A model to recreate vintage bottle labels – AND a fun tool to help you decorate for Halloween.
Ephemera Alchemica is a unique LoRA model designed to recreate the aesthetic of 19th-century druggist and pharmacy labels. The name "Ephemera" refers to items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed materials not meant to be preserved, capturing the transient nature of these vintage labels. "Alchemica" draws from the arcane language of early pharmacy, when the lines between chemistry, medicine, and alchemy were blurred. The LoRA should bring back to life the intricate designs and typography that once adorned bottles and packaging in pharmacies of the late 1800s.
The training dataset did not include recreated images but instead used digital scans of the original labels from the 19th century. The training images were selected from preserved copies of two rare druggist label catalogs: Harris & Company (1874) and McNiel Brothers (1890). Each image maintains the authentic texture and aged qualities of the original prints. The dataset should allow the LoRA to focus on the period's unique typographical styles, ornate borders, and decorative elements. The result is a model capable of generating authentic-looking vintage labels that pay homage to the typesetters and printers of the late 20th century.
This LoRA is made as part of the KI Welten Discord Group Collaboration. For the other Great Halloween-themed Flux LoRAs, follow the link to the KiWelten Halloween Collection.
Usage:
v10
Version 1.0 of Ephemera Alchemica was trained without captions or trigger words (though some helpful phrases are listed). It relies on Flux’s already decent ability to arrange and reproduce text—Flux just needs some assistance in recreating the style to enhance the authentic look.
All the samples here were made with a similar template that helps Flux figure things out, which is easy to follow if you want to recreate vintage labels in the same style:
A vintage label design, in [color] ink, featuring [illustration of a …]. The main text, '[Product name]’ is displayed in [larger font description] font, with additional text in [smaller font description]. The label is framed with a [border type] with [embellishment one] and [embellishment two]. The design conveys a [tone] tone, with background features like [background watermark image]. Additional text reads '[company name], [professional title], [location]’.
Of course, you can add more text and images and use any other description you want. You can also use the Vintage Label Wildcards I've updated -- edit the file to make your own.
This model is licensed to be run on Civitai and is limited to personal use.