The L9 associations have announced the results of the 2013 L9 World Label Awards competition judged by an international jury during Labelexpo in Brussels, September 2013. The L9 is the alliance of global label associations, formulating policies and strategic information in connection with global matters affecting the worldwide label industry.
The class segmentation structure introduced in 2012 was implemented once again with no changes to the 22 classes covering all the main printing processes and markets. The results below are listed in class order with the winners announced first followed by the Honorable Mention (HM) awards.
“This competition serves to show the world the best labels from international associations worldwide. The quality of the submitted labels each year continues to amaze the judges with this year being no exception. The level of technical skill shown by the entrants is exceptional,” says Tony White, chairman of the judging panel. “The competition culminates in the new Best of the Best awards which are selected from five of the mainstream printing processes.”
TLMI congratulates association members Collotype Labels, McDowell Label & Screen Printing and Smyth/Dow Industries for winning awards. The associations that took part in the competition included: FINAT (Europe), TLMI (North America), JFLP (Japan), LATMA (Australia), ABIEA (Brazil), and SALMA (New Zealand).
The following is a partial listing of winners and application names. For a complete listing, go to nitesh_lnw.rodpub.com.

Class 1:  Flexo – Line
Winner FINAT: Pragati Pack (India) Pvt. Ltd. India for Security label excise seals country liquor

Class 2:  Flexo Line Screen/Tone
HM FINAT: Bahar Etiket, Turkey for Eyüp Sabri Tuncer Dogal Zeytinyagli El Ve Vücut 250 ml

Class 3:  Flexo Color Process
Winner LATMA: Multi-Color (QLD), Australia for Ministry of Ice Cream
HM JFLP: Chugoku Seal Printing Co. Ltd. Japan for Olio Extra Vergine di Oliva

Class 4: Flexo Wine/Spirits
Joint Winner TLMI: Collotype Labels El Dorado Hills, USA for Jackson-Triggs Proprietor’s selection Shiraz
Joint Winner JFLP: Chugoku Seal Printing Co. Ltd. Japan for KOHAKU
HM LATMA: Wedderburn Labels, Australia for Mintaro

Class 5: Letterpress Line
Winner JFLP: Sansaisya Co. Ltd. Japan for Serial Number Label

Class 6: Letterpress Line Screen/Tone
HM JFLP: SATO Printing Co. Ltd., Japan for FUWARI x KIRARI

Class 7: Letterpress Color Process
Winner JFLP: SATO Printing Co. Ltd., Japan for Smell of Forest

Class 8:  Letterpress Wine/Spirits
Winner JFLP: Shinwa Label Printing Co. Ltd., Japan for Hana* fuwawa

Class 10 Offset Line/Screen
HM FINAT: Skanem Ltd. Liverpool, UK for 5 lt Coral Black Velvet – Denmark

Class 11: Offset Color Process
Winner JFLP: Fuji Mark Co. Ltd., Japan for Barbie Nail Polish Remover
HM LATMA: Labelworld W.A., Australia for Wisemate Caesar Salad Dressing

Class 12: Offset Wine/Spirits
Winner TLMI: Collotype Labels, USA Inc for Farella Malbec 2009
HM FINAT:  Collotype Labels , Australia for Carnival Love

Class 13: Combination Line
Winner FINAT: Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG. Germany for Automotive Security Logistic Label
HM TLMI: McDowell Label & Screen Printing, USA for Instant Gratification

Class 14: Combination Line & Screen/Tone
Winner TLMI: McDowell Label & Screen Printing, USA for P6 Extreme
HM FINAT: Smyth/Dow Industries, USA for Victoria’s Secret Luminous Touch

Class 15: Combination Color Process
Joint Winner JFLP: Shinwa Label Printing Co. Ltd., Japan for Japan Premium MIYABI
Joint Winner TLMI: McDowell Label & Screen Printing, USA for Peace & Harmony
HM SALMA: Admark Visual Imaging, New Zealand for Air New Zealand Hobbit Plane

Best of the Best
In addition to the awards mentioned above, five new L9 Global awards representing the “Best of the Best” will be presented later in September at Labelexpo Americas. The winners are selected from the winners of the L9 World label Awards competition within the following classes: Flexo, Letterpress, Offset Litho, Combination and Digital. The identities of the winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony and are deemed to be the “Oscars” of the label industry.

The judging for the 2014 L9 WLA competition will take place before the start of the 2014 Labelexpo in Chicago.

TLMI’s young leaders to host 2nd Global Congress
TLMI’s Young Leaders Development Organization will host the 2nd Global Congress for industry management professionals September 11-12, 2014 at Michigan State University, immediately following Labelexpo Americas 2014.

The congress program includes networking opportunities, a skills development workshop and presentations on packaging innovation and sustainability.

The 1st Congress was hosted by European sister association FINAT in 2012 in Germany. This time, TLMI is extending the invitation to its members and colleagues abroad.

The School of Packaging at Michigan State University, the event’s location, has built significant research expertise and earned national and international recognition for over five decades of work. MSU has conferred more than 7,000 academic degrees – and is known worldwide as the leading resource for developing packaging professionals.

FTA launches interactive online course
Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) announced the launch of a new, interactive online course based on its Flexography 101 booklet series. The course, An Introduction to Flexography, provides learners with a solid grasp of the fundamentals of flexography.

Ideal for beginners, or those wanting a refresher, this 30-40 minute course offers an in-depth examination into the flexographic print process and the components behind this successful industry.
Topics to be addressed include:

Flexography defined
Flexographic market segments
Types of flexographic presses, attributes
and sections
Image carriers
Plates
Inks and ink metering systems
Substrates
Curing and drying systems
Historical influences

The course is $80 for FTA members and $160 for non-members and includes a complimentary copy of the Flexography 101 booklet, An Introduction to Flexography. The self-paced course is targeted at, and customized to, new hires, entry level flexographers, sales and marketing personnel, students, educators and anyone wanting to learn more about flexography.  At the end, there is a 20 question “Check For Understanding” quiz. Once completed, a digital Certificate of Completion is issued by the FTA.