20 March 2015
Transfer-Metallized Cartons for Golf Balls Win Product of the Year Award from AIMCAL
AIMCAL has awarded Product of the Year to Hazen Paper Co., Holyoke, MA. The 2015 Product of the Year Award recognizes a series of transfer-metallized sleeves and cartons used worldwide for Titleist golf balls from Acushnet Co.
Hazen served as metallizer for the project and assisted with package design along with Acushnet and converter Curtis Packaging. The project involves three-ball sleeves and 12-ball cartons for global distribution of three Titleist brands: NXT Tour S, DT Solo and VG3. An improved transfer coating Hazen calls Enhanced Envirofoil offers better scuff resistance and printability. The harder polymer in the upgraded coating contains no volatile organic compounds. According to Hazen, Enhanced Envirofoil has a high dyne level (more than 50) and is twice as scuff resistant as other transfer-metallized papers. New Titleist graphics focus on the chrome-like brightness of the transfer-metallized surface. In fact the brightness of the surface registers 850 on a Gardner Gloss meter (on a scale of 1 to 1,000), significantly above other transfer-metallized substrates. In addition, packaging for the VG3 balls features prominent embossing that is more distinct than that seen on other transfer-metallized packaging. The graphics on each Titleistpackage also includes a holographic hot-stamp as well as covert security features.
Judges were impressed by the scope of the project, the shelf impact of the sleeves and cartons and the integration of technologies including high-quality printing, registered holography, spot varnishes, embossing and built-in windows. "There's almost a 3D effect," noted one judge. "The packaging imparts the message that it is a premium product," added another member of the panel.
Judges for the Vacuum Metallized or Coated Product Competition also awarded Marketing and Technical Awards in several categories.
The Marketing Award in the Food Packaging Category
Winner: Flex Films for a coextruded coated film, converted by parent company, Uflex Ltd., for pouches of Paras Ghee (clarified butter) from VRS Foods Ltd. The film is surface-printed rotogravure and coated with a Cast and Cure formula that provides outstanding aesthetics and can be embellished with optically variable (holographic) effects and proprietary designs like logos, geometric designs and text. The coated pouch replaces one consisting of conventional gravure-printed coextruded film and provides a product identity that's difficult to counterfeit. Simplifying the structure by eliminating the need for an additional film layer to protect the printing or impart holographic effects not only reduces substrate costs, but also enhances sustainability.
Judges liked the sustainable aspects of the simpler coated structure, as well as its anticounterfeiting qualities. "We think it delivers the shelf impact VRS Foods was seeking," noted one member of the panel.
Flex Films also took home the Technical Award in the Food Packaging Category. Uflex served as converter for a reclosable biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BOPET)/metallized BOPET/low-density PE standup pouch for pistachios from Chand Parkash and Co. A perforated tear strip on the Sparkle Innolock standup pouch provides access to the zipper and evidence that the package has been opened. The Sparkle Innolock pouch replaces a conventional zipper-equipped standup pouch with an inner membrane that must be cut to access the product. The design not only eliminates the membrane material, but also reduces the height of the pouch.
Judges found the package extremely attractive and liked its sustainable aspects and easy-open feature. "This package combines convenience and cost savings," commented one judge.
Nonfood Packaging Category,
Celplast Metallized Products,captured the Marketing Award for it's role as the metallizer of a zippered pouch for Gold Strike Robusto cigars. Other participants include converter Prairie State Impressions, and substrate supplier Camvac Ltd. The 48-gauge PET/48-gauge aluminum oxide with stripe metallizing PET/2-mil PE combines eye-catching graphics with barrier properties. According to Celplast, half of the aluminum oxide-coated PET is metallized. The stripe-metallized film is then laminated to the printed web. The lamination permits higher printing and pouching speeds, allows Prairie State to run a single web instead of two webs and cuts material costs more than 25 percent.
"A 25 percent cost reduction is substantial," stated one judge. The judging panel also liked the resealability of the package.
Technical Award in the Nonfood Category
Flex Films won for a chewing tobacco pouch, converted by Uflex. The single-serving pouch consists of a paper/foil structure with a proprietary heat-seal coating on one side and an electron-beam-cured coating on the other side to provide chemical resistance, water resistance, scuff resistance and gloss. A multilens feature in register with the print enhances brand security, combats counterfeiting and boosts shelf impact. The laminate replaces one without the multilens feature. Several single-serving pouches are packed in an outer pouch for retail sale.
The judges noted electron-beam-cured coatings are relatively uncommon. "I've never seen it used for this type of application," commented one judge. Judges also liked the multilens feature.
Healthcare, Cosmetics and Toiletries Packaging Category
Hazen Paper was declared the winner. The Marketing Award went to a carton for Body by Victoria, a fragrance from Victoria's Secret Beauty Co. Hazen Paper served as metallizer and converter of the Ultracure Acrylic Silver 48-gauge metallized polyester/coated-one-side 0.018 solid bleached sulfate. The high gloss surface accentuates the embossing on the carton, providing the high-end appeal department stores seek. TPC, Chattanooga, TN, also participated in the project and was responsible for package design and contract packaging.
The judges loved the printed "ribbon" element on the box and the integration of the embossing. "It works together nicely," the panel concluded.
