FIFA 18 Game Packaging

by Box Making

With the FIFA World Cup about to kick off this June, we thought that there would be no better time to talk about the packaging we created for EA Sport’s FIFA 18 videogame  in September last year. We often create packaging for launch and press events which are very exciting, as it gives us the opportunity to work with our client on creating something truly unique and distinctive.

We worked with the creative agency Fluid in order to deliver some truly outstanding packaging for their client’s launch event. Fluid were the designers in this process; they developed an innovative design which we, as cardboard engineers, had to make into a reality. Creative agencies such as Fluid are great contacts for us at GWD as we pride ourselves at being adept at turning their creative designs into beautiful packaging.

The FIFA 18 game used technology which is said to be “the biggest step in gameplay innovation”. Due to this, the team really wanted the experience to start as soon as the box was picked up by the media/influencer recipients.

The new game
The new game

Playing on a gold and white colour palette, the boxes were wrapped in metallic gold paper. As with any companies branding, a logo should always stand out. With this in mind gold foil was employed and the logos were embossed on the front and sides.

The product box, complete with glossy outer sleeve
The product box, complete with glossy outer sleeve

The final product took the form of a deluxe presentation box which contained the game and a range of FIFA/PlayStation content and merchandise; which was displayed to great effect using a bespoke white foam fitment which held each piece inside the box perfectly and securely. It was finished off with a magnetic closure.

The main box with magnetic closure
The main box with magnetic closure

Open box displaying foam fitment

Open box displaying foam fitment
Open box displaying foam fitment

For this job we worked closely with Fluid throughout. They had the idea and concept, and it was our job to engineer it and make it work commercially. If you have an idea for packaging, then please bring it to us here at GWD!

 

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

 

 

 

 

Hang On To Your Hat!

by Box MakingDesignHat shaped boxesManufacturingPresentation PackagingPromotional 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.

round hat boxes
Round hat boxes

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.

chocolate boxes UK
Chocolate boxes

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….

Presentation cardboard boxes
Presentation cardboard boxes

…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)…

 

Packaging for graduation gifts
Packaging for graduation gifts

 

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

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

 

 

 

Bespoke Corporate Packaging for Indian Ocean ™

by Box MakingPresentation PackagingSpecialist Packaging

 

Earlier this year we were invited to tender by Indian Ocean  – designers and manufacturers of luxury outdoor furniture. Indian Ocean have outlets in Balham and Hampstead and retails through Harrods of Knightsbridge and with distributors worldwide. The company creates innovative products, finished to the highest specifications and focusing on every detail, and as such demands its Distributor Presentation Packs, to be of an equally high status.

 

high quality corporate packaging

 

Unfortunately GWD Ltd didn’t win the original tender, which was given (on a price basis alone) to a different packaging firm. However, a couple of months after the tender process was completed we were contacted again as the rival company didn’t have the technical expertise to complete the job.  A hurried meeting was set up with the customer.

The required presentation pack was a rigid, three-compartment slipcase which incorporated an upright open angled file for brochures as well as two drawers (one above the other), for storing samples, as you can see in the image below:

branded commercial slipcases

 

As the samples are primarily sections of the soft and hardwoods used by Indian Ocean in their furniture, the entire creation needed to be extremely strong and durable. It also needed to be branded and customised to fit its contents. The Distributor Presentation Packs were to be sent to all of the customer’s distributors.

Fortunately, GWD are extremely experienced in the creation of this form of corporate packaging having undertaken many such projects in the past. We are very proud of the knowledge and expertise of our staff and the skills that they bring to cardboard engineering and remain one of a very few companies able to carry out such work.

 

boxes for samples for salesmen

This is an unusual and highly functional piece of presentation packaging, which we were able to create within the very tight time constraints and within budget. We are happy to take on more of these projects and welcome any enquiries.

