Launched just last week and making its debut at Cosmoprof North America this week, Barista Bath and Body is the first line of beauty products with organic coffee as its key ingredient. Coffee, and caffeine were chosen because they:

• Feature a pH balance similar to the human body, meaning that it cleans better than ordinary soap or shampoo
• act as a gentle exfoliant
• perform as an effective astringent
• promote the appearance of smoother-looking skin, especially in cellulite-prone areas (http://www.b3products.com)

The products are also paraben-free, phthalate-free and sulfate-free and range in price from $4.50 to $28.00 for individual products and $22.50 to $150.00 for gift sets. The company is already being touted for its unique products and understanding of the market.

Just in time for summer, take a look at Forever Sunshine—the latest fragrance collection from Bath & Body Works. Key fragrance notes for the line include golden apricot, pink peonies and a hint of praline. The bright colors, sketched graphics and fun text plays perfectly to the young, hip crowd it is marketed to. This summer special still stands out from their recently redesigned signature collection.

Although it’s not required by the USDA that non-food products certify their organic claims, Whole Foods is insisting on it for the sake of their customers. By June 1, 2011 all personal products and cosmetics claiming to be organic or made from/including organic ingredients must be certified. According to GCI Magazine, companies have until August 1^st of this year to submit their compliance plans to Whole Foods:

• Under the new guideline, all products making an “organic” product claim (e.g. “organic shampoo”) must be certified to the United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program (USDA NOP) standard, the same standard to which organic food must be certified under U.S. law.
• Products making a “made with organic ingredients” claim must also be certified to the NOP standard
• Products making a “contains organic ingredients” claim must be certified to the NSF 305 ANSI Standard for Organic Personal Care products, a consensus-based industry standard accepted by the American National Standards Institute and managed by NSF International.

GCI Magazine recently took a look at the influence of sustainability in the beauty industry. They broke down the three stages to implementing green practices:

1. Demonstrate leadership: An executive of the company should develop a vision for the company’s environmentally-friendly objectives which includes tangible goals and employee rewards
2. Address core impacts: Figure out your company’s biggest environmental impact and make changes in the areas of energy, manufacturing and office waste, water consumption, packaging and shipping, and supply chain and logistics.
3. Communicate: Let the important people know how you’re helping: your employees, suppliers and customers.

Need to address the environmentally-friendly packaging aspect? Request eco-friendly label samples here!

And for all of the details from the article and how beauty companies like Tom's of Maine and Burt's Bees are already implementing these practices, click here.

Health trends have become difficult to escape. Sometimes it seems like superfruits have hired PR companies to promote themselves to food and nutraceutical companies. Whoever pomegranates chose to represent them is clearly making a killing. Another powerhouse right now is the Omega 3 rep. A few weeks ago I caught a great status update from my stepmom: "Do Swedish Fish contain Omega 3's?!?!?!?!" While that might be wishful thinking (and it definitely put a smile on my face), I may have found a close substitute. Nordic Naturals now offers Omega 3 Gummy Worms. While they are targeted towards children, the company has clearly found a way to tailor their product to different markets. The suggested serving is one worm per day, so just don’t devour them the same way you do Swedish Fish!

In any of today’s markets, consumers are more skeptical than ever, especially as many products or brands may not have delivered on the promises they’ve made. This is also true for the health and beauty industry, making sampling a trend that leads to sales if your product delivers on its marketing message. And when it comes to skin care:

Every person’s skin is a fluid, dynamic river of shifting conditions that are influenced by environment, diet, stress levels and lifestyle. Skin is never just one type; it’s an array of changing conditions, and thus a moving target. Although it’s a retailer’s dream for clients to develop loyalty to a favorite product, ensuring solid repeat sales, the fact is that their skin requires regular professional monitoring in order to adjust product recommendations. (www.skininc.com)

As more consumers are aware of the fact that their skin care needs are ever-changing, giving them the opportunity to try your products is critical. Here at Dion, we print pouches for beauty companies who wish to provide samples. Our HP6000 digital press is perfect for this since it allows us to print on very thin unsupported films, such as those for pouching. It also allows us to provide a solution for companies wanting to provide samples at lower quantities.

To read more about the importance of branding on this sampling level, read this article from GCI Magazine!

Here’s a picture we came across…

The mock ad is a great play on the concept of photo retouching. And it’s pretty well known that many images out there have been refinished in some way. But just how powerful is Photoshop, and what is it doing to our perception of beauty? If you haven’t seen it before, take a look at this video:

Sustainability is a frequent topic on Dion’s blog. However we rarely look at the pressure that may be behind a company’s decision to implement sustainable efforts. This article from Brand Packaging takes a look at a few companies that have been targeted by green activists. When I say “activist” you may think of wild paint-throwing PETA rallies. But beyond the grassroots approaches, the strategy explained in the article that I found interesting is that activists may choose far more business-like tactics. Many have a voice because they are actual shareholders in the corporations they are trying to sway. By rallying votes on issues at shareholder meetings, activists are able to not only voice their concerns, but actually be heard by executives as their percentage of votes on an issue increases. To see how their influence has translated into more eco-friendly practices at some of the best known companies in the world, click here!

One of the growing trends among the natural and organic product sector is the combination of a product that is good for the consumer and packaging that is safe for the Earth. This mindset is the essence of bath and body line, One. Founder Glenn Abramson was inspired by an article describing the proliferation of plastic in landfills and was determined to come up with a solution. For him, it was a line of all-natural products (28 SKUs in total) sold in recyclable tins with recyclable and biodegradable paper labels and chipboard.

