Energetic pop art. Popeye on cans from McLean Design.

The graphics on canned energy drinks is a real replica of the first Popeye comic book made by using spot on print with UV ink on the aluminum, which turned the packaging into a piece of art.

Everybody know the swashbuckling sailor who draws his strength from eating spinach. However, the younger generation on US market can have different associations due to McLean Design agency’s idea the use of Popeye's image to promote a new energy drink.

The Popeye’s legend was born in 1929 when Elzie Crisler Segar drew for the first time a sailor who squeezed out spinach of metal cans like lemon. Although spinach has higher recognition among adult consumers, youth reaches out to more stimulating agents, so the agency decided to make a big come back of the cartoon icon. “Popeye ripped off metal lids few decades before the idea of energy drinks was even born. However, irs classical form suits perfectly to the new product – not this time to spinach, but to fruit drink derived in 70 percent. from natural sources with added caffeine” – commented Alden Domini, communications specialist at McLean Design. The product with cool hero required a custom packaging, therefore the agency asked Ball Corporation for help, which decided to use print spot on UV coating on aluminum cans. What’s more, the agency based the graphic design on original scenes shots of the first Popeye comics. This way the intriguing packaging became a real treat for pop art collectors.