Egg-cellent packaging for Easter!

by Box MakingChocolate boxEaster

Egg-cellent packaging for Easter!

For many, Easter means time off school, overdue family time, beautiful daffodils starting to head in the gardens and not to mention… eating copious amounts of delicious chocolate! We have all been there; sitting on the sofa with the ‘Christmas dinner feeling’ after successfully demolishing your final chocolate egg.

Easter is the number one chocolate-selling period of the year and quite astoundingly, the first Easter egg went on sale in Sainsbury’s in JANUARY this year! According to The Telegraph, us Brits eat 11kg of chocolate each year, so it’s no wonder why Easter is celebrated by the masses.

Easter boxes by GWD for Rococo Chocolates
Easter boxes by GWD for Rococo Chocolates
Easter boxes by GWD for Rococo Chocolates
Easter boxes by GWD for Rococo Chocolates

For us, Easter is a fantastic marketing platform for gift & confectionery companies to show off! The pastel colours, the cute bunnies, the gold ribbon… it WORKS. Both B2B & B2C business can benefit from this holiday. Think about wowing your valued customers and suppliers with beautifully packaged edibles to show them how much you appreciate their support.

Be sure to consider your corporate clan in the Easter excitement as our cardboard engineers can create marvellous, bespoke and branded confectionery and gift packaging to meet your requirements.

Grown Up Easter egg boxes by GWD
Grown Up Easter egg boxes by GWD
Grown Up Easter egg boxes by GWD
Grown Up Easter egg boxes by GWD

In this day in age, a healthy conscience is being embedded into our brains by the TV, media, industry leaders and even our own family! Instead of gifting a traditional chocolate egg, more and more people are opting for Easter gifts (which last A LOT longer than chocolate!).

Even though the Easter gifts that are sent to us, to create beautifully packaging for, are not always egg-shaped, they are always guaranteed to hatch a smile!

 

We have been honoured to work with some of the UKs best names in chocolate including Rococo, Bettys and The Grown Up Chocolate Company.

Bettys ‘Trio of Eggs’ box by GWD
Bettys ‘Trio of Eggs’ box by GWD

Have a fantastic Easter!

 

Noel Greenwood is the Managing Director of GWD Ltd, the designers and manufacturers of presentation and promotionalpackaging.  You can reach him on (01279) 416 093 or at the company’s website: www.gwd.ltd.uk

 

COMPANY FOCUS: Harry Specters

by Box MakingChocolate box

COMPANY FOCUS: Harry Specters

Award-winning flavours and positive social change – that’s Harry Specters. Mona, Shaz and their son Ash, who has autism, are behind this social enterprise. While visiting a chocolate shop on a holiday in Scotland in 2011, Mona discovered a perfect way of combining her passion for creating positive change for people with autism with her love for chocolate. Ash came up with the name and a year later, Harry Specters was born – dedicated to crafting the most delicious chocolates that create employment for young people with autism. 

Harry Specters, based in Ely>

We received a call back in 2015 when Harry Specters were ready to take their business to the next level. After their graphic designer had established their branding, colour scheme and logo, the next step was perfecting the packaging. They had an idea of what they wanted their packaging to look like, and it was our job to turn that vision into reality.

They wanted their packaging to exude quality and excellence whilst still being attractive to people of all ages and backgrounds. From our previous experience with food brands, we had a very good idea on what would work and what wouldn’t work in terms of size, shape and thickness. Our team of ‘cardboard engineers’ were able to create a whole range of options for Harry Specters to choose from.

The Desire Chocolate Box
The Desire Chocolate Box
The Allure Chocolate Box
The Allure Chocolate Box

As mentioned previously, Harry Specters was established for creating paid employment opportunities for young people and creating a product which everyone can enjoy! This cause is unique and is supported by us at GWD.

Harry Specters staff & work experience students
Harry Specters staff & work experience students

As well as the traditional selection boxes, Harry Specters wanted to be able to sell their chocolates in different quantities so they can fulfil different requirements. We created boxes which were made to hold their ‘Tasty Two’, ‘Finest Four’ and ‘Fine Nine’.

 

Finest Four
Finest Four

If you are looking for an award-winning sweet treat then Harry Specters have an online shop which you can visit here. Both Harry Specters and the GWD team are very pleased with our packaging creations thus far and we very much look forward to working with them again this year!

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

Valentine’s packaging from GWD Ltd 

by Box MakingValentines Day

Love is certainly in the air here at GWD!

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion for many to show friends and family that they are loved. For GWD, it is the perfect occasion to help individuals box this concept up in a unique and special way. It is also important for companies who specialise in gifts such as chocolates and flowers to make the most of this celebration.

