Cosmetic (and other) brands that want to have their products stand out on-shelf, frequently turn to eye-catching effects. In 2021, K Laser Technology, which started as a holographic foil supplier in Taiwan, introduced its Design Lab to the American markets. The Sarasota, Florida—based company Lab is “best known for its assortment of holographic substrates and holographic paper/paperboard, offering the widest catalog of holographic patterns in the industry.”

Here, Nicole Rivera, Director of Administration and Marketing, for K Laser’s Design Lab, tells Beauty Packaging’s Jamie Matusow more about their services—and what excites her most about the Lab’s capabilities.

Jamie Matusow: Can you please provide a brief history of K Laser?
Nicole Rivera: Founded in 1988, K Laser Technology has been at the forefront of innovation on a global scale for holographic substrates. Fast forward to 2018 and the Design Lab was started in our Taiwan headquarters, providing innovative packaging solutions that merge cutting-edge technology with creative excellence. In 2021, the Design Lab was introduced to the American markets with the Design Lab located in Sarasota, Florida.

JM: What is your specialty?
NR: K Laser Technology USA is best known for our assortment of holographic substrates and holographic paper/paperboard, offering the widest catalog of holographic patterns in the industry. We currently service the flexo, digital, and offset print markets with our products.

JM: How has K Laser evolved over the past few years regarding your services/offerings?
NR: K Laser Technology started as a holographic foil supplier, thriving specifically with our quality in holographic patterns.

It became apparent that foil was quickly becoming a go-to on products to catch the attention of consumers on shelves. As the industry evolved, we realized we were missing an opportunity to dive deeper with designers, creatives, and even students, to teach and educate all things holography. Encompassing everything from introducing holography, building files for print, mock-ups, and even advanced custom holograms.

Our goal with this space is to help decision-makers make the best possible decision for their product without sacrificing branding, style, and design: finding a holographic design that complements the design rather than seeming like an afterthought, or one that overtakes and fights the design. Like many things now, we can help clients digitally (i.e., email, video call, phone call, etc.), but we really encourage everyone to visit our space; minimally decorated, calm, open, inviting of inspiration, thoughtfully designed, the space is one of my favorite places in our offices. I personally feel calm and inspired when I walk in, even now, 4 years later. 

JM: What makes you stand out from other suppliers as far as category/categories?
NR: The Design Lab sits under the K Laser Technology umbrella, which makes us extra special. 

We’re there every step of the way with a project, including troubleshooting with print files. Additionally, since we manufacture the foil itself, we have full control of the quality of the product. Once the project makes it to the production stages, we have a dedicated technical team of experts, in case the printer has any questions or issues.

JM: Is the company now more involved in full-service/turnkey?
NR: We’re certainly moving in the direction of turnkey. We knew with the efforts from our Design Lab Taiwan that we had the ability to support the design process. It’s been an incredibly successful program within the Taiwanese market.

We are lucky to have an incredibly talented team of veteran and up-and-coming designers that not only understand design, but also understand the actual printing process and how these designs will come to life while on the press and on the shelf. They are a great liaison between design and print.

JM: Any product/collection you are most proud of?
NR: If you can’t tell already, I’m personally the proudest of the Design Lab. When I stepped into my current role in marketing, we were just opening the Design Lab. It’s been a pleasure watching it blossom from a tucked-away demo room to a full-fledged dedicated space. I’ve also been fortunate enough to work with the Design Lab Founder, Curtis Ju. He’s been a huge help in understanding how the Taiwanese Design Lab became such a success.

Overall, the reception we’ve been receiving from the industry has be