The Problem

Foam core in a buyer meeting means "come back later." Production-real samples mean "let's talk shelf space."

Most CPG launches don't fail in the brainstorm. They stall when samples hit the buyer's table.

The gap between final artwork and production is where launches die. Screen-to-print mismatches create "that's not what we approved" moments at first production run. Long lead times (8+ weeks from manufacturers) force teams to pick one route and hope. Regions sourcing comps independently show up to customer meetings with packs that don't match. And when samples look like mockups, retailers hear "come back later" instead of "let's talk shelf space."

In an industry where 85% of launches fail and speed-to-market determines winners, this gap is expensive.

The Solution: Production-Real Prototypes

3D Color bridges the gap between final artwork and final execution with decision-ready comps and sales samples that bring your vision to life before production begins.

Exceptional Comps: Color-perfect packaging comps that look, feel, and behave like shelf-ready product. Not mockups. Production-real quality that lets buyers and stakeholders make confident decisions.

Advanced Prototyping: Rapid prototyping for primary and secondary packaging. CAD file management, 3D prototype creation, manufacture-level finishes. Physical prototypes for internal discussions, consumer testing, and retail presentations.

Color Development: Proprietary color matching within 2.5 Delta E across different substrates: cartons, aluminum, tubes, pouches, labels. Brand identity stays intact across packaging formats. Complete color data packages built with Pantone ColorCert for production consistency.

Sales Sample Programs: Full-service sales sample management through SampleSmart platform. Production-quality samples that close retail deals, not mockups that delay them.

Where 3D Color Delivers Impact

Proof Points (Cases with Context)

Tide: Developed the structure and color scheme for Tide PODS. Prototype exploration created numerous designs to find the balance of form to function. Color Lab explored multiple options for the swirl, striking the balance of efficacy and shelf stand-out.
New product line design from structure to color

AleveX: Color consistency required across cartons, aluminum canisters, and tubes for critical photoshoot. All three substrates color-matched within 2.5 Delta E.
Color consistency across three substrates under photoshoot lighting

Really Good Boxed Wine: First premium boxed wine in US market faced 8-week manufacturer lead time that stalled launch. Without physical box, couldn't finish Shopify store, launch social media, finalize sales pamphlets, start PR, or bring samples to distributor meetings.
Launch accelerated by months with rapid prototypes

Starbucks: Intricate, on-brand matte finish pattern created for large-scale retail production of caps. Years of finish expertise translated to scalable production.
Complex finish designed for scale

Midol: 100-year-old brand revitalization brought to life with high-quality comps. Color matching expertise across cartons, pouches, and sachets.
Award-winning product launch

Bud Light Lime: New bottle design prototyped, CNC'd from acrylic with printed clear label. Color Lab painted and applied finishes to mimic reality of filled bottle.
New product launch with liquid simulation

Olay Regenerist: Successful product extending line of offerings. Color Lab provided multiple on-brand options for each new product, allowing selection and extension to move with speed.
Line extension with brand consistency

Core Capabilities

Comps: Production-real packaging comps for cartons, bottles, tubes, pouches, cans, caps, labels. Color-accurate, substrate-appropriate, finish-perfect.

Prototypes: 3D prototypes for primary and secondary packaging. CNC, acrylic, manufacture-level finishes. Physical models for testing, alignment, and presentation.

Color Lab: Proprietary color matching and development. 2.5 Delta E consistency across substrates. Extended Color Gamut printing. Complete color data packages for production handoff.

SampleSmart: Digital platform for sales sample management. Order, track, and distribute production-quality samples at scale.

LaunchPad: End-to-end platform for the last mile of launches. Physical samples land in real hands on time.

Why 3D Color Is Different

Production-Real, Not Mockup-Adjacent: Comps that look, feel, and behave like shelf-ready product. Buyers approve on first sight because they see what will actually ship.

Color Mastery: 2.5 Delta E consistency across substrates. Cartons, aluminum, tubes, pouches, labels all match. Brand identity intact across formats.

Speed Without Sacrifice: Days, not weeks. Compress 8-week manufacturer timelines without compromising quality. Sprint boxes get physical samples into cross-functional hands faster.

Collaborative Prototyping: Not just order fulfillment. File optimization, insight sharing, proactive recommendations. Influence upstream design and downstream production.

Largest Dedicated Comps Team in North America: 250+ global CPG brands. Deep category expertise. On time, on brief, every time.

Cincinnati Roots, Global Reach: Founded 2009. Headquarters in Cincinnati, OH. Trusted by the world's largest CPG companies.

Client Testimonial

"Having these prototypes in hand to produce these assets concurrently with the full production run had an enormous accelerating impact on launching the business. Without 3D Color's help in producing these prototypes, our launch would have been pushed back by months, which is an eternity in the startup world."
- Jake Whitman, Founder & CEO, Really Good Boxed Wine

Why I Partnered with 3D Color

"Speed to signal means nothing if you can't move to shelf.

When Nichefire surfaces a trend 12 months early, someone has to prototype the packaging. When BOI validates a new product concept, someone has to make it physical for retail sell-in. When a brand identifies a whitespace opportunity, someone has to deliver production-ready samples before the window closes.

That's why 3D Color is in the portfolio. They're the speed layer for physical execution.

Most comp houses take weeks to a month. 3D Color delivers in days. Most deliver mockups that signal 'not ready.' 3D Color delivers production-real samples that close shelf space. Color matching within 2.5 Delta E across substrates. 250+ global CPG brands trust them for a reason.

In an ecosystem built around speed to market, 3D Color is the partner who makes ideas physical fast enough to matter."

- Jason Hauer, CEO, HauerX Holdings

How to Engage

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