FINAT celebrates excellence of the label industry at European Label Forum
Label Solutions
The label industry has survived the ravages of Covid and the uncertainty created by the conflict in Ukraine, and continues to go from strength to strength building on the encouraging, buoyant results of 2022. Things appear to be slowly returning to a new normality. The FINAT Label Competition retains its popularity and is edging towards its 50th anniversary thanks, in no small part, to the support of the international label community.
Each year the participation details are re-evaluated in order to adjust to the evolving nature of the label industry. The organising committee decided to reduce the number of groups by eliminating the digital group. The reason being that a very high percentage of entries include a digital component and it was considered that digital should now be considered as a ‘conventional’ process along with labels produced on hybrid presses.
The expert technical judging panel included Tony White (chairman), Murat Sipahioğlu and Steve Wood, aided by Steven de Cleen from Proud Design Agency viewing the entries from a marketing perspective.
The principal awards were presented on 31 May at the Awards Ceremony moderated by Vlad Sljapic during the FINAT European Label Forum held, this year, in Vienna.
The number of entries came from 47 companies and 23 countries worldwide.
The winner of the marketing/end uses group was Ҫiftsan Label & Packaging Company, Turkey for Mustafakaya Miracle Rose Water. This is a bright and busy label printed using digital technology, and lots of reflective elements giving the label an extra boost. It scored highly from a marketing perspective, ‘giving a very nice balance of colours, details and enrichments’. Printed on a metallic based film in five colours the added value of varnish, embossing and holographic hot foil all combined to produce a label worthy of the group award.
Taking the award for the printing processes group was also Ҫiftsan Label & Packaging Company, Turkey for Shaik Platinum Love Chloé Body Mist. This label stands out because of the ‘droplet effect’ of the diamonds raining down in the background. The platinum effect, which matches the product, has been achieved with a soft touch lamination printed on a metallised film material using flexography in five colours. While the jewellery was highlighted using a partial lacquer the visual effect was enhanced by the application of a glitter emboss on the jewellery. Lots of elements to consider on this well printed label.
The winner of the non-adhesive applications group was Kimoha Entrepreneurs FZCO of the United Arab Emirates for Bird’s Color Sleeve. The design and detail in the feathers on this label create an almost 3D effect against the deep black background which is enhanced by the use of a metallic ink; such is the reality of the illustration. A 150 lpi halftone screen was used to achieve depth of detail. Printed digitally in six colours, it is a really attractive label which thoroughly deserves the group award.
The final group innovation and electronic printing always intrigues the judging panel because, so often, new and innovative solutions using label technology are discovered based on an application researched within an industrial sector. This year is no exception. Although no printing was used for this particular application, the possibility remains to utilise a printing function. The winning entry was entered by Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG from Germany for Film Based Cover with Pressure Compensation Seal. Several label based technologies were used including laminating, dispensing slitting and finishing. This seal replaces an injection moulded plastic cover. The film based cover is laser welded onto plastic housings to protect electronic components, creating a waterproof closure. The pressure compensation seal enables the housing to ‘breathe’ so that pressure differences in the atmosphere can be compensated easily. The main benefits compared with injection moulding include reduced tooling costs (no injection mould required), reduced price per item, reduced process costs, reduced weight and reduced carbon footprint.
A special judge’s award was given to Lebone Paarl Labels from South Africa for Neil Ellis West Coast. At first glance this was just another well printed label. But on closer inspection (and reading the converter’s explanation) it transpired that the entry consisted of 12 slightly different images each representing the months of the year in a seascape scenario (in effect a repeat length of 12 images). This can only be achieved using digital printing technology. The combination of hot foil and embossing and a rough touch high build varnish gave a unique ‘sand’ effect. An interesting concept not seen in the FINAT label competition before.
