Chickenfoot Heats Up CD Packaging Standards

I never expected to be referencing a site that’s focused on the packaging industry, but leave it to a bunch of guys who have decided to call their new band Chickenfoot to lead me off into unchartered territory.

Actually, what the group has decided to do with the packaging for their new CD is pretty cool. New thermal ink technology will actually cause the appearance of the CD packaging to change when it is exposed to heat. Simply holding it in your hand will reveal previously hidden images that appear beneath the black cover which features the band’s retro-ish peace sign logo.

Todd Gallopo, president of Meat and Potatoes and the designer of the new CD packaging for Chickenfoot has this to say: "The band and I agreed that the design had to be bold, iconic, and layered with texture like the music they recorded. It had to have a visual ‘aaahhh-ha!’ factor that pulled it all together. To achieve this, I knew I had to experiment with some kind of special packaging treatment. When I explored the possibilities of thermochromic ink, all the pieces fell into place. The band had their bold album cover, I had my ‘aaahhh-ha!’ moment, and the consumer will get to experience a different album package every time they pick it up.”

This appears to be a good way for the group to add a little bit more pizzazz to their new album, and who knows? Some fans might be compelled to snap up a copy partly because of the unique packaging. It might be just enough to sway some of them who might be on the fence when it comes to buying the CD.

A CD with heat-sensitive packaging like that surely delivers that ‘aaahhh-ha!’ factor the designer was looking for, and surely cannot be matched by a download to your PC or iPod. Sure, some fans will just want the music, but an innovative design like that is bound to strike a chord with more than a few fans who are already psyched about the first release from this new group.

For all the geeky details, you can check out Packaging Digest.