The Ultimate Packaging Zine - LeKAC Sourcing (Winter 2021)

THE PACKAGING ZINE

Editor in Chief

Gabrielle Ho

Art Direction

Samneet Mann

Taylor Tran

Editors

Gabrielle Ho

Taylor Tran

Graphic Designer

Samneet Mann

Writers

Gabrielle Ho

Taylor Tran

Cover Photo

Samneet Mann

Contributors

LeKAC Sourcing Ltd.

MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM

Welcome back to our packaging zine! If you’re a returning subscriber or this is your first time reading, we’re excited for you to join us as we share updates and packaging news!

For those who might not know, we offer custom packaging and sourcing solutions across North America. We’ve also introduced our design and mockup services, so even if you don’t need packaging, you can still work with LeKAC!

With the holiday season upon us, we want to take a moment to thank our clients for all of their support during 2021. We look forward to working with you and deepening

our relationships with all of you in the coming year!

As a final reminder, we are still open by appointment only! Our in-house COVID-19 procedures include maintaining a 6-foot distance at all times, and regular sanitization of high-traffic areas. Additionally, masks must be worn at all times.

Not comfortable meeting in person? No problem! Our consultants are available via video or phone call to assist you as well.

Sincerely,

Everyone from LeKAC Sourcing Ltd.

Check out our LinkedIn page for creative ideas to use towards your custom packaging designs!

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!

CUSTOM PACKAGING AS FRESH AS YOUR BAKED GOODS!

When it comes to custom packaging, LeKAC was born and bread for this! Any bakery owner will know how important packaging is for baked goods. Most items will need a secure closure – but you can get that from any generic packaging product, right? So why should you opt for custom packaging when it comes to your bakery and/or cafe?

Consumers eat with their eyes first –and that extends to packaging. Attractive packaging lures potential customers in to your store to try your goods. Furthermore, custom packaging

can indicate if your business is premium or not. Let your packaging do the talking for you and read more to see what type of packaging the LeKAC Pack can provide to you!

BAKERY PACKAGING WITH YOU IN MIND

This is by far our largest catalogue to date so get ready! When our team started to work on this catalogue (after helping our bakery and cafe clients for years), we couldn’t stop thinking of products that could apply! From boxes, to bags, to tins – we’ve got it all.

Our products include:

• Bakery Boxes

• Rigid Boxes

• Paper Bags

• Cake Boxes

• Cookie Tins

• Paper Cups

• Reusable Bags

... and more! Check out the full blog post on our website to learn more about each packaging option we offer!

HOW TO ORDER

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 bakery & cafe catalogue, and give us a call to discuss your options. We’ll walk you through our entire process from start to finish.

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

FEATURED PRODUCT

CUSTOMIZABLE CAKE BOXES

• High Quality

• Eco-Friendly

• Affordable

Our folding carton cake boxes come in a variety of structures, printing and lamination options! Get in touch with our team to learn more about what we can supply.

WHAT IS A BRAND KIT & WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

A brand kit encompasses all the visual elements of your brand. It’s essentially a cheat sheet for your marketing department or third-party to understanding and communicating your brand’s identity.

WHAT ARE THE COMPONENTS OF A BRAND KIT?

People often use the terms Brand Kit and Brand Style Guide interchangeably – but there is a difference. A Brand Kit focuses on visual assets of your brand, while a Brand Style Guide (or Brand Guidelines) communicates your brand as a whole.

What exactly are these non-negotiable elements that can make or break your brand? Let’s look at them:

The obvious component. Your logo is usually the first impression customers have of your brand. It’s also an opportunity to tell your story in one image. Your logo should be consistent across all platforms (social media, website, printed materials etc.) but feel free to include variations such as submarks and alternative logos.

colour palette

Your colour palette sets the tone for your brand. Successful and consistent colour palettes allow for quick recognition –for example, yellow and red makes you think about McDonalds, while green and white may trigger the idea of Starbucks.

typography

Your typography should be thought of on the same level of importance as your logo or other visual aspects of your brand. When it comes to typography you can use a readymade font or even design your own.

visual attributes

Similar to the first 3 components to your brand kit, visual attributes play a role in

brand recognition. From in-store touch points to websites and digital ads, visual attributes should be consistent. This section is great for expressing acceptable styles such as lifestyle photos, stock images, illustrations and graphics.

