Sappi secures European gold with a dual-sided perfume pack that pushes cartonboard limits

Pushing the boundaries of luxury packaging

The luxury packaging sector constantly demands materials that can withstand rigorous converting processes while delivering an impeccable tactile and visual experience. Sappi Europe, in collaboration with German finishing specialist GRÄFE Druckveredelung and design agency klartxt, has demonstrated exactly what modern cartonboard can achieve. The partnership secured the Gold Award in the newly introduced 'Art of Cartonboard' category at the European Carton Excellence Awards 2026, presented in Rome on September 17.

Rather than a standard commercial release, this award-winning perfume pack was developed as an ambitious proof of concept. The goal was to showcase how the right substrate can seamlessly unify structural integrity, advanced finishing techniques, and brand storytelling. The chosen material for this project was Sappi's Algro Design Duo 360 g/m², a paperboard known for its high whiteness, brightness, and symmetrical smooth surfaces.

Technical precision meets sensory design

The technical execution of the pack highlights the critical role of material stability in premium converting. The exterior features a sophisticated silver cold transfer combined with bold blind embossing. This transforms the printed perfume bottle into a striking three-dimensional focal point that invites touch and reinforces the sculptural presence of the packaging. Achieving such delicate embossing alongside luminous metallic accents requires a substrate with exceptional surface consistency and structural strength.

However, the true differentiator of this concept lies in its dual-sided utilization. The interior of the carton is printed with a rich, deep solid blue. This design choice extends the brand experience beyond the retail shelf and directly into the unboxing moment. By leveraging the double-coated symmetrical surface of Algro Design Duo, the converters achieved sharp print definition on both the inside and outside, ensuring that the internal aesthetics match the premium feel of the exterior.

Converting reliability for the premium market

For converters and printers, the structural reliability of the cartonboard is just as crucial as its printability. The silky-smooth surface of the 360 g/m² board ensures clean folding and consistent converting, which is essential when applying complex finishing effects. Any cracking on the fold or loss of structural integrity would immediately compromise the luxury positioning of the product.

• Material: Algro Design Duo 360 g/m²
• Finishing techniques: Silver cold transfer, bold blind embossing
• Design feature: Dual-sided printing with a deep blue interior
• Partners: Sappi, GRÄFE Druckveredelung, klartxt

The introduction of the 'Art of Cartonboard' category for the 30th anniversary of the European Carton Excellence Awards provides a necessary platform for mills and converters to demonstrate technical versatility without the constraints of a strict commercial brief. This win for Sappi and GRÄFE Druckveredelung serves as a benchmark for what is technically possible in the high-end cosmetics and fragrance sectors in 2026.

Proof-of-concept projects like this are vital for the industry, as they allow material scientists and converters to test the absolute limits of cartonboard without the immediate pressure of commercial scale, ultimately paving the way for tomorrow's retail solutions. Will the integration of high-fidelity interior printing become a mandatory standard for all luxury packaging, or will it remain a niche application for ultra-premium segments? Follow The Paper for daily news, market signals and key updates from the global paper, corrugated and packaging industry. — Sigue toda la actualidad del sector en www.thepaper.ai