Within the last few years you have probably caught wind that drinking red wine actually has health benefits that come along with its more obvious pleasantries. It’s because of somthing called resveratrol. It’s a phytoalexin that was first discovered in the 1940’s and can be found in the skin of grapes. Most of the information I have found claims that there has not been enough research into the long term benefits for humans. However the testing on animals and insects, as well as human cells in Petri dishes, showed some hopeful results in the following areas:

Heart disease: Resveratrol helps reduce inflammation, prevents the oxidation of LDL "bad" cholesterol, and makes it more difficult for platelets to stick together and form the clots that can lead to a heart attack.

Cancer: Resveratrol is thought to limit the spread of cancer cells and trigger the process of cancer cell death (apoptosis).

Alzheimer's disease: Resveratrol may protect nerve cells from damage and the buildup of plaque that can lead to Alzheimer's.

Diabetes: Resveratrol helps prevent insulin resistance, a condition in which the body becomes less sensitive to the effects of the blood sugar-lowering hormone, insulin. Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes. (webmd.com)

While red wine is seen as the best way for the body to absorb resveratrol (because it is absorbed in the mouth and is least susceptible to oxidation), there are many supplements on the market capitalizing on the new-found, super-compound. They come in pill, powder, tablet and liquid forms. So while the jury is still out on the definitive benefits, resveratrol has the potential to be a very powerful substance.

Have you ever set out on an afternoon picnic with a bottle of wine only to have overlooked the need of a corkscrew? Unless you have some amazing MacGyver skills, you’re probably out of luck. However, if you’re in the Oregon area, you may be near a retail location to find Copa di Vino: individual glasses of wine ready for your on-the-go lifestyle. In practical terms the company has created packaging that now provides the same convenience as beer and pre-mixed drinks. And it wasn’t easy. Developing a seal without the heat or pressure that could damage the wine took quite a while. The 100% recycleable plastic container also features a resealable lid. The packaging has received considerable attention (including a silver DuPont award), and the company currently offers merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and pinot gris varietals.

The DuPont Award winners for 2010 were just announced at the end of May, continuing the virtual forum format from last year. The winners proved breakthroughs in packaging with innovative developments, cost/waste reduction and improved sustainability. Diamond winners proved excellence in all three areas while Gold winners demonstrated excellence in two criteria. Silver winners were selected for their breakthrough innovation, and notable honorees were given recognition for innovative problem solving. 

Only two submissions were given the prestigious honor of a Diamond DuPont award: the GREENBOX reusable thermal management system, a sustainably-produced container used to transport sensitive medical supplies, as well as Exal Corporation’s “Coil to Can” (C2C) recyclable aluminum bottle.

To see all of the award-winning packaging innovators, click here.

Green labels are the featured topic in this month’s Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine. Utilizing eco-friendly labels is a growing trend for the wine industry:

Until recently, even the industry's most eco-minded wineries were reluctant to trade their virgin-paper labels for the added expense of recycled paper stock. Yet that's starting to change. Increased label options - from new recycled paper stocks to soy-based and waterless inks - now make it easier for wineries to extend their eco-friendly practices to their labels.

While it’s true the cost for PCW labels is greater than virgin paper labels because of the increased labor costs to produce the material, many wineries are finding that the sustainable label is worth the cost. Dion has the following eco-friendly offerings:

• Water soluble adhesives which allow labels to be washed off their containers, so the recycling process for containers is much simpler.
• Water-based, solvent-free inks are used in most conventional printing operations.
• A variety of eco-friendly material ranging from various levels of post-consumer paper, "tree-free" paper, and biodegradable films.

To request our eco-friendly samples, click here. And to read more about eco-friendly labeling options and how wineries are using them, read the full article here.

We’ve seen quite a few articles pop up about Pantone’s new iPhone app that gives access to their library of color. At first it had the initial “Great!” reaction, but then some of the pitfalls began to show their true colors—excuse the pun. Research done by VIGC showed that depending on which device you are using, the same Pantone color can look different on each device (above compares the Pantone 37-5-1 C on the iPhone 3G to the iPod Touch), which is different still compared to the GoeGuide seen below. Though to be fair, “Pantone does not represent the product as a precise color measuring tool” (graphicartsonline.com).  

