Introduction

Ayurveda and traditional herbal medicine are part of everyday life in Sri Lanka. Herbal oils for headaches, body aches, hair care and relaxation are found in homes across the island, and many families have trusted brands that have been used for generations. These products are sold in pharmacies, ayurvedic shops, supermarkets and small grocery stores, and they increasingly reach Sri Lankan communities overseas and international buyers interested in natural wellness.

For ayurvedic brands, packaging carries a special responsibility. It must look authentic and trustworthy, reflect a tradition that is centuries old, and communicate clearly to shoppers who may read Sinhala, Tamil or English. It must also be practical to print in volume and comply with the rules that govern herbal and ayurvedic products.

This case study describes how Dsigngo Group designed and prepared the printed carton for Ruwana Navarathna Herbal Cool Oil, a 100 ml ayurvedic oil made with an extract of nine herbs. The carton combines a bold pink colour, a detailed traditional illustration, a gold-accented brand block and trilingual information, and was prepared for offset printing on carton board.

The client

Ruwana is a Sri Lankan herbal and ayurvedic products brand. Its Sinhala name, Ruwana Aushadha Nishpadana, means Ruwana herbal medicinal products. The brand produces oils, balms and other herbal preparations for the local market. Dsigngo Group has designed several Ruwana products, including the Katileja Wardhakaya balm and the Wedana Nashaka Thailaya pain-relief oil, which are described in separate case studies.

The product

Navarathna means “nine gems” in Sinhala and other South Asian languages, and in herbal tradition the name is often used for blends of nine ingredients. Ruwana Navarathna Herbal Cool Oil is described on the carton as an original ayurvedic oil containing an extract of nine essential herbs, intended to improve wellness. The net quantity is 100 ml.

The brief

Ruwana asked for a carton that would:

• Communicate an authentic ayurvedic heritage.
• Make the product name and “herbal cool oil” description clear.
• Highlight the nine-herb formula.
• Present product uses in Sinhala, Tamil and English.
• Carry a barcode for retail listings.
• Stand out in pharmacies, ayurvedic shops and supermarkets.
• Print reliably on carton board at an affordable cost.

The challenge

Tradition without looking old-fashioned

Ayurvedic packaging often uses traditional imagery, but it can easily look dated or cluttered. The carton needed to feel authentic and modern at the same time.

Three languages on a small carton

A tall, narrow 100 ml carton has limited space. Fitting product uses in three scripts, while keeping the front clean, required careful planning.

Standing out in a crowded category

Herbal oils are a busy category, and many packs use similar greens, browns and yellows. Ruwana needed a distinctive colour and visual identity.

Print quality on carton board

The carton includes a detailed illustration, fine text in three scripts, gold accents and a barcode. All these needed to reproduce clearly in offset printing.

Research and insight

Our team reviewed herbal oils in pharmacies and ayurvedic shops. Most used green, brown or yellow backgrounds, often with photographs of herbs. Few used strong warm colours, and fewer still used illustration to tell a story.

We also noted that shoppers buying ayurvedic products look for signs of authenticity: references to tradition, herbal ingredients, and the wisdom of ayurvedic practitioners. Illustration can communicate these ideas more richly than a simple photograph.

The insight was to combine a bold, unexpected colour with a traditional illustrated scene. The colour helps the carton stand out on shelf, while the illustration communicates heritage and natural ingredients.

The creative concept

The concept is “ancient wisdom, natural relief”. The front of the carton is a rich magenta pink, with fine guilloche-style line patterns adding texture and a sense of security printing, like a banknote or certificate. At the top, the Ruwana logo, a stylised blue and turquoise lotus above the brand name, sits between two thin gold rules.

Below, the product name “Navarathna” is set in a classic white serif with a soft shadow, above a curling white ribbon that reads “Herbal Cool Oil” in blue capitals. The centre of the carton features an oval illustration of a sage seated in meditation in front of snow-covered mountains, framed by a gold arc reading “Original Ayurvedic Oil” and a golden laurel branch. Herbs and flowers spill out from the bottom of the oval: amla fruits, hibiscus, gotu kola leaves and other greens.

Beneath the illustration, “Extract of Essential 9 Herbals” and “Improves Human Wellness” are set in white, with a large numeral 9 at the centre. “Net Qty. 100ml” sits between gold rules at the bottom.

The side panel lists product uses in English, Tamil and Sinhala, with the barcode at the bottom.

