Before visiting Casa Carrillo, our tour for February 20th started with a visit to International Packaging’s (IPACK) facility. As I mentioned in the Casa Carrillo report, I planned to visit to go on the tour to PDR Cigars’ factory on February 20, but that tour was unexpectedly cancelled. In 2024, I visited Casa Carrillo, and I decided to return for the 2025 edition because it included a visit to International Packaging’s facility. Both Casa Carrillo and International Packaging are situated in La Corporation Zona Franca Industrial in Santiago. This industrial zone houses various cigar company factories, and as a “free zone” for trade, it offers strategic advantages to those businesses.
As the name indicates, International Packaging is a packaging facility. The company designs packaging from conception to production. International Packaging focuses on the tobacco space, so it is home to many companies that use it.
The facility we visited produces wrap-box packaging, cardboard boxes, cigar rings (bands), and foil embossing. Folks know I am very into cigar wrap boxes. International Packaging does not produce painted boxes at the Zona Franca facility, but it has purchased another company that does so.
At the same time, it was really cool to see what International Packaging does. The tour started in a design room, where graphic artists work with clients to conceptually render designs for the packaging. Once the designs are signed off on, they are put into production.
I wish I could have taken more photos here. There were a couple of unreleased projects that had not been announced where packaging was being worked on. Therefore, I was politely told a couple of times not to take any pictures, and I obliged.
One of the highlights of the Procigar festival for me was the revelation of the International Packaging operations. While I have visited several hand-rolled operations before and always learn something new, this experience offered a different perspective. It was a valuable addition to the festival.
One final note: International Packaging designed the packaging for the cigar samples attendees received at the White Dinner.
Photo Credits: Cigar Coop