The products themselves are unique solid forms of typically liquid products such as solid shampoos, lotion massage bars, and after shower skin conditioner bars. With all of these features, it seems that One products would be somewhat expensive, as many in this organic and natural category tend to be. However, according to Beauty Packaging Magazine, the line ranges from $2.99 to $9.99 in Target stores across the country.

Just yesterday we commended Wal-mart for their eco-friendly practices, but for a huge corporation like Wal-mart, much of their initiative is based on requiring that their suppliers reduce their carbon footprint. The Sustainability Index Supplier Assessment that Wal-mart announced last year includes a 15-question survey to assess greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; Wal-mart hopes to reduce this by 20 million metric tons. It seems to be an important first step before Wal-mart can implement the “Green” ratings that will disclose the eco-friendliness of products to consumers.

It may sound like Wal-mart is simply bullying their suppliers to make the company look good. In actuality, Wal-mart’s own practices include: using onsite renewable energy generation, reducing shipping and packaging waste, reducing truck fleet emissions, and more. If Wal-mart is successful in achieving their GHG emission reduction goal by 2015, it will be equivalent to:

• taking more than 3.8 million average cars off of the road for a year
• planting more than 181 million full grown trees

These emissions are also similar to what would be produced by:

• burning fossil fuels to power nearly 2.6 million U.S. homes for a year
• consuming nearly 2.3 billion gallons of gasoline. (All estimates based on EPA figures).

For more information, and to see Wal-mart CEO Mike Duke’s address to stakeholders, click here.

We’ve seen quite a few articles pop up about Pantone’s new iPhone app that gives access to their library of color. At first it had the initial “Great!” reaction, but then some of the pitfalls began to show their true colors—excuse the pun. Research done by VIGC showed that depending on which device you are using, the same Pantone color can look different on each device (above compares the Pantone 37-5-1 C on the iPhone 3G to the iPod Touch), which is different still compared to the GoeGuide seen below. Though to be fair, “Pantone does not represent the product as a precise color measuring tool” (graphicartsonline.com).  

For the reasons listed above, we often recommend color press proofs for labels that must match a certain color scheme. It is important that our customers realize the Pantone color they see on screen is usually very different from the actual Pantone color in a PMS book. Likewise, the printout from their laser or inkjet desktop printer may be different from both resources. With flexographic printing (which uses printing plates and ink stations), we can adjust color on press to match a Pantone color. In digital printing, this process is not so simple because the colors are all printed at once. A customer’s artwork file needs to be adjusted for color and then sent to the press for printing. Digital press proofs are printed using the exact HP Indigo equipment used to print your label order. These proofs are printed on the same material your labels will be printed on and can also be coated with UV varnish or lamination. So, as a customer, if you just want a dark blue without a specific Pantone match, you may forgo press proofs. However, if your logo is a specific shade of blue used among multiple products- then press proofs are the right option for you. When in doubt, get a press proof!  

It’s nothing to new to say that the latest trends among tweens and teens drive sales of licensed products, but I bet that Urban Decay didn’t completely believe they’d be completely sold out of their Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows makeup box by the time I was even able to read the article introducing it in GCI Magazine. The intricate design of the packaging is remarkable in and of itself, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have tried a different long-lasting, color-rich shadowbox from Urban Decay. The graphics typical for the brand are not typically my style, but the pairing of this unique and quirky style of the brand with Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland seems like a no-brainer. Here you can see videos of how to achieve some of the looks from the movie with some of their other, not sold-out, products.

Beyond the success of this film, the article explains co-branding efforts for other popular films, such as the Twilight saga with Bath & Body Works—Twilight Woods body lotion being another product I shamelessly have to vouch for as well (and coyly anything associated with Robert Pattinson for that matter). Needless to say, jumping on a licensing opportunity for your product with a film popular with a group that has such an influential buying power is not to be missed. I’m sure Urban Decay has no regrets… besides not producing enough for the demand.

Johnson & Johnson recently released the redesign of the packaging for their “Finishes” skincare line under Clean & Clear name. The custom, asymmetrical bottle shape is meant to reflect the logo design that extensive research and key decision-makers found consumers to be most drawn to. The proprietary bottle is only utilized for the “pore perfecting cleanser,” so as not to be confused with the “even tone cleanser.” However, the line as a whole (which also includes a moisturizer) does reflect a modernized appearance while maintaining key color and design elements strongly associated with the brand.

Brand Packaging recently featured five start-up companies to watch out for; ones that have used packaging as the selling feature of their product. One in particular caught my eye because a friend of mine had the product when she visited this past winter. I thought that the round object on my coffee table was my roommate’s dog’s mini tennis ball and almost tossed it on the ground until I picked it up and realized my mistake. It was actually lip gloss from eos (which stands for evolution of smooth), and it definitely stands out from the competition. Their shaving cream packaging follows suit. Between the pump feature and a recyclable bottle that won’t leave a rust ring in the shower, eos has thought about all of the flaws of conventional shaving cream packaging. The company will soon be releasing a body lotion, and personally, I can’t wait to see what packaging innovation that product will come with!

To see the other products that made the cut, click here!

