Fathom Optics, a printed packaging effects software company, has been selected as one of five gold recipients of the 2021 Global Flexo Innovation Award from Miraclon.

This award recognizes businesses that are driving the transformation of the flexo industry with the help of Kodak Flexcel NX Technology. Over 200 entries from 24 countries were judged by an independent panel of nine flexo industry experts and a total of 13 awards were announced. 

This award recognizes Fathom’s patented light field technology/software platform which brings printed 3D and motion graphics to packaging without requiring specialty inks, embellishments or substrates, and without the need for additional materials, such as lenticulars or foils. The winning label of “The Wizard” from Confluence Brewery, enhanced by Fathom Effects and printed by Grace Label was evaluated in terms of conversion from other print processes, commitment to sustainable print and creative use of graphic design.

The award was announced yesterday by Grant Blewett, Chief Commercial Director, Miraclon. In what the judges described as “a really impressive innovation,” Fathom and its partners created a striking multi-dimensional moving image on a standard flexo press without any additional steps—an achievement the judges had not seen before. In announcing the gold award, Miraclon noted that “Fathom Optics’ technology is designed for many types of products and packaging types that are produced on flexo presses. For this entry they found an unmet need in the craft beer market, which is increasingly crowded as more independent brewers seek shelf space. Creativity in naming products and artwork is a must to secure valuable shelf space, but due to short run-lengths and the brand’s need for customized graphics, holographic foils or lenticular lenses were too expensive to use. Grace Label offered an innovative solution using light field technology from Fathom Optics on FLEXCEL NX plates. Thin layers of lamination and film were added to the pressure-sensitive label to protect the ink and create the 3D effect.”

Earlier this year, Fathom Optics was selected as one of three recipients of the prestigious 2021 FTA Technical Innovation Award.

According to Tom Baran, Fathom CEO, “We are incredibly proud to have been again recognized, this time as a gold level innovator. The award from Miraclon further reinforces the fact that we are on the right path in our mission to help narrow web converters add revolutionary new capabilities to their offerings, using software algorithms that bring motion to the tangible surface of print and packaging, using standard presses. We believe that our light field technology will continue to bring new opportunities for creative expression and new opportunities for business growth, to designers, brands and converters alike.”