Edited by Cori Watkins, editor, PostPress
Duplo USA Corporation (Duplo), based in Santa Ana, California, crafted a unique and sophisticated perfume box entitled Noir Mystique Eau de Parfum. Featuring a rich, dark blue background, the box is elegantly adorned with raised bright blue lettering, accented by silver, light blue and white floral elements that surround the text in a striking, opulent display.
The Duplo team set out to create a packaging sample that showcased a range of decorative embellishments, including multi-colored cold foil and raised spot UV. The goal was to demonstrate how a multiple-up box layout on a B2 sheet could be enhanced entirely in-house – from embellishment to finishing – using Duplo’s digital solutions.
For the embellishment process, Duplo employed its DDC-8000 B2 Raised Spot UV Coater equipped with the integrated Cold Foil Unit to execute a multi-layered decorative finish. The application involved three distinct embellishment layers – silver and blue metallic foils and raised spot UV – each requiring a separate set-up and pass through the system to ensure precise registration and maximum visual impact.
The first pass utilized silver cold foil, applied over the white floral artwork and across areas above the logo. This created a high-contrast, metallic base that added reflective brilliance and highlighted the intricate linework of the design. After the initial foil layer was cured and set, the system was reconfigured to apply a second layer using blue foil. This foil was registered precisely over the lighter blue floral graphics and elements within the logo, enhancing color contrast and creating a layered, dimensional effect. The interplay between the cool-toned foils gave the artwork depth and shimmer.
In the final pass, raised spot UV coating was applied to the Noir Mystique logo on the front of the box and the product information on the back, using the DDC-8000’s high-resolution inkjet technology. This clear, high-gloss coating added both visual emphasis and tactile interest, creating a raised texture that draws the eye and gives it a luminous, glass-like finish.
The combined use of metallic foils and raised spot UV not only elevated the aesthetic of the Noir Mystique perfume box but also demonstrated the capabilities of Duplo’s digital embellishment technology in producing high-end, multi-sensory packaging effects with precision and efficiency.
The job was printed on an HP Indigo digital press using standard coated paper from GPA, which is compatible with both the press and Duplo’s raised spot UV coating process, ensuring optimal print quality and finishing performance.
The artwork was designed by Duplo’s graphic designer, Zaneta Lin. She used Adobe Illustrator to combine the two patterns for the CMYK file. For the spot layer file, she selected areas of the blue pattern to darken with blue foil, then selected areas on the white pattern to darken with silver foil. For the front of the package, she designed the “Noir Mystique” logo to feature blue foil beneath a layer of high-gloss spot UV, creating a sleek, polished effect with a reflective depth that provides a smooth, lacquered finish.
For diecutting, the boxes needed to be imposed in a certain way to maximize the sheet size. Duplo’s designer laid out four boxes on the sheet, two facing up and two upside down, while leaving enough room for the diecutter and embellishment registration marks. This application was designed specifically for both machines. Working within the specified production parameters, Duplo’s designer ensured the artwork was aligned properly for flawless registration and precise diecutting.
The Noir Mystique perfume box made its debut at PRINTING United 2024 in Las Vegas, where it quickly became a standout piece. Attendees were drawn to its striking design and premium embellishments, often taking multiple samples and requesting live demonstrations to learn more about the process behind the finish.
Given the overwhelmingly positive response, Duplo is considering making modifications to the design and possibly showcasing an updated version at this year’s PRINTING United show.