Killer app: Falconer conjures Mirri to deliver spectral scent

Taking its inspiration from a fondly owned glittering handbag, the team responsible for commissioning fragrance packaging design at British fashion house Ghost set out to find a way to make the gift boxes for its new range sparkle just as vividly.

It enlisted the help of West Yorkshire-based printer Falconer Print & Packaging, which was tasked with sourcing a material to emulate the glittering effect.

What did the job entail?

Falconer contacted Mirri to discuss available options and was introduced to Mirri Sparkle, a substrate that offers a glitter texture that sparkles in the light. Once the material was sourced, Falconer chose to use a patented fold-flat rigid box design created by Concept Packaging. This enabled it to produce a visually striking product with a rigid box design and the quality and finish of a litho printed carton. Falconer also used Mirri Pak Silver, supplied as folding boxboard and printed in five different shades, to create the outer packaging. 500,000 gift sets were produced in total and launched in time for Christmas.

How was it produced?

Mirri laminated the metallic film onto Iggesund Incada white backed folding boxboard and then sent the sheets back to the printer. Falconer then printed the various colours using a Heidelberg Speedmaster CD 74, converted the rigid solid board to form a solid wraparound board, cut and creased the sleeves and then sent them out for pick-and-place window patching. It then die-cut the bases using a Bobst cut-and-crease device, glued the sleeves and sent the boxes out flat to be made up at contract packing company Lemonpath. 

What challenges were overcome?

Falconer had to work efficiently to meet Lemonpath’s tight deadlines. “We did pre-trials and lots of upfront planning to make sure that everyone took responsibility for their part in the process,” said Falconer managing director Richard Martin. Sourcing the most suitable substrate to fully realise the client’s brief was another challenge and Falconer had also considered a holographic option.

What was the feedback?

“Ghost felt that the glitter backing board made it look like the fragrance bottle floated in the pack. The client loved the final product and thought that it had a real wow factor,” said Martin.