software icon design making them more legible with an easy to read font.  My favorite package redesign is the front right side which is covered with a canon of the Word, PowerPoint, and Excel icons in various colors. The busy art design balances nicely with the simple text for a visually pleasing package design

We have heard it all before. Designers must be creative, innovative and “think outside the box.” However, as packaging trends grow and change, GCI Magazine state that the future of packaging may come from “thinking inside the box.”  To help your company stay current, and cut costs here are four key elements to explore.

1. Think Lighter- Consider using lighter weight packaging material to significantly lower shipping costs.  Utilize light weight packaging technology to reduce costs.  Last but not least remember to “think thin.”  Using a thinner paper or plastic packaging can decrease the total weight and cost.  In business every penny counts, so why not start saving with packaging?
2. Go Green- Start by choosing a greener ink that will be visually pleasing and good for the earth.  Soy and water based inks are available for flexo printing only, and digital printing is green due to less material required for set up and printing.  Digital ink is also certified by California’s Proposition 65 and can be used in most printing jobs.  Source local suppliers if possible to cut shipping costs, and show your “green pride” to your customers.  Customers appreciate environmentally friendly companies and often flock to them. 
3. Spend Less & Get More- Using a “one shape fits all” packaging can be beneficial to cost cutting.  Alter the package size, color or design in a small way and you have saved yourself a bundle.  Even consider silk screen printing as an eco friendly way to save costs and labels.
4. Partner Up- They say two minds are better than one and it applies in the packaging world.  Partnering with another company can generate more ideas, increase productivity, and save space.  Look for a company that is larger than yours, offering a viable storage facility for you to use. 

Sometimes thinking in and outside the box is necessary to save time and money with your packaging.  Customize these four steps to improve your companies packaging and save some serious money! Visit gcimagazine.com to read the full article