Designer's Corner

by David Brier

The job of every package and branding strategy is to carve out a niche and strengthen a product's differentiation. The trick is to convey a relevant brand message, and that requires knowing exactly what triggers a consumer to buy and what roles design, branding savvy, and innovation play in this equation. [more]

At One in Taiwan

by Jennifer Tsai

Despite its small geographic size, Taiwan is a dynamic capitalist economy that holds fourth place in market share in Asia. Taiwan's design and marketing firms are part of an economic evolution that is developing thoughtful and targeted marketing strategies in product development and package design. [more]

Workflow: Reliable Color Reproduction

by Noel Jeffrey

To maintain their distinctive looks, brand owners strive for consistent color reproduction regardless of substrate or material—anywhere in the world. Modern tools for designers, prepress houses, and printers are increasing confidence that colors can stay within tolerance limits no matter where they are printed. [more]

Profile: Diamond Packaging

by Ron Romanik

For over 90 years, Diamond Packaging has dedicated itself to providing quality, innovative, and cost-effective packaging for their customers. Diamond and its contract packaging arm continue to invest in a variety of folding carton and plastic construction equipment, and to invest in expert design personnel. [more]

The Front Panel

by Jay Singh

Pharmaceutical packaging requirements are now being extended to cover such criteria as the prevention of tampering and counterfeiting, the assertion of product dispensing accuracy, and the promotion of patient compliance with product dosage schedules. Labeling design is under particular scrutiny. [more]

Forum: Design Tools and Creativity

Web-based design tools and research tools are becoming more and more prevalent in the package design industry. How these tools might affect creativity in the short- and long-term is a topic open for debate. The character of package design may be on shifting sand because of today's rapid turnaround climate. [more]

Luxe Pack Preview

Luxe Pack New York kicks off the Luxe year with two days (May 17 and 18) at New York's Metropolitan Pavilion. Show organizers will present a variety of packaging innovations and a variety of show content, led by the "What's New?" panel discussion moderated by Marc Rosen. [more]

Sustainable Packaging Update

by Wendy Jedlicka

Sustainability is about making products that don't make us sick to produce, own, or dispose of. And it's about creating systems and solutions that are long-term and forward thinking. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition developed a definition of "sustainable packaging" that helps companies work toward a similar vision. [more]

Pack Expo Countdown

Packaging solutions in design, materials, and machinery will once again crowd the floor of Pack Expo International 2006, being held October 29th to November 2nd at Chicago's McCormick Place. To impress upon would-be attendees the insights to be gained Pack Expo, Ben Miyares responds to a few questions, such as "What's involved in successful branding?" [more]

Wow! What a Package

by David Luttenberger

Considering the fact that the venerable barcode's first commercial packaging application predates the Korean War, one would think the printed zebra stripes are about as cutting-edge as ring-pull tabs on two-piece steel cans. So why do 14-year-old girls connect with a barcode printed on the back panel of a pouch of soup? [more]

Spotlights

A look at the products, packages, and technologies making news in a sampling of key packaging fields.

Spotlight: Pharmaceutical

Chloraseptic Remedies [more]

Spotlight: Food & Beverage

Lucini Pasta Sauces [more]

Spotlight: Technology

Franklin Electronic Devices [more]

Departments

Publisher's Letter
Sustainability Update
In the News
Package Designers Datebook