From an idea born for fun to the privilege of decorating an international fashion icon with our 3D labels. SAC Serigrafia’s experience with Maison Margiela and the legendary Tabi shoe.
Some stories have the flavor of fairy tales.
The one we are telling you today has many traits in common with Cinderella, but the protagonist in this case is the “crystal slipper.”
The story begins with a “dance,” represented by the 2017 FESPA Awards.
SAC Serigrafia participates in the contest with a prototype of a 12 heel with a 3D effect decorated upper.
Our “creative game” pleases the judges, who award the project a Bronze in the Special Effects category.
For us, it is more than a victory, as Paul Santi recounts:
“We started proposing 3D labels to the fashion industry about ten years ago. Receiving an award on such a prestigious stage as the FESPA Awards made us think that maybe their time had really come!”
Style and WOW effect: perfect match!
As in the best fairy tales, soon after we are contacted by the Maison Margiela team, looking for a “Hologram” effect for the new collection of Tabi, one of the Maison’s most iconic models!
We could not have hoped for a better prince charming.
The 3D effect will be applied to the heel of the ankle boots and pumps, a solution that allows thechanging effect of 3D labels to be enhanced to the fullest.
Having defined the graphics and technical details, we prepare the sample to present to the designer.
Fingers crossed: will our samples fit them like a glove?
Quality that goes beyond aesthetics
A brand like Maison Margiela seeks more than just style. It demands, rightly,excellence.
The 3D label
- being applied to the heel, the label should be soft and malleable;
- materials must be resistant to the powerful corrosive action of mastics that would ruin the print.
The R&D lab gets to work. Polyurethane-a material that provides better performance than PVC-is immediately chosen, and a combination of inks is found to ensure that the adhesives do not affect the graphic print.
Icing on the cake, we also try to offer the company’s commercial a strategic service, as Paolo Santi reminds us:
“In fashion, many collections have limited production and often last the time of a season. Immediately after sampling, we shared a price list by quantity, clear and detailed, so as to facilitate ordering and reprinting, as well as pricing.”
3D labels conquer fashion (and more)
Maison Margiela has been the real pioneer in the rediscovery of 3D labels in fashion.
After the idea was launched and extended to Maison Margiela’s signature slippers, we received many requests from other international brands.
The Hologram label has found applications in Apparel, Footwear and Fashion Accessories, and is having a real boom for the Eyewear industry.
Again, we could not have hoped for a better happy ending.
We also remain proud to have contributed, in our own small way, to launching a worldwide trend and to have shared this “experimentation” with a top brand!
On the next round of “10X55” – SAC Screen Printing’s 55 years in 10 cases!
Other brand, other story!
