As you may have already spotted, we’ve launched a rather lovely new packaging and labelling range, Back to Nature, which is our first plant-based recyclable packaging collection. While all our packaging utilises renewably managed, plant-based materials, we’ve been able to introduce a cutting-edge aqueous-lined board which allows its four windowed sandwich packs and two food bowls to meet the ORPL standards for recyclability (the bowls are also home compostable) opening up another route for disposal once they’ve been used. Meanwhile, the labels and sticker are each made from 100 percent recycled paper which is a Planglow first.  

Having nailed recyclability, we wanted to develop a new brand for the range that demonstrated this on the outside; a design that brings together natural elements feeling fresh and forward-thinking while, at the same time, retaining a sort of timeless quality. So we did what we always do when we’re cooking up something new and had a good old natter with some of our customers to see what they - you - wanted, before setting out on our quest for natural inspiration to see what took root. 

The Call of Nature

The feedback from our lovely customers was that our best-selling and much more comprehensive Natural and Gastro collections both still tick a lot of boxes (pun intended) so we decided to combine elements of these - with a touch of our hot foods (Street Food) range - ensuring the new collection would sit harmoniously alongside them. The call for a natural kraft finish was unanimous, next stop was a design to print over the top, as well as finding the right balance of print and kraft to strike. 

Can’t See the Wood for the Trees

We looked at the natural brief from a lot of angles both physically and conceptually - from aerial shots of forests to Fibonacci’s rule. Plants of some kind were kind of a no-brainer, our packaging is made from plants so going down a plant-y route would certainly ensure the brand did what it said on the tin, so to speak. It was also decided that a distressed stamp-print - like our Street Food map - would also help underpin a more natural aesthetic. 

Always in Season

Florals felt too summery and anything else too abstract so we soon went full meta with trees - well, more specifically, their leaves. And if you were wondering, the leaves in question are a hybrid of Beech and Elder which together provide a seasonless design without feeling too Autumnal or Spring. They also definitely can’t be confused with feathers or fantail goldfish, which is what one of our account managers said with regards to an earlier, more abstract concept which no one could then unsee. Feathers and fins aside, the leaves came together very quickly and only went through a few guises before we got them just right. Trying to figure out how to apply them to the products (giving just the ‘right amount of leaf’) while simultaneously finding the optimum placement for ‘Handmade for You’ and disposal messaging, was another matter. As for the two day photoshoot in the rain... what can we say, we are perfectionists. But we got there in the end and we hope you love it much as we do because this ain’t any old garden variety packaging - and a range we plan to grow and grow so please do get in touch if you'd like to see something added or want to let us know what you think. Now we'll love you and leave you to get Back to Nature.