The Ultimate Packaging Zine - LeKAC Sourcing (Summer 2024)

THE PACKAGING ZINE SUMMER 2024

Editor in Chief Gabrielle Ho Art Direction Samneet Mann Taylor Tran Editors Gabrielle Ho Taylor Tran Graphic Designers Samneet Mann Writers Gabrielle Ho Taylor Tran Cover Photo Samneet Mann Interviewees Sophie Kaftal kitten and the bear Bobby Zielinski kitten and the bear

SUMMER 2024 EDITION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the Team

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5 Convenient Eco-Friendly Packaging Options

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Featured Product: Resealable Pouches

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Client Spotlight: Kitten and the Bear

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LeKAC 2024 Tradeshow Recap

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Let’s Talk Christmas...

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Logo File Formats and How to Use Them

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Learn with Lenny: Packaging Dictionary

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Packaging Q&A

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MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

Cool down with the summer issue of our seasonal zine! If this is your first edition: welcome! Based in Canada, we’re a custom packaging and sourcing company that also offers branding and graphic design services to businesses around the world. If you’re a returning reader or client of ours: welcome back!

For our returning clients with questions about the status of their order or placing a new order, please contact your Business Development Associate and they’ll be happy to help! As always, we want to offer a gentle reminder that our showrooms are open by appointment only. This guarantees that someone is available to assist you on your custom packaging journey!

Not able to make it in to our offices? Don’t worry, we’re tech savvy!

Our consultants are also available via video or phone call! Want to go old school? We’ll come to you!

We hope you enjoy this latest edition of our zine as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

Sincerely, The LeKAC Pack

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GET GIFTING-READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

JOIN THE LEKAC PACK MAILING LIST TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON OUR SUGGESTED ORDER DEADLINES! WWW.LEKAC.COM

Learn with Lenny!

Check out pages 20–21 to f ind Lenny teaching you about packaging terms you’ll f ind useful the next time you order custom packaging!

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5 CONVENIENT ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING OPTIONS We know that part of the attraction of many businesses to plastic is its convenience.

These 5 convenient eco-friendly options are perfect for making the switch.

REFILLABLE Refillable options are becoming increasingly popular as brands strive to lessen their contribution to plastic waste. Customers can buy their initial product and buy refill packs at a discounted price when they need to restock. This can either be in the form of bulk product or cartridges that can be placed back in the original container.

EDIBLE As the name suggests, edible packaging can be ingested once it’s been used. Packaging in this category is made from natural materials that are safe for ingestion, reducing the need for excess packaging waste. Popular edible packaging options include cutlery, straws, coffee cups and wrapping papers!

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minimize the number of additional components required in your packaging.

Another way to incorporate these options?

Consider how much packaging your products really need!

BIODEGRADABLE & COMPOSTABLE REUSABLE BAGS In replacement of the plastic checkout bag, reusable bags have been on the rise as the sustainable alternative. Here at LeKAC, we offer a wide variety of reusable bags for all kinds of needs! In addition to our classic non-woven PP reusable bags, we also offer foldable polyester and rollable hemp bags.

Biodegradable and compostable packaging options are becoming increasingly popular eco-friendly packaging solutions. Often, these options are also flexible packaging options like mailer bags or sachets. While this is a great eco-friendly option, make sure to check with your local waste management facility to see if they accept these types of materials!

These options are convenient for storage or taking them on the go!

MINIMAL MATERIALS Another way to create convenient, eco friendly packaging is to minimize the amount of packaging you use altogether!

The easiest way to do this? Go custom!

Choosing custom packaging can help

HOW CAN I GET STARTED? Ready to try one of the 5 convenient eco-friendly packaging options we listed?

Contact us today to find out how we can help! Our knowledgeable team can help provide more guidance on what packaging solutions might work best for you!

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FEATURED PRODUCT

RESEALABLE POUCHES DUR A B L E | CUSTO MI Z A B L E | MU LT I - PU R P O S E

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Looking for resealable pouches or other types of bags? From size to printing, we can help design a bag that meets your needs. Get in touch with our team to learn more about what we offer.

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

KITTEN AND THE BEAR Kitten and the Bear is a Toronto-based artisan jam and jelly maker serving up small batches of deliciousness and other baked goods. Their business has been evolving, especially with the release of their cookbook, and they partnered with LeKAC to bring their packaging dreams to life!

READ THE FULL BLOG POST WWW.LEKAC.COM/BLOG

ABOUT KITTEN AND THE BEAR

We do everything all naturally. [The jam] is made traditionally the exact same way it would have been 500 years ago.

Established in 2012, Kitten and the Bear has been whipping up delicious jams, jellies

Bobby Zielinski, Kitten and the Bear

and other preserves the old-fashioned way.

