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

Hang On To Your Hat!

July 26, 2017

by Simon Thomas Box Making Design Hat shaped boxes Manufacturing Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging

Over the years we’ve created a number of bespoke packaging solutions for florists and occasionally even milliners. We continue to be one of a very few companies in the UK who have the ability to create circular ‘Hat’ boxes. What we also do, however, which is perhaps slightly less known, is that we create packaging in the shape of headwear as promotional packaging for events or special occasions.

Top hats, such as the ones above created for The Ritz (London), are a firm favourite and give a great sense of panache and style for any promotional event. Normally these would be used for chocolates, but could be for any trinket or smaller product.

We have recently created a number of cardboard ‘boaters’ for The Chocolate Shop in Sevenoaks

who specialize in fondants, truffles and high-end chocolate delights, and while in this instant the company themselves added the lovely touch of adding ribbons and decorations….

…GWD can also offer this finishing service as with the personalised ribbon used on the top hat boxes above. As the top lid is removed one is left with a very stylish example of presentation packaging at it’s finest, with the contents displayed at their very best.

where can I get boxes made? — Where can I get boxes made?

We have been making these mortarboard hats (below) for many years, mainly for a couple of hotels in Oxford to celebrate student graduation season (and to promote themselves too, naturally)…

The small size has always contained chocolates, but on another occasion we were commissioned to make a larger version to house a bottle of champagne, as below.

special boxes for wine and chocolate — Special boxes for wine and chocolate

Boxes in the shape of hats can be a great way to draw attention to a product or reference a particular theme or subject, and as such we’re often asked to make them for a variety of different clientele. Ascot, for example is particularly well known for the glorious array of hats that are on show. We created the jockey cap box – a great equestrian institution – for Royal Ascot back in 2013, as a chocolate box, pictured below. This piece of packaging is ideal for hotels or other outlets in close proximity to racecourses – and indeed racecourses themselves – to use during the season.

amazing packaging solutions — Amazing packaging solutions

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!

Another Royal Connection for GWD!

May 23, 2016

by Simon Thomas Box Making Design Presentation Packaging Royalty

Packaging for the Queen’s 90th Birthday Celebrations!

We have written previously in this blog of GWD’s connections with holders of The Royal Warrant, notably Cornelia James. Recently, we were contacted by Taylor’s Bulbs of Holbeach, who hold The Royal Warrant as Bulb Growers to Her Majesty The Queen and have won the distinguished Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for 23 years consecutively. The owner of Taylor’s Bulbs, Lord John Taylor, Baron of Holbeach CBE PC FRSA, is currently also Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords.

Taylors had bred a new bulb called ‘Gentlemen at Arms’ which was to be presented in person by Lord Taylor to Her Majesty at a Royal garden party at Windsor Castle in May 2016, on the occasion of the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations. The company wanted a bespoke, one-off presentation packaging solution to display the bulbs in the best possible way and approached GWD Ltd to create it.

The deadline was quite tight (four days from start to finish!) and the quality was to be of the highest standard so there was some pressure with the job. At GWD however, we have been creating bespoke packaging projects for over 30 years, so we have the experience and the team members to carry it off. The box itself was 700mm tall in deep purple with two central ‘windows’ die-cut into it to display the bulbs. It had a top lid and cords (also in deep purple) so Lord Taylor could carry it when presenting the flowers to HRH The Queen (who, no doubt, received it whilst wearing her Cornelia James gloves!)

'Gentlemen at Arms' — ‘Gentlemen at Arms’

The overall effect, especially with the marvellous blooms included was, in Lord John’s words ‘Magnificent’. Helen Chambers, Key Account Manager at Taylor’s Bulbs said: “He (Lord John) was delighted with the whole look…the flowers fitted perfectly through the window section.” She added: “Many Thanks to you and all your team for making this a successful project and in such a small space of time, we appreciate the speed and attention to detail given.”