Design decisions

Colour

Magenta pink is unusual in the herbal category, which makes the carton instantly recognisable. It is also associated with warmth, care and vitality. Gold accents add a premium, traditional feel, and the white text provides strong contrast.

Illustration

The illustrated sage, mountains and herbs tell a story of traditional knowledge passed down through generations, linked to natural ingredients. Illustration allows a level of detail and atmosphere that would be difficult to achieve with photography. The oval frame and gold laurel give the scene the look of a seal or emblem.

Brand block

The lotus logo connects to purity and growth, and the gold rules frame the brand at the top of the carton. Repeating the logo on the top flap means the brand is visible even when cartons are stacked.

Product name and ribbon

The serif product name feels classic and trustworthy. The ribbon adds a traditional label feel and separates the descriptor clearly from the name.

The nine-herb message

The large numeral 9 makes the nine-herb formula memorable. It turns a technical fact into a simple visual hook.

Trilingual side panel

The side panel lists uses in English, Tamil and Sinhala, separated by thin rules. Placing all three languages on one panel keeps the front clean while serving all shoppers.

Barcode

The barcode is placed at the bottom of the side panel on a white background, with enough clear space for scanning. It supports supermarket listings and stock control.

Our design process

1. Discovery: discussing the product, ingredients, target outlets and budget with Ruwana.
2. Shelf research: reviewing herbal oils in pharmacies and ayurvedic shops.
3. Dieline: confirming carton dimensions to fit the bottle, with the carton manufacturer.
4. Concepts: exploring photographic and illustrated directions, then choosing illustration.
5. Illustration: developing the sage, mountain and herb scene.
6. Layout and typography: brand block, product name, ribbon, nine-herb message and net quantity.
7. Trilingual content: setting English, Tamil and Sinhala text, with checks by native readers.
8. Barcode: placing the barcode supplied by the client.
9. Print preparation: colour separations, gold treatment, bleed, safe areas and proofs.
10. Approval and handover.

Preparing the carton for offset printing

Offset lithography is the most common method for printing folding cartons, because it delivers sharp detail, accurate colour and low unit costs at volume. Preparing artwork properly is essential.

Colour

The magenta background is a large area of solid colour. Large solids can show variations in density across a sheet, so the printer may recommend printing it as a special (spot) ink or a carefully controlled CMYK mix. We prepared colour references and requested a proof to check consistency.

Gold accents

Gold can be achieved in different ways: a metallic ink, hot foil stamping or a CMYK imitation of gold. Metallic inks and foils give a genuine shine, while CMYK imitations are cheaper but flatter. The choice affects cost and appearance.

Fine text in three scripts

Sinhala and Tamil scripts have fine details, such as loops and vowel marks, that can fill in or break if printed too small or with poor registration. We kept text sizes generous, used fonts that print well, and set small text in a single colour where possible to avoid registration problems.

Barcode

Barcodes should be printed in a single dark colour on a light background, at the correct size, with clear quiet zones. We placed the barcode on white and recommended a scan test on the printed proof.

Bleed and safe areas

Artwork extends beyond the cut lines (bleed), so no white edges appear after die cutting. Important text stays inside a safe area away from folds and edges.

Finishing

Folding cartons are often varnished or laminated to protect the print from scuffs and oil. For an oil product, a protective coating is especially useful, because small drips can stain uncoated board.

From approved artwork to finished cartons

Once the artwork is approved, carton production usually follows these stages:

1. Pre-press: the printer checks the files, imposes several cartons on one large sheet to reduce waste and outputs printing plates.
2. Proofing: a hard-copy or press proof is produced, so the client can check colours, text and barcode before the full run. This is the last chance to catch errors cheaply.
3. Printing: sheets of carton board are printed on an offset press, one colour unit at a time, with press operators checking colour density and registration throughout the run.
4. Coating: varnish or lamination is applied, either on the press or as a separate step.
5. Special finishes: foil stamping or embossing, if used, is added after printing.
6. Die cutting and creasing: a steel-rule die cuts each carton from the sheet and creases the fold lines.
7. Folding and gluing: cartons are folded and glued along the side seam, then packed flat for delivery.
8. Quality checks: samples are checked for colour, cutting accuracy, glue strength and barcode readability.

