In this episode, Dave talks with Chris Gajus, Creative Director at Olberding Brand Family, about the packaging for Alberta Distillers Rare Batch that his team helped bring to life.

If you’re a graphic designer or creative director who loves print, packaging, or some sweet sweet embellishments, this episode is for you.

 Chris breaks down how they took a very rough starting point and turned it into a full premium packaging system with strong storytelling, structure, and materials. This includes the strategy behind the mountain imagery, the multi-level emboss, using tactile varnish instead of foil, and how they made sure the whiskey glows through the front and back windows on shelf.

You’ll also hear about real considerations designers deal with every day: board weight, coatings, cracking on folds, color matching between substrates, working with vendors, and building files with multiple special-finishes layers. It’s a full look at how design moves from a concept to a finished physical product that pulls people in.

Chris also shares his early print memories (video game boxes and manuals), his first print project in school, and a project that totally fell apart thanks to unclear feedback and direction. If you’ve ever had a client say “I’ll know it when I see it,” you’ll feel right at home.

Things discussed in this episode:

Premium packaging design

Building dielines and structural packaging workflow

Multi-level embossing

Tactile varnish vs. foil stamping

Color matching across substrates

Paperboard weight and packaging durability

Creating shelf presence in liquor and beverage categories

Integrating brand storytelling into print

Working with production, prepress, and color teams

Turning a rough concept into a print-ready, high-end package

Links:

Alberta Distillers Rare Batch case study

Project images + visuals

Oberding Brand Family website

Chris on LinkedIn