While we’re thankfully heading out of flu season, a stomach flu can strike at any time of the year. And if your taking care of a child, sometimes you can feel helpless in your attempt to make them feel more comfortable. That’s exactly how the founders of Organic B.R.A.T. felt when their little ones had the flu, a diagnosis to eat only Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast, and most importantly, avoid milk. Their website explains:

When I returned home from work that day both of our children were lethargic and unhappy. My husband, looking frazzled, explained that both of our children repeatedly expressed their need for milk throughout the day. The B.R.A.T. Diet’s order of no dairy escalated an already stressful situation since drinking a “milk – like” product is comforting to a child. He wondered why there weren't any non-dairy alternatives specifically made for sensitive tummies. This inspired us to create a product which not only provides “tummy” comfort for children, but also nutrition and re-hydration. We incorporated the tummy-settling principles of the B.R.A.T. Diet by using organic brown rice as the base along with banana puree and apple puree, and then added an electrolyte-balanced ratio of vitamins and minerals.

I noticed the company at Expo East this past fall (where it won the Most Innovative Product award, by the way), but I can’t say I took the plunge to try the product (I was pretty stuffed from all of the samples). However, assuming that you aren’t allergic to the few basic ingredients, this product appears to be very worthy of its award.

When listening to a friend, relative, or even complete stranger in a time of need, have you ever said, "I know how to you feel"? Often times we may not have had the exact same experience, but the shared empathy can be comforting. The same concept is carried over to the business world when we attempt to get into the minds of our customers. And now technology is providing ways to truly experience life from another person’s perspective. The Georgia Tech Research Institute has developed gloves to simulate the struggle of those suffering from arthritis. It is estimated that approximately 46 million people in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis; in 2003–2005, 50% of adults 65 years or older reported an arthritis diagnosis (CDC). This has huge implications for a company’s R&D, especially for products marketed to the aging population of baby boomers. Ease of use should be a significant factor for such products and their packaging. Rumor has it that Kraft has already caught on quickly to this concept, using the arthritis gloves to test their "EZ Grip Lid" for a new instant coffee jar. It’s evidence of a deeper understanding of their target market. How well do you know yours?

Private labels have been giving national brands a run for their money, and recent trends have shown that beyond price-consciousness, consumers also increasingly associate private labels with quality. So are they going to drive out some of the beloved and established national brands? Brand Packaging puts the two head-to-head in the categories that drive their sales: packaging design, company history, packaging structure, and philanthropy.

Who came out on top? Take a look at the full article here!

Imagine you’re on a business trip. After an exhausting day of delayed layovers and long-winded meetings you head back to your hotel room. For hours you’ve been looking forward to the moment that you can just crash. You climb into bed to find that it has the comfort and warmth that you usually hate leaving in the morning. Ahhh…

Then you find out that the bed was warmed up by another human being dressed head-to-toe (and fingers) in a white onesie. Now you have to fall to one side of the fence on this new service option that is actually in place at Holiday Inn locations in England. You may be considerably care-free and comforted by the thought of climbing into that cozy bed. Or, like me, you’re already trying to forget about the fact that others have used that same bed and all of the horror stories you’ve seen on Dateline about hotel rooms, and the thought of some stranger dressed like a baby in your bed five minutes ago gives you the creeps. Feel free to weigh in on this one!

When I say the word "lion" what comes to mind? Ferocious? Hunter? Animal? Scary? It is important that as designers, owners, or marketers of a product, we understand that our customers make these associations in their minds when they see our product packaging. It baffles me when companies spend so much time, energy and money on their product and then barely consider their product packaging. This is when I want to scream "WAKE UP! Your packaging is what sells your product!"
 
Think about your own personal experiences. What draws you to try a new product? Unless someone you know recommends the product to you, the packaging is what will drive you to purchase something new. Trust me, I'm a sucker for cool packaging. Not because it's my profession, but I always think the product in the metallic package or the one with an interesting caption will work better, taste better, and make me better. And you know what? Studies show this is the thought process for most consumers.
 
Here are 5 ways to make your item be the new product someone purchases this year.
 
1. Tell a story with your label. There is always a reason why your product exists or is unique compared to your competitors. Tell me why I, the consumer, should buy your product. Is your pasta sauce your grandmother's recipe handed down from generation to generation and you want to share it with me? If so, then I may think of my own grandmother and her home cooking and think "Forget about the Ragu, this pasta sauce is going to give me the warm feeling of grandma's homecooking." Does your product donate a profit to charity or have an eco-friendly element to it? If so, I'd be more apt to buy your product over a competitor's so I, too, may help fund a charity or help the environment. What if your product isn't so different from the competitors? You can still engage and get me to buy your product. A prime example of this is Vitamin Water. They tell funny, fictional stories on their infused drinks. This company is still fairly young in the soft drink market, yet their product contends with brands that have been around forever. 
 
2. Get your label in shape! Adding shape to your product packaging gives depth to your image. It draws the consumer in and makes them want to learn more. You can get your label in shape by using an irregular shaped product bottle and using a shrink sleeve label or using a regular shaped product container and using a custom-shaped die. Shrink sleeve labels are film sleeves that shrink to fit your product container. Nestle's Jamba Juice® uses this type of packaging. Custom -shaped labels are cut using unique dies.
 

3. Metallic labels. Using metallic in your label is a way to dress it up without needing to get too fancy with your entire packaging. Metallic can be incorporated into your design in a few different ways. Metallic film or paper coated stock will allow for your entire label background to be metallic. You can enhance or cover up the intensity of the metallic label by the type of ink you use in your artwork. For labels that only need a hint of metallic here and there in your artwork, you may use a regular material with metallic ink. This ink is laid down using plates that can be engraved into the pattern you'd like. For example, if you have a midnight sky in your design, your can use a plate engraved with stars to add gold stars to your design.
 
