Value proposition
Cozy light, cleaner burn, elegant fragrances with simple, trustworthy ingredients.

Audience & personality
Design-conscious homeowners and gift shoppers. Personality: warm, refined, honest, and calming.

Creative direction
Create a cohesive packaging system across glass jar labels, travel tins, and paperboard cartons that reads clearly on shelf and online. The look should be minimal and premium, anchored by one strong visual device that scales across scents while keeping the master brand unmistakable. Prioritize fast brand read, clear hierarchy (brand → scent name → size/burn time), and effortless legibility on curved glass, tins, and textured cartons. Build a layout that adapts to multiple sizes and seasonal SKUs without reworking core elements.

Brand colours

Swatch	Name	HEX	Use
▉	Deep navy	#1E2A36	Primary brand, wordmark, titles
▉	Warm amber	#C27A42	Accent lines, seals, seasonal foils
▉	Sand cream	#F4EFE7	Light backgrounds, cartons, labels
▉	Driftwood gray	#8D959C	Secondary text, dividers
▉	Seafoam	#7FA9A3	Scent differentiation accent (limited)

Ensure AA contrast on Sand cream backgrounds; avoid neon/overly bright variants.

Brand constraints (must-haves)

• Brand name “Harbor & Hearth Candles.”
• Prominent scent name and size/net weight (e.g., 8 oz / 226 g) with estimated burn time.
• Front callouts zone (e.g., Soy wax, cotton wick, phthalate-free fragrance).
• Back/side: ingredients, manufacturer/distributor info, batch/lot code, barcode, and recycling marks.
• Candle safety: include ASTM F2058 safety statements/icons (e.g., Burn within sight; Keep away from things that can catch fire; Keep away from children and pets).
• System must work on pressure-sensitive labels (glass & tin) and paperboard cartons; foil or emboss optional for premium SKUs.

Deliverables & specs

Item	Details
Formats	Glass jar (8 oz/12 oz) with lid; travel tin (4 oz); paperboard carton for glass jars
Dielines	Jar/tin labels with 3 mm bleed; round lid labels; carton dielines with glue flaps and 3 mm bleed
Print files	CMYK + 1 spot (Warm amber) optional; vector PDF/X-1a + layered source files
Variants	6 core scents + 2 seasonal; consistent system with unmistakable scent cues
Barcodes	UPC/EAN on cartons and tins; quiet zones maintained
Regulatory	ASTM safety icons/statements, ingredient list, company info, batch/lot area, recycling symbols
Digital	E-commerce hero (front/angled), PDP detail (back-of-pack, wick detail), lifestyle thumbnails
Mockups	Shelf set, hand-held jar, unboxed carton, lid-off candle, and 3D spin per SKU

Production notes (labels, cartons & finishes)

• Labels: Use matte PP or estate paper with protective varnish; minimum live text 5 pt; avoid strokes < 0.4 pt. Verify adhesion on glass curvature and tin lids.
• Cartons: FSC paperboard with matte AQ; specify board caliper to resist denting. Optional foil (Warm amber) or blind emboss for premium.
• Hot surfaces: Keep inks/foils away from flame line; confirm heat tolerance near jar shoulder.
• Operations: Reserve unobstructed area for batch/date stamp. Provide QR space linking to care & burn instructions.

Do / don’t

• Do prioritize instant brand read and clear scent differentiation.
• Do test legibility under warm indoor lighting and at thumbnail sizes.
• Don’t overload front panels with claims, one primary and two secondary callouts max.
• Don’t use heavy photo textures or busy patterns that reduce clarity on small labels.

Success criteria
Recognizable at 2–3 meters on shelf and compelling at thumbnail size; consistent master brand with unmistakable scent cues; compliant safety labeling; prints cleanly across labels and cartons with premium finish options.

Tone of voice
Warm, assured, and straightforward, inviting without fluff; premium without pretense.