Pampiermole: A Unique Beer Label Design

Empowering Customers with Customization

When it comes to starting a small brewery on a limited budget, being self-sufficient is key. Egwin Wilterdink, the designer behind Pampiermole, found a solution that allows customers to personalize their beer labels. Inspired by the form fields commonly found in PDF documents, Wilterdink created a label that can be adapted and shaped by the customer, making it a truly unique and interactive experience.

The Pampiermole label stands out from others in its category due to its innovative approach to customization. By making adjustments in a PDF document, customers can fill in their own text, such as the name of the beer. The design also incorporates layer properties, allowing customers to choose from various layouts. This flexibility empowers customers to create labels that reflect their personal style and preferences.

Technical specifications for the Pampiermole label include dimensions of 110mm x 80mm. The design was initially drawn on paper, then recreated in Illustrator and exported to PDF. The form field feature was added to the PDF, enabling customers to easily input their desired text.

One of the key advantages of the Pampiermole label is its ease of use. Customers can open the label using a free PDF reader and fill in their own text. The embedded fonts ensure that the design remains intact even after text changes. Additionally, by naming the field names in the PDF consistently, the data entered on one label will automatically be replicated on all labels in the print file.

The Pampiermole project began in January 2018 in Winterswijk, Netherlands, and was completed in March 2018. Throughout the design process, Wilterdink conducted extensive research on fillable text fields in PDF readers, testing various versions to ensure compatibility. The challenge of creating a seamless workflow for the fillable PDF was successfully overcome.

With Pampiermole, customers have the freedom to adjust their labels without relying on external assistance. This empowers breweries to print labels in-house or have them professionally printed through offset printing. The embedded fonts and customizable elements, such as the beer name, ingredients, content, best before date, color, and bitterness, make the Pampiermole label a truly personalized and distinctive choice.

This exceptional design has been recognized with the Bronze A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category. The award acknowledges Pampiermole's outstanding creativity and resourcefulness, as well as its contribution to improving the quality of life through art, science, design, and technology. By incorporating best practices and pushing the boundaries of innovation, Pampiermole sets a new standard in beer label design.