Supreme award

Sponsored by Whitmar Publications

Johnnie Walker x Andy Gellenberg by PSL

(L-R) Mark Sykes, advertising manager at Digital Labels & Packaging, Lindsey Pearson, managing director at Whitmar Publications, Thorsten Lenort, key account manager at PSL, Paul Horton, principal packaging and graphics at Diageo and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘A standout amongst a high standard of submissions. Utilising AI to create unique prints was both innovative and excellent in design and execution. Trailblazing lighthouse digital masterclass. The innovation breaking boundaries. Well done.  An incredible standout winner, incorporating everything that digital is about.’

Analogue-to-digital

Sponsored by Dantex Group

Toucan Craft Beer Labels by QLM Vietnam - Hoang Ha Label Co.

(L-R) Benjamin Danon, CEO at Dantex Group, Lindsay Nutley, business enablement at QLM Vietnam – Hoang Ha Label Co. and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘This entry showcases the benefits that digital can bring. The graphical quality, colour range. Design opportunities, low MOQs (minimum order quantity) and process control, that not only match but improve the result from the analogue original.’

Also nominated:

• Eco Flexibles for Waitrose Fruit & Nut Range
• All4Labels UK for Veterans Gin
• Kimoha Entrepreneurs for Fa Men Freshly Free

Application excellence – primary packaging

Sponsored by Gallus, A Heidelberg Group Company

Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Sausage Range by Eco Flexibles

(L-R ) Ross Holloway, label specialist at gallus, A Heidelberg Group Company, Matt Francklow, owner, Creation Reprographics, Bianca Westwood and Simon Buswell, sales and marketing director at Eco Flexibles

The judges said: ‘An outstanding primary pack digital transformation that showcases digital print as a true value option for volumes in a margin driven category.’

Also nominated:

• QLM Vietnam – Hoang Ha Label Co. for Saigondan Coffee Pouch
• Esmark Finch Print & Packaging for Cashew & Chestnut Roast

Application excellence – secondary packaging

Sponsored by Agfa

Siren Advent Beer Calendar by Cepac

(L-R) Richard Cotterill, head of sales – packaging, digital printing solutions at Agfa, Bianca Westwood, Christopher Ford, group sales and marketing director at Cepac and Martyn Kidner, sales manager at Cepac Doncaster

The judges said: ‘The judges recognised the complexity and level of detail in this secondary pack which came together to deliver a positive and engaging experience. The result showcased what digital can offer in a challenging print environment to deliver above and beyond expectations.’

Also nominated:

• Esmark Finch Print & Packaging for Treasure Chest
• Cepac for Siren Soundwave Packs

Environmental company of the year

Sponsored by Close Brothers Asset Finance

Reflex Group

(L-R) Jonathan Bennett, commercial director at Close Brothers Asset Finance, Darren Courtier, sales manager at Reflex Group and Bianca Westwood

The judges said:

‘A lighthouse business that is a showcase in going beyond environmental targets to reclaim its entire CO2 footprint generated since its existence! Outstanding.’

Also nominated:

• Midland Regional Printers
• Esmark Finch Print & Packaging

Excellence in design

Sponsored by Dantex Group

Johnnie Walker x Andy Gellenberg by PSL

L-R Jed Hardcastle, vice president group sales at Dantex Group, Jade Meijer, global brand manager at Johnnie Walker, Josh Allan, solution engineer at Hybrid BrandZ and Bianca Westwood.

The judges said: ‘A standout example for excellence in design incorporating quality, creativity and impact to the highest levels.’

Also nominated:

• Reel Appeal for Kombucha
• QLM Vietnam – Hoang Ha Label Co. for Cheeky Devil Roasters Coffee Range
• Spirit Labels for Jura Scotch Whisky Perspective No. 1

Excellence in finishing and embellishment – spirits

Sponsored by A B Graphic International

Copper Lion by Reflex Label Plus

(L-R) Mark Hyde, sales manager at A B Graphic International, Darren Courtier, sales manager at Reflex Group and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘This label exhibited expertly applied embellishment with a unique complex design die-cut on a recycled substrate to deliver an excellent result. The embellishments are restrained but immaculately applied to highlight its quality craft credentials.’

Also nominated:

• MCC Premium Label Solutions for Krondorf Coronation 20 Years
• Amberley Labels for Aureus Vita Dry Gin

Excellence in finishing and embellishment – wines

Sponsored by Packaging Innovations

Pedro Ximenez Argentina 2024 by The Label Makers

(L-R) Chris Newhouse, head of sales – UK packaging portfolio at Easyfairs, Zenna Parfaniuk, managing director and Ben Robinson, sales director, both from The Label Makers and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘The judges loved the prismatic emboss which was perfectly set-off against the simple but elegant background. This label oozes craft and quality.’

