When Great Plate partnered with Buc-ee’s to create a branded, collectible plate, the requirements were clear: flawless branding, food safety, recyclability, and 100% U.S.-based manufacturing. To achieve seamless in-mold labeling that met all those demands, Great Plate turned to Lauterbach Group.
From Idea to Icon
Great Plate began as a family-driven idea—born from the challenge of managing snacks and drinks in one place. Founder Rick Kellow invested his own savings to bring the concept to life, evolving the product into a square plate with an integrated cup holder that became a QVC sensation.
As the brand expanded into major retail partnerships, including Buc-ee’s, Great Plate stayed committed to U.S.-made, reusable, and recyclable products—setting the stage for a highly technical labeling challenge.
The Challenge: Precision Without Compromise
The Buc-ee’s plate required an in-mold label that appeared invisible once molded into the plastic—with no distortion, curling, or visible edges. At the same time, every material had to meet FDA food-contact standards and perform perfectly in real-world production.
In short, there was no margin for error.
The Process: Engineering the Solution
Lauterbach Group launched a year-long R&D effort, evaluating films, inks, laminates, workflows, and molding conditions. The team collaborated with U.S.-based suppliers, re-engineered printing and finishing processes, and conducted extensive production test runs to ensure consistency and performance.
This deep understanding of materials and manufacturing allowed every layer of the process to work together seamlessly.
The Result: Seamless, Safe, and Scalable
The final solution delivered a food-safe, non-toxic, 100% recyclable in-mold label with exceptional clarity and durability. The successful Buc-ee’s launch reinforced Lauterbach Group’s reputation for solving complex packaging challenges—and expanded its technical capabilities across other product lines.
As Great Plate Founder Rick Kellow shared, Lauterbach Group didn’t just print labels—they made the vision possible.
The Takeaway
Where others saw a printing job, Lauterbach Group saw a puzzle to solve. Through technical rigor, persistence, and collaboration, the team helped bring an innovative, sustainable product to market.
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