Introduction

Joint pain is one of the most common health complaints among older adults, and in Sri Lanka, many people turn to herbal balms and oils as part of their daily care. Ayurvedic tradition describes many joint and muscle pains as vata conditions, and herbal preparations for these problems are widely used at home, alongside advice from ayurvedic practitioners and doctors.

For a herbal balm, packaging has two important jobs. On the shelf, it must quickly tell shoppers what the product is for. At home, the jar is used daily, often by older people who need clear, readable information. Both the box and the jar label must therefore be easy to understand, consistent with each other and well printed.

This case study describes how Dsigngo Group designed and prepared the carton and jar label for Ruwana Katileja Wardhakaya, a 125 g herbal balm. The name means “cartilage enhancer” in Sinhala, and the packaging presents the product as a herbal preparation for joint and vata pains. The project shows how a carton and label can work together as one consistent pack.

The client

Ruwana, known in Sinhala as Ruwana Aushadha Nishpadana, is a Sri Lankan producer of herbal and ayurvedic products. Dsigngo Group has designed several Ruwana products, including the Navarathna Herbal Cool Oil and the Wedana Nashaka Thailaya pain-relief oil.

The product

Ruwana Katileja Wardhakaya is a herbal balm in a 125 g plastic jar with an orange screw lid, packed in a printed carton. The packaging describes it as 100% herbal and for external application, and states in Sinhala that it is intended for cartilage, arthritis and all vata pains.

The brief

Ruwana asked for packaging that would:

• Make the product’s purpose immediately clear to Sinhala-reading shoppers.
• Show the Ruwana brand prominently.
• Create a matching carton and jar label.
• Communicate the herbal nature of the product.
• Include usage information and “for external application” warnings in Sinhala, English and Tamil.
• Print economically on carton board and label stock.

The challenge

Communicating a purpose quickly

Shoppers looking for joint care need to recognise the right product in seconds. The design had to show what the balm is for without relying on long text.

Sinhala-led design

The main audience reads Sinhala, so the product name and key messages had to be in Sinhala first, with English and Tamil used for supporting information. Sinhala lettering must be set carefully for readability and print quality.

Carton and label consistency

The box and jar label have different shapes. The box has flat panels, while the label wraps around a curved jar. The design had to look consistent across both.

Readability for older users

Many users of joint care products are older adults, some with reduced eyesight. Text needed to be large and clear, especially on the jar.

Research and insight

Our team looked at joint care balms and oils in pharmacies and ayurvedic shops. Many packs used small product photographs or herbal illustrations that did little to show the product’s purpose. Shoppers often had to read the label closely to understand what each product was for.

The insight was to show the problem visually. A photograph of a man holding his lower back in pain instantly tells shoppers this product is for body and joint pain. Combined with a flexible yoga figure, suggesting mobility and relief, the visual story moves from pain to movement.

The creative concept

The concept is “from pain to movement”. The carton front shows a mature man holding his lower back, with a pained expression, beside a bright orange silhouette of a person in a flexible yoga pose. The background is a fresh, glowing green, suggesting herbs and nature, with a yellow and blue frame.

At the top, the Ruwana name and “Aushadha Nishpadana” are set in Sinhala inside a rounded orange and yellow badge outlined in blue. The product name, “Ruwana Katileja Wardhakaya”, is set in large, bold blue Sinhala letters. A green leaf badge reads “100% Herbal”, and a yellow strip at the bottom explains in Sinhala that the product is for cartilage, arthritis and vata pains. The net weight, 125 g, sits in the bottom corner.

The side panels carry product information in Sinhala, a “for external application” notice in Sinhala, English and Tamil, the Ruwana lotus logo and the producer’s details.

The jar label

The jar label uses the same green, yellow and blue colours and the same Sinhala brand badge, so the jar is instantly recognisable as the product in the box. Because the jar is round, the label is arranged in horizontal bands:

• A yellow top band with a blue rule.
• The Ruwana badge in the centre front.
• The product name in Sinhala, with the English transliteration “Ruwana Katileja Wardhakaya” underneath.
• A central image combining the yoga silhouette with an illustrated view of joints and the spine, highlighting the areas the product is intended for.
• The “100% Herbal” leaf badge.
• The Sinhala purpose statement in bold blue at the bottom.

