Case Study: Premiumisation through digitalisation for Fallen Acorn

Digital print technology continues to drive decorative label innovation in the craft beer sector. Creating exciting opportunities for premiumisation, Amberley Labels’ digital print enables brands to explore the use of embellishment, special effects, and decorative finishing to create a point of difference for their can labels in smaller volumes.

With no plate requirements and a range of print and finishing options including foiling, decorative varnishes, personalisation and embossing, label enhancement and consumer engagement can be achieved for smaller batches of labels, impactfully and efficiently.

Amberley Labels has worked with craft brewery Fallen Acorn Brewing Co. for several years using digital print to embellish their bottle and can labels. The latest can label creation by Fallen Acorn is their The Valley of Ghosts design for an Imperial Cherry Stout. The label uses a polypropylene substrate delivering good performance during the canning and labelling process. Digital print produces the distinctive The Valley of Ghosts artwork with exceptional accuracy and a tactile matt laminate creates a distinguishing feel to the label, in addition to protective qualities for the printed design. The result is an eye catching, engaging and premium can label with visual and tactile effects that stands out in the craft beer market.

Claire Thorburn, Design & Branding, at Fallen Acorn Brewing Co. describes the inspiration behind The Valley of Ghosts design and label effects: “The Valley of Ghosts is a barrel aged version of our award-winning Imperial Stout, Crimea River, with 160kg of beautifully sour cherries added in. The artwork is a photo taken in The Valley of Ghosts in Crimea, which was adjusted to make the red leaves really pop, hinting to the cherry flavour of the beer.

“Working closely with Coveris, we wanted this beer to have a dark and moody look to it, which the varnish more than helped achieve when picking up the can. The combination of the artwork and finish by Coveris really helped us achieve the feeling we wanted for this beer.”