For the reasons listed above, we often recommend color press proofs for labels that must match a certain color scheme. It is important that our customers realize the Pantone color they see on screen is usually very different from the actual Pantone color in a PMS book. Likewise, the printout from their laser or inkjet desktop printer may be different from both resources. With flexographic printing (which uses printing plates and ink stations), we can adjust color on press to match a Pantone color. In digital printing, this process is not so simple because the colors are all printed at once. A customer’s artwork file needs to be adjusted for color and then sent to the press for printing. Digital press proofs are printed using the exact HP Indigo equipment used to print your label order. These proofs are printed on the same material your labels will be printed on and can also be coated with UV varnish or lamination. So, as a customer, if you just want a dark blue without a specific Pantone match, you may forgo press proofs. However, if your logo is a specific shade of blue used among multiple products- then press proofs are the right option for you. When in doubt, get a press proof!  

Have you ever wondered how some businesses came up with their names? Or are you an entrepreneur trying to decide on the company or product name for your next venture? Well this slideshow proves that sometimes the biggest company names have come about pretty haphazardly. So when you and your partner are battling over whose name goes first, just flip a coin!

When listening to a friend, relative, or even complete stranger in a time of need, have you ever said, "I know how to you feel"? Often times we may not have had the exact same experience, but the shared empathy can be comforting. The same concept is carried over to the business world when we attempt to get into the minds of our customers. And now technology is providing ways to truly experience life from another person’s perspective. The Georgia Tech Research Institute has developed gloves to simulate the struggle of those suffering from arthritis. It is estimated that approximately 46 million people in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis; in 2003–2005, 50% of adults 65 years or older reported an arthritis diagnosis (CDC). This has huge implications for a company’s R&D, especially for products marketed to the aging population of baby boomers. Ease of use should be a significant factor for such products and their packaging. Rumor has it that Kraft has already caught on quickly to this concept, using the arthritis gloves to test their "EZ Grip Lid" for a new instant coffee jar. It’s evidence of a deeper understanding of their target market. How well do you know yours?

Marketers are constantly scrambling for design solutions that stand out, communicate credibility, convey value, resonate with consumers, compel purchase and promote loyalty. Finding these solutions, however, is not easy.

One way to know what's happening broadly with consumer brands and packaging is to attend industry-specific events and shows. In the United States, some of the most important consumer products shows include the Food Marketing Institute Show (FMI), Natural Products Expo, Fancy Food Show, Boston Seafood Show, Dairy-Deli-Bake, All Candy Expo, Toy Fair, International Home + Housewares Show, National Hardware Show, Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, New York International Gift Fair, International Beauty Show (IBS) and Cosmoprof. While there are countless others, attending these will give you a good idea of what's going on in U.S. retail marketing and packaging design.

For the complete article, click here.

Typically speaking the only significance barcodes have for consumers is product identification and the chorus of beeping sounds at checkout counters. They’ve become a hardly-noticed, but occasionally mimicked symbol in society (you can even click here to turn yourself into a barcode, or here to learn how UPC's work). But with the introduction of programs such as scanning and bagging your own groceries as you shop, consumers may be more apt to look at barcodes . And one company in Japan is showing how to have a little bit of fun with packaging barcodes. We’ve seen the trend popping up on a few products in foreign markets, but has anyone found examples here in the U.S.?

2009 marked the first full year for Dion’s blog, so we decided to take a moment to reflect on some of its highlights. With almost 200 entries this year we had a lot of options for choosing our favorites! Here are the top blogs we selected:

Products we’ve blogged about and tried:

"Neuro Brand Beverages": Stacy and I were lucky enough to receive samples all the way from the west coast of this product line. We loved everything from the product itself to the unique bottle design.

Colgate Wisp Blogs: Stacy likes these blogs, because not only were she and Karly able to write about these new products, but they also took the time to try them and decide how the design of the product actually had a functional purpose: the cool blue dot in the middle held the brush-able tasty liquid that helped clean our teeth, the fancy swish at the end acted as a toothpick.

• "Colgate Wisps: Hit or Miss?"
• "Brush on the go!"

"The Dear Hunter": This blog was near and dear to my heart not only because I love the design of the case but I’m also a huge fan. I also surprised myself with my respectable amateur photography skills.

