by Scott Pillsbury | Nov 11, 2024 | Label Design
Here at Rose City Label, we’re always thrilled when a label tells a story, and Rogue’s Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey label does just that. This isn’t just ink on paper; it’s artistry meeting craftsmanship, wrapped around a bottle of world-class whiskey.
Let’s dive into what makes this label so captivating and why we’re proud to have brought it to life!
A Collaboration of Bold Ideas
First off, the client, Rogue Ales & Spirits, teamed up with the brilliant Hagen Moore, their Marketing/Creative Director, to craft a design that reflects the sophistication and spirit of their Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey. This label is a testament to their dedication to quality, from the whiskey to the packaging. When we got the ticket for this project, we knew we were in for something special.
Material and Technology: It’s All in the Details
Rogue’s label is printed on HP022 Everopaque Bright White Felt, a material that gives the bottle a sturdy, luxurious feel the moment you pick it up. This paper choice wasn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about texture. It feels rich, inviting you to savor every detail before opening the bottle. The Everopaque material stands out for its brightness and opacity, ensuring every ink drop and foil application is as vibrant as possible.
Embellishments That Dazzle
Now, let’s talk about the embellishments. This label runs through a hot stamp twice to add stunning black and red foil accents. Why go through the hot stamp twice? Because quality demands extra steps! The black foil gives the label depth and contrast, making the bold “Morimoto” name pop. The red foil, meanwhile, adds a layer of elegance, perfectly placed in the Japanese calligraphy and seal. These touches aren’t just decorative—they create a memorable impression, making the label as unique as the whiskey itself.
Presses That Mean Business
For those who love to geek out over print technology (we do!), this label was printed on our HP6900 and Delta presses, plus an additional hot stamp. The HP6900 handles digital printing with sharp precision, while the Delta press is versatile enough to handle multiple materials and finishes. Together, they create a crisp, durable, and visually arresting label. The numerous press processes allow us to combine intricate details with long-lasting quality, which is perfect for a high-end product like Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey.
Aesthetics That Tell a Story
The label design itself is a work of art. At the top, the iconic Rogue logo instantly commands attention. Below it, the name “Morimoto” stands in bold, crisp typography, with “Single Malt Whiskey” elegantly understated. But the real magic happens with the striking Japanese calligraphy that spans the label, a nod to the heritage and artistry infused in every bottle. The calligraphy, accented with a vibrant red seal, brings authenticity and respect for tradition, fitting for a single malt with character.
Why This Label Stands Out
This label isn’t just any whiskey label; it’s a masterclass in using materials, technology, and design to create something unforgettable. Rogue’s Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey label demonstrates what happens when a brand pushes for excellence in every detail. Every aspect of this label is thoughtfully chosen to enhance the product inside, from the choice of premium materials to the double hot stamp embellishments.
At Rose City Label, we take immense pride in helping brands like Rogue Ales & Spirits realize their vision. When you hold a bottle of Morimoto Single Malt Whiskey, you’re not just looking at a label—you’re experiencing the story of craftsmanship, dedication, and bold choices that make a product exceptional. And that’s what we’re here for, to bring those stories to life, one label at a time.
So, next time you’re looking to make your product stand out, remember that the details matter, and we’re ready to make those details shine.
by Scott Pillsbury | Oct 4, 2024 | Customers/Examples
At Rose City Label, we take immense pride in producing labels that not only look stunning but also convey the premium nature of the product they’re designed for. The label we crafted for Trail’s End 10-Year Bourbon by Hood River Distillers is no exception. This one stands out in more ways than one, with every detail carefully considered to reflect the exceptional quality of the bourbon inside the bottle.
The first thing you’ll notice when you run your fingers over the Trail’s End label is the texture. We chose HP063 Classic Felt Natural White, a material that adds a level of sophistication and craftsmanship that immediately stands out on the shelf. This natural white felt paper has a tactile, premium feel that connects the consumer to the authentic, artisanal quality of the bourbon. It’s not just about how it looks – it’s how it feels.
To bring this label to life, we combined our best-in-class printing technology. The HP6900 digital press and Delta die cutter provides exceptional precision and rich color, allowing us to produce a label that’s as visually striking as it is detailed. But the real showstopper here is the Hotstamp. This press from Newfoil in the UK adds luxurious gold foil, instantly elevating the label and giving it that premium, high-end feel that bourbon lovers expect.
Speaking of gold foil, let’s dive into the embellishments. When you look at the Trail’s End label, the gold accents catch the eye immediately. It’s more than just shiny – it’s a statement. Gold foil was carefully applied to the name and key elements of the design, making the brand name pop while conveying a sense of luxury and heritage.
But we didn’t stop there. To enhance the texture and visual appeal, we used embossing to raise certain parts of the design, giving the label depth and dimension. This three-dimensional effect is not only visually engaging, but it also adds another layer of tactile satisfaction when you hold the bottle. The embossed tree – a central visual element – gives a nod to the brand’s connection with nature, while the raised typeface enhances readability and premium perception.
