Direct mail isn’t limited to postcards and fancy brochures; it can also come in the form of a package that houses a product or sample. Sending out a direct mail package with samples to consumers is a fantastic way to spread awareness. If one thing is certain, consumers love samples, particularly ones that taste good! Recently I signed up to receive a sample of Starbucks K-cup hot chocolate. Let’s take a closer look at the way they used packaging to boost their direct mail engagement.
A DIRECT MAILER EXAMPLE OF A DIMENSIONAL MAIL PACKAGE BY STARBUCKS
This Starbucks mailer had a lot of great qualities—and was quite tasty to boot!
Direct Mail Package Format
This was a folding carton box…the size reminded me of a box of checks but with much better contents. The size was 6” x 2” x 3.5”. The folding carton opened as one complete piece with a folded coupon flap on the side and the bottom of the box held two different flavored k-cups.
Package Design
The top and sides of the box were made to look like a wrapped gift. Starbucks used a manila-wood-like background color with a red bow, held in place by a Starbucks logo. The bottom of the box was the mailing panel which had a Starbucks logo as a return address.
When the box was opened, the short side contained the nutrition facts. The inside cover of the box included directions on how to make the hot chocolate, a photo of two glasses of hot chocolate and an attached, perforated coupon. The bottom interior of the box had two die-cut holes where the k-cups were placed.
Each k-cup was labeled: classic hot cocoa and salted caramel.
Printing & Paper
Starbucks used an overall soft-touch coating which really made the piece stand out. The feeling of soft touch is very sensory and really added to the overall uniqueness of the piece.
Presentation
Bulky, oversized packaging really helps increase package open rates. The box is made of 18 point C2S which is a heavy cardstock that is glossy on both the front and back of the sheet.
Purpose: Introduce consumers to Starbucks hot chocolate flavored k-cups.
Offer and Call-To-Action
The offer was samples of classic hot chocolate and salted caramel hot chocolate. The call to action was to use the coupon for $1 off one box of k-cups.
Digital Technology Integration
None but none was needed. The purpose of this mailer did not lend itself to using any digital technology. Starbucks did print on the box: “Learn more at Starbucks.com”.
Personalization
None but none was needed. I was the one to sign up for the offer and it was addressed to me, so Starbucks did not need to do anything else.
Ritter’s Conclusion
Overall, this was a great dimensional mailer: from the thoughtful design to the soft-touch coating to the rich photo of hot chocolate, this package really hit a home run. I love how Starbucks attached the coupon to the box and it was very easy to detach and use. Let’s not forget how good the hot chocolate tasted!
CREATE STAND-OUT DIRECT MAIL PACKAGES WITH RITTER’S
If you have a brand or product that could benefit from an innovative direct mail marketing solution, Ritter’s Printing & Packaging is the best in the business. For over 30 years, our direct mail experts have been helping businesses build effective marketing strategies. Are you ready to expand your reach and get more engagement? Let’s talk. Call Ritter’s Printing & Packaging today at 954-771-7204 to get started!
