Quad’s Paper-Based Packaging for In-Store Displays Removes Plastic From the Equation

For years, LAMà Displays have been delivered to retailers in packaging that seemed to contradict the simplicity and eco-friendly nature of the displays: they were wrapped in plastic with a single-use instruction sheet included inside.

This year, Quad launched the LAMà Band, a packaging innovation for the displays that is more in line with the product’s purpose.

Like the LAMà Displays themselves, the bands are made from recyclable paperboard that wraps around the folded display. At each end of the band, there are slits that enable the ends to hook together and keep the display folded. To eliminate the single-use instruction sheet, the display setup instructions are printed on the band, which can also be printed with custom graphics for a specific brand or retailer.

Now, the packaging matches the goals of the displays, as well as Quad’s goals.

“The LAMà Band actually was driven off of two key initiatives: keeping store execution of signage and display simple and easy for our clients, and also our continued initiative to eliminate single-use plastics,” says Tom Solomon, director of structural design and innovation – in-store at Quad.

In meeting these goals, Quad is also helping its clients’ goals of sustainability, says Kelly Burt, VP of business development – in-store at Quad.

“It's pretty undeniable that consumers and retailers are expecting brands to be value-driven, including the actions around the sustainability side,” Burt says. “So, as we're embracing sustainability as a priority, we're really collaborating closely with our clients to support their goals in packaging, and I think showing the support not only in packaging, but also in their in-store marketing efforts and across integrated campaigns, is really getting noticed.”

The bands were first tested in a pilot phase in February, followed by a full roll-out in March, according to Solomon.

“Since rolling out in March, we actually have produced and distributed nearly 100,000 LAMà Bands this year and those currently are being used by approximately 25 different clients,” he says.

And, if last year’s numbers are any indication, this could be just the start of the LAMà Band’s success.

“In 2022, we actually manufactured and shipped over 330,000 LAMà Displays,” says Solomon. “So, based on this data, by merging the assembly instruction sheets and printing directly on the LAMà Bands, annually we will eliminate over 330,000 plastic poly bags, 330,000 one-time use paper instruction sheets, 660 paper ream wraps, 66 corrugated boxes, 132 plastic straps, and eight wooden pallets from ever entering the waste stream.”

Although the LAMà Band is specifically designed for the LAMà Displays, it is representative of Quad’s dedication to its sustainability goals, and the company will work to see if it can be adapted for other products, according to Solomon.

“The creation of the LAMà Band is really a story of Quad’s maker culture and action originating from our in-store structural design team that Tom leads,” Burt says. “They're continually developing innovative ideas that are really helping advance Quad’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, both for our business as well as for our clients.”