Midnight Forest
PROJECT : Midnight Forest (POKEMON CARD)
DATE : 2026
SERVICE : Branding Product
FEATURE : Sliding Box Card : Designing & Building a Box Structure, Layouting, Production
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY & PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project covers packaging structure design, production-ready layout development, and physical mock-up (prototype) fabrication for an exclusive packaging product named "Mystery Slab - Midnight Forest Edition." This product is designed specifically as a premium sliding-box container for high-value Pokémon cards that have undergone official grading (Graded Pokémon Slab by authoritative bodies such as PSA, GM, GM Imperium, or EGS). The packaging's visual concept carries a magical night-forest landscape theme, adorned with an aurora starry-sky effect, glowing firefly light, and tree silhouettes that reinforce the sense of mystery. The front and back faces feature iconic Pokémon characters (Charmander, Bulbasaur, Pikachu, Squirtle) holding a mock slab, delivering a direct message to collectors about the contents and emotional value held within the box.
SCOPE OF WORK & TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT DETAIL
A. Dieline Structure Development & Pre-Production Layout (Pre-Production Preview)
The initial stage focused on engineering the packaging's cut-and-fold pattern (dieline structure) to ensure high precision during mass production. The structure used is a Sliding Box / Drawer Box, consisting of two main components: the outer sleeve and the inner tray.
Fold Layout Structure: Accurately arranging graphic placement across the top sleeve area, the side spine, the back sleeve, and the glue flaps/tabs that support the packaging's adhesive strength.
Safety Margin & Bleed: Applying a safe cutting boundary (bleed area) to anticipate die-cutting blade shifts during mass printing, so no blank white areas are left along the packaging edges.
Technical Machine Guides: Defining dashed lines as fold (creasing) indicators and solid lines as cutting/dieline indicators for operation on automated printing and die-cutting machines.
B. Exclusive Mock-up Development & Material Selection
To ensure the product's visualization matches expectations before entering the mass-production line, a physical mock-up was developed to modern retail-industry rigid-box standards.
Outer Sleeve Primary Material: Uses high-density paper (Ivory Paper 300 gsm) coated with a soft Doff/Matte lamination to bring out the depth of the "Midnight Forest" dark tones, combined with a Spot UV touch on the main logo for a premium shine effect.
Inner Tray Structure (Inner Drawer): Uses a thick Rigid Yellow Board base material coated with deep-black textured paper, creating a sturdy construction, a solid weighted feel, and maximum impact protection.
Inner Retention System (Inner Laser-Cut Foam Inlay): Fitted with high-density, deep-black EVA foam padding, precision-cut using a laser machine to form dedicated compartments that lock the Graded Slab perfectly in place to prevent shifting during distribution. Includes a finger notch to make card retrieval easier.
SALES VALUE & RELEVANCE
The success of this project demonstrates the company's comprehensive capability in handling the full product development cycle end to end. This project validates our expertise in:
Precision Structural Engineering: The ability to create a functional packaging blueprint that combines security for high-value products with a memorable unboxing aesthetic.
High-End Print Management: A deep understanding of large-scale dark-tone color print management (rich black balancing) and the application of special print finishing effects.
B2B Premium Client Fulfillment: Successfully translating popular intellectual property (IP) such as Pokémon into third-party commercial packaging design while maintaining international industry quality standards.
Capability Statement: Through the Mystery Slab Midnight Forest Edition project, we demonstrate high competency in delivering premium packaging solutions that serve not only as physical protection, but also as a medium for enhancing product sales value (value-added packaging) in the international collector market.
This project covers packaging structure design, production-ready layout development, and physical mock-up (prototype) fabrication for an exclusive packaging product named "Mystery Slab - Midnight Forest Edition." This product is designed specifically as a premium sliding-box container for high-value Pokémon cards that have undergone official grading (Graded Pokémon Slab by authoritative bodies such as PSA, GM, GM Imperium, or EGS). The packaging's visual concept carries a magical night-forest landscape theme, adorned with an aurora starry-sky effect, glowing firefly light, and tree silhouettes that reinforce the sense of mystery. The front and back faces feature iconic Pokémon characters (Charmander, Bulbasaur, Pikachu, Squirtle) holding a mock slab, delivering a direct message to collectors about the contents and emotional value held within the box.
SCOPE OF WORK & TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT DETAIL
A. Dieline Structure Development & Pre-Production Layout (Pre-Production Preview)
The initial stage focused on engineering the packaging's cut-and-fold pattern (dieline structure) to ensure high precision during mass production. The structure used is a Sliding Box / Drawer Box, consisting of two main components: the outer sleeve and the inner tray.
Fold Layout Structure: Accurately arranging graphic placement across the top sleeve area, the side spine, the back sleeve, and the glue flaps/tabs that support the packaging's adhesive strength.
Safety Margin & Bleed: Applying a safe cutting boundary (bleed area) to anticipate die-cutting blade shifts during mass printing, so no blank white areas are left along the packaging edges.
Technical Machine Guides: Defining dashed lines as fold (creasing) indicators and solid lines as cutting/dieline indicators for operation on automated printing and die-cutting machines.
B. Exclusive Mock-up Development & Material Selection
To ensure the product's visualization matches expectations before entering the mass-production line, a physical mock-up was developed to modern retail-industry rigid-box standards.
Outer Sleeve Primary Material: Uses high-density paper (Ivory Paper 300 gsm) coated with a soft Doff/Matte lamination to bring out the depth of the "Midnight Forest" dark tones, combined with a Spot UV touch on the main logo for a premium shine effect.
Inner Tray Structure (Inner Drawer): Uses a thick Rigid Yellow Board base material coated with deep-black textured paper, creating a sturdy construction, a solid weighted feel, and maximum impact protection.
Inner Retention System (Inner Laser-Cut Foam Inlay): Fitted with high-density, deep-black EVA foam padding, precision-cut using a laser machine to form dedicated compartments that lock the Graded Slab perfectly in place to prevent shifting during distribution. Includes a finger notch to make card retrieval easier.
SALES VALUE & RELEVANCE
The success of this project demonstrates the company's comprehensive capability in handling the full product development cycle end to end. This project validates our expertise in:
Precision Structural Engineering: The ability to create a functional packaging blueprint that combines security for high-value products with a memorable unboxing aesthetic.
High-End Print Management: A deep understanding of large-scale dark-tone color print management (rich black balancing) and the application of special print finishing effects.
B2B Premium Client Fulfillment: Successfully translating popular intellectual property (IP) such as Pokémon into third-party commercial packaging design while maintaining international industry quality standards.
Capability Statement: Through the Mystery Slab Midnight Forest Edition project, we demonstrate high competency in delivering premium packaging solutions that serve not only as physical protection, but also as a medium for enhancing product sales value (value-added packaging) in the international collector market.
