Today we’re joined by two of my favorite Startup CPG community experts: Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts. The world of printed packaging is complex to navigate, and I wondered what was top of mind for Kirk and Andy as they help brands daily with designing and executing branding and packaging at Kirk’s agency Mind the Font and Andy’s agency Buttermilk Creative. Our goal was some 101 level content around designing and printing packaging for your brand.

Listen in as Andy and Kirk share about:

• Common misconceptions when working on print projects and how the color you see on a screen translates to printed color
• The importance of being a good partner to your packaging vendors and considerations for choosing a printer
• Tips for navigating a re-brand
• Ideas for saving money while still creating custom packaging
• How to transition from packaging primarily for DTC to a successful package for retail shelves
• A review of Shelfie winner AWSM’s sauce’s unboxing experience (44:29) and how to maximize your DTC consumer experience with packaging
• And more!

And, stay tuned for a bonus episode this week featuring co-founder Carl from AWSM Sauce - not only a Shelfie winner, but also one of the fan favorites from our Backpack Brands event at Expo East last year.

Episode Links:

• Mind the Font website
• Buttermilk Creative website
• Kirk’s LinkedIn & wearables VSLA
• Andy’s LinkedIn
• Kirk & Kurtts Podcast (a few of Jessi’s favorite episodes below): 
  • #22: You're full of Shippers
  • #31 Jake, Not from State Farm
  • #41: It's AI'ght with Evelio Mattos
• Corrugated resource: Cory Connors, Sustainable Packaging Podcast
• Brands mentioned: granolust, AWSM Sauce, Mid-Day Squares

IFT Links:

• Exhibit at IFT FIRST
• Attend IFT FIRST
• IFT website

Promomash/Crisp Links:

• Try Promomash + Crisp free for 30 days here
• Webinar recording: Promomash + Crisp Present: The Next Big Thing in WFM Demo Analytics
• Webinar recording: Distributor Data 101: 5 Things Brands Should Be Tracking and Why

Social Nature Links:

• Social Nature website
• Social Nature team email: [email protected]
• Learn from & get to know the Social Nature team: 
  • Episode #87 How Natural Shoppers are Responding to Inflation with Social Nature's Jessica Malach
  • Episode #50 The Data Behind the Modern Wellness Consumer with Social Nature's Jessica Malach
  • Overview of Digital Sampling with Social Nature founder Annalea Krebs
• Episodes that mention Social Nature campaigns: 
  • Episode #66 Sharing is Caring: How Alison Cayne & Haven's Kitchen share cooking confidence and industry knowledge (Social Nature discussed at 41:15)
  • Episode #86 From Target Buyer to Nationally Launching Upcycled Pet Brand Shameless Pets with James Bello (Social Nature discussed at 37:33)

Show Links:

• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (12K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Jessi's Linkedin or website
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at [email protected]
• Episode music by Super Fantastics