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

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

JOIN THE LEKAC PACK MAILING LIST TO KEEP UP TO DATE ON OUR

Learn with Lenny!

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

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!

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. 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

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

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!

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!

FEATURED PRODUCT

RESEALABLE POUCHES

DURABLE | CUSTOMIZABLE | MULTI-PURPOSE

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.

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!

ABOUT KITTEN AND THE BEAR

Established in 2012, Kitten and the Bear has been whipping up delicious jams, jellies and other preserves the old-fashioned way. Their storefront functions as a café serving up freshly baked scones, cookies and more as well as a retail space. Their store also serves as the kitchen for where the magic (read: jam making) happens. The team at Kitten and the Bear also offers party favours, catering, custom cakes and corporate gifting!

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

Bobby Zielinski, Kitten and the Bear

Earlier this year, they also released a cookbook! The book is full of recipes for you to become your own jelly-master (our words, not theirs) at home, plus other treats to go along with them. With the rollout of the cookbook, Sophie and Bobby knew they wanted to take their business to the

next level–and this meant packaging. After finding and following us on Instagram, they reached out to LeKAC to get started on their custom packaging journey!

MAKING THE PACKAGING SHIFT

Before working with LeKAC, Sophie and Bobby were using paper belly bands to add a custom touch to their unbranded packaging At first, this worked perfectly for their team. However, as they expanded and thought ahead to their book rollout, this option no longer appeared to be a sustainable. Originally, Sophie and Bobby connected with packaging suppliers directly, but found communication difficult and daunting. They wanted to make sure that their new

packaging turned out just right and were turned off by some of the suppliers they met with. On the other hand, they loved the approachability of LeKAC’s custom packaging services and that we were local!

THE RESULT

The first project we began was for their mini jam trio. Sophie and Bobby wanted a box with a window that would display the jars’ labels, as well as descriptions of each flavour on the back! Another important packaging feature was the ease of assembly, to cut down on time spent assembling packaging. It was important to our team that we helped Sophie and Bobby create packaging that was representative of their brand. We

incorporated their existing brand elements to keep the new packaging familiar while giving it an extra polish. For the mini trio box, we suggested a gold foil that added the perfect special touch!

After bringing their mini trio box to life, 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

to flow seamlessly with the design of the Kitten and the Bear cookbook! They wanted to ensure that all of their packaging portrayed the story of Kitten and the Bear, while still looking cohesive.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR KITTEN AND THE BEAR?

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!

Since the release of their cookbook, Sophie and Bobby hope to regroup and get back to what they love: making tasty things! With the success and the publicity from the cookbook, they want to ensure that their business can measure up. This means focusing on being present, interacting with customers both 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!

Craving some sweet treats or want to learn how to make your own at home? Check out Kitten and the Bear online or in-store for more!

KITTEN AND THE BEAR kittenandthebear.com 1414 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y5 (647) 926-9711

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!

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

FILE TYPES

First, let’s define some terms. It’s important to distinguish file types as well as formats, for a better understanding of what each format is used for. There are two major file types that we use when designing logos and other packaging elements:

RASTER FILES

Raster files are built from individual pixels. 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.

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!

VECTOR FILES

While raster files are built from pixels, vector files use mathematical equations, lines and curves with fixed points on a grid to make images. You can resize these files to any size without losing quality since the mathematical formula readjusts automatically!

LOGO FILE FORMATS

JPEG/JPG

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

JPEG/JPG

likelihood of pixelating the more you edit them. Smaller file sizes don’t necessarily mean you’ll lose the detail you’re looking for though! JPEGS will still display all colours, so you can rest easy. Generally, the best places to use these files would be in digital applications.

PNG

Next up: the PNG! As raster files, you may still get some pixellation when resizing files of this format, but they generally produce higher quality images than JPEGs. These files also have the ability to handle transparency, making them a popular choice for designers. Logo files in this file format are great for use in digital and print applications!

PDF

You might think of PDFs as documents, but did you know that you can export images in this format too? These files are also raster files that can handle transparency. Similar to

PNGs, files in this format are high-quality and display all colours! These files are great for both digital and print applications and are used by designers and printers.

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 you make them. If you need to make changes to your logo at any time, these files are also editable with graphics editing software! These are most often used by printers and designers in print applications.

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. Already have a strong brand? Ask about our custom packaging service to help take your business to the next level!

PACKAGING DICTIONARY LEARN WITH LENNY!

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

BRAND GUIDELINES

A document that showcases the fonts, colours and logotypes associated with your brand. Brand guidelines are used to maintain a cohesive look when working with multiple designers!

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.

GREASE-RESISTANT PACKAGING

A food-safe coating or finish is applied to takeout packaging that helps to repel grease, oil or water. This helps to avoid grease stains from food appearing when customers take their food to go!

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.

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.

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.

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.