Blogs highlighting good causes:

"October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month": Incorporating so many elements related to one important cause made this blog special. Non-profit organizations, products, television, celebrities, and even the world of dance came together to show support for breast cancer awareness.

"Labels Raise Awareness": Provided insight to companies that utilize their labels in raising money (and increasing sales) to help fight a disease. It’s a unique way of using labels. Some tell a story, some have funky shapes and designs… and some help save lives!

Some lighter moments:

"Sunscreen is no laughing matter!": This blog also falls into the above category, but funny man Will Ferrell always brings a little something extra. (You may have recently seen his engagement photo "crash" in the New York Times). They say that getting someone to laugh and then giving them important information helps them to retain the message. Ferrell certainly gets our attention on sun protection.

"Update on Blue Q": Once we quieted our giggles over the new humorous products from Blue Q, we stumbled upon the videos of their sales team and were off again. We’re not sure about you, but the leg lifts get us every time!

The most highlighted rebranding failure of the year:

Tropicana Blogs: The blogs about the whole Tropicana debacle is cool because it shows why packaging is such a key component of selling a product. From a marketer’s point of view, it also explains why so much research needs to go into brand changes to increase (not decrease!) sales.

• "PepsiCo and Carbon Trust Unite"
• "Out with the new, In with the Old?"

What were your favorite moments?

We hate to be pessimistic, but we wanted to give you a chance to say goodbye to some products, companies, stores, etc. that have either already closed or plan to stop production during or before next year. Either way, you won’t be seeing the following in 2010:

• Heading to the Ben & Jerry’s flavor graveyard: Chocolate Almond Nougat (formerly: The Gobfather), Vermont Python, Strawberries & Cream Light, Ginger Snap, and Coconut Almond Fudge Chip
• Max Factor makeup in the U.S.
• Prescriptives skin care and makeup from Estee Lauder
• Kodak Kodachrome film
• Hershey’s Cacao Reserve and Starbucks chocolate
• Nivea’s facial product line
• Kraft’s South Beach Diet frozen entrees
• Pillsbury Perfect Portions biscuits
• Kraft Roka Blue cheese spread
• Aparts and Joose (caffeinated alcoholic beverages) from Anheuser-Busch & Miller
• Harley-Davidson’s Buell Motorcycles
• Abercrombie & Fitch’s brand Ruehl
• Smith 7 Hawken garden stores
• Virgin Megastores
• Circuit City
• Microsoft Money & Encarta
• 300 different coins from the U.S. Mint
• 140 American banks (only 25 closed in 2008)
• GM’s production of the Pontiac brand ended, and Saturn vehicles will end in October
• Speaking of halted vehicle production, Toyota Solara, Dodge Durango, Mercury Sable and Honda S2000 will be no more.
• Magazines: Gourmet, Southern Accents, Metropolitan Home, Vibe, Nickelodeon, Travel & Leisure Golf, National Geographic Adventure, Blender, Domino, and Portfolio
• TV shows (some not so surprising): ER, Guiding Light, MADtv, Monk, According to Jim, Battlestar Galactia , Deal or No Deal, Everybody Hates Chris, Without a Trace
• Retired sports figures: John Madded, Bobby Bowden, Tony Dungy, Alonzo Mourning, Curt Schilling, Oscar De La Hoya, Tedy Bruschi, Lisa Leslie, Amelie Mauresmo

We’re trying to hold in our disappointment for some things on this list, too. Hopefully an upswing in the economy will bring even better things. For the complete list, click here.

The Dieline is a great source for the latest in packaging releases and upcoming designers. The website recently posted their list of 50 favorite liquor packaging designs. With so many innovative packaging concepts it’s no wonder that browsing the liquor selection can be overwhelming. It can create a sensory overload with so many companies vying for consumer attention.  But companies in this industry are producing some wonderful designs. Some of my favorites from this selection come from Hennessey, 267, Patron, Glenrothes, Samurai, Milagro, and several appearances from Absolut. However, one of my picks from Absolut—Absolut Rock—is missing from the list. To check out the rest of the list, click here!

My friends and I have been exchanging Lolita glassware gifts for years, and it’s been great to see the company grow to extend their product offerings. What began as hand-decorated martini glasses eventually broadened to wine, champagne, and shot glasses as well as beer pilsners. Today, you can also find margarita glasses, hot beverage glasses, sundae bowls, ornaments, flasks, and most recently gel candles. The designs cover a broad range of events that inspire the gathering of friends from birthdays and holidays to girls’ nights out and even divorce. You’ll be sure to find a theme appropriate for any personality… even golf-loving men. As an added bonus the glasses come with a drink recipe to fit the theme.

