The L9 World Label Association (WLA) has announced the winners of the Best of the Best awards which were judged by an international panel of judges just before Labelexpo Europe 2023. Once the main WLA judging had been completed the winning labels are judged again in the following main printing process classes: Flexography, Letterpress, Offset Litho, Combination Printing and Digital Printing. This time even stricter criteria are applied as these labels represent the pinnacle of quality from the international label industry.

The plaques will be awarded at a future date to be announced shortly.  

The winning labels in the respective classes are listed along with the company printing the label and the representative association which submitted the label.  For a look at all of the winners, check out the L&NW slideshow. 

Flexographic Printing
Submitted by TLMI (USA)
The Winner is McDowell Label, a RLG Company, USA for Australian Gold, Adorably Black.
An attractive label with depth in design. A deep black background which is subtly relieved by an overall grey image of roses. Then there is a profusion of images of red roses surrounding the central product names which are highlighted using holographic foiling. The surrounding image is in white and enhanced with a high build varnish which gives the label an extra tactile feel. The solid white back coating ensures that the reversed out small type is perfectly legible. An excellent marketing tool.

Letterpress Printing
Submitted by JFLP (Japan)
The Winner is Sato Holdings Corporation, Japan for Promotion Suminsai Event.
The main images on this dynamic looking label are designed to promote the 1000 year old, annual Japanese festival of Suminsai which is held early in the year. The figures in the foreground typify the way men are dressed for this event which is held overnight when they raise their spirits and pray for the year to come. They are surrounded by a dramatic background of lanterns and hot flames from a fire burning in a pine tree. The use of black outlines to the figures contains the images very well. Particular attention was paid to the print pressure in order to produce excellent printing in the tone areas which are printed in four colours. A great label well deserving of the High value award.

Offset-Litho Printing
Submitted by JFLP (Japan)
The Winner is Shinwa Label, Japan for Komahime cafe au lait base.
At first viewing this appears to be a relatively straightforward label. On closer examination we are made aware of the incredibly tight register in the reversed out Japanese characters. A really nice label, well printed in 5 colours with the addition of excellent gold hot foil.  The black areas at the top and bottom of the label are relieved by the addition of matt black falling leaves adding additional subtle interest. A really nice design which has all the attributes of a winning label.

Combination Printing
Submitted by JFLP, (Japan)
The Winner is Marushin Co. Ltd., Japan for Japanese Sake Yumehotaru.
Another intriguing label printed in 5 colours on an aluminium foil faced paper. The colourful, swirling images grab the attention with the black characters adding contrast. It is however the gold foiling which takes centre stage. The fine lines are extremely well produced with a high level of accuracy. The large areas of gloss gold foiling in the background take this label to a different level of design. The registration necessary to achieve all of these elements on one label is of an extremely high calibre. An outstanding result.

Digital Printing
Submitted by TLMI (USA)
The Winner is AWT Labels & Packaging Anaheim, USA for Rancho La Gloria Jalapeño Lime Infused Tequila.
This label has been printed on both sides to give a view through the blue tequila. The face label is a nice looking label printed on a textured paper substrate. The clean, predominantly green image highlights all the ingredients used in the manufacture of this interesting spirit. The high gloss varnish emphasises the lime fruit and the main product names. Along with the neat application of gold foiling, embossing adds a touch of class to the label which serves to produce a result that is worthy of a high value award.