AWA Alexander Watson Associates launched its International Sleeve Label Awards just five years ago to reward quality and originality in the design, production and end-use of all types of sleeve labels. This year’s winners again confirm how innovative and technically superb the industry is today.

The expert judging panel consisted of Séamus Lafferty, president, Accraply; Pär Olsson, technical manager, Nordic and Baltic Narrow Web with Flint Group; and AWA consultant Dr. William Llewellyn. The winners received their awards at a ceremony during the recent AWA International Sleeve Label Conference and Exhibition in Amsterdam.  

"This year’s winners are examples of the diversity of solutions that can be achieved by skilled converters with the different sleeving technologies, container types, and today’s printing processes," said Corey Reardon, Alexander Watson Associates president / CEO.

Heat Shrink TD Sleeves

The award for heat shrink TD sleeves was given to Reynders Etiketten (BE) for its spectacular Peachtree Peach Liqueur bottle labels for De Kuyper Royal Distillers, which the judges described as "flawless." Printed UV flexo on 50 micron PET, spot varnished, and inside-printed with cold foil, the sleeves were perfectly applied to the full length of the bottle, and represent a fine example of quality product branding.

Sleeved Cans

Another currently-popular application for sleeve labels — cans — delivered a deserving award winner: Berkshire Labels Ltd (UK),  for their elegant sleeves on Titsey Brewing Company’s Innes Lager. They were digitally printed on 45 micron PET, with excellent tactile embellishments – and, said the judges "showed just what can be done."

Environmental Contribution

A third award was given to CCL Label GmbH (AT) for a sleeve label delivering a notable environmental innovation -- for the stretch sleeves on supermarket giant Albert Heijn’s bio-based PE milk container.    It carries the first-ever bio-based stretch sleeve, made from sugar cane biopolymer, and printed flexo.  Edmondo Motto from CCL Label collected the award.

Honorable Mentions

The judges were also impressed with other entries in the heavily-supported heat shrink TD sleeves category. In addition to Reynders Etiketten’s award, they conferred honorable mention on three other submissions:  CCL Label Sleeve Solutions’ labels for Procter & Gamble’s Lenor Blush Parfum des Secrets fabric conditioner; labels on Dum Dum isotonic drinks for Bibita Beverages; and McDowell Label (USA) for labels on Australian Gold JWOWW toning bronzer. McDowell Labels also gained honorable mention in the sleeved cans category for its labels on Cellucor C4 sports drinks.

For more about the sleeve label award winners, visit  awa-bv.com/sleeve label awards/.