API enhances Korean tobacco packaging

KT&G wanted to create a sophisticated pack for the super slim tobacco product to coincide with the celebration of the Korean Lunar New Year. Working closely with the tobacco firm’s raw materials research and development manager to explore the options possible, API focused on a luxury design that captured the lunar celebration and added a dynamic element for Esse Change users while still maintaining the demanding production requirements of a super slim tobacco pack.

API provided KT&G with the latest Fresnel Lens PET laminate, giving a depth and kinetic focus that radiated across the pack and allowed a sophisticated interplay between the pack print and design. Using KT&G’s artwork as its basis, API worked closely with the lens design to deliver maximum depth within the hologram for the limited edition. This ensured the demanding technical requirements of the super slim pack were met.

The API Fresnel Lens PET laminate is supplied in sheets to the precise registration demanded for over-printing in Korea and the creation of the super slim pack at KT&G. More than nine million limited edition Esse Change packs were produced in time for the Korean Lunar New Year. The packs were manufactured in less than three months and involved a number of global supply chain partners to ensure production was kept to schedule.

‘The Fresnel Lens PET laminate has enabled KT&G to add value to the Esse Change brand in a visually unique way through the interplay between API’s Fresnel effect and the printed pack,’ said Antony Fitzsimmons, sales manager at API.

‘We are now working further with KT&G to use the Fresnel Lens PET laminate on its Bohem Cigar brand in order to provide a premium and highly visual effect to this pack.’

David Peters, creative development manager at API, added: ‘Custom holographics and Fresnel lenses, when combined with API’s precise registration capability, are exciting technologies that give real depth to a brand’s packaging and link with the trend for both shelf presence and the wow factor demanded by consumers across a wide variety of categories.’