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

 

Packaging for Florists and Floral Arrangements

by Box MakingEasterFlowersSpecialist Packaging

Well here we are again, back at work after the Christmas Holidays! Here at GWD

we’re lucky in that the normal New Year dread or malaise doesn’t actually apply – there’s always something fascinating to get our teeth into! This week we’re working on a new heart-shaped hatbox for flowers, see below…

hat boxes for florists
Hat boxes for florists

It’s that time of year again when a lot of our work relates to Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter – all of which are fast approaching. Chocolates, of course, are a very popular gift and we make a great deal of packaging for confectionery at this time of year. However, it’s presentation packaging for florists that pre-occupies GWD at present.

hat boxes for floral arrangements
Hat boxes for floral arrangements

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 (above) are perfect for floral displays and show off the beauty of any arrangement to great effect.

Where can I find packaging for my flowers?
Where can I find packaging for my flowers?

Above is an example of a hatbox created for roses for a small independent florist in Scotland, demonstrating that you don’t have to have multiple outlets to have great packaging. The matt black wrapping and foil blocked-in gold gives a fantastic, upmarket feel to the floral arrangement within. Valentine’s and Mother’s Days are occasions when customers are prepared to pay a little more for gifts to express their regards and affection to their loved ones, so many florists will invest in special presentation packaging for the occasion, such as the stunning boxes (below) that we created for Royal Queen Roses, another independent florist, this time in Cyprus!  The fact that the cost of shipping these boxes to Cyprus is not inconsiderable indicates that our services are not only rare in the UK, but in Europe also.

Specialist boxes for florists
Specialist boxes for florists

Of course we don’t just provide circular or heart-shaped boxes for florists – if you are looking for a more traditional square or rectangular box we can provide those too (see below). So if you are a florist (or indeed a chocolatier) and would like to make your flowers stand out for the special dates to come, why not give us a call? We have over thirty years experience in the presentation packaging industry and are considered leaders in the field.

Rectangular boxes for flowers
Rectangular boxes for flowers

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

LUXURY BOXES FOR LUXURY INVITATIONS

by Box MakingPresentation PackagingPromotional Packaging

At GWD Ltd  we are accustomed to dealing with prestigious clients. In the past we have provided beautiful packaging for Cornelia James, holders of the Royal Warrant, and a one-off presentation box for Taylor’s Bulbs, also Royal Warrant holders, which was used to present a new bulb display to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her 90th birthday . We have even created a gorgeous one-off box for a certain Mr. Elton John, with whom I’m sure you’re very familiar. But you don’t have to be Royalty, Pop or otherwise, to come to us for a prestige packaging solution.

A client contacted us recently who had a small and exclusive range of luxurious Mediterranean properties for sale and wanted to provide the 200 potential buyers who had been invited to view them with the details and pictures in something more than a conventional brochure. So they came to us to create luxury boxes in which a set of postcards could be presented.

Promotional presentation packaging
Promotional presentation packaging

The promotional packaging we designed, consisted of a slipcase with a drawer, with a ribbon pull, that not only enabled the drawer to be pulled out, but once open, was positioned in such a way that it lifted the postcards from their frame so that they could be lifted out easily. The postcards themselves were covered in a gold wrap underneath the invitation card.

 

presentation box for invitations
Presentation box for invitations

This careful design presented the invitations in a style and manner that conveyed a sense of luxury even before the potential buyer has seen the photographs. Our experienced team of designers work with a client to ensure that we provide them with the best and most luxurious packaging to match their needs. In this case we combined the professional look of the branded outer box with the tactile and prestigious nature of the sliding drawer and inner layer to create something beautiful, memorable and most of all eye-catching, ensuring that any recipient will be both intrigued and impressed by the invitation contained within.

quality promotional boxes, UK manufacturer
Quality promotional boxes, UK manufacturer

 

At GWD, we have no minimum order requirement and total control over lead times because we are manufacturers as well as designers. Whether you wish to advertise high-end property, or issue luxury VIP invitations for gala events, we have the prestige packaging solution for you.

