Christmas – GWD Blog

Annie’s Ibiza

November 24, 2021

by Toucan Publishing Box Making Christmas Design Presentation Packaging

In late 2019 I received a call (and later a visit) here at GWD Towers from an old school friend. Adrian Doble, a well known business mentor was doing a bit of investigative work into potential packaging suppliers for his daughter’s burgeoning fashion business.

The daughter in question is Annie Doble, the founder and owner of Annie’s Ibiza who specializes in ‘a mix of eclectic and rare, one-of-a-kind pieces. Each and every piece is handpicked by Annie herself and is a reflection of her own wardrobe, with a majority of the pieces being exclusively available to Annie’s Ibiza.’

Annie originally just had the one shop in Ibiza, which was opened in 2018 but early on it attracted a very famous clientele, including the likes of Kate Moss. The shop was incredibly successful and attracted a huge amount of press interest in magazines such as Tatler, Vogue and Marie Claire. Subsequently, Annie has opened a new outlet in Carnaby Street, London . Here is an excellent article with Annie that appeared in the London Times.

At the start of the pandemic in early 2020, Annie had already established a strong online presence and recognised the need in her business (and with her pedigree of client) for a more ‘presentational’ box for her online sales. She was already buying good quality carrier bags and had established a branding which was a fairly bright orange with her logo in gold foil, so our task was to match it and produce a high quality presentation box. We managed to find an uncoated orange paper that was an excellent match to Annie’s house colour. The quality of the paper further enhances the quality and feel of the box.

Thus far we have made just the one (style of) box for her for, she has ordered it on three occasions, however we are currently developing two other boxes for her. Annie is said to be delighted with them. At GWD we are proud to be one of her valued suppliers and hope to continue to be part of her growing success!

-Noel.

Noel Greenwood is the Managing Director of GWD Ltd, the designers and manufacturers of presentation and promotional packaging. You can reach him on (01279) 416093 or at the company’s website: www.gwd.ltd.uk

Christmas, Covid19 and What to Expect….

November 13, 2020

by Toucan Publishing Christmas

Christmas is likely to be an awful lot different this year.

Back in the nineties, HRH The Queen was widely quoted as describing 1992 as her ‘annus horriblis’. 2020 has been the annus horriblis for a great many people, as numerous memes over Facebook are very happy to remind us!

At the moment it’s hard to imagine what the festive season will bring. Our part of Essex had been assigned as ‘Tier 2’ in the Government’s scheme designating the regional severity of the Covid19 virus. Many parts of the UK were ‘Tier 3’, the most restrictive category. Subsequently, Wales has implemented a ‘firebreak’ and England has enforced its second full lockdown on November 4^th, although fortunately for us, manufacturing has been allowed to continue. The lockdown is due to end on December the 2^nd, but who can be certain of what may ensue? It seems clear though that there will be a return to a ‘tier’ system at least.

In ‘Tier 3’ people are forbidden to associate with any other household – either indoors or out. The ‘rule of 6’ is likely to apply to all of us throughout December. Christmas cheer might be hard to find this year.

Christmas presentation boxes for online sales

For many of our clients the closure of retail outlets prior to Christmas is a scary prospect. However, as we have described in this blog before many of them have concentrated their efforts towards online sales. We would like to show a few examples of our work here, which has helped with this online sales process.

The images above show examples of presentation boxes we have made this year for our friends at Bettys of Harrogate. As frequent readers of our blog will know we have been enjoying a great business relationship with Bettys for many years. The top image shows a Christmas chocolate box with gold foiling on the lid and window. It features environmentally friendly dividers for the 24 chocolates. We are always extremely happy to offer environmental solutions to all of our clients. The second image shows two Christmas hamper boxes (also for Bettys) in two sizes and shapes. As we’ve mentioned before, we are proud to be one of a very few packaging suppliers in the UK who can provide circular ‘hat’ boxes for our customers.

