How we work

We’re passionate about what we do. We believe that aesthetics are more than just visual; the look and feel of your product packaging communicates with your customer on an instinctive level. At Signet we listen carefully to your vision and translate it into beautiful, authentic accents that strike a real chord.

A key asset of Signet is our ability to approach every project with fresh eyes and the belief that anything is possible when passion and creativity collide. Our aim is to provide product decorations that dovetail flawlessly with your brand while enhancing its appeal on a multisensory level – and in order to do that, we’ll always take the time to get to know you and your business inside out. The result is a relationship based on mutual trust and respect – values that have non-disclosure agreement, or will sign yours. If you would like to download our NDA template, click here.

We work with a huge range of business types – including, but not limited to large international groups who will have a selection of brands and sell internationally, independent brand owners who will typically have a smaller range of products and potentially even a single brand, through to creative agencies who will be working with the brand and will need our expertise in production and advice as experts in the field.

In our business, there is no such thing as a “typical” process – we appreciate that everyone works differently, however, in the sections below we have illustrated sample processes for a range of different client types.

Simply select one of the options below to go directly to that section, or scroll down to see which is the most suitable for you.

Large International Groups

Many of the world’s most beloved brands are owned by large international groups operating around the world and selling millions of units each year. These multinational corporations have their own in-house marketing and branding moguls and often come to Signet with a clear design vision ready for realisation. Due to the global scale of their operations, these clients are seeking a partner with proven expertise and the capacity to undertake advanced, often pioneering NPD projects to give their products the edge in a worldwide marketplace. Creating product embellishments for some of the world’s most recognizable and high profile brand names also requires a refined approach and a high level of engagement with stakeholders at each stage of the design process – a service that Signet, with more than three decades of experience, is perfectly placed to provide.

01

The Brief

We receive the brief from the brand or procurement team, which often includes advanced-stage visuals and detailed information about the spec.  We deconstruct the brief from a commercial perspective in order to identify cost and feasibility challenges at an early stage.

Stage 1 of 10
02

NPD

Signet adds value by building on the agreed brief until the final solution has been defined. This is part of our core service offering, and we’re proud of our track record on overcoming specific design challenges.  A schedule, costings and product samples are supplied at this stage.

Stage 2 of 10
03

Proposal of Solution, Visuals & Product Sample

We’ll present our ideas in the form of detailed digital mock-ups and a physical product sample.  At this stage any tweaks to the design proposal are made, including changes to the aesthetic appearance of the product, or further refinement of feasibility issues.

Stage 3 of 10
04

Refine & Finalise Brief

At this stage any tweaks to the design proposal are made.  This may involve changes to the aesthetic appearance of the product, or further refinement of feasibility issues such as application methods and the inclusion of technology like NFC.

Stage 4 of 10
05

Production Sample

Once the final brief and specification for the product has been signed off, we will provide a production sample.  This enables the client to see exactly how the embellishment will look and feel in three dimensions, ensuring that all expectations are met.

Stage 5 of 10
06

Customer Analysis

At this stage the customer may carry out independent product testing using the product sample, including market research or physical testing to ensure the product is fit for purpose.  Where requested, the services of specialist laboratories and recognised industry standard testing will be contracted.

Stage 6 of 10
07

Sign Off & Production

Once the customer is satisfied, the product is signed off and passed forward for production.  Working with advanced production facilities around the world enables us to be highly selective about the materials and expertise we employ, delivering consistent quality and peace of mind every time.

Stage 7 of 10
08

Quality Control

Our QC process begins with the creation of a specification board in our design department.  Each incoming batch is randomly sampled and compared to the spec board to ensure it meets the agreed standard.  For complex or detailed items, we may opt to hand-inspect every piece.

Stage 8 of 10
09

Delivery

The finished product is delivered to the customer for application to the product.  With our head office and design centre based in Peterborough, UK, we utilise production and logistics facilities globally to deliver complete solutions to our customers on every continent.

Stage 9 of 10
10

Follow up & Stock Management

Following delivery Signet professionals are available to troubleshoot any hiccups that arise when the product goes onto the production lines.  Many clients request stock management services and we can provide a rolling stock forecast from 12 weeks to 12 months ahead.