Understanding these stages helps brands plan realistic timelines and budgets. For example, changing text after plates are made adds cost and delay, which is why careful proof checking matters. For a carton with three scripts and medicinal information, we recommend that at least one native reader of each language checks the proof before approval.

Regulatory note for ayurvedic products

Ayurvedic and herbal products in Sri Lanka are regulated, and products making therapeutic claims may need to be registered with the relevant ayurvedic authority before sale. The carton lists relief from conditions such as stress, headaches, sleeplessness, body and joint pain, hair fall and scalp problems, minor burns and cuts, sprains and tiredness. These are medicinal claims, and they should be supported by the product’s registration and approved labelling.

For export, rules are stricter. Many countries treat products with therapeutic claims as medicines, and the claims may not be permitted on herbal products without separate approval. Export versions may need revised wording.

We also recommend a trademark check before exporting. The name Navarathna, or similar spellings, may be registered by other companies for herbal oils in some markets.

Finally, a small wording improvement: “Extract of Essential 9 Herbals” could be revised to “Extract of 9 Essential Herbs” in the next print run, which reads more naturally in English.

Building the Ruwana family

The Navarathna carton is one of several Ruwana products designed by Dsigngo Group. Each product has its own colour and imagery, suited to its purpose, while the lotus logo and Ruwana name appear consistently across the range. Over time, a more unified range system could help shoppers recognise all Ruwana products together on shelf, for example by standardising the logo position, brand colours and the layout of the “100% Herbal” or “Original Ayurvedic” badges.

The bottle and the carton together

The carton protects a bottle that also carries a label. When shoppers open the carton at home, the label is what they see every day, so it should share the carton’s colour, logo and product name. A matching label also helps if the bottle is sold without a carton in some outlets. We recommend designing and printing the label alongside the carton, so colours can be checked together on the same proof.

Supporting retailers and online sales

To support the carton in stores and online, Ruwana could use:

• Shelf strips and small posters in pharmacies and ayurvedic shops.
• Product photographs for online stores and social media.
• Short videos explaining how to use the oil.
• Information leaflets in three languages.

Measuring success

Ruwana can track new outlets, reorders, sales by area and feedback from retailers and customers. Comparing sales before and after the new carton helps measure its impact.

Deliverables

• Carton artwork with all panels.
• Custom illustration.
• Trilingual text layout.
• Print-ready files with colour references and barcode.

What made this project work

• A distinctive magenta colour that stands out in a green-dominated category.
• A traditional illustration that communicates ayurvedic heritage.
• A memorable nine-herb message.
• Trilingual information for all Sri Lankan shoppers.
• Careful preparation for offset printing on carton board.

Lessons for herbal and ayurvedic brands

• Choose a colour that differs from category norms.
• Use illustration to tell a heritage story.
• Plan for three languages from the start.
• Keep fine scripts large enough to print well.
• Confirm registration and approved claims before printing.
• Check trademarks before exporting.

Relevance for Sri Lankan herbal producers

Sri Lanka has a rich tradition of ayurvedic and herbal products, and growing interest from local and international customers. Professional packaging helps traditional producers compete with larger brands and reach new outlets, while careful preparation ensures quality printing and compliance. Dsigngo Group supports herbal producers with packaging design, illustration, trilingual layout and print management.

Frequently asked questions

Do you design ayurvedic and herbal packaging?

Yes. We design cartons, labels and bottles for oils, balms, teas and other herbal products, with attention to tradition and compliance.

Can you create custom illustrations?

Yes. We create illustrations of herbs, scenes and characters to give packaging a distinctive story.

Can you design in Sinhala, Tamil and English?

Yes. We design trilingual packaging and check text with native readers.

Do you manage carton printing?

Yes. We prepare print-ready files, coordinate proofs and work with carton printers on colour, finishes and die cutting.

Can you advise on gold foil and special finishes?

Yes. We advise on metallic inks, foils, varnishes and lamination based on budget and the look you want.

Conclusion

The Ruwana Navarathna Herbal Cool Oil carton shows how ayurvedic packaging can be both authentic and distinctive. A bold magenta colour, a detailed traditional illustration, gold accents and a memorable nine-herb message make the carton stand out, while trilingual information and careful print preparation make it practical for Sri Lankan shoppers and retailers.

Looking for packaging and printing for your herbal or ayurvedic products? Talk to Dsigngo Group about cartons that combine tradition, clarity and quality printing.

Print Your Product Cartons

Sources

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