Diamond Packaging announced that it won seven awards in the 26th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition, the industry’s premier showcase for foil stamping, embossing, and other specialty effects.
 
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.
 
Diamond won Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf awards in the “Best Use of Cold Foiling (Carton or Label)” and “Best Use of Holographic Foil” categories, 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.
 
Diamond won Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf awards in the “Best Use of Cold Foiling (Self Promotion)” and “Best Use of Foil and Embossing (Self Promotion)” categories, respectively, for its 2019 corporate calendar, a popular 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. The use of seven high-fidelity colors increased the color range and improved transitions between colors.
 
The header features dramatic multi-level embossed waves splashing against a tropical beach. The waves were enhanced with DiamondGlitter specialty coating, creating stunning shimmering and tactile effects that promote user interaction. The sunset was cold foiled and embossed, including each of the geometric color patterns, within the yellow rays, and around the entire outline. The palm trees were multi-level embossed and enhanced with DiamondReticulate specialty coating, which added a subtle texture to the tree trunks.
 
The two middle backers feature multi-level embossed fish and seaweed, set against a debossed water pattern.
 
The bottom backer features several enhancements, including a multi-level embossed fish and seaweed, debossed water pattern, cold foiled and embossed “Diamond Packaging”, and an NFC smart tag located in the bottom center.
 
Users can simply touch or tap their smartphone at the bottom of the calendar for exclusive content, and touch again for additional content. The first touch takes users to “The Making of” video, where they can take a sneak peek behind the scenes during the design and production of the calendar. Subsequent touches take users to a landing page describing the decorative processes used in the production of the calendar (with an offer to receive a free sample kit), Diamond’s Instagram page, and website, respectively. On four different dates throughout 2019, tapping on the tag will display new content specific to that day (e.g., Earth Day).
 
The calendar pages were converted utilizing Domtar Cougar Opaque White Smooth 80# Text and offset printed with UV green ink.
 
The calendar’s recyclable shipper was converted utilizing Clearwater Candesce SBS paperboard laminated to E-Flute corrugated board, and offset printed with four color process inks, in-line with and aqueous gloss coating.
 
Diamond won a Silver Leaf award in the “Best Use of Foil and Embossing – Folding Carton (Technical Difficulty)” category 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 overall DiamondTouch soft touch coating adds an appealing tactile quality that promotes consumer interaction. 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 seamlessly blends from dark to light, creating a luxurious gradient background for the gloss and embossed accents.
 
Multi-level embossing (mermaid, shells, seahorses, starfish, plants) add dimension and contribute to a unique visual and tactile presentation.
 
The combination of color and textures beautifully complement the design of the primary container – a glass spray bottle decorated with an ornate silver cap topped with a mermaid. It also adds distinction and reinforces Fantasia as a fun, whimsical brand.
 
Diamond won a Silver Leaf award in the “Best Use of Cold Foiling (Carton or Label)” category 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. Embossed accents (logos, medallions) add dimension and provide an upscale appearance unique to nutraceutical products.
 
Diamond won a Bronze Leaf award in the “Best Use of Foil and Embossing – Folding Carton (Creative Design)” category 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 subtle overall embossed pattern adds dimension and contributes to a unique visual and tactile presentation. The hot foil stamped and embossed accents on the front and top panels add distinction to the packaging and reinforce Tommy Bahama as a prestige brand.
 
The combination of color and textures beautifully complement the design of the primary container – a rattan-wrapped glass bottle with a gold and rattan cap.
 
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.