Secondary Packaging for Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing City Series

Secondary Packaging for Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing City Series

CASE STUDIES

 

Secondary Packaging for Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing City Series

Project Overview

ADM partnered with Wynalda Packaging to develop secondary packaging for the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing City Series — exclusive New York and Sydney editions featuring cask-strength, locally inspired bourbons available only in their respective airports. The packaging was designed to reflect the premium nature of the collection while creating strong shelf presence for travelers seeking a unique, destination-specific offering.

FEATURES

CUSTOM PANTONE COLORS

DULL VARNISH

EMBOSSING

Structure & Materials

The package is constructed from 24pt SBS, featuring an auto-bottom folding carton with a gusset-tuck top and reinforced side walls to provide added strength and durability for the bottle during transportation and retail display.

 

Printing & Finishing

To maintain consistency with both the bottle design and the Maker’s Mark brand identity, the carton is printed using three Pantone colors: Maker’s Mark signature red, a custom black, and a custom cream background carefully color-matched to the bottle label. To reinforce the natural, wood-inspired aesthetic of the Wood Finishing Series, black graphics were used to create a tree-ring pattern across the top of the box, along with fine fiber detailing throughout the background to emulate the look of textured paper. A dull varnish was applied to enhance the organic appearance and provide a refined matte finish.

Embossing

Selective embossing was added to key text elements on the front panel to create depth, dimension, and a tactile, premium feel that elevates the overall presentation.

 

Conclusion

This packaging solution combines durable structure, refined print execution, and thoughtful finishing details to support the premium positioning of the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing City Series. The result is a distinctive retail package that captures the craftsmanship and exclusivity of the collection while delivering a polished consumer experience.

Dr. Squatch Discovery Pack Cologne Packaging

Dr. Squatch Discovery Pack Cologne Packaging

CASE STUDIES

 

Dr. Squatch Discovery Pack Cologne Packaging

Project Overview

 

Dr. Squatch, a fast-growing men’s personal care brand known for its rugged, natural aesthetic, required a premium packaging solution for their new Cologne Discovery Pack, designed to hold either three or five sample-size bottles of their Natural Cologne scents.

The packaging needed to deliver a high-end brand experience while aligning with the company’s sustainability values and aggressive product launch schedule. In addition to aesthetics, the project required tight coordination between design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams to ensure reliable execution ahead of the holiday selling season.

The brand required packaging that:

  • Utilized eco-friendly and responsibly sourced materials
  • Was produced by a domestic manufacturing partner to reduce risk and improve speed-to-market
  • Coordinated manufacturing within a timeline for a national holiday product launch
  • Maintained the premium look, feel, and brand consistency of their existing product line
  • Provided structural integrity to protect glass bottle during shipping and handling

Wynalda delivered a thoughtfully engineered packaging solution that combined sustainable materials with advanced manufacturing techniques, and precise structural design. The final package securely houses each bottle while creating an engaging unboxing experience that reflects that brand’s rugged, natural identity and supports efficient, scalable production.

FEATURES

CUSTOM MOLDED PULP

HOT FOIL STAMPING

EMBOSSING

Rigid Box

The outer package is a two-piece telescoping rigid box with an integrated platform, designed to align visually with Dr. Squatch’s existing packaging portfolio. It is constructed with 60 pt W1S recycled chipboard, providing the rigidity and durability required to protect fragile glass bottle throughout distribution and fulfillment. The 80# text wrap is printed on Wynalda Packaging’s Landa S11 Digital Offset Press, achieving six custom colors, and coated with a dull varnish for a refined, matte finish.

 

Embossing to Mimic Stock Texture

To maintain visual consistency with Dr. Squatch’s established packaging, the wrap material needed to replicate a specific textured surface used across their product line. Because a domestically sourced paper stock with that exact texture was not available within the required timeline, Wynalda’s team developed a process to emboss the entire sheet, recreating the desired texture while maintaining production efficiency and domestic sourcing requirements.

Hot Foil Stamping

After embossing, the wrap was hot foil stamped with design elements featuring fine lines and intricate details. Applying foil over a textured surface required precise control of pressure, temperature, and dwell time to ensure consistent adhesion and sharp visual detail.

“Throughout the project, we closely monitored the depth and consistency of the embossed texture to ensure it met both visual and tactile expectations. In addition, the customer required fine type foil stamping over the textured surface. This presented a unique challenge, as we needed to ensure proper foil adhesion on the embossed sheet while still maintaining crisp detail and the level of brilliance the customer expected.”

– Charles, Die Cutting & Stamping Manager

 

Molded Pulp Insert

Inside the box, a custom molded pulp tray securely holds the cologne bottles. Made from 20% recycled material, incorporating scrap solid bleached sulfate (SBS) generated from Wynalda’s own folding carton manufacturing process.  This closed-loop approach reduces material waste while supporting sustainability goals.

Structural Design Process

During the development process, Wynalda’s engineering team created and sent several iterations of 3D-printed samples to be tested for product fit and presentation. Once the structure of the tray was finalized, the team produced prototypes for a transportation study to ensure durability and performance.

Pulp Tray Masks Provide Versatility

To minimize tooling and production costs, Wynalda designed a single universal molded pulp tray that could be used for both the 3-bottle and 5-bottle discovery packs. We developed two different SBS masks for the pulp trays: one exposing all five cavities, and one exposing only three. The masks are printed with four-color process plus two custom colors and finished with dull varnish. They are then die-cut and glued to the molded pulp trays.

