2023 winners
Supreme Award
Sponsored by Whitmar Publications
Urban Fruit Blueberries 75g by Roberts Mart & Co
(L-R) William Roberts, managing director, Roberts Mart & Co, Danny Wright, technical sales manager flexo, Paul Orr, brand services business development manger, both at Reproflex3, Tony Rymer, head of print technical and development, Ben Roberts, marketing director, both at Roberts Mart & Co and Lindsey Pearson, managing director, Whitmar Publications
The judges said: ‘
The Supreme Award winner showcased the qualities that have inspired the judges with this year’s entrants. A piece of printed packaging that delivered visual impact with flawless technical reproduction, leaving a lasting impression with the judges. The piece utilises great repro with high quality printing to encapsulate what flexo has to offer, and it delights in the process.’
Labels (process)
Sponsored by Dantex Group
Hungarian Christmas 2022, definitive postage stamp by Codex ZRT
(L-R) Host; Will Mellor, Klaudia Manurova, production manager, Plastex Spol s.r.o., Károly Orbán, chairman, Codex ZRT and Debbie Pendergrast, UK and International business manager, Dantex Group
The judges said: ‘The hybrid screening on this was excellent. The minimum dot was incredible, with fine tones standing out on the design.’
Also nominated:
- Tesco skinless and boneless fish pie mix by Reflex Labels Newcastle
- Moor Beer True Believer 440ml by Kingfisher Labels
Labels (line and tone)
Sponsored by Esko
Chivas Regal Extra Night Front by MCC Scotland
(L-R) Abigail Finch, CSR and Daniel Marshall, business development manager, both from MCC Daventry and Jaye Carpmail, sales account manager AVT, Esko.
The judges said: ‘The judges appreciated the intricate printing that allows the holographic foil to shine without overpowering the overall label, delivering a powerful visual impact, while allowing the brand hierarchy to be maintained.’
Also nominated:
- Chalkdown Cider by MCC Daventry
- Fabessentials Body Lotion by Kwality Offset Printers
Flexible packaging (narrow/medium web) on film
Sponsored by Bobst
Dentastix Medium by Interflex Group Sunderland
(L-R) Jonathan Watson, print manager, Interflex Group Sunderland and Koen Vlieghe, zone business director, Bobst
The judges said: ‘Excellent image sharpness and control of the metallic with the white. Highly complex, very well executed and controlled across the sheet.’
Also nominated:
- Thelwell Ponio’s Carrot Chip Cookies 150g by Roberts Mart & Co
- Proper Chips Sweet Sriracha Chilli Lentil Chips 85g sharing UK by Clifton Packaging
Flexible packaging (wide web) on film
Sponsored by Windmöller & Hölscher
Urban Fruit Blueberries 75g by Roberts Mart & Co
(L-R) Ben Roberts, marketing director, Tony Rymer, head of print technical and development, both from Roberts Mart & Co, Simon Pollock, regional sales manager, Windmöller & Hölscher and William Roberts, managing director at Roberts Mart & Co
The judges said: ‘The quality and control displayed to control the process set-across the wide web was exceptional, delivering smoothness of background, and a delicious depiction of the food to bring true taste appeal.‘
Also nominated:
- Fox’s Fabulous Half Coated Milk Chocolate Cookies by Saica Flex Buxton
- Gutschermühle – Biozentrale Crunchy Müsli Waldbeere by A. Hatzopoulos SA
Flexible packaging (narrow/medium) on paper
Sponsored by Cheshire Anilox Technology
Gressingham Deliciously Simple Duck Legs by Coveris
(L-R) Holly Barnes, International account manager, Coveris and Sonia Arcos, managing director, Cheshire Anilox Technology
The judges said: ‘Very good technical execution, good depth of black, tight registration and effective use of matte and spot gloss varnish.’
