Custom Case Study: Cushion Compact Case with Shade-Number Labels for a Domestic Makeup Brand
Client Requirements
Client Background and Application Scenarios
The client is a domestic color-cosmetics brand primarily promoting the cushion compact series.
\nThe product line has 5 shade numbers (natural, ivory white, light skin, etc.).
\nChannels cover e-commerce, CS stores, and cross-border daigou.
\nThe client wanted packaging with brand quality and shade-number recognizability.
Client Requirements and Original Solution Issues
The client had previously encountered several core issues with cushion-compact packaging.
\nFirst, shade-number identification was difficult. The original case relied primarily on text labels for shade numbers, making blind touch-ups inconvenient for consumers.
\nSecond, brand quality was insufficient. The original solution used ordinary four-color printing plus lamination, with little differentiation from competitors at the same price point.
\nThird, multi-shade version management was complex. 5 shade numbers required independent case versions, and file management could not keep pace with the revision rhythm.
\nCore requirements: convenient shade-number identification, upgraded brand quality, and unified management of multi-shade versions.
\nProject challenges:
\n✓ Precise registration required for hot stamping across 5 shade numbers
\n✓ Spot UV area control
\n✓ Visual consistency across multiple shade numbers
Solution
Solution Overview
Provided the client with a cushion-compact case plus series-label solution.
\nCovering 2,500 sets across 5 shade numbers.
\nThe case adopted a top-and-bottom lid gift-box structure.
\nThe process used a combination of hot stamping plus spot UV.
\nThe material used 350g white cardboard plus 1.5mm greyboard laminated forming.
Material Selection Analysis
Why choose a top-and-bottom lid gift box?
\nThe top-and-bottom lid gift box uses a separate top-and-bottom clasp, providing a complete unboxing experience.
\nThe case face is a complete canvas, fully presenting the brand theme.
Why choose hot stamping plus spot UV?
\nHot stamping delivers metallic gloss, while spot UV enhances glossy contrast.
\nShade-number identification uses a hot stamping plus UV combination, allowing shade identification by touch even with eyes closed.
\nWhy not only choose hot stamping?
\nHot stamping is flat and lacks localized glossy contrast.
\nWhy not only choose UV?
\nUV is glossy but lacks metallic texture.
Why choose 350g white cardboard?
\nWhite cardboard has a smooth surface, high whiteness, and excellent print color reproduction.
\nIt suits the mid-to-high-end positioning of color cosmetics.
Why choose 25μ matte film?
\nMatte film is non-reflective, with a soft texture that highlights the metallic quality of hot stamping.
\nMatte film is the first choice for cosmetics gift boxes.
Production Implementation and Quality Control
① Unified layout specification for 5 shade-number design drafts
\n② PANTONE color reference verification
\n③ Digital printing output for case faces
\n④ Hot stamping process (metallic logo)
\n⑤ Spot UV varnishing (shade-number identifier area)
\n⑥ 25μ matte lamination
\n⑦ 350g white cardboard plus 1.5mm greyboard laminated forming
\n⑧ Sampling inspection (hot stamping flatness, UV coverage, color deviation)
Results
Project Results
Delivery Data
✓ Products delivered: cushion-compact cases for 5 shade numbers
\n✓ Case style: top-and-bottom lid gift box
\n✓ Process combination: hot stamping plus spot UV plus matte lamination
\n✓ Material: 350g white cardboard plus 1.5mm greyboard
\n✓ Printing solution: digital printing
\n✓ Quantity delivered: 2,500 sets across 5 shade numbers
\n✓ Lead time: 5-7 days for sampling, 10-15 days for mass production
Usage Effects
✓ Visual consistency across 5 shade numbers, with upgraded brand quality
\n✓ Shade-number identification upgraded from text labels to visual-finish recognition
\n✓ Standardized multi-shade version management
Case Summary
For multi-shade domestic color-cosmetics brands, the top-and-bottom lid gift box plus hot stamping plus spot UV
\nplus digital printing solution is typically more brand-quality oriented than ordinary four-color printing.