WHAT NOW?

Want to read up on more detail about each element that goes into a brand kit, head over to the full blog on lekac.com!

With LeKAC’s new marketing services available, the LeKAC pack can help create brand kits, guidelines, custom packaging and much more. Contact us today to start your brand journey!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT LEKAC SOURCING LTD.

Thank you for all your support during 2021! We look forward to working with you in the coming year. To celebrate our design team has come up with two holiday/winter colouring pages available to print and download on the next page! :)

All the Best, The LeKAC Pack

Interested in custom packaging for the next holiday season? Check out our HOLIDAY CATALOGUE to see what we can offer! It’s never to early to shop for the holidays.

FLOODING IN B.C. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

On November 17, 2021, British Columbia experienced heavy rainfall and flooding, causing massive road and rail closures. We often talk about how different global events have an effect on your packaging, so how does the flooding in B.C. factor in?

If you’re curious about the status of the Port of Vancouver, we also recommend checking out the official Port of Vancouver website. Read on to learn more!

WHAT HAPPENED IN B.C.?

The heavy rain is the result of an atmospheric river, which are narrow columns of water that transport water vapour from tropical

regions to higher latitudes. As the water vapour rises, it condenses and cools into precipitation, usually in the form of snow or rain. The heavy rainfall caused by atmospheric rivers is a crucial contributor to water supplies. They contribute to about 20% of the Earth’s total water flow!

While the atmospheric river was the main source of the heavy rainfall, other factors also affected the flooding. These include; the absence of trees due to clearcut logging, clogs in waterways, increased risk of landslides and debris flows from the widespread wildfires the province experienced during the summer.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN ORDERING YOUR PACKAGING

As a result of the heavy rain, southern B.C. experienced not only major flooding, but multiple landslides on major roads. The Port of Vancouver suspended rail operation due to flooding. Additionally, a section of the Trans-Canada Highway was swept away in a landslide, effectively cutting Vancouver off from the rest of Canada.

In a recent blog post, we talked about how China’s energy crisis has caused delays for all shipping. At LeKAC, we offer two main shipping methods; air and sea vessel.

If you’re ordering packaging through sea vessel, it’s important to consider the delays caused by different global events.

A portion of the Trans-Canada Highway washed away due to flooding.

SOURCE: @TRANBC ON TWITTER

HOW TO STAY INFORMED

Though we’ve talked about the impact of the flooding on your packaging, our thoughts are with the residents of B.C. affected by the floods. This weather event has not only impacted business, but also the lives of everyday people as well.

That being said, the situation in B.C. is constantly evolving. If you not a B.C. resident, it can be hard to stay updated about what’s going on. If you have a question about how the flooding will affect your shipment with LeKAC, please do not hesitate to contact us! We’ll do our best to keep you up to date about your order, and offer you alternatives where available.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND ITS IMPACT, READ THE REST OF THE BLOG HERE !

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!

KRAFT PAPER BASE

A paper produced from virgin pulp in the pulping process. It is made out of natural unbleached wood fibres.

TURNAROUND TIME

The amount of time it will take for your custom packaging to be manufactured and shipped!

GREYBOARD

A thicker paper material used as the base material of all rigid boxes. It is what helps to provide stability and durability to rigid box structures.

LAMINATION

A laminate film can be applied to packaging to give it a unique effect (e.g. glossy, matte and soft touch).

MOQ

Abbreviation for Minimum Order Quantity — which is the lowest amount you are able to order of a given product! Each product has its own unique MOQ.

NON-WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE

Long fibers of polypropylene polymers (a type of durable plastic material) that have been bonded together using some sort of heat, chemical, or mechanical treatment.

This material is our top choice for durable, reusable and fully customizable reusbale bags!

Silk-Screen Printing

A printing technique where a mesh screen is used to transfer ink onto your packaging. Silk-Screen printing typically uses the PMS Pantone Color Library for the most vibrant colours.

This printing method is used across a variety of our products, one of the most notable being our non-woven reusable bags!

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 3 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: What if I just need help with the designs?

A: With our new marketing & design services our inhouse graphic designers are at your service to help bring your design ideas and brand to life!

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

A: Simply book a consultation with one of our Business Development representatives (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!