The next time you get a packet of Lay's, turn it around. You will notice a bunch of coloured circles.
But unlike other things on the packet — these circles don’t seem to provide any context or information.
So, what exactly do these coloured circles signify?
(🧵: 1/n)
But unlike other things on the packet — these circles don’t seem to provide any context or information.
So, what exactly do these coloured circles signify?
(🧵: 1/n)
Well, here’s the thing — these circles are not really meant for the final customer.
Also known as “Printer’s Colour Blocks”— they’re actually used by the printing team to ensure that the colour on the packaging stays consistent on a global scale.
How, you ask?
Also known as “Printer’s Colour Blocks”— they’re actually used by the printing team to ensure that the colour on the packaging stays consistent on a global scale.
How, you ask?
Well, most printers will put out very specific colours needed to make the packaging work.
For instance you could have a very particular shade of yellow and a different shade of red.
For instance you could have a very particular shade of yellow and a different shade of red.
But if the printer isn’t working like it used to, the quality team should be able to quickly grab the packaging and check if the red is too weak and the yellow is too heavy. These patches help you with it.
And it’s not just Lay's.
And it’s not just Lay's.
These blocks are present across various food and non-food products.
You see, when you are at a supermarket, you have multiple options in every product category. Be it chips, chocolates or soft drinks — you have never-ending choices across brands, flavours and packet sizes.
You see, when you are at a supermarket, you have multiple options in every product category. Be it chips, chocolates or soft drinks — you have never-ending choices across brands, flavours and packet sizes.
So, to ensure that your product stands out from the crowd — one needs to have strong brand recognition. An essential element of which is the packaging and colour.
The famous “Coke red” for instance can be identified globally. But imagine if the colour changed across locations?
The famous “Coke red” for instance can be identified globally. But imagine if the colour changed across locations?
It would impact a customer's ability to identify the brand instantly in a crowded marketplace — ultimately impacting total sales.
This is where the Printer’s Colour Blocks come into play. They’re used as a benchmark for global consistency.
This is where the Printer’s Colour Blocks come into play. They’re used as a benchmark for global consistency.
And there, now you know what those circles mean if you encounter them again. Interesting, isn’t it?
If you learned something new today, make sure to follow @finshots for more insightful content on business, finance and the economy.
If you learned something new today, make sure to follow @finshots for more insightful content on business, finance and the economy.
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