Why This Label Stands Out
The combination of premium felt material, hotstamped gold foil, and expert embossing makes this label more than just a sticker – it’s a work of art. It immediately grabs attention with its luxurious shine and textured depth, and upon closer inspection, it tells a story. The story of a bourbon that’s carefully crafted, finished in Oregon oak casks, and bottled with the same level of care and detail that went into designing its label.
Trail’s End 10-Year Bourbon doesn’t just sit on the shelf – it commands attention. The label speaks directly to the premium quality of the bourbon inside, enticing whiskey aficionados and casual sippers alike. From the choice of material to the thoughtful use of embellishments, every detail of this label reflects the craft, care, and heritage that Hood River Distillers poured into their product.
At Rose City Label, we understand that great labels aren’t just about looking good – they’re about telling a story, enhancing brand perception, and standing out in a competitive market. We’re proud to have played a part in the journey of Trail’s End 10-Year Bourbon, and we look forward to helping more brands make their mark with high-quality labels that truly reflect the spirit of their products.
Visit Hood River Distillers to learn more about Trail’s End at www.hrdspirits.com and see this label masterpiece in action!
by Scott Pillsbury | Sep 5, 2018 | Customers/Examples, Technical
Keeping Consumers Safe with a Prop 65 Label
There is a huge new burden on manufacturers that sell products to consumers in California – and it may require a label update:
All manufacturers, producers, packagers, importers, suppliers, and distributors, regardless of whether they are located in California or out of state, must provide a warning if their products cause exposures to any listed chemical to individuals in California.
If you are selling anything with ingredients on the prohibited list, you may need to update the language on your labels. The NFIB has an excellent summary of the newly updated law on their website. According to NFIB,
More specifically, a warning label is required if the chemical included has either a 1 in 100,000 chance of causing cancer over a 70 year period, or unless it may be said that exposure to 1000 times the amount of the chemical within the product has no observable effect on reproductive health
The update effective in August 2018 is actually just a more strict interpretation of the law passed in 1986 – Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act This law requires disclosures if any of 900 listed chemicals are present in your product. Read the full NFIB article by clicking here.
California even has a specific website dedicated to the new law. Check more on that site by clicking www.p65warnings.ca.gov
We are All About Full Disclosure
This law seems onerous, but it is no more so than the mandate 20+ years ago to provide nutrition facts on all food packaging. Now, this consumer information seems standard, but at one time, it was a big change for all food producers. This will be the same. Besides marketing and branding, your labels need to give consumers clear and complete information.
Easy Redesign
We aren’t a graphic design company, but we can help with basic layout changes. Editing your label to be compliant and still be attractive – we can do that. We are experts at fitting lots of information onto a small label. The cost for this redesign is very affordable in most cases. And, if you need a full rebranding, we can refer you to some excellent design agencies. Adding a separate Prop 65 label to your packaging is another option – we can help with that too.
Other Label Questions? We can help
As always, we are here to help with any and all label questions. We can help with technical, aesthetic and financial questions related to your label project. Please call us today. We would be happy to help.
This article is intended to provide Oregon and Washington businesses with general information and is not intended to serve as legal advice regarding any specific matter; information should not be acted upon without legal advice.
by Scott Pillsbury | Aug 22, 2018 | Environmental Green
Rose City Label Sustainability – Part 2
We love being a GREEN company. Our customers can feel good about partnering with a leader in this area. Rose City Label Sustainability is woven into each part of our business and we live this out on a daily basis. Call us if you have any questions. We love helping others with their sustainability journey.
Free Pallets – Upcycling for Good
We generate excess pallets each month. Typically we buy material in large bulk rolls and sell small, custom label orders shipped via courier or UPS. Even with our staff projects, we can’t use up all these pallets internally. We shared this on social media, and now all our pallets are given away to neighbors for reuse. Read more by clicking here.
Reuse Trash as Shipment Padding
Waxed paper sheets separate rolls of adhesive label stock. This ‘slip sheet’ prevents rolls from sticking together. Wax coating makes these hard to recycle, so we use the sheets to pack our boxes going out to customers. The label rolls are clean and protected. Our customers are happy we can reuse this packaging to save money and the earth. Read more by clicking here.
Local Vendors and Courier Service
Whenever possible, we use small, local vendors for parts and supplies. This personal touch helps us stay up and running with responsive service for customers. And, we are supporting the local economy. Read more by clicking here. We also use a local delivery service for most shipments in the Portland area. Again, we are supporting a local company, but we also get faster deliveries to our customers. And, having our labels delivered by small, private auto is always better than a large industrial truck taking the labels back to a central hub to sort and deliver the following day. Our local courier partner is Direct Transport – learn more about them by clicking here.
Rose City Label Sustainability Summary – A Way of Life and Business
This is only part ONE! Hopefully this commitment is as important to you and your company as it is to us. If you have questions, please contact us. We are happy to help our customers and friends on their green journey. Rose City Label Sustainability matters. We work hard to make our company better in many ways. Balancing people, profit and planet – that is how we roll!