Their storefront functions as a café serving

Earlier this year, they also released a

up freshly baked scones, cookies and more

cookbook! The book is full of recipes for

as well as a retail space. Their store also

you to become your own jelly-master (our

serves as the kitchen for where the magic

words, not theirs) at home, plus other treats

(read: jam making) happens. The team at

to go along with them. With the rollout of

Kitten and the Bear also offers party favours, the cookbook, Sophie and Bobby knew catering, custom cakes and corporate gifting! they wanted to take their business to the 10

next level–and this meant packaging. After

packaging turned out just right and were

finding and following us on Instagram,

turned off by some of the suppliers they

they reached out to LeKAC to get started

met with. On the other hand, they loved

on their custom packaging journey!

the approachability of LeKAC’s custom packaging services and that we were local!

MAKING THE PACKAGING SHIFT

THE RESULT

Before working with LeKAC, Sophie and Bobby were using paper belly bands to add

The first project we began was for their mini

a custom touch to their unbranded packaging

jam trio. Sophie and Bobby wanted a box

At first, this worked perfectly for their team.

with a window that would display the jars’

However, as they expanded and thought

labels, as well as descriptions of each flavour

ahead to their book rollout, this option

on the back! Another important packaging

no longer appeared to be a sustainable.

feature was the ease of assembly, to cut down on time spent assembling packaging.

Originally, Sophie and Bobby connected with packaging suppliers directly, but found

It was important to our team that we helped

communication difficult and daunting.

Sophie and Bobby create packaging that

They wanted to make sure that their new

was representative of their brand. We

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incorporated their existing brand elements

to flow seamlessly with the design of

to keep the new packaging familiar while

the Kitten and the Bear cookbook! They

giving it an extra polish. For the mini trio

wanted to ensure that all of their packaging

box, we suggested a gold foil that added

portrayed the story of Kitten and the

the perfect special touch!

Bear, while still looking cohesive.

After bringing their mini trio box to life,

WHAT’S NEXT FOR KITTEN AND THE BEAR?

Sophie and Bobby sought to expand their custom packaging even further! Next, we helped them create a custom resealable mylar pouch for their scone mix. They wanted to replicate the design from the first box while incorporating new elements like instructions and the scone illustrations!

Their new packaging also just happened

When we asked them what their favourite part of working with LeKAC was, Sophie and Bobby said the ease of communication!

Especially with the experiences they had with previous suppliers, they appreciated our one-stop-shop approach. They especially enjoyed working with our Business Development consultant Phil!

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Since the release of their cookbook, Sophie

Craving some sweet treats or want to learn

and Bobby hope to regroup and get back to

how to make your own at home? Check out

what they love: making tasty things! With the Kitten and the Bear online or in-store for more! success and the publicity from the cookbook, they want to ensure that their business can

KITTEN AND THE BEAR

measure up. This means focusing on being

kittenandthebear.com 1414 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y5

present, interacting with customers both

(647) 926-9711

old and new, and sharing more behind the scenes content! They also hinted that more jam and jelly flavours would be available for wholesale in the future.

Interested in getting started on your custom packaging journey? Contact us today to find out how we can help!

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Let’s Talk Christmas...

You read that right: we’re talking Christmas in June!

This is your friendly reminder that orders for your holiday packaging should be placed no later than early July. The holiday season doesn’t just start in December; it actually starts as early as November!

Especially with the rise of e-commerce, shipping times may be extended as we draw nearer to the holidays. Our turnaround times are currently about 3-4 months. Ordering by early July will help accommodate for any possible shipping delays.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to speak with one of our consultants!

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WHY CHOOSE LEKAC? Avoiding going custom because you think it’s too expensive or just too much effort in general?

At LeKAC, we strive for excellence across all boards. Our consultants work tirelessly to ensure the journey with us is as smooth as possible.

We also work to get you the most competitive price on the market.

Customers are more likely to return to your business if they have a reminder of it - and what better way to do that than creating a memorable packaging experience? By using custom packaging, you’re also benefitting from extended publicity and brand awareness!

Best of all? You’re getting packaging that’s exactly what you want!

HOW IT WORKS

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LOGO FILE FORMATS AND HOW TO USE THEM Our branding clients often ask for various logo file formats, but there’s often some confusion about what each type is (and what it’s used for).

Keep reading to learn more about the most popular logo file formats and how/when to use them!

FILE TYPES

VECTOR FILES

First, let’s define some terms. It’s important

While raster files are built from pixels, vector

to distinguish file types as well as formats,

files use mathematical equations, lines and

for a better understanding of what each

curves with fixed points on a grid to make

format is used for. There are two major

images. You can resize these files to any size

file types that we use when designing

without losing quality since the mathematical

logos and other packaging elements:

formula readjusts automatically!