4. Invisible labels. By using a clear label on your glass or plastic bottle, you can utilize the product contents in your design as well as display your product. This technique gives the illusion of invisible labels. This concept works into your package design as well as provides the customer with pertinent product information. For customers that wish to get a silk screen effect without the high cost, clear labels are the way to go.

5. Add texture to your labels! 
Not all labels are smooth, glossy, and one-dimensional. Texture appeals not only to a customer's eyes, but also allows them to feel the difference when picking up your product compared to your competitor's. While embossing tools can raise parts of your design in the area(s) you choose, it can be a costly option as custom tools will need to be purchased. The most cost effective way to add texture to your entire label is by using a textured stock.
 
Click here to request samples of one or more of these design techniques! Please specify which technique(s) you are most interested in.

Typically speaking the only significance barcodes have for consumers is product identification and the chorus of beeping sounds at checkout counters. They’ve become a hardly-noticed, but occasionally mimicked symbol in society (you can even click here to turn yourself into a barcode, or here to learn how UPC's work). But with the introduction of programs such as scanning and bagging your own groceries as you shop, consumers may be more apt to look at barcodes . And one company in Japan is showing how to have a little bit of fun with packaging barcodes. We’ve seen the trend popping up on a few products in foreign markets, but has anyone found examples here in the U.S.?

 Label & Narrow Web recently looked to industry experts for their article on short run labels and interviewed Dion Label Printing. The ability to affordably print short run orders has led to more opportunities for product manufacturers. Here is a brief excerpt from the article:

Stacy Santos, marketing manager for Dion Label Printing, Westfield, MA, USA, says the company takes into account the length of the run when deciding which printing process it’s going to use. In Dion’s case, short run jobs, among others, get moved to one of the company’s HP Indigo presses. "We decide whether a job will go digital or flexo based on the amount of footage we are going to run, the complexity of a customer’s label graphics and the number of SKUs in a particular run. About a third of our business is digital. We made the investment in digital in April 2005, and because our digital business grew so quickly, we invested in another HP Indigo digital press. And our digital operations have steadily grown over the years.

"Digital printing is perfect for multiple SKUs, low volume orders, promotional labels and prototyping," Santos says. "It’s a great way to offer high quality printing, complex graphics, and vibrant colors to customers that do not have large volume quantities. Our customers do not have to sacrifice label quality while keeping their inventories low."

Read the full article here!

Happy Holidays from Dion Label Printing !

Holiday Hours:
Thursday, December 24th- closed
Friday, December 25th- closed
Friday, January 1st- closed

As we approach the holidays various companies have begun to sell their products in holiday packaging. Some look more traditional than others, but capitalize on either gifts or everyday items that make consumers’ homes and lives a bit more festive. The two designs we found from Kleenex are very different but appeal to a variety of decorating tastes. The teal oval design has found a place in our office!

In the food and beverage industry, we found special holiday packaging for Stonewall Kitchen’s popular products that eliminate the need to gift wrap and an ornament-shaped bottle design from Coca-Cola. Pangea Organics gives their holiday gift boxes a little something extra: the gift box can be planted to actually grow a tree! Here’s how it works:

"Just soak the box for a day, and plant it in the earth. If everyone plants their holiday gift box and bar soap box this year, collectively, we will have planted 122,000 trees which is equivalent to not driving 30 million miles in one year! Multiply that out by 75 years, the average lifespan of a Spruce, and that’s 2 billion, 250 millions that we’re collectively offsetting!"

Have you come across other stand-out holiday packaging?

Okay, we may be a bit over the top, but Amourai Organique’s product line does exude the fairy tale fantasies that we women envision for our hair. We want the strength and growth of Rapunzel’s Oil Growth Hair Stimulator and all of the luxury we associate with royalty in Her Highness Conditioner and Duchess of Curls. Plus the modern woman wants her beauty products to be safe to use on herself and the environment. All of these elements went into founder Raiquel’s inspiration and motivation to create natural hair care products… that, and moisture. At home she developed the formulas that would provide effective moisture to her hair with an adamant philosophy of self-love.

Amourai Organique products are paraben- and sulfate-free and beneficial to all hair types. Products include shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, styling gel, hair lotion, hair moisturizer, and growth oil. All of these products follow the fable-inspired theme with witty names and majestic label designs.

Dove recently released a line of body wash with NutriumMoistureTM technology to work in harmony with your skin. Similarly to other products from Dove, these body wash products are all about increasing moisture while cleaning your skin. Dove’s website explains that many body washes on the market actually wash away your skin’s natural moisture. They continue:

Heavy moisturizers are often added into body washes to make up for the loss. But they’re not identical to your skin’s moisture, so they tend to sit on the surface and don’t get fully absorbed. Natural moisture is what’s needed to nourish deep down.

Multi-use products have been on the rise as consumers look to get the most features possible in one purchase. This is a trend we wrote about back in May. Spongeables takes the multi-feature product to another level by making minor changes in shape and color to attract all members of the family. Ultimately the product is still marketed to moms. As the company’s website says, "Keeps the daily from becoming mundane! Children love it! Men Love it! and so will you!" Spongeables knows that moms are the buyers of this product and encourage her to pick up a low-frills, blue Spongeable for dad; a pink, duck-shaped one for little Suzie; a bone-shaped Haute Dog Spongeable for Buddy; as well as one for herself. Beyond the fact that this product cleans, exfoliates, moisturizes, and massages, it does so for multiple uses. The longevity of the product ranges from the Travel Spongeables which can be used 3+ times, to the 20+ use of the classic Spongeables.

