The Ultimate Packaging Zine - LeKAC Sourcing (Summer 2023)

THE PACKAGING ZINE

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

Garbo Zhu

GRUMPY KID STUDIO

Andre Bhagwandat

BHAGY’S BAKEHOUSE

MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

We’re welcoming in the summer with this latest edition of our seasonal zine. If you’re a returning reader, thank you for coming back to see what we’ve been up to!

For any of our new readers, welcome! We’re a Canadian-based custom packaging company that also provides branding, graphic design and sourcing services across North America.

We’d like to take this time to thank our clients for their continuous support. We’re so grateful to be a part of your business’ journey through custom packaging. If you’re an existing customer with an inquiry about your order, please contact your Business Development Consultant and they’ll be happy to help!

Finally, a friendly reminder that our offices remain open by appointment only! Scheduling an appointment ensures that one of our knowledgeable consultants is available to assist you. Not comfortable meeting in person? Can’t make it to one of our offices? We’ve got you covered! Our consultants are available via phone and video to help you get started on your custom packaging journey.

Sincerely,

Everyone from LeKAC Sourcing Ltd.

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!

PACKAGING OPTIONS TAILORED TO YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS

FASHION INDUSTRY PRODUCTS

Fashion dates back to Ancient Rome & Egypt eons ago. In these cultures, clothing and fashion were treated as status symbols, where the wealthy would don lavish and colourful garments, and the poor would wear neutral colours and cheap but useful items.

Back then, clothing would be practical (the most important aspect being that it was appropriate to work in). Nowadays, clothing items are used as a form of self expression and fun – so why shouldn’t a brand’s packaging reflect the same? Clothing is still considered a way of conveying status, but there are definitely more intricacies involved in present day.

FASHION-FORWARD PACKAGING

In case you haven’t worked with us (yet), we don’t have any ready pricing available. But we have a good reason, we promise!

In our line of business, there are many factors to consider when determining the price of a custom product. Specifically, the dimensions, design, quantity, and overall level of customisation impact pricing. Please keep this in mind while our team negotiates the best possible pricing for your business!

After researching (ahem, firsthand experience) online and retail fashion-related purchases, the LeKAC Pack put together a variety of packaging

options (including some lesser known ones!) for your fashion/apparel business.

Some of the products featured in this exclusive catalogue are kraft paper bags, reusable bags, tote bags, mailer boxes, window folding boxes, rigid magnetic boxes, ribbons and sticker!

One of our most popular options are kraft paper bags. These bags come with a brown Kraft base, choice of edge, twisted rope handle and a 1 colour print by default. For a more durable version our laminated cardboard and reusable bags a great step up!

Bags not your style? Our folding cartons scream versatility and convenience –what better way to package your products than by using one of these

boxes? Folding cartons are a cost-effective approach to packaging, fit all types of apparel and are made of 350g high-quality paperboard material to boot.

Want something that looks more high-end? Our luxurious rigid boxes are made of a thick greyboard material and a white paper base. Also known as set-up boxes, this product is popular with high-end brands – but they can be used by anyone!

If you’re looking for presentation and protection for shipping out products then look no further! Our shipping packaging options provide your products with cushion in the event of impact (though you can always add a custom insert if it’s extra delicate).

HOW TO ORDER YOUR PACKAGING

At LeKAC, we pride ourselves on making your experience as simple and stress-free as possible! We have examined the e-commerce industry and came up with the most common dimensions for various products. However, we know that custom is always best and are happy to adjust dimensions to suit your specific needs! Take a look at our fashion catalogue, and give us a call to discuss your options. We’ll

walk you through our entire process from start to finish and address:

• dimensions, printing options, and material choices

• designing

• payment

• mass production

• shipment and delivery of goods

It’s as simple as that!

What are you waiting for?! Contact us today to get started! Or better yet… Check us out on Instagram !

