Unique Beverage Co. LLC designed a new bottle that is the same height as an average can of soda for its Cascade Ice sparkling waters.

Cascade Ice, a brand of Everett, Wash.-based Unique Beverage Co. LLC, will introduce a proprietary 7-ounce slim bottle design for a select few of its zero-calorie sparkling flavored waters. Beginning in September, Cascade Ice Lemonade, Coconut, Black Raspberry, Orange Mango and Pink Grapefruit varieties will be available in individual 7-ounce bottles and six-packs of 7-ounce bottles.

The right labels and packaging can attract new customers and position the product for wider success. However, manufacturers often find it difficult to meet emerging demands because of the time and expense involved in designing a new label and having label runs produced by a printing house. Printing technology can change that model.

Aquarena Beverage released its Fuga Life energy drink in 12-ounce Sleek cans from Rexam.

To help cheer on the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, Pittsburgh Brewing Co. added its third and final Collector Series Beer Can: “Raise the Jolly Roger.”

Long Island Iced Tea and Tigre Creative Inc. collaborated to develop a new brand identity and design for the ready-to-drink iced tea brand.

Long Island Iced Tea and Tigre Creative Inc. collaborated to develop a new brand identity and design for the ready-to-drink iced tea brand.

New research from Chicago-based Mintel suggests that while craft beer drinkers might enjoy the big, bold flavors of their favorite artisanal brews, they also place a premium on what the beer says about them. For the 25-34 age group, which represents the segment's heaviest consumers, 70 percent say that the brand of beer says a lot about a person, and 66 percent say the style does the same. This strong sense of self has manifested itself in record sales for the craft beer industry, as Mintel estimates sales of craft beer — including craft-style offerings — will reach $20 billion in 2014, more than doubling sales of five years ago.

To kick off the summer, Heineken USA released six special-edition bottles inspired by the popular global destinations New York, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Rio and Shanghai.

Batman has Robin, Andy Taylor has Barney Fife, Han Solo has Chewbacca, and Pinocchio has Jiminy Cricket. While sidekicks might be the background character in all of these famous duos, secondary packaging has more of a spotlight position in its role as primary packaging’s sidekick.