The Ultimate Packaging Zine - LeKAC Sourcing (Winter 2024)

THE PACKAGING ZINE WINTER 2024

Editor in Chief Gabrielle Ho Art Direction Samneet Mann Taylor Tran Zoe Chan Editors Gabrielle Ho Taylor Tran Graphic Designers Samneet Mann Zoe Chan Writers Taylor Tran Cover Photo Samneet Mann

WINTER 2024 EDITION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message from the Team

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Chaos Packaging - How to Embrace the Unusual

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Farm Fresh Packaging Loading...

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Featured Product: Pie Boxes

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2025 Design Trends Moodboard

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Generative AI and Packaging

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Step by Step Ordering with LeKAC

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Learn with Lenny: Packaging Dictionary

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Packaging Q&A

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MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

It’s the ho-ho-holiday season, and our latest edition of our seasonal zine is here! If you’re a new reader, welcome! Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are a Canadian-based custom packaging company offering sourcing and branding services to businesses worldwide!

To our existing clients this holiday season, we want to thank you for your continued trust in us to bring your custom packaging dreams to life. We’re looking forward to making more beautifully packaged memories with you in the new year! If you have a question about an outstanding order, please contact your Business Development Consultant for more information!

As a reminder, our offices are open by appointment only. This ensures that a member of our team will always be available to assist you! Can’t make it in to one of our offices? Our consultants are available via phone or video call to help!

With that, we hope you enjoy our last edition of 2024. See you in the new year!

Sincerely, The LeKAC Pack

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

CHAOS PACKAGING

EMBRACE THE UNUSUAL Chaos packaging is a fun way for companies to draw attention to their brands. These products are memorable, and generate buzz and hype! Not sure what we mean? Here are some of our favourite examples!

Whipped Sun Protection targeting younger, trend-conscious

Topping this list is Vacation’s Classic Whip sunscreen. Canister sunscreens are not new to the market, however they often dispense a spray sunscreen.

This formulation from Vacation comes

consumers. The whipped format ensures even coverage while delivering a tactile, enjoyable application experience.

in packaging that looks like a whipped

The best part? The sunscreen dispenses

cream canister.

in a whipped mousse format that looks like whipped cream.

Whipped sunscreen, dispensed like whipped cream, became popular in the

For Vacation, chaos packaging is a

last decade, combining novelty with

strong marketing tool–the packaging

practicality. It’s often marketed as

becomes a billboard. In this instance, it

lightweight and easy to apply,

worked its magic a little too well.

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Unlike some chaotic packaging trends

Here We Flo

that prioritize virality, Here We Flo’s

Here We Flo is redefining period care

unique design excels in physical retail

with their playful, ice-cream-pint-

environments. Read the full blog post on

inspired tampon packaging. Housed in

Here We Flo’s sweet chaos packaging

eco-friendly paper containers, the

and design inspiration on the LeKAC

design is not just eye-catching but also

Sourcing’s website.

meaningful—an inside joke between founders Susan Augustin and Tara Chandra, inspired by Chandra’s recurring ice cream cravings during her menstrual cycle.

This thoughtful design bridges the gap between humor and functionality, creating a relatable product that genuinely resonates with consumers.

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Sizzle & Drizzle Olive oil in a squeeze bottle might not

a squeeze bottle, it not only adds

seem like chaos packaging, however,

convenience but elevates the cooking

most olive oil is available in glass

experience of the average home chef.

bottles! The squeeze bottle is

Once the olive oil in Graza’s bottles ran

convenient, though it’s uncommon.

out, customers began refilling them

Most often, olive oil in a squeeze bottle

with the olive oils they had on hand.

is seen in professional kitchens, where

This led Graza to introduce a second

it’s often purchased in bulk. By Graza

chaos packaging format: cans of olive

pre-packaging their olive oil in

oil with soda can tabs.

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When used correctly, chaos packaging can be a strong marketing tool for all kinds of businesses! Chaos packaging doesn’t need to be complicated. Most of the examples we included in this post simply require a little out-of-the-box thinking (literally!).

Choosing the right packaging for your business can help drive brand awareness and customer retention!

Have an idea but aren’t sure how to bring it to life? Contact us today for a free consultation with our team! Besides custom packaging, we also offer custom Branding and Graphic Design services!

Freshly Scented, Freshly Cleaned Nothing smells better than something freshly cleaned, and Moschino would agree! Their Fresh Couture fragrance imitates the shape and the labelling of a Windex bottle, right down to the blue-tinged liquid and the spray nozzle. Using this packaging trend makes sense for Moschino since their entire brand is focused on campy and over the top designs.