We can’t be sure of Her Majesty’s reaction we like to imagine that she was quite impressed too:-)

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Presentation Boxes for your Wedding from GWD Ltd

June 17, 2015

by Simon Thomas Design Presentation Packaging save the day Weddings

Presentation Boxes

Summer is (allegedly) upon us and the wedding season has well and truly arrived! Across the Country blushing brides and flustered grooms are pledging their troth and sipping fizz as you read.

A couple of years ago we were commissioned by the model Elle Liberachi which we detailed in our blog at the time (‘Just get me to the church on time‘). Elle chose to create a ‘Keep the Date’ box – specially crafted to her own specifications. This has become an extremely popular idea. Why not create a stir with a gorgeous, bespoke box for your wedding invitation? It certainly is very different from the usual invite regardless how attractive it might be. Elle’s box was exquisite with foil embossing and a luxury, padded Suedel® interior and naturally came at some expense – but cheaper options are available and still make a fantastic and very different invitation idea.

Presentation boxes can be used elsewhere on your wedding day. As the guests are seated for the Wedding Breakfast why not ‘Wow’ them with some gorgeous favours in presentation boxes? Party favours are highly fashionable nowadays so why not make them extra-special with some beautiful packaging? We have created a number of ‘favour’ boxes over the years. The favourites tend to be quite simple with the names of the bride and groom and perhaps the date, embossed with foil on the lid, although it is very possible to make more elaborate boxes with drawers and compartments for the gifts.

Favour boxes add a little something extra to the wedding day, something a little original and different. Over the years we’ve made a number of heart-shaped boxes in magenta and pink which are a beautiful touch for a wedding table.

Similarly it’s often a lovely idea to serve chocolates, sweets or biscuits to guests with coffee and tea after the meal. Once again it’s a lovely extra touch to have them presented nicely – perhaps again with the name of the Bride and Groom or perhaps ‘Thank you for coming’.

Such small yet delightful touches can make the difference between a marvellous wedding and a magical one. Our in-house designers can take your ideas and run through the whole process with you keeping it personal and unique to your special day. So if you have any friends or family getting married this year why not recommend GWD to them?

The Managing Director of GWD Ltd is Noel Greenwood. He can be reached on (01279) 416093 or at www.gwd.ltd.uk. Noel would be particularly pleased to hear from anyone getting married this year!

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.

Who’d have thought there was a Hamper Box shortage in Europe?!

October 2, 2014

by seb Box Making Design Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging

If I were to ask you for some of the most well known products that Britain exports to other countries, you’d probably be able to give me a few of the most famous.

Cadbury Chocolate, Marmite and Walker’s Crisps are three of the most famous foods that we ship out by the boatload every year, and Bentley and Aston Martin are massively popular all over the world too.

5 simple pleasures you get in a luxury hotel

July 8, 2014

by seb Box Making Design Hotels Manufacturing Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging Uncategorized

There’s nothing quite like a stay in a luxury hotel. OK, so you’re not at home but you’ll have all the comforts that you could want while you’re away from the nest. Cleanliness, a decent mattress and a nice hot shower are all things we can expect when we splash the cash on an upmarket hotel.

All eggs need a basket: Easter packaging

April 1, 2014

by seb Box Making Design Easter Manufacturing Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging Uncategorized

The trees are blossoming, the sun is shining in the crisp cool air, and the grass is looking decidedly long again: it’s Easter time.

What does Easter mean to you? For some, it might all be about Christianity. For others it’s about bunnies and daffodils. For lots more, it’s all about the gloriously decadent period when Lent finishes and the assault on the chocolate can begin again in earnest.

5 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

February 18, 2014

by seb Design Presentation Packaging Promotional Packaging

An old saying states, “A man’s work is from sun to sun, but a mother’s work is never done” and this quote is highly appropriate in the lead up to Mother’s Day.

Mothers are no doubt some of the most unsung heroes of the modern world, and with that in mind, it is highly appropriate that a day is set aside where the focus is on them for a change. With Mothering Sunday now firmly on the horizon, the time has come for you to grab your mum a gift to show her how much you appreciate her.

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