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT GRUMPY KID STUDIO

Grumpy Kid Studio is a Montreal-based ceramics studio making mugs, plates, vases and other ceramics with an adorably grumpy flair. Our team are big fans of the grumpy mugs, so when Grumpy Kid founder Garbo Zhu reached out to us to start her custom packaging journey, we knew we couldn’t disappoint.

ABOUT GRUMPY KID STUDIO

At the height of the pandemic, Garbo was looking for a creative outlet. She turned to air-dry clay from the craft store, adding her now signature grumpy faces to her new

creations before photographing them and posting them online. As that gained traction, people began inquiring about her work.

After taking a hand-building pottery class 5 minutes from her house, hobby turned to side hustle as Grumpy Kid took off. She ran her studio from her parents’ living room in Toronto while working 9-5, releasing mugs in small drops.

THE PROBLEM

Grumpy Kid mostly operates online as an e-commerce business. Shipping ceramics is

delicate business; they’re fragile, but heavy! Before starting her journey with LeKAC, Garbo took every possible precaution to ensure the grumpy mugs arrived in their new homes safely. She focused on eco-friendly packaging options, such as biodegradable packing peanuts and honeycomb paper bubble wrap. Though this worked, the process of packaging the mugs took a long time.

THE SOLUTION

We previously worked with Kopi Thyme on shipping packaging for their sauces and

marinades. Since their products were also heavy and fragile, we created a custom mailer box with a matching insert to keep their jars secure.

We knew a similar approach would work perfectly for Garbo’s grumpy mugs! Taking her mugs as inspiration, we came up with four design options.

THE RESULT

When the samples arrived in our office, Garbo loved the way they looked. However, there was still the big question: would the

packaging protect the grumpy mugs? Garbo provided our office with sample mugs to get the sizing right for the insert. When she asked us to perform a drop test of the sample mugs in the new mailer boxes, we delivered! Check it out in the full blog post to see the results.

When we asked Garbo what her favourite part of working with LeKAC was, the answer was simple: working with our consultant Phil!

Phil is so fun! Whenever I asked him for updates, I feel like I can always get an answer right away.

Garbo Zhu

WHAT’S

NEXT FOR GRUMPY KID?

As fans of Grumpy Kid Studio, we had to ask: what’s next? Garbo revealed she wants to expand her team to more include more wheel throwers. She’s also started to build a connection with her audience, showing more of her daily life! Ceramics and other grumpy items are on their way too. Need to get your hands on a grumpy mug? Be sure to check out Grumpy Kid’s Instagram to keep up with the drops!

CHECK

www.grumpykidstudio.com

@grumpykidstudio

HI GARBO!

PHOTOS VIA GRUMPY KID STUDIO

FEATURED PRODUCT

PAPER INSERTS WITH CUT-OUTS

• Customizable

• Eco-Friendly

• High Quality

Our inserts are designed to match your needs – your choice of print, size and cutouts! Get in touch with our team to learn more about what we offer.

SIAL 2023 TRADE SHOW RECAP

This year, we were back at SIAL Canada displaying our custom packaging solutions for new and existing clients. Our team had a great time meeting everyone (including a celebrity chef or two)! If we missed you at the show but you still want to learn more, contact us to find out how we can help you get started on your custom packaging journey!

BHAGY’S BAKEHOUSE

RETRO & INTERACTIVE PACKAGING

Based out of Scarborough, Ontario, Bhagy’s Bakehouse is Masterchef alum Andre Bhagwandat’s passion for baking turned business. As Andre started creating his menu, he knew he had to have packaging that reflected the vision he had for the business. After a quick chat with LeKAC, we were able to help bring his vision to life!

ABOUT BHAGY’S BAKEHOUSE

Bhagy’s Bakeshop was founded through Andre’s newfound love of baking. After two runs on Masterchef Canada, he began baking out of a commercial kitchen in 2021. At the time, Bhagy’s was Cookie Box by Chef

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Andre, featuring four cookie flavours and Andre delivering the cookies by hand across the Greater Toronto Area.