RASTER FILES

LOGO FILE FORMATS

Raster files are built from individual pixels.

JPEG/JPG

The more pixels a file has, the higher its quality! However, when zooming in on, or expanding the sizes of these files, you’ll eventually see the individual pixels.

Looking to save space on your computer?

The JPEG file format is the way to go! Logo files in this raster file format are the most space-efficient, but also have an increased 18

JPEG/JPG

PNG

SVG

likelihood of pixelating the more you edit

PNGs, files in this format are high-quality and

them. Smaller file sizes don’t necessarily

display all colours! These files are great for

mean you’ll lose the detail you’re looking for

both digital and print applications and are

though! JPEGS will still display all colours, so

used by designers and printers.

you can rest easy. Generally, the best places to use these files would be in digital applications.

PNG

SVG Finally, let us introduce us to the SVG. As our lone vector file format, these files will maintain their quality no matter what size

Next up: the PNG! As raster files, you may

you make them. If you need to make

still get some pixellation when resizing files

changes to your logo at any time, these files

of this format, but they generally produce

are also editable with graphics editing

higher quality images than JPEGs. These files

software! These are most often used by

also have the ability to handle transparency,

printers and designers in print applications.

making them a popular choice for designers.

Logo files in this file format are great for use in digital and print applications!

PDF

NEED SOME HELP WITH YOUR LOGO? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Contact us today to speak to our team about our Branding and Graphic Design. services.

You might think of PDFs as documents, but

Already have a strong brand? Ask about our

did you know that you can export images in

custom packaging service to help take your

this format too? These files are also raster

business to the next level!

files that can handle transparency. Similar to 19

LEARN WITH LENNY!

PACKAGING DICTIONARY Here are a few terms we’ve used these last few months when working with you to create your custom packaging!

BRAND GUIDELINES

GREASE-RESISTANT PACKAGING

A document that showcases the fonts,

A food-safe coating or finish is applied to

colours and logotypes associated with

takeout packaging that helps to repel

your brand. Brand guidelines are used

grease, oil or water. This helps to avoid

to maintain a cohesive look when

grease stains from food appearing when

working with multiple designers!

customers take their food to go!

EXPANDED (FONT) A font that has wider charcters/letters than a standard font. It is possible to create an expanded look with any font, but not suggested as it can warp the look of the chosen font !

EXPANDED vs NOT EXPANDED.

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BLISTER PACKAGING A form of plastic packaging where an item is secured in a preformed, plastic dome fit to the shape of the product, that is either glued to a paperboard surface or heatsealed to a plastic backing. Blister packaging is typically used for small goods (i.e. lip balm, batteries), food such as cheese or deli slices, or for pharamceutical products.

LOGOTYPE A design that uniquely captures a brand’s voice and is part of a suite of other logos. A brand suite can include various types of logos including wordmarks, submarks, icons, and emblems.

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PACKAGING Q & A Q: Why are shipping rates increasing so much?

A: There are actually a few reasons rates have been increasing lately. Due to the pandemic, global supply chains have been disrupted and there’s a shortage of freight containers!

That, coupled with limited staff available to work and increasing fuel prices, lead to delayed shipments. While we’re optimistic that things will go back to normal in the near future, our team is dedicated to keeping costs down for clients.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do since this is a global issue, but if you’re in need of packaging soon, you may want to opt for premium or expedited shipping!

Q: When should I order my packaging?

A: Ideally, ASAP!!! The order process normally takes approximately 4 months, but we recommened ordering it as far in advance as possible.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? LEARN MORE ON OUR WEBSITE: WWW.LEKAC.COM

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Q: I need help designing my packaging.

Does it cost extra?

A: We’ve got you covered! Our in-house graphic designer can help you bring your custom packaging vision to life.

This includes the design layout and even 3D mockups!

The best part? This service is included in our price!

Q: Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

A: No! Our pricing includes shipping/handling, customs/duties and plate charges. The only fee that can vary is the local delivery fee which your consultant will let you know about ahead of time. If anything changes, rest assured your consultant will let you know as soon as possible!

Q: I don’t need packaging, but I love your work! Is there another way I can work with LeKAC? A: Definitely! If you like our design work, but aren’t necessarily looking for packaging, try our custom Branding and Graphic Design services instead. Work with our Marketing team to bring your vision to life! CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT WE OFFER.

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www.lekac.com 1 (866) 996-6818 TORONTO

MONTREAL

207-590 Alden Road Markham, ON L3R 8N2

7645 Rue Cordner LaSalle, QC H8N 2X2

@lekacsourcing