Above is an advent calendar box made for the (predominantly) high street brand, Lush. This packaging incorporates removable trays, a hinged lid with ribbon stays and brass locks and handles. It’s a relatively complex piece of packaging but this image does display the kind of work we are capable of here at GWD!

Anyway – the gears of industry grind on…socially distanced and abiding by all Covid19 guidelines of course. We continue to help our clients display and present their goods in the best possible light.

Who knows what Christmas may be like? Hopefully it will be as merry and cheerful as it possibly can be. At GWD LTD we’d certainly like to take this opportunity (a little prematurely, perhaps) to wish all of our friends and customers a happy and joyous festive holiday!

– Noel.

Summer’s Here and we’re Working towards Christmas!

June 30, 2020

by Toucan Publishing Christmas

Amazing (and incongruous) as it may seem, this week we have begun printing on our first Christmas projects!

This isn’t unusual of course – most companies will want their Christmas designs and packaging completed well before the Holiday period so they can concentrate on their distribution and marketing. Many of our customers want production samples as soon as possible (for photography). Despite all of the difficulties of the past few months, companies are planning to make the very most from Christmas this year, whether their product is chocolates, gift food, cakes, hampers, cosmetics or fashion accessories.

However, it does seem a little odd to be working on Advent calendars when it’s 31 degrees outside!

We can’t show you what we’ve been working on this year yet for commercial and legal reasons, but it’s always nice to showcase come of our previous work. Below is an advent calendar we made a few years ago for the chocolatiers Prestat who often send us their designs in June or July…

Advent calendar packaging for chocolatiers

Moving away from chocolate (temporarily, at least) here’s another advent calendar created for the high-street brand Lush which featured in our blog late last year…

It’s not just Advent calendars of course – here’s a selection of recent Christmas packaging we’ve created for the lovely Bettys of Harrogate,

And here’s a great example of a round hamper box we made for the same company a few years ago –

We can (and regularly do) design and manufacture packaging for other Christmas products. The box below is a good example of a bespoke packaging solution with a Yuletide theme,

Bespoke packaging for Christmas products

We have also been working with Cornelia James (glove makers to the Queen, and holders of the Royal warrant). We have featured some of this work in this blog previously. It seems that they have been experiencing something of a boom in sales this year, maybe connected to the need to wear gloves for protection. What better gloves are there to wear than those sported by Her Majesty? Here’s an image of the latest box we created for Cornelia James –

So our factory here in Essex is busy with Christmas 2020, six months in advance! We may not be covered in glitter or singing carols yet, but it’s difficult not to feel the teeniest bit festive.

If you know anyone who is for help with their Christmas packaging, please do not hesitate to put them in touch.

– Noel.

Noel Greenwood is the Managing Director of GWD Ltd, the designers and manufacturers of presentation and promotional packaging.  You can reach him on (01279) 416093 or at the company’s website: www.gwd.ltd.uk

A Luxury Advent Calendar for ‘Lush’

September 27, 2019

by Toucan Publishing Advent Calendar Box Making Christmas Manufacturing Presentation Packaging Specialist Packaging

We realise it’s only September and this might seem a little early to be talking about Advent calendars, but for the brands creating them for the festive season this is probably a bit late in the year!

Advent calendars have evolved and changed over the past decade. Being of a err, certain age, it’s easy to remember the examples we were given back in the 70s and 80s: tiny little things, poorly manufactured with cheap glittery ‘windows’ which always broke off and contained one mysterious lump of cheap chocolate.

Advent calendars are no longer just a gift for children. Nowadays, couples buy each other advent calendars containing miniatures of craft gin, whiskeys and even beauty products! A case in point is this stunning 24 day creation made for the high street brand ‘Lush’

We have worked with Lush on several occasions before as detailed in this blog. Lush, as you may well know are an environmentally friendly company, who invest only in organic produce. They are carbon neutral and against animal testing. They were, not surprisingly, insistent that the packaging for their advent calendar met with their strict environmental policies (which was certainly not an issue with us). This meant that the product was entirely biodegradable and even forbade the use of magnetic closures – a recyclable, UK produced ribbon was sourced and used in their stead.

