TAN BUN SKRATI

From Tree to Bar, and Beyond

TAN BUN SKRATI is Suriname’s first tree-to-bar chocolate company, producing small-batch bars with full vertical integration, from harvesting cacao pods to pressing their own butter. Despite the depth of craft and care behind the product, their original packaging lacked impact. We partnered with the team to transform their visual identity into something bold, story-driven, and rooted in the soul of Suriname.

The challenge

TAN BUN SKRATI’s early packaging was minimal and pragmatic - designed for practicality and in-house printing, but lacking emotional resonance or standout shelf presence. With export ambitions, particularly in the Netherlands, and a growing product range, the brand needed more than a facelift. It required a coherent identity that could reflect its values, unlock its story, and support sustainable growth in both edible and non-edible product lines.

Previous Packaging

“We gave someone a bar and they said, ‘No thanks, I already have your business card. That was a wake-up call.” - TAN BUN SKRATI

The solution

We began by immersing ourselves in the world of TAN BUN SKRATI from their process and cultural roots to their aspirations. What emerged was a brand full of potential: a micro-scale craft operation with deep emotional ties to land, rivers and tradition. Their turning point came after attending a branding workshop remotely, a session on storytelling and differentiation that resonated deeply and led them to apply for the In-Firm Design & Branding programme. The selected route, Immersive Stories, drew from the flow of Suriname’s rivers, using watercolour imagery and dipped visual elements to evoke origin, nature and terroir. Colour became a key ingredient, most unexpectedly, pink.

“To us the biggest surprise… was the colours. Pink! We’d never have chosen that ourselves. But it worked. After 10 years, they’re still fresh.” - TAN BUN SKRATI

The outcome

The rebrand transformed both perception and performance. TAN BUN SKRATI now has a visual identity that expresses its soul and story, and that has helped it grow. Packaging updates improved both shelf life and appeal. With newly designed vertical formats, narrative-led details like antique map fragments, and tailored sachets, the brand gained traction in local shops and international resellers. The result? A threefold increase in bar production, still micro in scale, but far greater in reach.

Bringing the brand to life

We rolled out the refreshed identity across a range of physical touchpoints - from packaging and product moulds to shelf presence and in-store materials. Every element was crafted to reflect the brand’s core values: tradition, quality, and Surinamese character. From the tactile feel of the packaging to the storytelling embedded in each label, the new identity created a consistent and compelling experience.

“Looking back, the original packaging and branding was very basic and lacked uniformity. The refreshed brand identity helped us focus our core values and our nature-inspired products in a clear and cohesive way. That first product was inspired by our newborn. We wanted something gentle and natural, and that became TAN BUN SKRATI. We’re now producing more, with new opportunities ahead. The rebranding helped bring it all together and the story continues.”

Rutger & Ellen | Founders