August 2003: The Advantages of Prototypes

The planning and design of many projects requires a great deal of communication between several parties. As the complexity of a project increases, so does the number of minute details that must be passed back and forth. To be sure all of those details have been properly communicated, we will often produce a pre-production prototype of the project. This offers several benefits for everyone involved in the production of a custom packaging solution:

Removes the Guesswork - Many aspects of an information packaging project are difficult to visualize on a computer screen. A customized prototype takes the guesswork out of the design of the piece by allowing you to spot problems and find solutions. On a customized media package, for example, a pre-production prototype allows you to ensure that folds are properly configured and die cuts are the correct size and shape. These are just a couple of the many small details that can only be properly inspected on a pre-production sample.

Maintains Project Integrity - An innovative design is only effective if it can be efficiently produced. When a customer comes to us with a unique vision for a project, we strive to give them a prototype that matches that vision as closely as possible. They can in turn present this sample to their client as a tangible representation of their design. Very often, that can be the difference our customers need in winning a lucrative project.

Tightens Communication - Project details often pass through many hands during the design and planning stage. That can lead to communication breakdowns as intricate technical details are passed from finisher to end user and vice versa. A pre-production prototype ensures that all details have been properly communicated and allows everyone involved with the project to be on the same page, so to speak.

A Recent Example

One of our customers had a client looking for a custom packaging solution for a line of vitamins and health-food products. The package would be used to attract distributors for the products, so it needed to be both eye-catching and practical. Their initial idea was to place the products into plastic tubes, which would include vinyl pages bearing the descriptive literature. With a pre-production prototype in hand, they stated that they wanted a package with a more polished look. Once we gathered more information, we produced a prototype package that included die cut foam inserts to secure the products for a more professional display. Based on that prototype, our printer customer was awarded the job. 

The Eckhart Advantage
At Eckhart & Company, we work with an extensive range of construction and decoration materials to give you plenty of information and media packaging design freedom. Our experience and production capabilities allow us
to turn those designs into reality quickly and efficiently. Give us a call and let us know how we can help you create the ideal packaging solution for your application.

Back Issues

• April 2004 Turn Your Binder into a Display Piece
• March 2004 Material Options
• February 2004 Ring Binder Solutions
• January 2004 Our Capabilties for 2004
• December 2003 Versatile Pocket Styles
• November 2003 Create Attractive Dust Jackets
• October 2003 Point-of-Purchase Displays
• September 2003 Make Products User Friendly with Index Tabs
• August 2003  The Advantages of Prototypes
• July 2003  Creating the Perfect Package
• June 2003  Mechanical Binding Cover Styles
• May 2003  Custom Ring Binders
• April 2003  Mechanical Binding Options
• March, 2003  Award Holders
• February, 2003  Slipcases, Slantcases & Boxed Sets
• January, 2003 Serving Our Customers
• December, 2002 Media Packaging Options
• November, 2002 Ring Metal Options
• October, 2002 Customized Binder Options
• September, 2002 Turned Edge Possibilities