Also nominated:
- Asda Mexican Inspired Fish Goujons by Reflex Labels Mansfield
- Supervalu – McCain by Heritage Envelopes
Flexible packaging (wide web) on paper
Sponsored by Reproflex3
Cafes Novell Decaffeinato Molido 250g by Roberts Mart & Co
(L-R) Ben Roberts, marketing director and Tony Rymer, head of print technical and development, both from Roberts Mart & Co and Mark Vaus, technical sales director for corrugated, Reproflex3
The judges said: ‘What set this aside from the other entries was the very good use of control and density, especially the cyan running through the background parts.’
Also nominated:
- Smarties Gold Buttons by Interflex Group Sunderland
UV flexo on paper or board
Sponsored by Compass Business Finance
M&S British BBQ Chicken Flatties with BBQ Sauce by Reflex Labels Newcastle
(L-R) Jonathan Jennison, print technical and originators manager, Reflex Group and David Bunker, director, Compass Business Finance
The judges said: ‘This entry displayed impeccable control of registration and tonality to deliver excellent reproduction of images and graphics.’
Also nominated:
- Wolf Blass Red Label by MCC Daventry
- Hawkridge, London Dry Gin by Amberley Labels
Corrugated post-print (A-D flute)
Sponsored by XSYS
Brewdog Planet Ale 12 x 330ml by DS Smith Livingston
(L-R) Stuart Mitchell on behalf of DS Smith Livingston and Leigh Williamson, sales manager UK and Ireland, XSYS
The judges said: ‘The design has a high difficulty tariff, but this has been confidently managed through clever print management and excellent colour control’
Also nominated:
- Dewar’s White Label by Saica Pack Livingston
- Haribo Bumper Halloween Pack by Smurfit Kappa Markham Vale
Corrugated post-print (E and F flute)
Sponsored by Apex International
Milkana by Wellpappe Auerswalde
(L-R) Andreas Bader, managing partner, Wellpappe Auerswalde and Phill Rogers, technical sales manager UK and Ireland, Apex International
The judges said: ‘Exceptional print quality over a large area. Registration, colour, light tones and solids – all combine to set this entry above the competition.’
Also nominated:
- Laurana by Sifa Spa
- Diageo Buchanan’s Pineapple by DS Smith Livingston
- Adez by International Paper Italia (Bellusco)
Best use of hybrid printing
Sponsored by Fujifilm
Hall & Woodhouse - Badger Fursty Ferret by Reflex Label Plus Keighley
(L-R) Jonathan Jennison, print technical and originators manager, Reflex Group, Andy Wing, packaging manager, Hall & Woodhouse and Paul English, packaging sales manager, Fujifilm
The judges said: ‘Good demonstration of hybrid printing, with superb detail in the images, and vivid spot colours combined with tactile varnish.’
Also nominated:
- Lighthouse Blended Scotch Whisky by The Label Makers
- Bestens Brewery (Boosh) by Amberley Labels
- G&J Distillers – Topaz Blue by Reflex Label Plus Barwell
Process colours only
Sponsored by Lohmann
Cafea Fortuna - Rendez-Vous Gusto Italiano by A. Hatzopoulos S.A.
(L-R) Elef Kassianidis, sales director UK and Ireland, Aimilia Ventouri, flexo prepress supervisor, both A. Hatzopoulos S.A. and Silvia Casellato, senior market manager Flexo EMEA, Lohmann
The judges said: ‘In a category with multiple substrates and formats, there were excellent examples of high-quality print on both corrugate and greaseproof paper, but the wide web film just pipped them on overall quality of print.’
Also nominated:
- Cathedral City Coverleaf by Hovat
- La Casa Ambientador Auto by Euroscatola
Originally printed by another process
Sponsored by eProductivity Software
Napa 9010 by Packaging Technologies Inc.
(L-R) Chloe Ward on behalf of Packaging Technologies Inc. and Milo Ferchow, product marketing manager, eProductivity Software
The judges said: ‘This was exceptional in terms of converting from one print process to another. The halftone image work and colour throughout made this an easy selection.’