Gifts don’t have to be big – a little special something can have a huge impact.  Visually, one of the easiest ways to add finesse and class to a gift is all in the packaging. Our team of packaging engineers encapsulate ‘love’ every year without fail and we take great pride in providing both ideas and products which hold such importance for many. As you will see in this blog, we are able to give those all-important corporate and personal gifts a heart-felt touch.

Chocolate Boxes

DID YOU KNOW: over 36 million heart shaped boxes are sold every year in the UK alone? And that is where we come in… we like to think of ourselves as experts in this field…

Heart-shaped boxes
Heart-shaped boxes

Chocolate has been a popular choice for those in love for hundreds of years and gifting chocolate is said to have originated in 1861. When we think of chocolate, we think of Cadbury’s and it was Richard Cadbury himself (the founder) who started the heart-shaped box trend and so a new tradition was born.

One of our clients, Rococo
One of our clients, Rococo

Here at GWD, we are currently working closely with Rococo Chocolates who are luxury chocolatiers based in London. They place heavy importance on Valentine’s Day and of course, want to get their chocolate boxes right. They came to the right place! Here are some of the boxes that we created for them:

Rococo Chocolates
Rococo Chocolates

Flower Boxes

Much like chocolate, there is a huge demand for flowers at Valentine’s. Flowers can be absolutely stunning on their own, but we specialise in boxing them up so they behold even more beauty.

Victoria Blooms are a florist who like to deliver a modern-luxury edge to their flowers. Our team have captured this vision again for 2018. From the colours and shape, to the design and finish; everything about this box had to be perfect.

Victoria Blooms flower box
Victoria Blooms flower box

As well as the Victoria Blooms design, we produce more traditional flower boxes if a client is looking for something which is simple yet stunning. These flower boxes work well all year round for any occasion! Inside could be anniversary flowers or congratulatory flowers perhaps… the possibilities are endless!

Traditional flower boxes
Traditional flower boxes

Our Blog has spoken previously about round, ‘hat’ boxes and how GWD is one of a very few companies in the UK with the ability to create them. Circular boxes are perfect for floral displays and show off the beauty of any arrangement to great effect, whether it is for 12 roses or a much larger bouquet.

Below is an example of a hatbox which was created for an independent florist in Scotland. They wanted a small order which meant that they could sell their beautiful roses in style. This demonstrates that you don’t have to be a multi-outlet company to have great packaging. The boxes were matt black with eye-catching gold foil lettering which gives a truly upmarket, luxurious feel to the arrangement inside.

 

Rock & Rose Fleurs hatbox
Rock & Rose Fleurs hatbox

Spread the love this Valentine’s Day! 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 packaging from GWD Ltd

by Box MakingChristmasPresentation PackagingUncategorized

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 logo‘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!

Our specialist machinery used in the making of rigid boxes Our specialist machinery used in the making of rigid boxes

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.

Bettys Christmas hat box packaging from GWD

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 Christmas Packaging from GWD 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.

Bettys Christmas hat box packaging from GWD

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

 

Merry Christmas from GWD
Merry Christmas from GWD

Boxing clever on your Wedding Day

by Box MakingPresentation PackagingPromotional PackagingUncategorizedWeddings

Finally we’ve ushered in some sun, and isn’t it nice to see it?!  I’m a big fan of this time of year – the trees are green, the birds are singing and the Summer is nearly upon us! Each year these factors set little bells ringing in my mind. Not alarm bells, you might be wondering, but wedding bells. That’s right! Wedding season is fast approaching.

Make your Christmas product more attractive with prepossessing packaging

by Box MakingChristmasDesignManufacturingPresentation PackagingPromotional 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.

Summer shenanigans – packaging for sweet success

by Box MakingDesignManufacturingPresentation PackagingPromotional PackagingUncategorized

SweetsWe’re now well into August, and August brings with it the quintessential British seaside experience that we’ve all come to know and love.  Okay, so the weather so far in August is not quite at the same level as the heatwaves we experienced in July, but with only three weeks left before the kids go back to school, now’s the time to enjoy some sea and sand (and hopefully sun). 

Stylish and effective packaging at the drop of a hat

by Box MakingDesignManufacturingPresentation PackagingPromotional PackagingUncategorized

In the last blog we considered one particular royal connection that GWD are fortunate enough to have, and whilst we’re on the subject of royals, we now turn our attention to Royal Ascot – the glamorous annual event that takes place this week.  Racing enthusiasts will no doubt be licking their lips and looking forward to some exhilarating races; whilst plenty of the aristocracy will no doubt be strutting around in their finery.