A case for using local… from start to finish

Independent and family-owned, The Lincoln Distillery is made up of owner and distiller Matt, his wife Jen and her father John. Working together they have taken the business from its humble beginnings in Matt and Jen’s family kitchen to an established and award-winning craft distillery in Lincolnshire.

Their flagship product, Lincoln Dry Gin, designed to promote Lincoln’s rich heritage and distilled with locally inspired botanicals, is available in London Dry, Cask Aged and Navy Strength varieties.

Thinking ahead to the Christmas period and wanting to make the most of their stand at one of the best Christmas Markets in the UK that takes place across Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter, The Lincoln Distillery was looking for a local, creative company that could help develop their vision for a miniature gin gift set.

The team utilised their membership with Lincolnshire Food and Drink and was introduced to Visual Print and Design, a Lincoln-based commercial printer and graphic design company. From that initial meeting, an idea quickly became a reality.

Leading the project and ensuring that The Lincoln Distillery’s quality and craftsmanship came across effectively in print was Visual Print and Design’s Project Delivery Manager, Andrew. With his background in food and drink as well as print finishing and fulfilment, he was able to deliver a solution that exceeded the brief.

Before the creative process began, Visual Print and Design worked with one of their die-cut partners to produce a prototype sample to ensure that not only would the box look the part, but it would hold the bottles securely. This was achieved with a strong lock on the bottom and a friction fit and lock at the top. As well as this, the divider integrated stopped them from chinking together and increased the strength of the finished unit allowing multiple boxes to be stacked without crushing. The divider also has slits on the internal folds and creases on the external folds to make it easier for the boxes to fold and keep their shape.

With approval received on the box layout and following a creative session, it was time for Visual Print and Design’s Creative Graphic Designer, Graham, to develop concepts that instilled The Lincoln Distillery’s brand, values, history and key messaging as well as crucially, abided by trading standard guidelines.

With the creative vision signed off and Matt and Jen delighted with the design, the box was sent to print and what was produced was a wonderful piece of box engineering, a fantastically designed gift set that stands out on any shelf, and an example what can happen when local businesses work together.

Matthew Felgate, Founder of the Lincoln Distillery said:

“The miniature gift sets that have been produced are fantastic and we’re so happy with them. Thank you to Visual Print and Design for your creativity, your support and for getting them ready in time for Christmas. Andrew was a pleasure to work with and provided us with such expert knowledge that we felt looked after every stage of the process. Thank you to Lincolnshire Food and Drink for the introduction!”