Please take a look at the video below – shot by Lush at our factory in Harlow, Essex, which shows some of the techniques we used in the construction of the packaging.

GWD Ltd are one of a very few companies in the UK who can carry out this standard of work. This project was in development for several months. Whilst the idea was conceived by Lush, it was GWD who developed it through a number of sampling phases. Taking their design and concept, GWD created a final product that not only looks fabulous, but works in a practical sense too.

One of the objectives was to create a product that could have a additional function too. Once Christmas has passed and all 24 of the gifts have been opened, the customer is left with a beautiful and functional box which can be used to store keepsakes or beauty products. We have touched on this in our blog before, notably ‘Primary and Secondary Packaging Functions’ . The recipient of the advent calendar is unlikely to throw away such a stylish item, particularly as it was constructed so as the internal boxes and dividers could be easily removed, making it simple to re-use.

The fact that the item is hence displayed prominently in the customer’s household for a number of years, is a very subtle form of marketing – a reminder of the brand and the quality of their products.

Only 500 Lush 2019 Advent calendars were created. We’re unsure when they eventually sold out but after being launched online 92 were sold within the first 18minutes!!

Chocolatiers, Christmas and GWD Limited

December 20, 2018

by Toucan Publishing Chocolate box Christmas Hamper boxes Hat shaped boxes

So Christmas is here once again and at GWD Towers we’re busier than a whole Grotto of Santa’s Elves! Some of the Christmas packaging we make for our clients is designed and manufactured by the end of Summer, but because we deal with so many different kinds of businesses we are also at full tilt, right up to the last moment.

Not that this is a ‘Bah Humbug’ type of post, far from it Christmas is, naturally, a hectic time for the packaging industry and we’ve been very busy indeed this year creating hamper boxes, advent calendars and special presentation/gift boxes for products, as well as more generic boxes such as those in the image above. These are more generic products that shops or outlets pack themselves, perhaps adding a ribbon or similar embellishment.

We have mentioned elsewhere in this blog that we are one of the very few companies in the UK that can produce round ‘hat’ boxes, and these are very popular with chocolatiers and hamper companies, particularly for this season. The boxes above are produced for Betty’s of Harrogate, one of the premier chocolatiers and gift food companies in the country. Most years, Betty’s will contact us with new ideas or designs and the packaging will be updated.

Presentation packaging for chocolatiers and chocolate boxes

In the image above are some more boxes made for Betty’s further illustrating what we can do for chocolate companies. The rectangular box (top left) has a gold foil blocked clear window, allowing the chocolates to be viewed in their full glory. This is achieved with the use of a ‘cavity wall tray’, the gold frame, which sits inside the box, which is invisible until it’s opened. The smaller box in the photo is a generic, shouldered box made for Betty’s, that is turned into a Christmas box with the use of a sleeve. This is a great idea for companies who wish to brand their products for particular seasons or events – the box itself remains the same but the sleeve can be redesigned on demand.

We also supply smaller independent shops and outlets with our high-quality rigid boxes. These circular boxes (above), although quite complex to manufacture, can be produced in relatively small runs and are ideal for chocolates! If you would like us to help you present your chocolates (or indeed any other product) in it’s best possible light – please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

And Merry Christmas!!

Christmas packaging from GWD Ltd

December 8, 2017

by Simon Thomas Box Making Christmas Presentation Packaging Uncategorized

We are certainly getting into the Christmas spirit here at GWD

Christmas is always a busy time for us here at GWD and is a period which we start early on in the year (sometimes as early as May!). We have been receiving orders thick and fast for our luxury and bespoke packaging services for quite a few months now, so in order for us to fulfil these orders planning and preparation is key!

As you will see in this blog, we are able to give those all-important corporate and personal gifts a bit of Christmas sparkle each and every year. This week we have been working on Bettys of Harrogate’s packaging.

