Packaging

Trickle-down innovation: hybrid printing driving new labelling quality standards

Wednesday 07. August 2024 - Masterpress, a leading European provider of printed decorative packaging solutions, has recently completed a niche labelling project for Distilia, an independent bottler of high-quality spirits specialising in selling unique bottles of rare, collectible alcohols.

A hybrid approach to label printing encourages innovation and flexibility in the client-customer relationship, delivering unique, elegant and durable labels for Distilia’s high-end, collectible bottles.
The project involved the production of five series of 250 exclusive labels using hybrid printing – Masterpress’s technique that combined digital printing, screen printing, lamination and varnishing – to achieve a distinctive, touch-sensitive, durable and visually striking effect.
Distilia, known for sourcing unique barrels and bottling exclusive batches, required labels that would not only mirror the luxury and exclusivity of their products but also captivate investors and enthusiasts at auctions. Unlike standard retail labels, these had to demonstrate superior quality and durability – essential characteristics for supreme and collectible items.
The company approached Masterpress with a pre-designed label featuring Yu Chaun’s real-life painting, aiming to integrate metallic elements and extenuate the painting’s intricate details. Considering the unique nature of the request, the challenge for Masterpress was to find the right technology to turn this vision into a captivating and exclusive label. “Our goal was to create something truly special – a label that reflects the heritage and sophistication of Distilia’s products while pushing the boundaries of conventional label printing and design,” said Artur Lesiński, business development manager at Masterpress.
“We wanted labels inspired by painted artwork that would capture the essence of our collectible spirits, showcasing their exclusivity and enduring quality,” said Jakub Bagiński, managing director of Distilia. “We had a clear vision and a ready design, but needed a partner that could turn this into reality. Masterpress achieved this with a blend of artistry and advanced printing techniques, which managed to capture even the paint brushes of the original painting and enhance the allure and premium nature of our products.”
“The project was something new for us, considering the label’s niche purpose and the fact we had to reproduce real art with all its details. At the same time, Distilia’s flexibility on how we should implement the label offered us an opportunity to see where we stand when it comes to our creative and technological capabilities,” said Aleksander Gajecki, digital printing manager at Masterpress.
Masterpress combined multiple technologies – digital printing, screen printing, lamination and varnishing. This combination of digital printing with different finishing techniques enabled the company to achieve a distinctive, touch-sensitive, and visually striking label. The label was printed on silver paper with a soft touch and laminate finish, creating a combination of paper and foil to make the connection soft and noble.
Thanks to digital printing’s flexibility and capabilities, Masterpress was able to test various solutions and complete the adjustments quicker, while reducing costs – efficiently consulting new versions with Distilia. Additionally, the use of digital printing contributed to reduced water, energy and paint consumption, coupled with less waste throughout the manufacturing process.
“Masterpress’s printing capabilities [digital printing] allowed for unprecedented levels of detail and colour fidelity. Each label meticulously incorporates special lacquers and metallic finishes, achieving a noble shade of gold, creating a really unique, tactile experience,” Distilia’s managing director Jakub Baginski highlighted.
“Trickling down” innovation for unique solutions and results
“Perhaps the best way to describe our experience working with Distilia on this project is ‘trickle down innovation’ – the technological freedom from the client gave us space for innovative hybrid solutions, and at the same time, room to provide flexibility across the whole manufacturer-client relationship,” said Artur Lesiński at Masterpress. “For example, we were able to deliver a high level of overprint, giving Distilia’s graphic designers more room to test new designs – and, thus, ‘trickling down’ innovation across our cooperation chain.”
Masterpress has comprehensively met Distilia’s expectations – from unique endurance and elegance to intricate aspects linked to the product’s advertisement, the company’s Managing Director reaffirmed. “Masterpress’s hybrid approach ensured that our designers had no limitations in the label design process,” Mr. Baginski added. “We wanted to reproduce the original images as best as possible. At the same time, the final visual effects were also key for us. We needed a label that looks as good – and even better – on pictures as it does on the shelf. Masterpress provided us with that exact product concept.”
“We always strive to meet our client’s expectations, in which the high-quality of the label plays a crucial role,” Mr. Baginski emphasised. “We were thus looking for a partner that could deliver a label that showcases the marriage of art, exclusive collection and consumption. Distilia is pleased to have found that in Masterpress with their innovative hybrid approach.”
Following the success of this project, Masterpress and Distilia have extended their collaboration, and are now working on a new label product.