SPOTLIGHT: Housewares

Decorative Tubes Prove a
Perfect Fit for Premium Holiday Candles

The Caldrea Company produces dozens of high-end fragrant household cleaning products under a seal of "Aromatherapeutic HousekeepingÅ" and a philosophy of "not just keeping house, but keeping home." In extending their brand into all areas of home fragrance, they have marketed a line of candles in some of their most popular fragrances.

When Caldrea wanted to bump up their presence at retail with a limited edition holiday promotion, they asked a familiar partner, Chicago Paper Tube & Can Company Inc. The paperboard packaging specialist met the many challenges presented by these containers, and brought the stunning design concepts to fruition with design and craftsmanship, making the most of their manufacturing capabilities.

This Caldrea limited edition packaging showcases many capabilities, advantages, and features that luxury round paperboard packaging can offer.

A fusion of ideas

The concept was to develop a high-end, sturdy round box that would handsomely and securely house a heavy glass-enclosed candle. It was a challenge because of the fusion of deco techniques and materials that had to slide together comfortably, topped off with printing and foil stamping on all the surfaces.

The unusual round shape is more protective than a square or rectangular carton because there are no corners, and the curved surface highlights the graphic designs and foil stamping. The package is opened by pulling on a thick velvet ribbon secured at the top, and the "telescoping" provides an enjoyable discovery moment as hidden art and text circling around the base is revealed.

"It's kind of a surprise when you open it up and see what's inside," says Chrissy Cabay, account manager at Chicago Paper Tube & Can Company Inc. Cabay feels the overall presentation produces a high-end reflection of the product inside. "It's a great combination of graphic elements that go well with the shape," says Cabay. The art reflects the Eastern roots of fragrance components, creating an "exotic luxe" feel.

The finishing touches

The ornate graphic design by Robyn Warmbo at Warmbo Design made the most of the curved surfaces. The oriental tapestry design is set off by ornate type and a pin stripe motif that connects the base and top of the lid. All of these fine lines, small dots, and intricate patterns were produced in tight register, and the foil stamping was performed at Delta Press in Franklin Park, IL.

The tubes are of a spiral construction, and start out all white. In keeping with the antiquity theme, virtually no synthetic materials were used, and the containers are 100% paperboard. The decanted sheets are printed flat, laminated top and bottom, and glued to the tubes. The green and orange PMS colors on the exterior are matched very closely to the colors of the candle wax inside.

Chicago Paper Tube & Can had to specially design the custom-flocked insert to hold the candle securely in place. The piece couldn't be a simple wedge fit because like many glass tumblers, the base was not perfectly round. The insert had to be designed for the widest spot, and had to be consistently reproduced in order to do its job in every package.