‘Bettys’ opened in 1919 by Swiss confectioner Frederick Belmont. He mistakenly travelled to Yorkshire and the rest is history! Bettys has grown from strength to strength and is now classed as one of the UK’s top confectioners!

Bettys have chosen a range of shapes and sizes so that their products are delivered and displayed in style this festive period (and ‘style’ they will receive!). One of our favourites is the simple yet sophisticated round hat box which they are taking in 2 different sizes.

AT GWD Ltd, we remain one of the very few firms in the UK who can manufacture circular or semi-circular boxes in-house with the help of our ‘know how’ and bespoke machinery. It’s not only the artwork, or the company name which can help attract attention… it can be as simple as the shape of the box! So be different, be unique and get creative with us. We love a challenge!

Bettys Christmas design this year is based around the idea of an ‘Enchanted Forest’ which captures Christmas perfectly. Bettys believe in and encourage the use of local produce from dairy products to vegetables so where is best to set the scene…? Yorkshire, of course! Locally sourced produce has been a fundamental element at Bettys since day one which is something that we were keen to convey in the packaging design.

Excerpt of ‘The Enchanted Forest’ – full version can be seen in Bettys Christmas catalogue

It’s Christmas Eve in a Yorkshire town

A blanket of snow lies on the ground

Two children in Bettys choosing some treats

Gifts for the family and cakes for a feast…

It is often said that people ‘eat with their eyes’ so we knew that we wanted the appearance of the box to be just as impressive as the treats inside. A simplistic shape with the quality and feel of something that screams out luxury was the objective.

Christmas Packaging from GWD

Bettys hat boxes will hold a range of deliciousness including Fruit Jellies, Classic Onion Chutney, The Swiss Chocolate Shortbread Box, a Christmas Fruitcake Portion and SO MUCH MORE! Getting peckish? Us too! Due to their purpose, the round hat boxes had to have depth and a sturdy structure which has been crafted using the best quality materials along with our outstanding attention to detail.

The workmanship that goes into our products, especially these round hat boxes, can be very complex and time-consuming. That said, our talented and experienced team of in-house designers and cardboard engineers have become extremely well versed in addressing the complexities in packaging.

LIFT THE LID ON DELICIOUSNESS

Please don’t sit there and think that the feasibility of your design is ‘out of the question’ without speaking to GWD Ltd first, because you won’t know until you’ve tried! Call us with your ideas and I’m sure we can create packaging which is perfect for your business and your product.

Christmas is extremely important to us here at GWD Ltd. So if you are looking to stand out amongst the already-crowded retail shelves next Christmas, give us a call and we can help pack your gifts with creativity and finesse!

Merry Christmas to you all! GWD Ltd. Team

GWD Ltd are designers and manufacturers of
presentation and promotional packaging.
You can reach then on (01279) 416 093 or at the company’s website: www.gwd.ltd.uk

Christmas Retail Packaging

December 13, 2016

by Simon Thomas Box Making Christmas Design Manufacturing Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging

It will surprise no one that Christmas plays a major role in the presentation packaging industry. For us, however, Christmas starts very early in the year! Companies creating advent calendars like the one below created for Prestat will often send us their designs in May or June.

where can I get an advent calendar made? — “Where can I get an advent calendar made?”

Similarly, major brands like Lush will have their Christmas packaging planned and manufactured well in advance, for example the ‘Karma’ box below. Christmas, of course, is a massively important time for the retail sector as people purchase gifts, decorations, and supplies to celebrate. In retail the Christmas period is customarily defined as the six weeks up to December 24^th – a period that traditionally sees c.18% of the annual retail spend. It isn’t surprising that companies make such an extra effort with their packaging for the Christmas season.

Here at GWD we’ve been creating Christmas packaging since the early 1990s, so there’s little we haven’t seen over the last twenty five years or so. Below, for example, is a selection of Christmas pudding boxes we made for Bettys (chocolatiers), The Dorchester Hotel and The RAC Club.

