Chromatic Tech
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Chickenfoot-New Band of Van Halen and Red Hot Chili Peppers
Launch with “Heat Sensitive” Album Cover
CTI’s ink changes colors as protons shift back and forth revealing hidden image
05.05.2009 – Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI), a custom special effect inks and
coatings manufacturer, literally covers the packaging for a new band of rock legends,
Chickenfoot. The band is comprised of guitar hero Joe Satriani, Red Hot Chili
Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and
frontman Sammy Hagar. Chickenfoot's self-titled debut album hits stores June 9th,
released by Redline Entertainment.
The album packaging, when heated up by the simple touch of a hand, will change
opacity, revealing hidden images on the cover and hidden song titles on the back
cover. The unique packaging was printed by Multi Packaging Solutions in NYC.
"How was I going to design an album package for rock legends who have seen it all
before?," said Todd Gallopo, president of Meat and Potatoes and designer of the
Chickenfoot packaging. "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 thermochromic ink, developed by CTI (www.ctiinks.com), is a new technology
shaking things up in the world of marketing. It works by mastering the movement of
a proton on the molecular level--essentially turning color "on" and "off." You can also
find the unique ink on the "Cold-Activated" Coors Light beer cans turning the
signature mountain range blue when the can cools to the perfect temperature.
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