Spongeables, LLC is a Los Angeles-based technology and innovation company providing leadership in new product concepts, delivery systems and categories within the global consumer products market. The company has invented a patent-pending technology and proprietary infusion manufacturing process combining time released cleansing products, efficacious skincare ingredients, and a sponge matrix in one convenient, long lasting product.

As a huge fan of novelties, I can’t help but spotlight Blue Q products. With products such as “Cat Butts” air freshner, “Mullet” magnet sets, “Instant Irish Accent” breath spray, and “We Met on Facebook” gum, it’s hard to not find a great gift for someone with a sense of humor. And the products are not all simply a joke. Shopping bags made of recycled material, BPA-free stainless steel water bottles, and dish towels meant to replace the use of paper towels show the company’s commitment to sustainability. It’s easy to meander the company website for hours checking out products. Take a look at the highly amusing “about us” page where you can see the company’s personality shine even more. Hopefully this recommendation will bring you a happy day!

A partnership between a computer manufacturer and nail polish manufacturer seems odd at first glance, but the intriguing collaboration results in more customization options for consumers. Dell’s Design Studio will have rights to 26 OPI colors for Dell Mini, Inspiron and Studio laptops. There will be 20 classic colors with names like "Big Apple Red," "Strawberry Margarita," "Rosy Future" and "Kyoto Pearl," and my personal favorite "I’m Not Really a Waitress." During the holiday season there will be 6 Holiday Collection colors including "Dear Santa," "Merry Midnight" and "Smitten with Mittens." This customization only adds to Dell’s marketing strategy of building your own computer, and specifically targets women already familiar with the shades they are sporting on their nails on a daily basis.

"Dell and OPI’s offerings are a fresh collision of style and power, color and technology," said Rachna Bhasin, general manager, partnerships and personalization or global consumer. "OPI’s high style and Dell’s award-winning technology combine to offer people stylish options that deliver the ultimate combination of color and connectivity on the go."

The 2009 Pentawards were recently announced and crowned the Kleenex "Slice of Summer" as Best in Show giving Kimberly-Clark the Diamond Pentaward.

Pentawards is the first and only worldwide competition exclusively devoted to packaging design in all its forms. It is open to everybody in all countries who are associated with the creation and marketing of packaging. The winners will receive bronze, silver, gold, platinum or diamond Pentawards according to the creative quality of their work.

The Platinum Pentaward winners receiving nods as the best packaging for the five major categories are:

• Beverages: Turner Duckworth, London & San Francisco, for Coca Cola Summer 2009.
• Food: Nosigner, Tokyo, for Kanpyo Udon
• Body: Wolff Olins, New York, for Living Proof, No Frizz
• Other Markets: Mouse Graphics, Athens, for Petrocoll, Spatula Putty
• Luxury: Dragon Rouge, Paris, for L’Or de Martell.

For a look at all of the winners, click here! The next competition will open on April 5, 2010.

The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) took place in October, 1985, making this month the 25th year for the program. With other organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society on the Board of Sponsors, attention continues to grow for breast cancer awareness. Due in part to the collective efforts behind NBCAM, there has been a 2% annual decrease in breast cancer death rates since 1990. The increased survival rate is inspirational, but the fight continues.

About 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2009. In 1975 the incidence of breast cancer was 107 per 100,000 for white women and 94 per 100,000 for black women. Thirty years later in 2005, the number of new cases per year had risen to 126 per 100,000 for white women and 114 per 100,000 for black women.

As you go about your normal shopping habits this month, notice the various promotions to support breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure alone has over 150 corporate partners that make generous donations (proudly, some are customers of ours), which include percentage donations based on sales. For example, every pink Yoplait lid mailed back to the company contributes 10 cents to Susan G. Komen. Or if you’re in the market for a new car, Ford will donate $20 for each Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle test driven at a Ford dealership – up to $1 million until December 31st. For a full list of corporate sponsors and how your purchase can help, click here.

As huge "So You Think You Can Dance" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" fans, we also wanted to share this video in celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Graphic Design USA magazine recently published their winners for in-house design accomplishment from American companies. Categories for these creative design awards include: annual reports; advertising; announcements, invitations & cards; brochures & collateral; calendars; catalogs; direct mail & direct response; editorial design; identity design; internet design; multimedia & interactive design; packaging; P-O-P, signs displays & environmental graphics; posters; public service & pro bono projects; and sales promotion. Winners ranged from retail giant Walmart to Tastefully Simple. To see these award-winning designs, click here!

This Graphic Design USA awards program is, quite simply, the original and premier showcase for the outstanding, and too often underappreciated, work of inhouse design departments at America's great companies and institutions.

A couple months ago, we blogged about the booming market for natural and organic baby care products. While this is a huge opportunity for health and beauty product manufacturers, it is equally important to keep in mind the moms doing the purchasing. This mom market breaks down into three categories: mom-to-be, mom-and-baby, and new moms. The products that these women are looking for vary and need to be marketed as such.
 
During pregnancy, women are looking for products to deal with the new cosmetic and skin difficulties on top of the ones that they may have had already. Stretch marks are obviously a factor needing attention, and Palmer’s “Tummy Butter” addresses this mom-to-be need. However, the product is barely set apart from its other cocoa butter lotions in location or appearance. Johnson & Johnson—a highly recognized baby care brand—has launched a “Best for baby, best for you” campaign to associate their trusted baby products with uses for mom as well. The suggest using their baby lotion as a makeup remover. Natural and organic products are also great “mommy and me” products as moms tend to be even more concerned about what products touch their babies’ gentle skin. Method’s “Squeaky Green Hair & Body Wash” has taken the natural baby product market by storm with its lid that doubles as a wash cup.
 