Information panels at the sides of the label carry usage directions and producer details, so they wrap around the jar and remain readable.

Design decisions

Photography

Using a real person in pain creates empathy. Shoppers who experience similar pain recognise themselves in the image, and the message works even for shoppers who do not stop to read the text. The photograph was cut out and placed against the green background, with a soft glow around the figure.

The yoga figure

The orange silhouette in a flexible yoga pose contrasts with the man in pain and suggests the hope of movement and relief. Its bright orange colour links to the lid of the jar and the brand badge.

Joint illustration

On the jar label, an illustrated view of joints and the spine highlights areas of pain with orange glows. This visual language is common in pain-relief products and helps shoppers understand the product’s purpose immediately.

Colour

Green represents herbs and nature, yellow adds energy and visibility, and blue provides strong contrast for text. Orange accents link the badge, silhouette and lid. Together, these colours create a bright, optimistic pack that stands out on shelf.

Sinhala typography

The Sinhala product name is set in a bold, rounded typeface for maximum readability. Sinhala letters have curves and vowel signs that can become unclear at small sizes or in thin weights, so we used heavy weights and generous sizes for key messages.

“100% Herbal” badge

The green leaf badge communicates the herbal nature of the product. Like all claims, it must be accurate. See the regulatory note below.

Multilingual notices

“For external application” appears in Sinhala, English and Tamil on yellow strips on the side panel. This safety message must be clear to every user, regardless of language.

Our design process

1. Discovery: discussing the product, its users, outlets and budget with Ruwana.
2. Shelf research: reviewing joint care products in pharmacies and ayurvedic shops.
3. Dielines: confirming carton dimensions and label size to fit the jar.
4. Concepts: exploring herbal illustration and problem-solution photography, then choosing problem-solution.
5. Image preparation: sourcing and retouching the photograph, creating the yoga silhouette and joint illustration.
6. Layout: designing the carton panels and the wrap-around label together.
7. Text: setting Sinhala, English and Tamil content, checked by native readers.
8. Print preparation: colour separations, bleed, safe areas and proofs for carton and label.
9. Approval and handover.

Printing the carton and the label

The carton and label are usually produced by different processes, which makes colour matching an important part of the project.

Carton

The carton is printed by offset lithography on folding box board, then die cut, creased, folded and glued. A gloss varnish or lamination protects the print and gives the bright colours extra vibrancy.

Label

Jar labels are often printed on self-adhesive label stock, either by offset, flexographic or digital printing, depending on quantity. The label must suit the jar material, stick firmly to a curved surface and resist balm residue, handling and bathroom humidity. Film labels, such as polypropylene, resist moisture and oil better than paper.

Matching colours across materials

The same green can look different on carton board and on label film because each material absorbs ink and reflects light differently. To keep the box and jar consistent, we prepared colour references for both printers and recommended comparing proofs side by side under the same lighting.

Label shape and curvature

A label on a round jar curves away from the viewer, so elements at the edges are harder to read. Key information is kept within the front-facing area, while supporting text wraps to the sides. The label’s height must also fit between the jar’s shoulder and base without wrinkling.

Regulatory note for ayurvedic products

The packaging states that the product is intended for cartilage growth, arthritis and vata pains. These are medicinal claims. In Sri Lanka, ayurvedic products with therapeutic claims may need to be registered with the relevant ayurvedic authority, and the claims printed on packs should match the approved registration. “Cartilage growth”, in particular, is a strong claim that should be supported by evidence and approval.

The “100% Herbal” claim should also be checked. Balms usually contain a base, such as wax or petroleum jelly, and preservatives. If any ingredient is not herbal, the claim may need revising.

We also recommend reviewing the use of the photograph. Stock images of people should be licensed for packaging use, and their use on health products may have specific restrictions.

Avoiding common label printing problems

Jar labels are small, but they can cause big problems if details are missed. Based on our experience, these are the issues we check before any label goes to print:

• Wrong label size: the label must be measured against the actual jar, not a drawing. Small differences in jar diameter or height can leave gaps or overlaps.
• Label overlap and seam position: on a wrap-around label, the point where the two ends meet should fall on the back, away from key information.
• Adhesive choice: balms and oils can loosen some adhesives. The label supplier should confirm an adhesive suited to the jar material and product.
• Unwind direction: if labels are applied by machine, the roll’s unwind direction must match the labelling machine. Hand-applied labels are more forgiving.
• Batch and date areas: a blank area should be left for printing batch numbers, manufacturing dates and expiry dates, using a coder or stamp.
• Lid colour: the orange lid is part of the pack design. Lid colours vary between suppliers, so a sample lid should be checked against the label proof.