\nThis case completed the delivery of 2,500 cushion-compact sets across 5 shade numbers for a domestic color-cosmetics brand.
\nThe hot stamping plus UV combination made shade-number identification more convenient.
LeXiang Packaging Experience
Applicable scenarios: cushion-compact cases for domestic color-cosmetics brands, multi-shade serialized packaging, mid-to-high-end color-cosmetics products requiring brand-quality upgrades.
\nMaterial recommendations: cosmetics gift boxes should use 350g white cardboard plus 1.5mm greyboard laminated forming; shade-number identifiers should use a hot stamping plus UV combination; multi-shade products should prefer the digital printing solution.
\nNot applicable scenarios: single-shade products (no need for shade-identifier finishing); ultra-large-batch single-design orders (traditional offset printing is more economical).
Why Choose LeXiang Packaging
✓ 5 shade numbers of cushion-compact cases delivered in a single batch
\n✓ Hot stamping plus spot UV process combination
\n✓ Unified multi-shade visual specification
\n✓ Digital printing supports flexible output for multiple shade numbers
\n✓ Brand-quality upgrade from ordinary printing to hot stamping plus UV
FAQ
What is the minimum order quantity for cushion compact cases?
A minimum of 50 units is acceptable for digital proofing. For mass production, 500–1,000 units as the minimum order helps lower the unit price. It ultimately depends on the complexity of the box style and the process combination.
How long does proofing take for a cushion compact case?
Proofing for a top-and-bottom lid gift box typically takes 3–5 working days. For gift boxes that include hot stamping plus spot UV, proofing generally takes 5–7 working days.
What materials should be used for color cosmetics gift boxes?
The standard recommendation is 350 g white cardboard laminated with 1.5 mm grey board for forming. For premium scenarios, you can upgrade to 400 g double-layer white cardboard lamination. The box surface offers high whiteness and excellent color reproduction.
What is the lead time for the hot stamping plus spot UV process?
For standard quantities (hundreds to thousands of units), the lead time is typically 10–15 working days. Hot stamping die costs are amortized across the run. With digital printing, proof samples can be ready in 1–3 days.
Can color cosmetics gift boxes be made in special-shaped formats?
Yes. Examples include hexagonal, heart-shaped, or special-shaped windowed boxes. However, die-cutting costs and minimum order quantities will increase accordingly.
Can color consistency be maintained for color cosmetics gift boxes?
PANTONE spot colors ensure color consistency. A color difference of ΔE ≤ 3 is the accepted industry range. Four-color printing may show color variation during small-batch reproduction.
How should the inner tray be selected for color cosmetics gift boxes?
Common options include paper card inner trays (low cost) or EVA inner trays (good cushioning). Cushion compacts typically use paper card inner trays, with a sponge pad added to the case to protect the compact.
How is shade identification done on color cosmetics gift boxes?
A common approach is to add a shade identifier on the box surface or side—a hot stamping plus UV combination: metallic logo (matte metallic feel) plus UV gloss area (high gloss), creating strong contrast.
Is shrink wrapping required for the outer layer of color cosmetics gift boxes?
Shrink wrapping primarily provides moisture resistance and tamper evidence. It is generally recommended for color cosmetics gift boxes, especially for products like compacts that are sensitive to moisture.
Can the box style of a color cosmetics gift box be modified?
Box dimensions can be adjusted within a certain range. Major structural changes (such as converting a top-and-bottom lid box into a book-style box) require a redesign of the box layout.
How is the shipping damage rate controlled for color cosmetics gift boxes?
For top-and-bottom lid gift boxes, it is recommended to add an outer corrugated carton during transport. Add paper card inner trays or sponge pads inside the box as cushioning. The damage rate for standard courier transport is relatively low.
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