Last but not least are the post-pregnancy products. The most popular products address the problem of cracked and sore nipples. Products in this category include Essential Care’s Organic Nipple Balm and Dr. Lipp’s nipple balm. Products that are successful in the market address the concerns of being a mom, but don’t forget about keying into a woman’s needs. With today’s hip and stylish moms, stereotypical mom-marketing can get thrown out the window. If extending a well-known brand to include mom- and baby-friendly product, it should be relatable to original product line, while differentiating it enough to appeal to mom.

For the full article from Beauty Packaging, click here!

Have you ever used a topical pain reliever that gave you results, but wore off too quickly, leaving you to reapply? Well, 15 years of research by Concept Laboratories has resulted in the development of MyOmega: a topical pain reliever utilizing nanotechnology. The particles have varying release times, so that the barriers around the nanoparticles break down at certain times. Some particles break down right when the product is applied giving instant relief, while others have barriers that break down slowly, allowing the extended period of pain relief.

As a result, the cooling sensation is felt anywhere from 20 minutes to six hours following application, says the company. The MyOmega pain relief line is said to be the first of its kind, using a sustained delivery system to target localized pain with FDA-approved ingredients like Menthol, Camphor and Capsaicin.

The product is packaged in aluminum bottles with bright colors on the label and dispenser, creating a package that is sure to stand out amongst other pain relievers.

For those of you in the design field, or if you’re just generally intrigued by stylish packaging, take a look at these unique packaging concepts. The blog is run by a Brazilian-based team enthusiastic about design and the internet. Get inspired!

Scandle® LLC manufactures an eco-friendly, all-natural, soy candle that fragrantly melts into body oil, which can be used at home or as a part of spa treatments. The candle itself is made of shea butter, cosmetic grade soy butter, jojoba, vitamin E, & body safe fragrance as opposed to other soy candles made mostly of soy wax. This allows the candle to burn at cooler temperatures and creates an oil that is lighter on your skin. This cosmetic soy candle is paraffin-free; therefore it burns without emitting toxins, is water soluble, and is biodegradable. The company, committed to sustainability, has announced that their holiday season products will be sold in eco-friendly Sinamay packages—packages made of hand-made, hemp leaf-based fibers. 
 
According to a recent press release from the company,  Scandle's holiday gift sets will feature a variety of holiday fragrances including Holiday Spirit, Sleeping on Snow, and more.  Holiday gift sets have a recommended retail price of $24.95 - $35.95. For more information about Scandle®, to purchase a Scandle®, or for wholesale information, visit www.abodycandle.com or call the Scandle® LLC corporate offices at 866-531-9916 (9am-5pm CST).

One growing trend that has proven successful in the health and beauty market is sampling. For new products, sampling gives the consumer the opportunity to try a product without breaking the bank, and it gives the company the chance to prove a product’s worthiness of a repeat buy.

Sample sizes allow for a variety of distribution techniques, from in-store to direct mail, and the advancements in packaging provide potential consumers with multiple uses of a sample. For example, the "Tear n’ Tuck" package from Unette can be resealed after its initial use, a great choice for liquid or cream-based beauty products. Samples can also be packaged in containers that are miniatures of the retail-size version, creating brand recognition when the time comes for that repeat buy. Another great feature of sampling is its ease of transportation. The inability to carry full-size liquids on flights and the fear of a beauty product container spilling during transit is solved by utilizing sample sizes of your favorite products (rather than settling for just any travel-sized version that can be found).

Beyond the many benefits to consumers that sampling creates, the sales numbers are really in favor of the companies utilizing this marketing strategy. A recent study by Arcade Marketing showed that for companies that sampled, "the entire brand jumped, not just the sampled product."

For the full article on beauty sampling, click here.

Summer is here—well, almost here for those of us in New England. And along with the season comes our pesky enemies: mosquitoes. No matter which devices or sprays you use to prevent mosquito bites, it seems inevitable that you will always end up with a few. To ease the pain and annoying itch, home products company Improvements has introduced a device that produces heated itch relief. Battery-powered and pocket-sized, this device emits heat that neutralizes the proteins from the bug bite to relieve itch and swelling. Affordably-priced, this product appears to be a great solution to messy creams.

Heated Itch Relief is also effective on bites from fleas, gnats, and horseflies. There are no chemicals, so Heated Itch Relief is safe even on a child's sensitive skin.

For more about this product, check out Improvements website.

Drug labels can include a plethora of required information that may be difficult to sort through as a consumer. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect on these labels and some important things to consider:

Active Ingredients- Listed here are the active chemical compounds that are working to relieve your symptoms. It will always be at the top of the label. If you are taking multiple over-the-counter (OTC) medications, make sure they do not have the same active ingredients.

Uses- This portion of the label will list the only symptoms that the drug is approved to treat.

Warnings- This section is pretty straightforward, but be aware of details such as what foods or activities to avoid, such as driving, while taking a particular drug.

Directions- Be sure to follow not only the dosage amount that is suggested, but how often to take the medicine.

Inactive ingredients- Though you may not be able to pronounce many of the ingredients in this section, know that they do not have an effect on your body. They are the preservatives that bind the pill together and food colors.

