How do you mark the launch of a cruise ship dubbed “the world’s most luxurious?” You start with an equally luxurious invitation, of course, complete with surprisingly tactile paper combinations. And if Gold foil flows like champagne, so much the better.
Designed and produced by our friends at Fastkit Luxury Packaging [projects / website], the invitation for the Regent Seven Seas Explorer arrives in a book-style box wrapped with Mano by Corvon, whose soft-touch finish instantly makes a haptic impact. The ship’s name, tastefully Hot Foil Stamped in Gold on the lid, further enhances this sense of the luxurious.
Lifting said lid, my attention is instantly captured by the intriguingly textured folder inside. Its alligator-like impression – actually Neenah Pellaq Snakeskin paper – is further enhanced by Gold hot foil.
Black ribbon ties on the edges of the folder are a classy touch, making it feel more like a palace summons than a cruise invitation, while the Black flock paper at the bottom of the tray in which it rests – mounted to a 17 pt. Black board – is yet another tactile reinforcement of just how luxurious this cruise ship promises to be.
By now, if I’m the recipient, I already have my bags packed and I’m ready to go. And opening the folder certainly does not disappoint. On the inside front cover, hand tipped in, is the invitation itself, Hot Foil Stamped on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White [PaperSpecs PRO members: Get Free Swatchbook!].
On the opposite side, a Black Mano by Corvon envelope – Gold Hot Foil Stamped with the single word “Details” – opens to reveal the invitation for the ship christening gala, as well as an RSVP card on soft, thick paper. (I especially love the way the sharp, plunging envelope die cut not only frames the Gold gala invitation nicely when the flap is lifted, but also how the flap and die cut both suggest the bow of a ship.)
Offset printed on Gold Gmund Treasury History, the gala invitation also boasts a gorgeous blind embossing at the top, and a detailed, blind-embossed seal at the bottom. My favorite piece, though, has to be the booklet which is all about the ship and its maiden voyage. Offset printed on Mohawk Superfine White [PaperSpecs PRO members: Get Free Swatchbook!], it features a shimmery Gold Gmund Treasury History cover, all smartly held together with a super-trendy Singer-sewn binding.
The piece de resistance, however, is the small seal tip-on at the bottom edge of the front cover – a square patch of Mano by Corvon with White and Gold Foil.
From the use of intriguingly textured papers to those little details that practically cry out “luxury,” there’s only one thing that really disappoints me about this invitation: That I received it 7 years too late 😉
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