The recent addition of candles to the Lolita line brings another great gift, and it appears as though if properly cleaned the glass can be used after the candle has burned completely. They are currently offered in wine, champagne and martini glasses. For a look at more Lolita gifts, click here!

UPDATE: Last week we wrote a blog about Blue Q products. We recently came across these videos of the Blue Q sales team. They are sure to put a smile on your face! And we're pretty sure we'd buy anything from them!

The 2009 Pentawards were recently announced and crowned the Kleenex "Slice of Summer" as Best in Show giving Kimberly-Clark the Diamond Pentaward.

Pentawards is the first and only worldwide competition exclusively devoted to packaging design in all its forms. It is open to everybody in all countries who are associated with the creation and marketing of packaging. The winners will receive bronze, silver, gold, platinum or diamond Pentawards according to the creative quality of their work.

The Platinum Pentaward winners receiving nods as the best packaging for the five major categories are:

• Beverages: Turner Duckworth, London & San Francisco, for Coca Cola Summer 2009.
• Food: Nosigner, Tokyo, for Kanpyo Udon
• Body: Wolff Olins, New York, for Living Proof, No Frizz
• Other Markets: Mouse Graphics, Athens, for Petrocoll, Spatula Putty
• Luxury: Dragon Rouge, Paris, for L’Or de Martell.

For a look at all of the winners, click here! The next competition will open on April 5, 2010.

Here’s great news for lactose-intolerant individuals (of age) out there: a cream-flavored liqueur that is completely lactose and dairy-free. Triibe is the first of its kind in that it is a clear cream liqueur made of organic ingredients including charcoal filtered Irish malt whiskey blended with honey and royal jelly. With flavorful hints of vanilla, caramel and chocolate, this liqueur is currently available in the UK, but can be purchased online and shipped internationally. The bottle design is classic and simplistic, but the opaque bottle blocks the liquid’s clear quality. The product itself is highly unique, but it would be great to see some packaging differences in the future. What are your thoughts?

For Triibe’s official website including cocktail recipes, click here.

For those of you in the design field, or if you’re just generally intrigued by stylish packaging, take a look at these unique packaging concepts. The blog is run by a Brazilian-based team enthusiastic about design and the internet. Get inspired!

You may already be familiar with the cold-activated blue mountains on the label of Coors Light bottles. But the company has also recently introduced this feature on 8-, 10-, 12- and 16-ounce Coors Light and Coors Banquet cans. The confidence of serving a perfectly chilled beer is created by thermochromatic ink. This ink on the bottle labels and aluminium cans is temperature sensitive. In these cases, the ink turns color as it cools, but it can also be activated by heat, based on the desired activation temperature.

Boisset has also introduced a Cooldot® on bottles of their Mommessin Beaujolais Grande Reserve. Best served chilled, the Cooldot® spot changes color when the wine temperature is optimal for serving. The aluminum bottle is also more environmentally friendly than the traditional glass wine bottle. Thermochromic ink can be function and style: it is a way to ensure your product is used at its best and an added feature that, if applicable, will make your product stand out.

Dion Label Printing, Inc. has the capability to print thermochromic inks. To request a quote, click here.

Red Truck Wines Launches Exciting New Category with Mini-Barrel

Sam’s Club First to Carry Groundbreaking New 3L Package Starting in March

SONOMA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumers searching for high quality wine in a creative, striking large format need look no further than Red Truck Wines’ new Mini-Barrel, set to launch early March, 2009 in Sam’s Club stores nationwide. With an ingenious trademark- and patent-pending barrel design featuring the iconic wine barrel shape complete with rings, staves, a wood-grain look and burned-in imagery and typography, the Mini-Barrel has a fresh-from-the-winery feel – a driving feature of this inspired new package. The groundbreaking 3L Mini-Barrel, which holds Red Truck’s award winning Red Wine, is equivalent to four 750ml bottles.

