When a group of people came together to open a gin distillery in the Peak District, they knew they would have to create something special to make an impact and thrive in this highly competitive and saturated market, and we're thrilled that our Curious Collection range of special papers is part of their success story. The distillery is located in the Hope Valley, at the head of which sits Mam Tor, known locally as the Shivering Mountain due to its geological movement and landslides. It is a location that creates the perfect elements and conditions for the botanicals used in the making of the choice gins; it also proved to be the perfect name and inspiration for the packaging of this new brand.

When a group of people came together to open a gin distillery in the Peak District, they knew they would have to create something special to make an impact and thrive in this highly competitive and saturated market, and we're thrilled that our Curious Collection range of special papers is part of their success story. The distillery is located in the Hope Valley, at the head of which sits Mam Tor, known locally as the Shivering Mountain due to its geological movement and landslides. It is a location that creates the perfect elements and conditions for the botanicals used in the making of the choice gins; it also proved to be the perfect name and inspiration for the packaging of this new brand.

Mountain Gin and Curious Metallics

Branding that tells a story

Shivering Mountain’s distinctive visual identity includes patterns that subtly hint at each gin’s unique local botanicals. The colours, textures and finishes used across the brand reflect the history of the minerals mined in the area – Blue John (fluorite crystal) and copper. The branding, packaging, merchandise, and bottle design – which features a three-dimensional impression of the Shivering Mountain pressed into the glass – was created by The Allotment branding agency. The key to achieving the quality and effect the client and agency required in order to deliver the brand’s story was the choice of print substrates.

Shivering Mountain Gin Case Study Image 1

The Solution

Shivering Mountain Gin Case Study Image2

James Backhurst, co-founder and creative director of The Allotment, has worked with Antalis throughout his extensive career. James was familiar with Curious Collection Metallics papers, and within the range found the perfect stock to help bring the Shivering Mountain Gin brand to life. Curious Collection Metallics Ink is a deep blue shade with a shimmering metallic lustre, bringing the desired mineral effect and the perfect complement to the complex copper foiling used throughout. In weights ranging from 120gsm up to 300gsm, Curious Collection Metallics Ink was used for the brochure cover, business cards and the bottle label for the brand’s Premium Dry Gin while Curious Metallics Red Lacquer, a deep metallic red, was used for the Premium Pink Gin. 

 

The environmental credentials of the substrate were also an important factor for consideration. Along with the entire Antalis Creative Papers range, Curious Metallics is carbon balanced by Antalis in partnership with World Land Trust – offering all the benefits of technically superior, beautiful papers with the advantage of helping to reduce environmental impact.

The Result

Both client and agency were delighted with the finished result. Working closely with handmade stationery specialist Big Day on the foiling for the brochure covers and handmade labels, James explains that they carried out testing to ensure the substrate was up to the job: “We did lots of testing; the area of foiling on the brochure needed four blocks, so each cover was four times the work to ensure we retained the pattern details. The product performed brilliantly on both the heaviest and lightest weights. We also tested to see if the alcohol would make the colour run on the stock; it didn’t, and so was fine to use on the neck label on the bottle. I hadn’t used this particular product before and will definitely use it again. The product’s sustainability was also important – at The Allotment, we try to reduce our footprint as much as we can.”

Shivering Mountain Case Study Image 3

The Technique

Shivering Mountain Case Study Image 4

Print: the brochure, bottle label and business cards were printed on a Heidelberg XL 75 – 10 Colour B2 Perfector Press.


Finishing: Heidelberg TH56.6 Folder and Müller Martini Bravo Plus Stitching – copper wire used.
Inks: vegetable-based.


Tip: James Backhurst advises: “Test and do a fully-printed mock-up. It may cost a little more, but it enables the creators and the client to see and feel the real deal. It helped our client to commit to a serious investment in the printed materials and they are now seeing a return on investment that far outweighs the initial costs.

 

Credits

Creation and design: The Allotment 

Print and production management: Ian Woodley

Production planning: Mela Creative, Speen, Bucks

Print production and finishing: Impress Print

Label production: Big Day

 

 

Curious Collection Logo Image

 

 

Elegant and opulent, Curious Metallics offers a shimmering palette of 30 sumptuous colours, perfect for special printed projects. As part of the Curious Collection range, Curious Metallics is carbon balanced by Antalis as standard.

 

Discover the curious range