Also nominated:
- Soreen Malt Loaf 390g Family Pack by Roberts Mart & Co
- Generic Lime by Smurfit Kappa Italia (Bertinoro)
Digital labels and packaging
Sponsored by Xeikon
Albourne Estate by Berkshire Labels
(L-R) Paul Roscoe, managing director, Berkshire Labels and Duncan Sargeant, sales manager, Xeikon
The judges said: ‘Excellent example of ‘Best Use of Digital’. Solids, tonal and complementary design made the label stand out.’
Also nominated:
- Joy Pots by Harkwell Labels
- 1 ½ Acre by MCC Labels North America Wine & Spirits
- The Vape Trade – The Original Flavours That Never Die by Midland Regional Printers
Best use of embellishments
Sponsored by Kocher+Beck
Vandenberg Shiraz by MCC Daventry
(L-R) Abigail Finch, CSR and Daniel Marshall, business development manager, both from MCC Daventry and Rick Leivers, sales manager, Kocher+Beck
The judges said: ‘This entry stood out with really clever use of a 3D emboss effect. The hot foil used on the fine serif font was truly superb, making it a clear winner.’
Also nominated:
- Indri Single Malt Whisky by Kwality Offset Printers
- Glayva Whisky Liqueur by The Label Makers
- Hilton Head by MCC North America Wine & Spirits
Environmentally sustainable company of the year
Sponsored by tesa
Chespa
(L to R) Tatiana Wiszniewska, International key account manager, Chespa and Christian Knightley, senior account manager flexo print and paper, tesa
The judges said: ‘Provided excellent data-based information on each of their environmental statements and successes, taking many steps to reduce their own energy and output, with impressive results.’
Also nominated:
- RKW Finland
- Midland Regional Printers
Best newcomer
Sponsored by MPS
Hungarian Christmas 2022, definitive postage stamp by Codex ZRT
(L-R) Klaudia Manurova, production manager, Plastex Spol s.r.o., Károly Orbán, chairman, Codex ZRT and Nick Tyrer, managing director, MPS
The judges said: ‘This company has made an immediate and impressive impact by showing the judges innovative and dynamic print quality of an exceptional level.’
Also nominated:
- Cathedral City Coverleaf by Hovat
- Dewar’s White Label by Saica Pack Livingston
Promotional print
Sponsored by Heidelberg
Promotional Ferrero by Antonio Sada & Figli
(L-R) Valentina Sada, marketing manager, Antonio Sada & Figli, Ross Holloway, UK label specialist, Heidelberg and Gerardo Budetti, R&D manager, Antonio Sada & Figli
The judges said: ‘This piece of promotional print serves to demonstrate the ground-breaking potential of advanced screening technology through the excellent reproduction of very challenging designs with apparent ease.’
Also nominated:
- Hine Labels by Hine Labels
- Roberts Mart “Don’t Follow The Pack” Promo Print Open Day by Roberts Mart & Co
Innovation
Sponsored by Close Brothers Asset Finance
Hungarian Christmas 2022, definitive postage stamp by Codex ZRT
(L-R) Károly Orbán, chairman, Codex ZRT, Andy Cave, owner and CEO, Hamillroad Software, Klaudia Manurova, production manager, Plastex spol s.r.o., Jane Petrucci, head of marketing, Hamillroad Software and Nick Aust, sales director, Close Brothers Asset Finance
The judges said: ‘A truly outstanding example of flexo printing. The screening technology and incredibly fine dots achieve a level of detail which was unparalleled in this year’s judging. This level of detail arguably challenges the small dot detail which the best of inkjet can achieve. A truly superb example of what is possible with the latest advances in flexo technology.’
Also nominated:
- Durville’s Dead Island 2 Irish Whiskey by Reflex Label Plus Keighley