Sponge skin care products were initially developed by Markos Drakotos for pregnant patients concerned with product safety for their unborn babies. His inspiration came from organic sponges cultivated in Symi, Greece. The products gained popularity outside of their target marketing and were eventually launched in the US last year at Barneys New York stores. In particular, ladi avokanto, an avocado-based oil has seen great reviews in several magazines. The Vitamin D & E in ladi avokanto gives the benefit of both moisture and sun protection.

The company will launch three new products this summer and fall. They will also introduce a bath line, followed by a baby care line in Spring 2010. Drakotos is also negotiating the launch of the product in international markets including the U.K., France, Greece, Russia, Poland, Hong Kong, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. Happi Household and Personal Products Industry Magazine writes, "Industry sources project the product launches and distribution expansion could push global retail sales of Sponge Skincare to $5 million annually by the end of 2010."

For those of you that do not have your eye on the calendar, this Sunday is Father’s Day! It’s not too late to find that special gift for Dad, Grandpa, or that special father figure in your life. In a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation, it is estimated that we will spend $9.4 billion on Father’s Day gift-giving. Some of the traditional gifts will continue to be popular (dinner, sporting events, clothing, gift cards, and electronics). But for those of you that have already expended these ideas, unique gifts to consider are skin-care and grooming products. Here are some ideas from stylelist.com:

A Close Shave: A professional shaving brush by Anthony Logistics creates a rich lather--and helps lift hairs for a closer shave. For the traveling Dad: The airplane-approved kit of shaving essentials from Anthony Logistics. If Dad's a fan of barber shop shaves, he'll love the Billy Jealousy Hot Towel treatment. The pre-shave formula contains a water-activated heating agent to open pores, for professional spa-like results.

Skincare Products: Pamper dad with skincare products from AHAVA, which uses potent minerals from the Dead Sea in its products. Safe bets include: Deep Cleansing Gel, Mineral Shower Gel, and Soothing After Shave.

His Favorite Scent: If dad is loyal to a certain fragrance, you can't go wrong with a brand new bottle. If Dad doesn't have a signature scent, the deluxe sample set from Sephora will help him choose.

Stock His Shower: Men’s products from Molton Brown come in great scents, and mom won't mind the chic bottles on display in her bathroom.

For more ideas, click here!

We read and write a lot about how marketing consumer goods is more difficult than ever. To set your products apart from the abundant options for consumer beauty products, your promotions need to be creative and take advantage of technology and trends. Here are some recent tips from Global Cosmetic Industry on how to not only reach out to new customers, but to keep the loyalty of your existing ones:

Kits. Offering a combination of smaller sized products for the price of one normal-sized product is a good way to get new or existing customers on board for your entire product line.

Samples. Whether they are priced lower or free, attached to normal sized products or offered on their own, samples allow customers a low risk opportunity to test your product.

Free Stuff! Free samples are a great idea for an in-store/spa promotion. It’s a way to attract new customers without them having to make an investment.

Get online. Between e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, or your company website, quick and easy online access to your target market allows you to send out up-to-the-minute information and promotions.

Go green. The green movement continues to grow, so allowing customers to contribute through the purchase of your eco-friendly products will show return even though they may be more expensive. At Dion Label Printing, our processes are eco-friendly, and we have eco-friendly material for your labels. Request samples here!

Know the competition. Keep up to date with the promotion tactics of your competitors.

Full article here

In today’s environment, everyone emphasizes what they are doing to be "green," "natural," "socially responsible," and just about any other do good word or phrase you can think of. So, what do these buzzwords actually mean in the health and beauty industry? A recent article in Beauty Packaging breaks down some of these interpretations within the beauty industry and shows some gaps that present great opportunity.

NATURAL- The word "natural" means the product is "safe for use on skin." Women may believe the product is mineral based, healthier for you, or does not contain dyes or additives. About 73% of women believe natural beauty products are safe to use on their skin.

ORGANIC- Women associate "organic" products as "without chemicals." They also believe that they are healthier to use and do not contain dyes or additives. However, compared to natural products, only 54% of women perceive organic products to be safe to use on their skin.

GREEN/ECO-FRIENDLY- These products are seen as "helpful to the environment". Not only are they safe for the environment, but women also say that they utilize biodegradable packaging, have packaging made of recycled materials, are made of renewable resources, and are made by companies that use renewable energy such as wind or solar power.

SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS/RESPONSIBLE- Women think more of the company when it comes to these key words. They believe it mostly means the company gives back to the community and does not test on animals.

When polled on which kinds of products women were interested in and if they had actually used them, the results show some interesting gaps:

Clearly, many of the women interested in "natural" beauty products are already using them. The greatest opportunity gap exists for "green/eco-friendly" products. Although fewer women associate these products as healthier for you, they do seem intrigued by the effect their beauty products have on the environment. Research also shows that these potential consumers are more hesitant to buy. Getting samples without investing in the products and greater product awareness may be a way to take advantage of this opportunity.

Read the full article here.

Typically known for their 2-in-1 product line, Pert Plus has introduced a new product that is taking multi-featured bath products to the next level. Pert Plus for men now offers a 3-in-1 shampoo/conditioner/body wash. Now men can get all of their bathing essentials in one bottle. The product claims to suit the needs of most hair and skin types, providing ease to men that don’t want to bother with multiple products.

Formulated especially for men, this is the perfect combination of shampoo plus conditioner plus body wash. It has a rich, foam lather and the right balance of cleansers and conditioners to get you clean from head to toe.