Catching these issues before printing saves money, prevents wasted stock and avoids delays in getting the product to market.

Packaging materials and sustainability

Plastic jars and printed cartons can both be designed with sustainability in mind. Cartons made from recyclable board, printed without plastic lamination, are easier to recycle. Jars made from widely recycled plastics, with labels that separate easily, help too. Simple recycling guidance printed on the carton supports customers who want to dispose of packaging responsibly. Any environmental claims, however, should be accurate and specific.

Accessibility for older users

Packaging for products used by older adults benefits from some simple principles:

• Large, bold text for key information.
• Strong contrast between text and background.
• Clear separation between different types of information.
• Easy-to-open lids and cartons.
• Usage directions in short, simple steps.

These principles guided the design and can be strengthened further in future editions, for example with a larger font for usage directions on the jar. A simple pictogram showing the balm being rubbed gently onto a joint could also help users who find reading small text difficult.

Building the Ruwana range

Katileja Wardhakaya shares design elements with other Ruwana products, such as the Sinhala brand badge, the lotus logo and the “100% Herbal” leaf. Over time, aligning colours, badge positions and typography across all Ruwana products would create a more recognisable family on shelf, helping loyal customers find other products in the range.

Supporting retailers and online sales

To support the product, Ruwana could use:

• Shelf posters in pharmacies and ayurvedic shops showing the pain-to-movement story.
• Product photos for online stores and social media.
• Short videos explaining how to apply the balm.
• Leaflets in Sinhala, Tamil and English.

Measuring success

Ruwana can track new outlets, reorders, sales by area and customer feedback. Comparing sales before and after the new packaging helps measure its impact.

Deliverables

• Carton artwork with all panels.
• Wrap-around jar label.
• Image retouching and illustration.
• Print-ready files for carton and label printers.

What made this project work

• A clear pain-to-movement visual story.
• Sinhala-led communication for the main audience.
• A matching carton and label for a consistent pack.
• Bright, optimistic colours that stand out on shelf.
• Careful colour matching across different print materials.

Lessons for herbal and personal care brands

• Show the problem your product addresses, visually.
• Design for the main language of your shoppers first.
• Design cartons and labels together.
• Plan for colour differences between materials.
• Make text readable for older users.
• Confirm claims and image licences before printing.

Relevance for Sri Lankan herbal producers

Many Sri Lankan herbal producers sell balms, oils and other preparations through pharmacies, ayurvedic shops and supermarkets. Clear, well-printed packaging helps these products earn shopper trust and compete with larger brands. Dsigngo Group supports herbal producers with packaging design, label design, multilingual typography and print management.

Frequently asked questions

Do you design both cartons and labels?

Yes. We design cartons, labels and other packaging components together, so they look consistent.

Can you match colours across carton and label printing?

Yes. We prepare colour references and coordinate proofs with each printer to keep colours as consistent as possible.

Do you design in Sinhala?

Yes. We design Sinhala-led packaging with careful typography, and also provide Tamil and English versions.

What label materials do you recommend for balms and oils?

Film labels, such as polypropylene, usually resist moisture and oil better than paper labels. We recommend materials based on the product and budget.

Can you help with health claims?

We flag claims that may need registration, evidence or approval. Final regulatory approval remains with the brand owner.

Conclusion

The Ruwana Katileja Wardhakaya packaging shows how a carton and label can work together to communicate clearly and consistently. A pain-to-movement visual story, Sinhala-led typography, bright herbal colours and careful print preparation help the balm stand out on shelf and remain easy to use at home.

Need cartons and labels for your herbal products? Talk to Dsigngo Group about packaging that communicates clearly and prints beautifully.

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Sources

• Dsigngo Group project files.
• Ayurveda Act No. 31 of 1961 (Sri Lanka), for general reference on the regulation of ayurvedic products.