papermate case study
Multi-Material Color Correction
Resolved systemic CMF breakdown across design, materials, and manufacturing, enabling global launch of a flagship product that exceeded sale stargets by 500%.
the CHALLENGE
InkJoy Gel was a high-visibility launch within Newell’s Writing division, designed to deliver a vibrant, expressive color experience through both ink and product design.
Midway through development, the program stalled.
Color execution had broken down across leadership, design, and manufacturing:
• Executive leadership rejected the existing product color direction
• No defined color target system existed
• Product colors lacked harmony across the assortment
• Transparent PC and TPE overmold interactions created a severe mismatch
• Materials appeared inconsistent once assembled
• The product could not move forward to production
THE INTERVENTION
Brought in mid-process to diagnose and rebuild the CMF system from first principles.
Key actions included:
• Identified root cause as system failure—not simple color matching
• Rebuilt the product color architecture independent of ink color targets
• Established harmonious color relationships across the full assortment
• Developed 14 prototype variations to calibrate transparency and tint strength
• Aligned transparent PC, TPE overmold, and ABS components for assembled visual consistency
• Partnered with overseas factory to translate prototypes into manufacturable standards
• Later rebuilt all 14 colors during supplier transition and manufacturing repatriation to the U.S.
THE OUTCOME
• Approved by executive leadership
• Successfully launched globally
• Exceeded sales targets by 500%
• Achieved production scale of 1 unit every 1.25 seconds
STRATEGIC IMPACT
This engagement transformed a stalled product launch into a scalable, manufacturing-ready color system.
It demonstrated that:
• CMF is system design—not color selection
• Multi-material products require integrated visual engineering
• Prototyping is essential when transparency and tint behavior are involved
• Manufacturing alignment must be intentionally built into the process
KEY TAKEAWAY
When CMF breaks down across materials, teams, and leadership, the issue is rarely aesthetic; it is systemic.
My role was to rebuild the system so the product could move forward.