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

 

Specialist Packaging for High Street Brands

by Box MakingPresentation PackagingSpecialist Packaging

Specialist Packaging for High Street Brands

Now that the holiday season is (near enough) over we’re reminded of a specialist packaging job that GWD Ltd were commissioned for last year. We were asked to work on a very special product for the High-Street brand ‘Lush’.

Soaps in a confectionary style created by Lush
Soaps in a confectionary style created by Lush

For anyone who doesn’t know  (where have you been?) Lush, they create non- animal testing cosmetics that are fresh, and handmade. Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, Lush now have 106 stores nationwide with more than 900 Worldwide in 49 countries.

The project in question was to create presentation, specialist packaging in the shape of a suitcase, or old-fashioned travelling trunk, complete with metal clasps and  fitted handles. The case was to present a selection of soaps, cosmetics and ‘bath-bombs’ that could be given as a gift to someone off on a journey abroad or to college, for example. Naturally, this was quite a substantial project for Lush with the specialist packaging taking pride of place in their stores up and down the Country.

‘Box 29’ showing clasps and handle
‘Box 29’ showing clasps and handle

Like many other big brands, Lush realise that the care and dedication given to their presentation packaging suggests to the customer that the brand take similar care and dedication over their product. The time and thought invested in the packaging is indicative of the care and belief that the Company have in the product itself.

The ‘suitcase’ was a relatively complex project to complete out of cardboard, however at GWD Ltd we have undertaken many other complex projects in the past and have staff with the skills and experience to carry it out with ease. Our cardboard engineers designed the trunk from scratch and worked out the precise way to  attach the clasps and reinforce the handles without compromising the design and, although you couldn’t throw it in the hold of a plane (it was never designed for that purpose), the final product was very sturdy and fitted the original brief perfectly.

Finished product showing foiling and internal compartments
Finished product showing foiling
and internal compartments

Incidentally, the whole process was filmed by Lush in our Essex factory and used by them for promotional purposes. You can see the video by clicking on the image below.

GWD Ltd have produced other boxes in the shape of bags and suitcases, albeit much simpler versions. Please visit our website for more examples here. So if you want some travel themed promotional packaging look no further than GWD – we can help.

 


Video showing the production process

 

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

Presentation Packaging for Sporting Events

by Box MakingManufacturingPresentation Packaging

Sport continues throughout the year but this Summer seems particularly full of major events. From the Tour de France, Wimbledon, British Moto GP, Open Golf, The Ashes and many more, there are so many sports to either participate in or view throughout the summer. If you are holding a themed event of your own, are an active sponsor or are using Corporate Entertainment to promote your product or services then appropriate presentation packaging can add impressive, creative and memorable flair to the proceedings.

At GWD Ltd we offer the highest quality promotional, confectionary and gift packaging; all three of which can be tailored to suit a sporting theme.

Why should I use Presentation Packaging?

Well, apart from the obvious opportunities of advertising and increasing Brand awareness and visibility it says that you’re a professional organisation. There is a psychological element here. A consumer looking upon a stunningly designed and packaged product will be likely to think as follows: If a company cares so much and has given so much thought to the presentation of it’s product in strongly suggests that it has given a similar amount of thought to the product itself. The time and care invested in the packaging must be representative of the care and belief that the Company have in the product itself. It shows that you are willing to invest in the customer experience, and insinuates that you are similarly willing to invest such time in the consumer himself. It breathes quality.

Jockey Cap packaging deigned for Royal Ascot
Jockey Cap packaging deigned for Royal Ascot

Our services, be they via promotional, confectionery or presentation packaging, exist to help you sell your product and enhance the value of your brand. Corporate or promotional packaging is our speciality.

How do I Find Presentation Packaging for my Product?

