/ Background:

Diesel® are one of the world's most successful designer labels. Started in Italy by one designer making jeans, the company has expanded massively and now has stores in multiple countries. Privately owned and based in Italy, the company strives to create unique products and present them in the best way possible.

/ The Brief:

Diesel® were contacted by Cadmus in May 2008 with the intention of creating some packaging to tie in with their current underwear boxes. They were using a simple Acetate box with a series of different J cards inside to represent the different types of underwear available. We helped with prototypes to match the existing Acetate and created printed proofs of 14 different J cards. The Acetate we used was clearer than the current batch and the print quality was much improved. In late 2008 Diesel® decided the packs were out of date after 3 years and wanted a fresh approach to the design and production of the underwear packaging. The brief was to work closely with the in house designers to create a completely new structure and look to the range of underwear packaging.

/ Our Work:

Cadmus visited in December and January to finalize the way forward with the designers from Diesel®. We then created a set of prototypes in 4 sizes and in 2 different styles in 2 colour paperboard with Acetate windows and screen-printed logos on the windows. This allowed the client to have their new branding on the box, but also allowed the customer to see through the Acetate and therefore see the garment inside the box. The minimal print colour allows a good unit price while not compromising on design quality.

We had a few worries about the strength of the Acetate, but after a few rounds of sampling we fixed the strength issues, and we then gained approval on the structure. We produced a complete set of full mock-ups incorporating the changes that the client had asked for. These printed mock-ups were made in the factory in China where mass production is taking place. We spent many hours perfecting the UV coating on the outside of the box which completed the look and feel of the design, and also allowed the structure and robust nature of the packaging to be maximised.

/ Results:

The end result was a great piece of design led packaging.
Design fits the client brief in terms of price and structure.
Mass production is ongoing and these packs will be in store by Mid Summer 2009.

/ Background:

Umbro is one of the largest apparel makers in the world. Specialising in mainly sporting wear and footwear, the brand has built itself around quality garments and innovative footwear for Football, and many other sports. Based in Cheshire in the North of England the company is one of the biggest employers in the country and has a high profile sponsorship agreement with the England football team.

/ The Brief:

Treadstone were commissioned to create a new packaging design for a limited edition football to commemorate the 40-year Anniversary of England winning the world cup in 1966. The football was only made in a very short run, 66 units, and was to be sold in Richard James Taylor Company of Saville Row, London.
Richard James was supplying the clothing for the England Team for the world cup in Summer 2006. The brief was to see the ball in the window and on a display stand inside the Taylor’s shop. The ball had to look like it was floating inside the display case. The box also had to incorporate the logos of Umbro, and Richard James, but in a subtle way so as not to take the customers eye away from the ball.

/ Our Work:

We designed a unique clear Perspex case with a specially designed heat moulded base to fit inside the case, and a hinged lid with specially manufactured clear Perspex hinges. The brief was to have the ball almost floating in the air from a reasonable distance. We achieved this by positioning the stand in side the base in such a way that the ball seemed to be floating off the bottom of the case.

Richard James had his logo on one side and Umbro had their logo on the other side, but printed in laser etch effect ink to give a frosted, translucent look.

/ Results:

Once in store the results were stunning and the balls all sold within 2 days.
Treadstone now produces all of Umbro presentation cases for footballs
We have supplied cases with logos for the F.A. Cup Final, The Community Shield, The play off finals and the Carling Cup Final.

/ Background:

L'Oreal is one of the largest cosmetic manufacturers in the world, with multiple locations and a vast array of products. We had done several smaller jobs for L'Oreal, involving press packs for events, Press cutting folders, and DVD duplication and packaging.

/ The Brief:

Treadstone were contacted by L'Oreal to help with a set of folders to promote the range of products they send out annually to the salons that buy the hair care products on a monthly basis. This is one of the most important projects of the year for the U.K. sales channel and meant a large run of 250 page full colour printed laminated brochure pages. The brief was to design and manufacture a run of 2500 ring binders to showcase this brochure in the best way.

/ Our Work:

We suggested a Ring Binder created using innovative materials. The spine and rear cover of the folder was made from "Promolyte". A new material that is made from a polypropylene core with a thin layer of aluminium stuck to both sides. This allows us to have the look of Aluminium but with the flexible abilities that PP has. This allowed us to create a unique hinge for the binder.

The front cover of the folder was then made from clear PETG, which is similar to Perspex but has a more flexible nature. This was then screen printed in 2 colours to the underside of the cover with the artwork mirror imaged so as to read correctly when the folder was closed. Also it allowed the user to see the details through the front cover. This cover was then riveted to the metal spine creating a stunning end product. Treadstone then produced a shipping carton and did the insertion of the brochure pages, assembled the binder, pit it in the outer shipper and labelled and shipped the product to L'Oreal's distribution centre in the North of England.

/ Results:

The end result was an increase in sales of products.
Treadstone has done the project for the last three seasons.
Brilliant piece of creative packaging fitting the brief and delivering on time and within budget

Treadstone makes it simple. The journey to custom packaging passes through the following stages.

/ Background:

Nintendo are one of the world's largest video games companies. They have seen massive growth since the launch if the Nintendo DS and the Wii Console. The company has a massive backlog of games, and they have launched a "PLATINUM" version of the Pokemon game developed in the 1990's.

/ The Brief:

Treadstone had to design a delivery mechanism for the game that would reflect the historic nature of the product but still reflect the modern platform that the console now represents. The product was to be sold exclusively through HMV one of the best retailers in the U.K. for games products.

/ Our Work:

Treadstone designed a unique tin. The tin had a die cut foam insert to hold the Game box, and the lid of the tin had to have a 7 colour metallic print and embossed logo of the main character in Pokemon. The De-Boss had to be on 3 levels and the rear of the tin had to have print on also. The game case had to fit perfectly into the foam and the tin had to be small enough to fit on existing in store display units and big enough to have a significant impact.

/ Results:

HMV reported a massive increase in sales of the Pokemon Platinum version.
The tins have been a huge success for the re-launch of the product.
Nintendo are looking at rolling out the tin concept for many other games.