 

The Result

The final package successfully balanced sustainability, structural performance, and premium branding. The textured rigid box, detailed foil stamping, and molded pulp insert work together to create a high-end presentation with eco-conscious materials. The packaging met Dr. Squatch’s holiday launch timeline, delivered the brand experience they were looking for, and provided the flexibility needed for multiple product configurations.

Don Julio’s 1942 Tequila Gift Box

Don Julio’s 1942 Tequila Gift Box

CASE STUDIES

 

Don Julio’s 1942 Tequila Gift Box

Project Overview

ADM partnered with Wynalda Packaging to develop premium secondary packaging for Don Julio’s iconic 1942 tequila bottle as part of its 2025 holiday program. The goal was to create a visually striking carton that elevated shelf presence and positioned the tequila as a festive gift.

FEATURES

SPECIALTY COATINGS

COLD FOIL

DEBOSSING

Structure & Materials

The carton was produced using 28pt SBS C1S and engineered with an auto-lock bottom and tuck-top closure. This structure delivers exceptional strength and stability while supporting efficient assembly.

 

Printing & Cold Foil

To achieve a refined metallic aesthetic, cold foil was applied to the top half of the carton, then overprinted with a custom gold PMS color and finished with spot gloss. This layered approach created a foil effect that perfectly aligns with Don Julio’s signature branding. The bottom half of the carton was printed in Don Julio’s iconic brown using four-color process and finished with a dull varnish, delivering richness, contrast, and depth.

 

Debossing

Across the top half of the carton, a debossed groove pattern was incorporated to add visual and tactile interest. Extending across the box folds, the deboss required meticulous attention to detail and precise registration. Accentuated by the cold foil and spot gloss, the detail reinforces the carton’s luxurious look and feel.

 

Result

The finished package delivers a sophisticated yet festive, gift-worthy presentation that commands attention at retail while staying true to Don Julio’s iconic brand identity.

Rigid Box + Molded Pulp Fragrance Packaging for Adrian Costa

Rigid Box + Molded Pulp Fragrance Packaging for Adrian Costa

CASE STUDIES

 

Rigid Box + Molded Pulp Fragrance Packaging for Adrian Costa

Project Overview

Adrian Costa, a new fragrance brand launched in October 2025 in partnership with Perfumania, set out to create packaging with an elevated, luxury look and feel. 

While the brand recognized the perceived value of and premium feel of rigid boxes, the challenge was to deliver that experience using responsible, paper-based materials throughout.

FEATURES

SPECIALTY COATINGS

COLD FOIL & HOT FOIL

MOLDED PULP INSERT

Rigid Box

The rigid box is constructed from 60pt recycled chipboard (W1S) and wrapped in 80# white text, with precision skived corners that deliver sharp, clean edges on the box’s exterior.

The lid is printed with four-color process plus a custom PMS red and finished with a soft-touch coating. Cold foil was applied inline during printing and overprinted to create a custom foil tone, creating a subtle metallic sheen across the background. Select design elements were further enhanced with post-press hot foil stamping, adding depth and a rich, reflective contrast.

The base is printed in the custom PMS red and finished with a soft-touch coating, completing a cohesive, premium presentation.

Advanced rigid box equipment forms lids and bases simultaneously and joins them inline with robotic automation, ensuring tight tolerances, consistency, and production efficiency.

 

Molded Pulp Insert

The molded pulp insert is pressed to an ultra-smooth, premium finish with a 1mm wall thickness, providing strength and protection for the bottle.

The insert contains 20% recycled material, and production utilizes a recycled water tank to reduce overall water consumption.

Sustainability

The entire package is 100% paper-based, fully recyclable, and manufactured in the USA at Wynalda Packaging’s Michigan facility.

The Result

The final package delivers a refined unboxing experience that captures attention at retail while offering environmental responsibility.

By combining advanced manufacturing, premium finishes, and sustainable materials, this packaging solution reinforces Adrian Costa’s commitment to sustainability while elevating perceived retail value.

Looking to elevate your fragrance packaging? Connect with a packaging expert to explore premium, sustainable solutions tailored to your brand.

Cigarette-Style Perforated Boxes for AdvoCare

Cigarette-Style Perforated Boxes for AdvoCare

CASE STUDIES

 

Cigarette-Style Perforated Boxes for AdvoCare

Project Overview

AdvoCare, a premium dietary supplement brand, partnered with Wynalda to create retail packaging for their new powdered kombucha supplement, Harmony®.

The packaging had to securely hold 15 individual stick packs while delivering:

  • A convenient, user-friendly experience
  • A refined, high-end presentation
  • Strength and durability

FEATURES

SPECIALTY COATINGS

PERFORATION

CUSTOM SPOT COLORS

Cigarette-Style Perforated Box

 

To achieve these objectives, Wynalda Packaging designed a cigarette-style perforated box made from 24pt SBS. The design features an auto-lock bottom for added strength and fulfillment efficiencies, while a perforated flip-top lid allows consumers to store the box in their cupboard and easily remove one stick pack at a time. 

Inner Collar

 

To enhance the strength and maintain the box’s shape after opening, we added a three-panel inner collar that lines the front and sides of the box, forming an internal support wall that reinforces the structure and ensures a secure closure for the lid.

Printing & Coating

 

Color accuracy was critical for AdvoCare’s brand. The carton was printed using four PMS colors plus black, then finished with a soft-touch coating and spot gloss UV to achieve a refined, tactile finish.

 

 

The Result

 

The final result delivered on every objective, combining strength, aesthetic appeal, and functionality. AdvoCare was thrilled with the Harmony packaging and is now exploring the same design for other product lines.