Extensive development and testing was carried out alongside the design team to explore finishes, assess production considerations and establish the best route to achieve the required result.
Several technical challenges had to be overcome during development.
Blocking the existing design
Additional opacity was required to successfully conceal the original commercial can graphics and provide the right foundation for the new design.
Pushing high-build varnish
Extensive testing allowed us to push the high-build effect to achieve the strongest possible visual and tactile result.
Balancing design intent with a drinkable product
A patterned matt varnish solution helped maintain the intended look and feel of the design while considering the real-world requirements of a can that would ultimately be handled and consumed from.
Matching and improving on previous samples
Reference finishes were carefully assessed throughout development, with the aim not simply to reproduce what had been achieved before, but to improve upon it.
The result was a production solution that brought all of these elements together while maintaining the integrity and intended use of the original commercial can.
Following development and approval, commercially produced cans were received directly into Litmus and securely stored on site, ready to move into full production.
This became Litmus' largest ever project of its kind in terms of production volume, bringing together multiple departments and specialist processes.
A detailed production plan coordinated every stage across the business, giving each department clear visibility and allowing the project to move efficiently through each area of production.
The scale gave us an opportunity to demonstrate how our different capabilities can work together as one complete production solution.
Rather than relying on a single print method, the final result used Litmus' hybrid production approach, bringing together multiple specialist processes to create the required visual and tactile effects.
These included a combination of digital print, UV production, silk screen and high-build varnish techniques, carefully brought together to deliver the final design.
Every can was individually finished by hand. Printed components were seamed before being carefully applied using a controlled steam-tunnel process.
Each finished can was then individually inspected, hand trimmed and prepared for packing.
Finished cans were carefully packed and palletised ready for transport.
Litmus also supported the wider logistics, helping coordinate transport through to the event and providing support beyond production to help bring the complete project together.
The finished cans in place, on site.
Being included in a project of this scale was something we genuinely appreciated.
As a small thank you, we produced one-off personalised cans for our key client contacts involved in the project, a fitting way to recognise the people behind it.
For Litmus, this project brought together everything we enjoy: ambitious creative, technical problem solving, multiple production processes and production at significant scale.
It was our largest project of its kind to date. We loved delivering it, and we're ready for the next one.