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Lunar New Year Closures The Lunar New Year period is fast approaching, with many activities and events occurring during January and February. Our suppliers often take a well deserved break around this time of year to celebrate with their families, which may cause delays in our overall production schedule.

In order to get your packaging in time for the start of your business’ season, we suggest placing any packaging orders during the first half of December at the latest.

This will help you avoid any delays or price increases due to shipping congestion.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ANY POTENTIAL SHIPPING DELAYS, CHECK OUT OUR BLOG POST!

FARM FRESH PACKAGING LOADING...

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Let's Get Picking!

We're ripe with packaging options that will make your business pop during the PYO season and beyond! Check out our curated packaging selection below.

BAGS

Apple Bag

Kraft Paper Bags

Kraft Woven Bag

Woven Reusable Bag

Non-woven Reusable Bag

Tshirt Bag

BOXES

Fruit Basket

Pie Box

Jar Box

Looking For Something Else?

Not seeing the packaging you’re looking for? Contact us today for a free consultation and learn more about our other custom packaging solutions!

Check out page 18 to learn more about our ordering process and how we can help!

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FEATURED PRODUCT

PIE BOX S ECUR E | FO O D S A F E | ECO - F R I E N D LY

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Looking for custom designed packaging for your baked goods? From size to print, we can help design a box that meets your needs. Get in touch with our team to learn more about what we offer.

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Illustrative Styles

DESIGN TRENDS 2025

Sustainable

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AI Generated Design

Feature *

Cutouts NATURAL EARTHY TONES

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GENERATIVE AI AND PACKAGING Generative AI is a powerful tool that is being incorporated in all kinds of businesses. But how can you use it in your packaging? Is it the right tool for you?

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AI FOR DESIGN Generative AI tools have been incorporated into many design softwares. Using these tools can help create designs quickly and also make the mockups! AI can also help identify design trends that you can incorporate into your packaging designs.

AI also has the ability to recommend which packaging material to use to ensure structural integrity! This can also help with the package’s efficiency! Optimizing the packaging’s design with AI can help with its efficiency, both design-wise and logistics wise!

We pride ourselves on offering unique packaging designs to our clients. The way AI creates images is by using data already available online that its algorithms have learned from. This means that no AIgenerated art is original; it’s all taken from some other source material.

Using this technology is also an expensive undertaking. Especially for operations and logistics, training and creating AI software for your business requires significant investment in software and equipment.

AI FOR OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS AI also has applications in logistics! It can analyze supply chains for optimization, to track inventory, and even predict when clients might need more stock! For the purposes of packaging, AI has potential to assist in quality control. Using computerized quality control can help avoid additional imperfections not seen by the human eye.

ISSUES WITH AI Though AI is a great tool, there are several barriers to using it in your packaging.

Despite the benefits of AI, we prefer to leave the designing to our in-house graphic design team! AI-generated art and designs can sometimes miss the human touch or have distorted elements. Though the technology has advanced, it still isn’t perfect!

While AI offers incredible tools to enhance design and operations, it’s clear that the human touch remains irreplaceable when it comes to crafting truly unique and impactful packaging. By blending cutting-edge technology with the expertise of our in-house graphic design team, we ensure every package we create is both functional and original.

If you’re ready to explore how custom packaging can elevate your brand, we’re here to help. Contact us today to begin your custom packaging journey and see how our team can bring your vision to life.

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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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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!

MICRO-PACKAGING

ECO-INK Environmentally friendly printing inks used in custom packaging. These inks are often made from natural or renewable sources, such as soy or algae, and are free from harmful chemicals. They are an essential choice for brands aiming to reduce their environmental impact and align with sustainable practices.

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Small-scale, precision packaging solutions designed for tiny or delicate items, such as jewelry, cosmetics, or electronic components. This type of packaging emphasizes secure fit, minimal waste, and high-quality presentation, tailored to products that require extra care and detail.

PULL TAB A small flap or ribbon, that allows the user to easily open the package.

It is commonly found in premium or convenience-focused packaging, such as gift boxes or food containers.

DRAWSTRING Either fabric or cord closures added to packaging, such as pouches or bags, for a secure and functional design. They provide a practical way to carry or close the packaging while adding a playful or elegant touch depending on the material used.

FOUR-CORNER TRAY A four-corner tray is a lightweight, open-top box structure with glued or foldable corners. It is commonly used for food items, bakery products, or display packaging.

Its design provides easy access to contents while maintaining a clean, organized presentation.

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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