The Technical Award recognized Hazen Paper's metallizing and converting role for another Victoria's Secret fragrance, Victoria's Secret Love. This box consists of Ultracure Acrylic Silver Duplex 48-gauge film laminated to both sides of 0.018 solid bleached sulfate. The use of metallized film on both sides of the package complements heavy embossing, which is repeated on the inside and delivers continuity of the gold color inside and out. TPC also provided design and contract packaging services for this project.
The judges were impressed by the duplex construction. "This requires careful execution and helps deliver shelf impact," noted one judge.
Hazen Paper also swept the Decorative/Display Category. A display for the MAC Lightful skincare line from Estee Lauder Companies Inc., New York, NY, earned the Marketing Award. Hazen metallizes and converts the Ultracure Acrylic Silver Reflector 2-mil metallized polyester/0.014 coated-two-side solid bleached sulfate laminate. The MAC brand wanted an extremely reflective base material for the display that would introduce MAC Lightful. The mirror-like gloss of the 2-mil Reflector film serves as the perfect backdrop for the simple graphics and accentuates product information. Sandy Alexander, Clifton, NJ, also participated in the project, serving as designer and contract packager.
The judges felt this display would be a shopper magnet. "It would definitely catch the eye," said one judge. "It's extremely well executed," added another member of the panel.
The Technical Award in the Decorative/Display Category recognized Hazen Paper as metallizer and converter for Victoria's Secret Angel Eau de Parfum from Victoria's Secret Beauty. This package relies on a lamination of Ultracure Acrylic Silver 48-gauge metallized polyester/0.018 coated-one-side solid bleached sulfate. The metallic film is receptive to layers of printing and holographic embossing, making it easier to integrate those elements and maximize shelf impact. TPC served as package designer and contract packager.
The judges were impressed with the precise registration and the combination of embossed words and debossed angel wings. "The debossing looks like little diamonds," observed one judge. "The design is very effective and shows how one element can separate a package from the competition," said another member of the panel.
Industrial Category
Technical Award was given to Technical Coating International, Inc. for its role in development of the enhanced Thermarest All Season Pad from Cascade Designs, which also served as converter on the project. TCI coats and overlacquers metallized PE film from Filmtech, Bean Station, TN, in preparation for lamination to PE foam. The laminate is then thermoformed. The pad's patent-pending solar technology keeps cold and moisture from getting to the body and reflects radiant heat. In fact, the coated metallized surface reportedly boosts warmth 10 percent and increases the efficiency of heat-trapping valleys by reflecting heat back to the body. The coating also protects the metallization from scuffing and oxidation and extends the life span of the product.
Judges liked the functionality of the product and the use of the coating to enhance performance and longevity. "The metallized, coated and laminated structure turns this pad into a premium product," noted one judge.
In the Other Category, Hazen Paper captured the Marketing Award for the Lotto Quebec Celebration 25E Anniversaire Pouch 2014 for Loto-Québec. Hazen Paper supplied the substrate and metallized and converted it. The pouch structure consists of a direct embossed holographic film with a custom pattern of 25s with Fireworks. It's printed with Lotto Quebec's Celebration 25th Anniversary graphics and laminated on the non-metal side to a sealable PE. Resulting rollstock was shipped to Scientific Games Montreal where a previously printed scratch ticket with multiple opportunities to win was inserted into a pouch consisting of the holographic material and a bottom layer of clear polyester to provide visibility of the ticket inside. For the anniversary celebration, the custom 25s with Fireworks holographic pouch replaced the Lotto's usual silver metallized PET pouch. According to Hazen Paper, this is the first use of custom holography to house a scratch ticket. The value-added material allowed the lottery to raise the price from $20 per pouch to $25. Scientific Games Montreal provided design as well as contract packaging services.
Judges liked the combination of custom hologram with scalloped sealing. "This was a well-executed project," said one judge.
AR Metallizing, Franklin won the technical award in the Other Cateogry for a custom holographic metallized paperboard laminate for cartons of Broncochem cough syrup from Laboratorio Magnachem Internacional. AR Metallizing supplied and metallized the HoloPRISM holographic metallized paper. The holography enhances brand identity and discourages counterfeiting for the top-selling cold medicine in the Dominican Republic. The large custom hologram features the Magnachem logo and portions of the logo along with a white motion rainbow.
AIMCAL's Vacuum Metallized or Coated Product Competition is part of the association's larger awards program, which includes Technology of the Year and Sustainability Competitions.
Panel:
The judging panel for the 2015 Vacuum Metallized or Coated Product Competition consisted of
- Vince DiTrolio, vice president/owner of DiTrolio Flexographic Institute
- Stan Kopecky, principal, SJK Packaging Associates
- Barry Sanel, senior graphics commercialization manager, Supply, Diageo
- Jeffrey T. Weber, research principal, Global Packaging, Mondelez International Inc.
- Yolanda Simonsis, president/editorial director, Paper, Film & Foil Converter
- Pat Reynolds, editor-in-chief, Packaging World magazine
- Mark Spaulding, editor-in-chief and associate publisher, Converting Quarterly
- Randy Apperson chairman of AIMCAL's Awards & Competition Committee, moderator.