“It’s time consumers had the option of a premium quality wine in a format larger than 750ml,” said Carol Reber, Vice President of Marketing at 585 Wine Partners which owns Red Truck Wines. “For anyone who’s ever visited a winery or wished they could, the Mini-Barrel by Red Truck makes the experience come alive in their own home.”

“The Mini-Barrel by Red Truck represents a real breakthrough in both concept and execution,” said Dex McCreary, Senior Merchandise Director, Wine and Spirits, Sam’s Club. “It is just the kind of quality and value proposition we like to offer our members and it brings an innovative and authentic new design to wine enthusiasts.”

Mini-Barrel by Red Truck is being introduced at a time when the consumer is looking to make smart, value-oriented wine purchases. The 3L category, which has been growing significantly in recent months according to data from The Nielsen Company, is appealing not only because the format provides tremendous value but because wines packaged in this way, unlike their 750ml counterparts, stay fresh for up to 40 days. Furthermore, large format packages are widely considered to be more environmentally friendly than glass bottles due to their comparative lighter weight and lower carbon footprint.

“The carbon footprint reduction when you go from glass to this type of packaging is staggering, but until now, consumers have had very few choices in the 3L format,” said Dave Mollison, Director of Production for 585 Wine Partners. “Now they can make a ‘green,’ value-oriented wine purchase without giving up the quality they’ve become accustomed to in the bottle. Plus, the Mini-Barrel is so appealing – it’s a wine they’ll be proud to display on their counter, at parties, barbecues and picnics.”

The Mini-Barrel by Red Truck features an easy pour spout with tamper-proof protection that requires no tearing or “fishing” to get to it. A patent-pending Opti-Flow incline built into the barrel ensures that all wine gets to the spout, so there’s no tipping to get the last glass. The Mini-Barrel will be available nationally later in 2009.

The 2007 Red Truck Red Wine is a blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Made by Winemaker Charlie Tsegeletos, Red Truck Red Wine is consistently a critically-acclaimed, awarding winning wine. In 2008, Food & Wine magazine named the wine’s 2005 vintage one of the “Best American Wines $15 and Under.”

Sam’s Club is a division of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., (NYSE:WMT). The first Sam’s Club opened its doors in Midwest City, Okla., in 1983. Today, Sam’s Club serves more than 47 million U.S. Members with locations nationwide and in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sam’s Club offers exceptional values on merchandise and services for business owners and consumers. Online merchandise and Club information is available at samsclub.com.

Sonoma-based Red Truck Wines are made by winemaker Charlie Tsegeletos, using fine wine grapes from some of California’s most outstanding coastal growing regions for its portfolio of blended and single-varietal wines. The brand is owned and produced by 585 Wine Partners, which was founded by wine industry veterans Dan and Katy Leese and Doug and Becky Walker in 2005. Relying on key partnerships to form and sustain its brands, 585 Wine Partners also produces Picket Fence Russian River Valley Wines, Bivio Italia Wines and Steelhead Wines from Dry Creek Valley. Online information is available at redtruckwine.com.

Bacardi is unveiling new global packaging which features a slimmer bottle and bold, vibrant colored labels. Bacardi is showing off their flavor varieties ranging from Bacardi Razz to Bacardi Coconut, you’ll be sure to find a favorite!

"The new global packaging of the Bacardi Flavored Rum family of brands showcases the bold, vibrant and distinct qualities of these outstanding flavors,"

Bonny Doon Vineyard, the California based vineyard, is making a splash in the wine industry. With their unconventional labels and high quality taste this wine has made a name for itself in the industry, with the help of its eccentric owner, Randall Grahm. When Bonny Doon Vineyard did away with cork tops Grahm actually held a funeral for the cork. Bonny Doon Vineyard uses screw caps for their wines since they are not vulnerable to contamination. It is not the screw caps that make this wine stand out however; it is the unique design of each label that gives this company their mass appeal.

Bonny Doon Vineyard has a handful of designers that use their creative talent to make these labels interesting and distinguishable. Not only is the front label making a splash so is the back label! Bonny Doon is the first wine producer to list their ingredients on the labels. In 2004 Bonny Doon Vineyard switched to organic and biodynamic farming methods to promote green-friendly wine practices. With these new methods in place Randall Grahm felt putting the ingredients on the back labels would help promote biodynamic farming methods as well as warning people about the additives to wine.

Would you like Dion Label Printing, Inc to help you create unique wine labels?

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