Circular boxes for presentation packaging

At GWD Ltd we remain one of the very few firms in the UK who can manufacture circular or semi-circular boxes, which really do help your product to stand out from the crowd.

Circular chocolate boxes manufacture uk — Circular chocolate boxes manufacture UK

The hamper box above, again created for Bettys, gives a fantastic first impression to the potential consumer. Surely anyone who has gone to such great lengths over their choice of presentation packaging simply MUST have a great product that they’re offering? The same can be said for this gorgeous Christmas ‘Chest’, created for another chocolatier….

….and also theses lovely chocolate boxes below in their different shapes and sizes. The workmanship that goes into these creations can be extremely complex and often time-consuming. That said our team of in-house designers and cardboard engineers have become extremely well versed in addressing complex packaging problems. If you have any questions regarding the feasibility of packaging designs for your product please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Christmas is a hugely important time in retail. If you are looking to make your product stand out for next Christmas season give GWD a call!

Specialist Presentation Packaging for Candle Makers

December 9, 2015

by Simon Thomas Box Making Christmas Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging Specialist Packaging

At GWD Ltd we have been making specialist presentation packaging for nearly thirty years. We have covered everything from corporate and promotional packs to boxes for flowers, chocolates or gifts. With the festive season so soon to be upon us, gifts are obviously at the forefront of a great many people’s minds and what better helps to capture that Christmas magic than candles? That flickering light, the scent of cinnamon or pine, all combine to create that special feeling we’ve all known and loved since childhood. With our specialist presentation packaging, either chosen by you to fit your specifications or designed and created by us based on your own concept, that experience and atmosphere can begin before the lucky recipient has even opened the box!

As we are sure you’re aware, beautiful products need beautiful packaging, and your candles deserve only the best to highlight and accentuate the promise of their wonderful aroma.

And your candles would be in very good company- GWD Ltd have designed candle boxes for prestigious/world famous hotels, like this beautiful box for Amor et Psyche supplied to the Dorchester for a coffee scented candle. For Amor et Psyche (who hand-pour all their own candles) we created a box that promised that dark, smooth scent and enhanced the beauty of the candle itself.

Candle boxes for No 22, own brand and personalised
(a service GWD can offer)

Whatever your needs, whether you have a firm design in mind already or would like us to work with you to create the best specialist presentation packaging solution for your candles, we can guarantee you a box people will love to give or receive. If you prefer, our designers can work with your own graphic artists to come up with something that will fit your existing brand strategy, or we would be just as happy for you to give us a basic concept to work from and leave the rest to us.

Candle box for Laurence Christel with ribbon lid lift

Of course, Christmas can also be a very stressful time due to the time-pressure involved. As we are not only the designers and creators of our packaging, but also the manufacturers, we have direct control over lead times. This makes us ideally-placed to deliver a first-class service for even your ‘rush’ jobs. Although we are proud to do our manufacturing in Britain, if volumes and lead times allow we also have the option of a Far East production facility.

Let your customers have an extra taste of the magic of Christmas with a GWD Ltd presentation box for their festive candles.

Amor et Psyche own brand Candle and Diffuser boxes
(see their website to buy direct)

The 12 (okay five) rules of Christmas packaging

December 2, 2014

by seb Christmas Design Manufacturing Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging

Dare we say it? I think we do dare. Deck the halls, people! It’s time to put up the tree, do a little dance, sing a little song, drink a little drink (as long as it’s mulled) and get into the holiday spirit.

Make your Christmas product more attractive with prepossessing packaging

November 25, 2013

by seb Box Making Christmas Design Manufacturing Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging

Image courtesy of thephotoholid / FreeDigitalPhotos.net — Image courtesy of thephotoholic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

There’s no escaping it, it’s that time of the year again. The Coca Cola advert has been aired, and for most this signals yuletide rolling into town for one more year. Love it or hate it, Christmas is here for the next month or so, so it’s time to get prepared.