The stamping foil manufacturer Kurz presented the premiere edition of its “Presentation” design and art box at this year’s Luxepack. The company plans to produce a new edition of the Presentation box on an annual basis, and to dedicate each one to a specific theme. The first edition, titled Metropolis, deals thematically with various metropolises around the world. The Metropolis box contains six individual smaller boxes, each representing a specific metropolis. The packaging of each box has been designed in such a way as to symbolize the characteristics and distinguishing qualities of the corresponding city, thereby highlighting the wide variety of ways in which hot stamping and cold foiling can be used to convey messages. The boxes demonstrate how warm or cool metallic tones, glittery holographic structures, lavish structured stampings or sumptuous reliefs can be employed to capture the atmosphere of a city.

Invitation to collectors

The packaging design adorns five sides of each box, but does not extend to the sixth side. Instead, this side of each box presents a portion of an artistic image so that, when all boxes have been arranged correctly, a complete picture is formed. The creator of this artwork, which has been produced using stamping foils, is Michael Matthaeus Martha, an artist in Fürth where the headquarters of the KURZ Group is located. Martha’s picture depicts an artistic interpretation of the metropolis theme, which is explained in an accompanying leaflet. Kurz is offering this work to its customers as a genuine collector’s item. It is the first item in a planned collection of artworks, all of which will be decorated with hot stamping or cold foils and assembled from individual packaging items.  

The proud possessor of a Metropolis art box will have to expend a small amount of personal effort, however, to acquire the artwork. First the individual boxes need to be folded from paper sheets, then the boxes need to be correctly assembled to form the complete picture. The Metropolis box was distributed at Luxepack 2011. Those who act quickly enough can still secure their own copy by emailing [email protected]. Otherwise, it will be necessary to wait for Luxepack 2012, where Kurz will be presenting the next edition of the art box featuring a new thematic area.