Also nominated:

• Lotus Labels for Bee Tree
• MCC Premium Label Solutions for J-Harden Barossa Shiraz
• Litograf for 1732 Champagne

Excellence with hybrid printing

Sponsored by Domino

Noah Knows Best by Labelnet

(L-R) Craig Clawson, UK sales manager at Domino, Rob Lorkins, managing director at Labelnet and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘The initial impact of the label is excellent and eye-catching. This is further enhanced by the inner label peel off door to reveal the underneath print. But also, the added detail of the double sided of the door peel to create the full ensemble. An impressive hybrid print winner.‘

Also nominated:

• All4Labels UK for Northern Monk IPA
• Varigrafica Cappa for Astro Double IPA
• QLM Vietnam – Hoang Ha Label Co. for Lady Trieu Contemporary

Excellence with inkjet – labels

Sponsored by Durst

Coastal Moon Dry Gin by Label Power

(L-R) Simon Cosh, UK and Ireland business development manager at Durst, Chris Smith, account manager – commercial and industrial at Epson and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘The winning label showed excellent colour control on the metallic substrate to deliver the vignettes which create the subtle backgrounds contrast.’

Also nominated:

• Hine Labels for Rhubarb Chilli Jam
• Colorpack for Difusor De Aromas Cerra 260ml
• Spectrum Digital Labels for Hoover Platinum

Excellence with inkjet – packaging

Sponsored by Epson SurePress

JPL Flavours by Showcase Creative

(L-R) Russell Lambert, account manager at Epson UK, Jack Batey, director and Marian Keogh, new business manager, both from Showcase Creative and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘The judges really liked the creativity and ingenuity of this submission. Digitally printed throughout to realise a captivating pack with multiple layers to make a real impact.’

Also nominated:

• Eco Flexibles for Leicester Bakery: Saritas Nan

Excellence with toner – labels

Sponsored by Fujifilm

Aureus Vita Dry Gin by Amberley Labels

(L-R) Martin Fairweather, business development manager, digital inkjet and packaging at Fujifilm, Carly Fordy, marketing manager at Trevethan Distillery, David Richards, managing director at Amberley Labels and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘The winner has produced a stand-out label, not through colour, but using a range of embellishments and print that are all beautifully executed. The full label emboss creates a range of textures to support the pin sharp print combined with soft highlights. A well-considered and executed label that exhibits multiple levels and layers.’

Also nominated:

• NOMOQ, Meadow and NOMOQ
• Reelables, Reelables Active 4” x 8” Bluetooth Shipping Label
• First Impression Labels, Castrol Magnatec – Dualock Technology – Range

Future star

Sponsored by Mark Andy

Antonie Reinhart from Kurz

(L-R) Antony Cotton, European sales manager at Mark Andy, Antonie Reinhart, marketing manager at Kurz and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘The judges recognised this Future Stars’ achievements across their role. Their visualisation of technical solutions to support the development of digital solutions and its integration into wider business development functions.’

Also nominated:

• Harry Wilkinson, business development manager from Hine Labels
• Roberta Tiberi, digital printing department manager from Bottega Poligrafica

Innovation

Sponsored by Screen

Johnnie Walker x Andy Gellenberg by PSL

(L-R) Alan Rolfe, regional sales manager at Screen, Paul Horton, principal packaging and graphics at Diageo and Thorsten Lenort, key account manager at PSL and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘A standout innovation which showcases digital excellence in printing in a hybrid application that sets a new industry benchmark.’

Also nominated:

• Fast Printed Packaging for Custom Printed Magnetic Box

Self-promotional print

Sponsored by Compass Business Finance

Dayfold Marketing Box by Dayfold Group

(L-R) David Bunker, director at Compass Business Finance, Jana Lincoln and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘The judges appreciated the attention to detail, the personalisation and the impact of the entry. It left a strong and positive impression.’

Also nominated:

• Bakers for Durst Inkjet Label Sample Pack
• Saica Livingston for Saica Livingston Digital Corrugate Prototype
• Hine Labels for The Label Guide

Variable data

Sponsored by Cerm

Dexter Jackson Black Series by Litograf

(L-R) Andrew Strand, business development manager UK and Nordics at Cerm, Jaroslav Vidra, executive and Eduard Vidra, business manager both from Litograf and Bianca Westwood

The judges said: ‘The multiple variable elements, some of which are in combination, such as variable graphics and high-build varnish, really caught the eye! It is a multi-layered variable data and print label showcasing the benefits of digital print and embellishment combined.’

Also nominated:

• Hine Labels for 10th Anniversary Birthday Cake Candle
• Spirit Labels for Jura Scotch Whisky Perspective No. 1
• Slainte Irish Whiskey by Harkwell