THE ISSUE

Before Bhagy’s, there was Chef Andre’s Cookie Box. As Andre’s first cookie business, he started with brown Kraft boxes with stamped logos. He knew that with Bhagy’s, the packaging had to be the right fit for the business and he needed it as soon as he could get it!

Though Andre wasn’t sure what kind of packaging he was looking for at first, our consultant Phil helped present options that

would stand out and be unique. Andre came to LeKAC with some branding in mind, but wanted the packaging to be different and most importantly: have a retro aesthetic!

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BHAGY’S BAKEHOUSE?

If you’re looking for a sweet treat, make Bhagy’s Bakehouse your next stop. From generously-sized cookies, to crunchy crispy bars and cakes, there’s something for everyone with an added dash of nostalgia. In the future, Andre hopes to dip his toe into the world of fresh pastries alongside the baked goods he already offers.

THE RESULTS & ANDRE’S EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH LEKAC

With everything together, we helped Bhagy’s create a cohesive, retro packaging family! We added a matte lamination finish to the outside of the boxes for an extra tactile feel.

Altogether, Andre’s favourite part of working with us was our efficiency! Between constant communication with Phil and clear direction to our graphic designer, bringing Andre’s cookie-vision to life was a seamless process.

You guys take your job seriously [. . .] and you care about what you’re going to produce.

Andre Bhagwandat

Be sure to check out Bhagy’s Bakehouse for some delicious treats! Order online for pickup or walk in to satisfy your sweet tooth. WWW.BHAGYS.CA  @BHAGYSBAKEHOUSE

3380 MIDLAND AVE, UNIT 7, SCARBOROUGH ON, M1V 5B5

Making Bhagy’s retro, interactive packaging was not only fun for our team, but also helped the bakery cement its brand identity! Want to get started on your custom packaging journey, but don’t know how to get there? Contact us today and speak with our team to learn more about our branding, graphic design and custom packaging services!

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!

TRADEMARK ™

The ™ symbol is used to notify consumers about a trademark’s legal rights. However, it can be used without filing for official trademark rights if being used as a graphic element.

GLASSINE

A glossy, smooth paper made from chemically treated wood pulp. Often waxed or lamianted; it is considered air, water and grease resistant.

PLA (POLYLACTIC ACID)

A thermoplastic made of renewable, plant-based sources. Unlike traditional plastics, when heated to its melting point, this material becomes a liquid instead of burning! Since the material is biodegradable and plant-based, it’s a food-safe option! While it’s ideal for cold items, it’s not a great choice for hot foods or drinks.

OPACITY

The ability of a material or ink to stop the transmittance of light — a material with high opacity is considered see-through/transparent. Most inks have medium opacity (aka they are translucent, so the colour of the material shows through). This is why a full colour print on a white base is more vibrant than on a brown kraft base! For screen printing on darker fabrics an opaque or white ink base is used so the colour shows up at full vibrancy!

INK DRAWDOWN

A sample spread of ink onto a paper being used in printing. At LeKAC we make the process easy by using the sample run of packaging as an ink drawdown! Your packaging sample provides an indepth look at how the colours in your design will look on the paper being used as well as the overall look of the structure chosen.

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!!! Shipments normally take approx 4 months, but we recommened ordering it as far in advance as possible with current shipping delays.

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS? LEARN MORE ON OUR WEBSITE:

Q: I don’t see what I’m looking for... Can you still help me?

A: Absolutely! We can source products that match your packaging such as stickers, business cards, POP displays, etc. Our designers will make sure the designs match your brand!

Q: Can I get a sample without placing an order?

A: Yes, you can! However, there is a shipping fee of $250 CAD for requesting samples without orders. Get in touch with one of our consultants to learn more!

Q: What if I can’t decide on products and measurements?

A: Simply book a consultation with one of our Business Development Consultants (it’s free!) and based on a couple of questions regarding your establishment, we can suggest products and sizes! We can also calculate measurements for specific product packaging to ensure that everything will fit!