Stage 10 of 10

Independent Brand Owners

As the name suggests, independent brand owners are often entrepreneurs.  The passion and belief that leads these companies to bring a unique product to market is key to their success and extends into every aspect of their business, including packaging.  Whether it’s a tiny artisan brand operating from the kitchen table, or an ambitious market disrupter, Signet’s specialist experience has proven invaluable to our independent clients as they seek beautiful, practical and cost-effective ways to bolster their brand image and capture the consumer’s imagination in new and exciting ways.

01

The Brief

We receive the brief from the brand or procurement team, which often includes advanced-stage visuals and detailed information about the required specification.  We immediately deconstruct the brief from a commercial perspective in order to identify cost and feasibility challenges at an early stage.

Stage 1 of 7
02

NPD

Signet adds value by building on the agreed brief until the final solution has been defined. This is part of our core service offering, and we’re proud of our track record on overcoming specific design challenges.  A schedule, costings and product samples are supplied at this stage.

Stage 2 of 7
03

Proposal of Solution, Visuals & Product Sample

We’ll present our ideas in the form of detailed digital mock-ups and a physical product sample.  At this stage any tweaks to the design proposal are made, including changes to the aesthetic appearance of the product, or further refinement of feasibility issues.

Stage 3 of 7
04

Customer Analysis & Sign Off

At this stage the customer may carry out independent product testing to ensure the product is fit for purpose.  Where requested, the services of specialist laboratories and recognised industry standard testing will be contracted.  The product will then be signed off for production.

Stage 4 of 7
05

Production

Working with advanced production facilities around the world enables us to be highly selective about the materials and expertise we employ, delivering consistent quality every time. All factories are audited to ensure suitable working environments for ultimate peace of mind.

Stage 5 of 7
06

Quality Control

Our QC process begins with the creation of a specification board in our design department.  Each incoming batch is randomly sampled and compared to the spec board to ensure it meets the agreed standard.  For complex or detailed items, we may opt to hand-inspect every piece.

Stage 6 of 7
07

Delivery, Follow Up & Stock Management

The product is delivered via our international logistics network, co-ordinated from our headquarters in Peterborough, UK.  Following delivery Signet will assist with troubleshooting production lines if required. For stock management, we can provide a rolling forecast up to 12 months ahead.

Stage 7 of 7

Creative Agencies

Many small to medium-sized brands rely on external marketing and design agencies to develop their product image and run their marketing operations, freeing up precious time for production and logistics. Signet is well accustomed to collaborating directly with creative agencies on branding and promotional projects. We bring value to the design process by offering expert guidance on the possibilities afforded by various processes and materials, which results in beautiful results that satisfy both aesthetic and practical demands.

01

Brief or challenge

Signet meets with the creative agency at an early stage in order to understand the client’s requirement, identify any NPD need and give vital technical input that may influence the parameters of the design.

Stage 1 of 6
02

Research & develop concept proposal

We analyse the brief in terms of potential materials, feasibility and cost. We will then identify the appropriate materials and processes for the job, or explore new technologies and manufacturers if the right solution doesn’t already exist in our portfolio.

Stage 2 of 6
03

NPD

Signet adds value by building on the agreed brief until the final solution has been defined. This is part of our core service offering, and we’re proud of our track record on overcoming specific design challenges.  A schedule, costings and product samples are supplied at this stage.

Stage 3 of 6
04

Proposal of Solution

We’ll present our ideas in the form of detailed digital mock-ups and a generic sample to offer an example of how the finished product will look and feel.  This will be compared against the initial brief and any required tweaks to the aesthetic or practical aspects of the design are discussed.

Stage 4 of 6
05

Production Sample

A physical sample of the embellishment is produced and passed to the client via the creative agency.  This enables the client to see exactly how the embellishment will look and feel in three dimensions, ensuring that all expectations are met.

Stage 5 of 6
06

Sign Off

Once the product has been approved by the client, it is usual for Signet to commence working directly with the client. This facilitates effective communication regarding lead times, delivery and enables Signet to provide a comprehensive after-sales service.

Stage 6 of 6

Trade Partnerships

We believe that true creativity is a collaborative process.

That’s why we love to work in partnership with multiple agencies on the creation of embellishments that make a product really ‘pop’ on the shelf. Quite often we’ll work simultaneously with the brand, the creative agency, the glass manufacturer and even the bottling plant in a holistic, fully project managed process.

This collaborative approach ensures we tick every box, from aesthetics, to quality, to functionality – with no guesswork involved.