On September 15, 2025, the winners of the AWA Sleeve Label Awards 2025 were announced in Barcelona, Spain. Now in its 11th year, this competition celebrates excellence and innovation in the global shrink sleeve labeling industry.

The judging panel, composed of independent experts, included Dr. Séamus Lafferty, Consultant, Tom Hammer, head of Technical Marketing, Siegwerk Narrow Web – USA, and Heath Luetkens, executive director, iC3D Software. The judges evaluated entries across a range of criteria, including print and artwork quality, container application, converting and seaming, innovation, and overall shelf impact.

In response to the exceptionally high number of submissions, the judges introduced three distinct award categories for the 2025 edition. Corey Reardon, president and CEO of AWA Alexander Watson Associates, presented honors to the following companies:

Can Category

Winner: McDowell Label, a Resource Label Group company

Entry: Ghost Peaches

A returning winner, Ghost – now presented in Peach – once again raises the bar with its haptic-intensive tactile doming, expertly replicating the feel of a basketball. This special edition College Basketball Crown collaboration showcases high fidelity, vibrant color, and a standard-setting execution, resulting in a visually striking product that delivers a tactile and immersive brand experience. Elevating can decoration to a high standard, this package is a most deserving winner in the TD shrink sleeve can category.

TD Sleeve Category

Joint Winners: McDowell Label, a Resource Label Group company, and CCL Label

Entries: Ketel One Lemon Drop Martini from CCL Label, and Skyy Espresso Martini from McDowell Label

CCL Label: Strongly branded and color-coded for flavor recognition, Ketel One Lemon Drop Martini is a sleek, high-impact, and elegant example of premium shrink sleeve execution. UV inks with light-blocking properties protect the contents, while a second, perfectly color-matched tamper-evident sleeve further enhances functionality. The design skillfully blends modern shrink-sleeve aesthetics with the classic Ketel One label. This preserves the brand’s heritage while projecting a contemporary look. Technically, the execution is outstanding, with a martini-shaped reveal window and embellishments such as cold foil and glitter varnish. The result is a complex, visually striking, and highly accomplished package that makes it a deserving co-winner in the TD shrink sleeve category.

McDowell Label: Clean, premium, and elegant, Skyy Espresso Martini delivers a technically solid shrink sleeve execution. Exceptionally tight registration of graphics and doming varnish is achieved in a full top-to-toe sleeve, with integrated tamper evidence and precisely executed perforations. Simple yet clever graphics are elevated by doming to enhance brand presence, while the sandpaper tactile varnish adds a compelling sensory dimension. Careful film resin selection enabled the high shrink percentage and controlled shrink force required at the cap. Altogether, this is a standout example of shrink sleeve technology. The product seamlessly unites form, function, and brand expression in a way no other decoration can match. A worthy co-winner in the TD shrink sleeve category, AWA states.

Honorable Mention TD Sleeve

Winner: Steinhauser, Inc.

Entry: BuzzBallz – Witch’s Potion

The Witch’s Potion sleeve for BuzzBallz exemplifies the strengths of shrink-sleeve technology. No other process so effectively integrates shape, texture, graphic design, and brand identity. The gritty matte black finish imparts a tactile, cauldron-like surface that convincingly replicates the look and feel of cast iron. More than a label, the shrink sleeve creates the illusion of holding a witch’s cauldron, transforming the package into an immersive part of the drinking experience. The vessel’s challenging round shape, combined with restrained yet purposeful graphics, makes this a standout example of how shrink sleeve technology elevates packaging into a compelling brand experience. For its ambition, shelf impact, and strong execution on a complex form, the judges award an Honorable Mention.