Packaging

Olin Colours selected for prestigious Final Fantasy VII Rebirth packaging

Friday 01. November 2024 - Square Enix, a renowned video game publisher, is the creator and owner of the iconic Final Fantasy franchise. In 2024, Square Enix launched Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, an instalment in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, a reimagining of the legendary 1997 game.

To celebrate the launch, Square Enix commissioned a limited-edition promotional snow globe featuring the game’s iconic Gold Saucer.
The snow globe was adorned with internal LED lights in various colours, making it a visually captivating piece. The challenge was to create an impressive packaging solution that reflected the brand’s identity, protected the valuable item, and met the client’s environmental standards.
Design Agency: Inkmark Limited, a UK-based print and packaging solutions company, was tasked with designing the holding box. Their brief was to create a limited-edition box that not only protected the snow globe but also enhanced its presentation while staying true to the Final Fantasy brand ethos.
Square Enix had several key requirements for the packaging:
1. Brand Recognition: The packaging needed to reflect the Final Fantasy branding, especially the dark, mysterious aesthetic associated with Final Fantasy VII.
2. Environmental Responsibility: The client was keen to eliminate traditional polystyrene packaging in favour of more environmentally friendly option, with the outer box specifically needing to be FSC certified and recyclable.
3. Protection and Durability: Given the snow globe’s weight, the packaging had to provide sufficient protection for safe distribution across the UK, Europe, USA, and Japan.
4. Premium Feel and Functionality: The packaging had to be premium in look and feel, with a high-quality finish that would leave a lasting impression.
Inkmark chose, Olin Colours Black 400gsm, from Antalis for the project. The Olin Colours range is known for combining rich colours with elegance and quality, making it ideal for high-end packaging solutions. The Olin range is also FSC and ECF certified, aligning perfectly with the client’s environmental objectives and what’s more, all Antalis’ creative papers are carbon balanced as standard, via World Land Trust.
Design and Production: Inkmark designed a crash-lock box with a tuck-top security tab, ensuring the globe was securely held in place. The substantial board weight offered both rigidity and strength.
Enhanced Aesthetics: Inkmark utilised a SwissQprint Nyala 3 Industrial UV Flatbed Printing System to apply a raised ink effect on the smooth Olin Colours surface. The raised ink, combined with the luxurious texture of the Olin Colours Black, created a strikingly tactile experience.
Brand Consistency: The deep black colour of the Olin Colours board was a perfect match for the dark imagery of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
The Olin Colours material met the aesthetic and functional requirements and supported the environmental goals. The packaging was well-received, with praise for its premium look and feel.
Mark Sutor from Inkmark noted, “The launch of the game was a significant milestone for our team, requiring us to create a special limited-edition for the global launch. The Olin Colours range was integral to our success, allowing us to produce a box that was as beautiful as it was functional.”
The collaboration between Square Enix, Inkmark Limited, and Antalis exemplifies how thoughtful design and material selection can elevate a product’s presentation and align with a brand’s values. The use of Olin Colours ensured that the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth promotional snow globe was not only protected but also celebrated as a premium, environmentally responsible product.