Opal uses digital print for variable advent boxes

Opal Specialty Packaging has partnered with De Bortoli Wines to individualise the winemaker's 2021 Wine Advent Calendar boxes by using digital print on its EFI Nozomi, creating a unique mix of colours and decorations on the packaging, and ensuring that no two boxes are the same.

Using the innovative technology of Opal’s EFI Nozomi C18000 digital press, a combination of 16 specific Pantone colours, 12 different graphic objects, in the form of Christmas decorations, were digitally printed on different areas on the packaging. Using this technolgy, Opal says, it is possible for thousands of boxes to be individualised.

Inspired by the look of the jolly Christmas jumper, the brief to Opal was to create a range of different designs for De Bortoli's 2021 Wine Advent Calendar boxes, which showcase a range of red, white, sparkling and rosé wines.

Working with De Bortoli, the brief evolved to consider how the designs could be expanded using the EFI Nozomi C18000 digital press. After exploring a range of possibilities, the creative team at De Bortoli and the team at Opal settled on the varied combination.

The result was that each box has a unique mix of colours and decorations appearing in different areas on the packaging  to ensure that no two boxes are the same.

De Bortoli is the first of Opal’s customers to take advantage of the mass versioning capabilities which digital printing can deliver. The added benefits of digitally printed packaging include shorter run lengths and minimal set up costs.

Andrew Russo, group general manager Opal Specialty Packaging, says Opal is committed to innovation. “Our team strives to identify ways to bring added value for our customers, which is core to our market offering,” he said.

Each individually designed box contains a selection of 24 piccolos with a mix of 12 different De Bortoli wines. Once used, the Advent Calendar box can be recycled via kerbside recycling collection or through local cardboard recyclers.