About the client: Cantata brand
Cantata Tea & Coffee Shop (https://cantata.ae) is a premium retail brand specializing in the sale of over 300 varieties of flavored and classic tea and coffee. The assortment includes exclusive beans and leaves supplied from the best plantations in the world, and flavored products are produced in Germany. Products are sold by weight (50 g, 100 g, 250 g), which places special demands on the quality and design of the packaging.
Cantata targets an audience that values naturalness, exquisite taste and high aesthetics of service. Packaging design is not only a means of protecting the product, but also an important part of the customer experience, enhancing the premium perception of the brand.
Project goals
The main task is to develop and organize the printing of packaging and bags that fully reflect the values of the Cantata brand:
- Aesthetics and premium: the packaging should visually stand out from the competition and convey the atmosphere of a boutique.
- Versatility and practicality: bags and packaging should be suitable for different product formats (tea/coffee, 50 g – 250 g).
- Environmental friendliness: resistance to damage during delivery is important, but without compromising the eco-conscious image of the brand.
- Corporate identity: packaging should fit into the Cantata brand book and support the visual identity of the website and Instagram grid.
Implementation stages
1. Research and references
The following were studied:
- European and Asian premium tea and coffee brands;
- packaging samples at specialized exhibitions (for example, Gulf Print & Pack Dubai);
- visual perception preferences of Cantata's target audience.
2. Design layouts
Three main templates were created:
- Laminated craft bag — for loose tea and coffee;
- Gift boxes with a window and embossed logo — for holiday collections;
- Branded bags with handles — for retail customers.
All elements are made in the brand palette (shades of green, coffee, bronze and white), with the logo in the center. Fonts and compositions identical to the visual style of the www.cantata.ae website and Instagram feed were used.
3. Materials
- Tea/coffee packaging — kraft paper with aluminum lining (inside) + heat seal.
- Bags with logo — laminated paper 210 g/m² + cotton handles.
- Boxes — cardboard 350 g/m² with die-cutting and soft touch coating.
The materials were selected taking into account:
- durability during transportation;
- perception of premium quality upon tactile contact;
- possibility of subsequent recycling (eco-friendly approach).
4. Production
Printing was done in the UAE using offset technology, UV varnish and hot stamping. All packages were tested for tightness, wear resistance and compliance with UAE shipping standards.
Production cycle — 15 working days.
Results
- Increased engagement: thanks to the aesthetic packaging, customers began to post unboxings more often on social media, especially on Instagram.
- Increased average purchase: beautifully designed gift boxes increased the frequency of purchase of 250-gram packages for the holidays.
- Improved brand perception: the packaging evoked associations with premium European tea boutiques, increasing audience loyalty.
- Cost-effectiveness: despite the premium materials, the cost of packaging remained at the average market level due to the large print run and local printing.
The Cantata Tea & Coffee Shop case study clearly demonstrates how well-thought-out design and high-quality packaging printing can not only highlight the uniqueness of a brand, but also increase sales, improve customer experience and enhance visual communication. Packaging has become an important marketing tool that can work no worse than a shop window or a website.