It’s not just men that look for multi-feature products. Health & beauty retailer philosophy® has been selling shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath all-in-one’s that have greatly appealed to women (not to mention the awareness created by its selection for Oprah’s favorite things in 2005). While it may not always be advantageous to combine product offerings, there does occasionally appear to be some great opportunities!

I'm constantly searching for eco-friendly packaging to learn what marketers and designers are doing to make their products and packaging better for the environment. In my search, I came across the article "Sustainable is Attainable" in Beauty Packaging Magazine. In this article written by Tom Branna, marketers of household and personal care products explain how their innovative ideas are making the world a better place now and for generations to come. Click here to read this article!

Vogue International has introduced a brand of hair care products based off the popular Vitamin Water. Vitamin Shampoo hair care line pairs up super fruits to make delectable combinations of scents such as Acai Berry Guava, Mangosteen Yogurt, Blueberry Avocado, and Dragonfruit Kiwi. These super fruits are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, nutrients, minerals, proteins, and essential oils that are said to rejuvenate your hair. Vitamin Shampoo is described as an energy drink for your hair, nourishing your hair and protecting it from every day pollutants.

According to Ross Reback, chief executive officer of Vogue International, "We created the VitaminShampoo brand around the concept of reintroducing vitamins as an essential priority in hair care, as we had recognized there was a void within the category. Our research and development then led us to identifying ‘superfruits’ as a huge emerging consumer trend, and decided to partner the high potency vitamin and antioxidant benefits of superfruits with the overall vitamin concept of the brand."

The Vitamin Shampoo bottles are made up of bold energizing colors, with a energy drink look and feel this shampoo is sure to grab your attention. Retailing for around $7 a bottle you can find this shampoo at your local drugstore. To learn more about vitamin shampoo check out their website at www.vitaminshampoo.com.

The last thing that comes to my mind when I think of Victoria’s Secret is organic, until now. Victoria’s Secret is on its way to going green this year with the introduction a new line. They have created a new line of their Pink products with the addition of a bath & body line that contains vegan and organic ingredients, all packaged in eco-friendly materials. This new collection features post-consumer packaging with removable labels, making recycling a breeze. Here at Dion Label Printing we often receive requests for eco-friendly labels for eco-friendly packaging, but the best way to go green is to ensure proper recycling by removing labels before recycling. Victoria’s Secret is doing a great job at providing consumers with the knowledge by asking them to remove their label before the recycling process. Products range from $8 to $15, a small price to pay towards saving the environment.

Taken from the official press release:

INTRODUCING PINK BODY, a unique line of skin-loving and earth-friendly products created specifically for the pink girl. She spoke. We listened. The result? A more personalized approach to everyday body care using organic and vegan ingredients, powerful natural formulas and eco-friendly packaging. With three dermatologist-tested, solution-specific collections, each designed to pamper pink girls from tip to toe: nourishing for dry skin, energizing for dull, sluggish skin and soothing for extra-sensitive skin. Plus, four additional essentials that everyone can use and love. It's all about finding ways to look good, feel good and do a little good, too.

THE COLLECTION

ENERGIZING
Even PINK girls can experience a dull moment from time to time. When skin gets worn and weary, our Energizing line can give it the recharge it needs. Packed with U.S.-sourced Citrus and Organic Mint to naturally exfoliate and refresh, plus a boost of caffeine from Organic Coffee Beans to energize and tone.

NOURISHING
Dry humor? Love it. Dry skin? Not so much. Made for PINK girls who need a major dose of moisture but can't deal with heavy creams and greasy lotions. Our Nourishing line is infused with Organic Shea and Cocoa Butters to help heal and hydrate, plus a shot of U.S.-sourced Grape Seed Oil for antioxidant protection.

SOOTHING
Ideal for PINK girls with tempermental skin. You know the kind: easily irritated, extra sensitive, doesn't take well to harsh products. Our Soothing line is hypoallergenic and enriched with Organic Oat Extract to calm, plus U.S.-sourced Soy Milk to fortify.

ESSENTIALS
Little everyday things that skin needs and loves.

Theresa Spruill is the brainchild behind Honeycat Cosmetics, an all-natural collection of flirty, girly cat themed bath and body products for women. It has everything from lip balms to milk baths all adorned in retro black and pink packaging. Honeycat Cosmetics combines a flirty retro style with a fun-loving witty attitude into every aspect of this brand. For instance, "Chick of the Sea" is a foaming bath crystal product that comes conveniently in a tuna fish can.

Not only is this product line creative and fun but the entire collection is all natural and not tested on animals. Honeycat guarantees that you are safe in their hands with "what’s-good-for-you-skin-stuff." To see all of Honeycat Cosmetic’s collection you can visit their website here.

If you could hydrate your skin from the inside out, would you consider it? The Nestle Co. has launched Glowelle, a beauty drink that nourishes and hydrates your skin with the use of antioxidants, vitamins, and fruit extracts. Glowelle’s engaging tapered glass bottle makes the drink feel welcoming and fun. The glass bottles are screen printed using the applied ceramic labeling process and are topped off with a cap that is sealed around the neck using a shrink band. With its non-intimidating nature people can pick up the bottle and see all the great antioxidants Glowelle provides.

This supplement comes in two flavors, Natural Pomegranate Lychee and Natural Raspberry Jasmine. Two varieties are available as well, bottled and powered. Glowelle sells for roughly $7 per bottle and can be found at upscale shops such as Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

Click here to find out more about Glowelle and its packaging.