Finat Label Competition winners announced

This year, the association received 264 entries from 44 companies representing 23 countries. In addition to the 39 category and group winners, 93 highly commended certificates were distributed. The top country for entries was France with 52 entries; Turkey was second, with 35 and the USA with 26. The number of entries in each class was again led by wines (59), alcoholic drinks (29), cosmetics (27), and sets of labels (21) closely followed by self-promotional labels. The number of entries in the marketing group, which included digital technology, was slightly lower at 42 percent.

The Best in Show award and the winner of the Non-Adhesive Group was outstanding in that it included the tactile effect of a fishing net, which was produced by applying a clear tactile varnish over the printed image of the net, giving a feeling of realism to this sleeve. The entry submitted by IPE Industria Gráfica, Spain, showed just how vital accurate registration is to the finished quality of the label. High-quality flexo printing of both the fishes and the net made the design stand out amongst all the group winners. The tactile fishing net allows customers to experience the feel of the net while enjoying the white wine. The blue lighthouse adds further interest and also acts as an automatic bottle orientation device in the production process. 

The winner in the Marketing Group was Germark, Spain, for the 1580 Cap Andritxol Cabernet Sauvignon label. An example of the combination of four-color digital printing with a silk screen varnish giving an embossed effect. The use of a rough textured paper added to the label's depth, and an illustration of a historical building gave the label a feeling of longevity.

The winner in the Printing Processes Group was Çiftsan Label and Packaging Company, Turkey, for Doxa Life Men Shampoo. A five-color label with matt black lamination contrasting with the silver hot foil hologram branding. A partial screen lacquer gave a tactile effect in the lower half of the label.

The winner in the Innovation Group was Kimoha Entrepreneurs, United Arab Emirates, for Examination Label. A novel but simple concept designed to be used under examination conditions where the candidate's identity is hidden from the marking examiner. The dense black layer prevents revealing the identity of the candidate until the final marking is completed. Printed using flexography in three colors, this label has an efficient security application.

The winner in the Digital Printing Group was Etiketten Carini, Austria, for Amstutz Apfel Edelbrand. A deceptively simple label with high visual impact. Printed using digital technology in four colors with sculpted hot foil on the apple and varnish on the lettering gave an embossed effect, which added to the label's attractiveness. The use of a textured paper substrate gave added depth to the background of the label.

This year, the Judges Award for technical merit was given to Multi-Color Corporation Bingen, Germany, for Kyburg Riesling Trocken. The reason this attracted the judge’s attention is the fact that no ink was used in its production, only hot foiling, and embossing. The label is made in three steps, the illustration was foiled in gold with nanostructure effects, a black foil is used with prism embossing for the castle and lettering, and a transparent foil is used to emboss the shield and sun. 

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