Fortunately you’re in exactly the right place! GWD were established in 1986 as manufacturers of bespoke and off-the shelf presentation packaging. We are not wholesalers: you are at source when you come to GWD. Our team or in-house designers and cardboard engineers will work closely with you and your designers to create the packaging, from the appropriate shape, colours, style and theme, resulting in boxes that truly represents the impression that you want to give to your product or brand. If you wish that to be associated with a particular sporting event you may be sponsoring or using for corporate entertainment that is possible too.

Round packaging such as this can be simply styled with a sport motif
Round packaging such as this can be simply styled with a sport motif

Our selection of shapes and sizes allows us to cater from football to cricket, and everything in between. Recently, we supplied a confectionary box in the shape of a jockey cap for the Jockey Club to use at the Royal Ascot, for example. Our circular packaging is perfect for cricket or football, oval boxes for Rugby (it’s the World Cup in England this year) or American football. More intricatley-designed, specialist shapes are also possible. Feel free to call or e-mail with any enquiries.

Bespoke hampers can be designed with your logo/brand and incorporate specific events too, if desired
Bespoke hampers can be designed with your logo/brand
and incorporate specific events too, if desired

Whilst we have some regular designs to choose from, our packaging is created from scratch. This allows you to create a feel that best suits your requirements. Whatever theme – sports related or otherwise – you choose, our presentation packaging can help your product truly stand out.

So, whether you are looking to create something simple or complex, here at GWD we pride ourselves in rising to the challenge and coming up with presentation packaging that best suits your needs. With so many sporting events to enjoy this summer why not add that personal flair and embrace some clever sporty packaging?

 

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

Presentation Packaging for Unique Brands and Creative Designers

by ManufacturingPresentation PackagingPromotional Packaging

Presentation Packaging

At GWD Ltd (Harlow, Essex) we have been in the presentation packaging business for 25 years. That’s a LOT of experience. In that time we have created the packaging for thousands of clients, helping them to present and promote their brand to their customer base and drive sales.

Presentation packaging, heart shaped boxes
Presentation packaging, heart shaped boxes

We have worked with many large Companies over the years as well as a number of smaller, more unusual  brands who often provide the most challenging and interesting projects. One of these include an exclusive, one-off presentation package for a hugely famous, global rock star!

A number of our clients begin their search for presentation packaging with no clear idea how to proceed. In this case we are always happy to provide advice and guidance for them. However, larger companies will have a clearer idea and often have their own internal graphic designers or creative teams. In these circumstances we like to work closely in a consultative capacity with them to deliver the perfect presentation packaging for their product.

Presentation packaging, cardboard handbag
Presentation packaging, cardboard handbag

This collaborative approach is vital. GWD has experienced presentation packaging designers in-house and invaluable experience in the industry. Our designers and cardboard engineers are used to the inherent technical issues, which are involved in the creation of the packaging, difficulties which may be unfamiliar to graphic designers. Thus, it is advantageous that we talk to the customer’s designers at the earliest opportunity. There no point in a costly and time-consuming design being created, printed and approved which simply cannot then be manufactured commercially. By the same token there are many aspects that we can add to the design, different facets or possibilities, such as foil blocking, de-bossing or embossing which may not be immediately obvious to anyone outside of our industry.

Presentation packaging with drawers
Presentation packaging with drawers

GWD also offer an invaluable sampling service to bring your creation to life. Our design team can mock-up your creation to help add value and save unnecessary expenditure through deconstructing and reconstructing original designs. Sampling is often a valuable part of the  decision-making process.

Talking directly to designers can also reduce the risk of ‘Chinese whispers’ which can occur if there are too many stages, or too many interests in the development process. Messages can get confused if the chain of communication is too large.

So we would ask that your creatives talk to us directly before they embark on the design process. We can help in bringing any designs to life and manufacture them on your behalf.

 

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 any designers or creatives working on promotional or presentation packaging.

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

by Box MakingDesignPresentation PackagingPromotional 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.