Diamond Packaging has received seven awards in the 26th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition, the industry's premier showcase for foil stamping, embossing and other specialty effects. Awards were announced at the 2019 Odyssey Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, in early May.

The competition celebrates the quality, added value, shelf presence, security and brand recognition that specialty finishing processes lend to the printed sheet. Entries are judged by a panel of industry experts on several criteria including design, execution, and level of difficulty.

The awards include:

Best Use of Cold Foiling (Carton or Label) and Best Use of Holographic Foil

Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf awards, respectively, for Procter & Gamble’s Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional White packaging. The folding cartons were converted utilizing Clearwater Candesce SBS paperboard, cold foiled and offset printed with seven color inks, in line with UV matte and UV gloss spot coating. The unique trapezoidal structure beckons from the shelf and instantly differentiates itself from the competition. The die-cut windows on each side panel allow the consumer to see the product inside. Overprinting transparent inks over a custom “Pillars of Light” holographic cold foil creates shimmering, colorful metallic effects that catch the eye and invite closer inspection. Embossed accents (logo, white strip) add dimension and provide an upscale appearance unique to personal care products.
 

Best Use of Cold Foiling (Self Promotion) and Best Use of Foil and Embossing (Self Promotion)

Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf awards, respectively, for its 2019 corporate calendar, a promotional item given to customers and suppliers. 

The “Making Waves” calendar, which was conceptualized, planned, and produced by the entire Diamond team, originates from a beautiful, hand-drawn pencil drawing. The calendar features Extended Color Gamut (ECG) seven-color process printing, cold foiling, UV gloss spot coating, DiamondGlitter and DiamondReticulate specialty coatings, multi-level embossing, debossing, intricate die cutting, and NFC tagging. The header and backers were converted utilizing Clearwater Candesce® SBS paperboard, cold foiled and offset printed with Extended Color Gamut (ECG) seven-color process and PMS 541 inks, DiamondGlitter and DiamondReticulate specialty coatings, aqueous satin coating, and UV gloss coating. 

Best Use of Foil and Embossing – Folding Carton (Technical Difficulty)

Silver Leaf award for Inter Parfums’ Anna Sui Fantasia Mermaid packaging. The folding cartons were converted utilizing FSC-certified Iggesund Invercote G paperboard and offset printed with seven PMS and custom color inks, in-line with DiamondTouch and UV gloss spot coating. The UV gloss spot coating is tightly registered to the embossed accents and provides a striking contrast to the overall matte finish surrounding it. Overprinting transparent champagne rose gold ink over cold foil creates shimmering metallic effects on the panels and perimeter of the carton. The custom turquoise ombré design blends from dark to light, creating a gradient background.

Best Use of Cold Foiling (Carton or Label)

Silver Leaf award for Iovate’s Hydroxycut Organic packaging. The folding cartons were converted utilizing WestRock ReNew100 Angel WCCN recycled paperboard, cold foiled, and offset printed with four-color process, two PMS, and opaque white inks, with UV matte and UV gloss spot coating. Overprinting transparent gold ink over cold foil creates shimmering metallic effects on the logo, medallions, and text. The UV gloss spot coating is tightly registered to the embossed and blind embossed accents and provides a striking contrast to the overall matte finish surrounding it.

Best Use of Foil and Embossing – Folding Carton (Creative Design)

Bronze Leaf award for Parlux Fragrances’ Tommy Bahama Island Life packaging. The folding cartons were converted utilizing Clearwater Candesce SBS paperboard, and offset printed (on the back side of the board) with four color process and brown inks, in-line with UV matte coating. Printing on the back side of SBS combined with an overall matte UV coating creates a striking contrast to the gloss of the gold foil. The graphic design incorporates soft gradients and an overall pattern that simulates rattan. Inside printing reprises the familiar swordfish logo. The hot foil stamped and embossed accents on the front and top panels add distinction to the packaging.

All of Diamond’s winning entries were designed utilizing recyclable or recycled paperboards, and manufactured using 100% clean, renewable wind energy, in a Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) facility.