Label printer turns plain cigarette packaging into sticker success

Box Wrap is a partnership between Anthony Do Rozario and Joel Whittaker, who runs vehicle graphics printer Five Three Designs in Yatala.

The stickers feature 30 different designs, including the Australian flag, playing cards and scantily clad women, to cover the olive green plain packaging and prominent health warnings that must appear on cigarette packets.

The mates came up with the product idea "over a beer one night", Do Rozario told ProPrint.

Since launching late last year, the response has been "overwhelming", he said.

"We knew it was a controversial product and obviously it would be newsworthy but not to this extent. We have made news in Belgium. Yesterday it hit The Times in the UK. We are really pleased with the response."

[Related: Law puts choke on fancy pack printing]

Do Rozario said the original business plan was to sell the labels online. "We didn’t expect the retail demand. Once we got on the national news, the emails started flooding in from national retailers."

Box Wrap has been receiving orders from tobacconists, variety stores and service stations chains – "anyone who sells cigarettes", he said.

The media coverage has translated into a strong order book, he added. The company had produced a decent stockpile of labels prior to launch, with the machines running 24 hours a day to keep up with demand.

The labels are produced on a pair of Roland DG machines at Five Three Designs, a VersaCamm 540 and a VersaCamm 640, both supplied by AVS.

Whittaker said the company is considering putting in more machines to keep up with demand.

[LinkedIn: Are there any industries you refuse to touch?]

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter

Leave a comment:

Your email address will not be published. All fields are required

Advertisement

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.
Advertisement