FSEA Announces 31st Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Award Honorees

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) is excited to reveal the honorees in its 31^st Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition. The competition evaluates print and packaging submissions that utilize a wide range of finishing techniques, from foil stamping and embossing to specialty coating, film laminating, laser cutting, diecutting and cold foil applications. Submissions come in a variety of formats, including greeting cards, folding cartons, labels, book covers, posters and more.

“Our FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition showcases the incredible talent, creativity and hard work that goes into each captivating piece,” said FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “Every year, technology and ingenuity culminate into exceptional works of art that continue to inspire all of us throughout the embellishment industry.”

A record number of entries were received from countries around the world, including the US, Canada,

India, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark, United Kingdom, Japan, South Africa and Taiwan. Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were honored in 53 categories during a reception held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at the Print Embellishment Conference in Dallas, Texas.

As in 2023, two Best of Show honorees were revealed – one awarded for the best use of traditional foil and embossing techniques, and one to the entry displaying the best use of digital embellishment.

Best of Show: Best Use of Foil & Embossing was awarded to H+M USA for Sea Life. Originally entered in the category for Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Self Promotion, the team at Hinderer + Mühlich (H+M) USA created the ‘Sea Life’ poster using text-to-picture artificial intelligence. A collaboration with ChatGPT and MidJourney, the team’s approach was to merge fashion, design and jewelry with an underwater theme. Embossing and foil stamping then helped bring the printed poster to life.

Best of Show:  Best Use of Digital Embellishment was awarded to Print Panther Direct for Extreme Digital Guide 4. Originally entered in the category for Best Use of Digital Embellishments – Sample Guide, the team at Print Panther Direct created Konica Minolta’s ‘Extreme Digital Guide 4’ applications portfolio as a way to showcase to customers how printed materials can be enhanced. The company’s digital press allows for extreme embellishment with CMYK, foils, a second pass of CMYK and varnish. Each page of the portfolio was created to push boundaries a little further with multiple set-ups.

Award winners in the 31^st Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards, along with the categories in which the submissions won, are listed in this press release.

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) provides a wide range of resources to help companies remain profitable today and into the future. From cost-saving programs and educational opportunities to green initiatives proving the sustainability of foil decorated paper/board, the FSEA strives to provide its members with ideas, resources and solutions to grow in today’s marketplace. www.fsea.com

Best Use of Foil/Embossing –Folding Carton (Creative)

Gold: Blue Lagoon Iceland Hydration Set, K Laser Technology (USA) Co., Ltd.

Silver: Bronze Folding Carton Box, Clear Image Printing Co.

Bronze: Field Notes “Foiled Again”, Studio on Fire

Best Use of Foil/Embossing –Folding Carton (Difficult)

The Vosges Tom Petty Carton won gold for Best Use of Foil/Embossing –Folding Carton (Difficult). | Credit: FSEA

Gold: Vosges Tom Petty Carton, MCD Inc.

Silver: Amore Vince Camuto, Diamond Packaging

Bronze: Scottsdale Mint Bible Coin Box, Cereus Graphics

Best Use of Foil/Embossing –Folding Carton (Self Promo)

Gold: Autajon USA Capacity Folder, Autajon USA

Silver: JSM Honey Sampler Self Promo, J.S. McCarthy Packaging & Print

Bronze: EPF Bourbon Box, Elite Print Finishing

Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Rigid Box

The BBQ Sampler 3 Pk Box won gold for Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Rigid Box. | Credit: FSEA

Gold: BBQ Sampler 3 Pk Box, PostPress Specialties

Silver: Helena Farms 70-Pack Pre-Roll Box, Studio on Fire

Bronze: Royal Canadian Mint Queen Elizabeth Coin Set, Gravure Choquet

Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Label (Digitally Printed)

Gold: Renaissance, VollherbstDruck GmbH

Silver: CEZ, MCC Labels Paarl

Bronze: Enrico Winery- Celebration Charme de L’ile, Great Little Box Company

Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Label (Creative)

Gold: Tansy, Paragon Label (Resource Label Group)

Silver: Napa Nuts, Multi-Color Corporation North American Wine & Spirits

Bronze: Houghton Chenin Blanc, Multi Color Corporation Australia

Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Label (Difficult)

Gold: We Drink Tequila Labels, Studio on Fire

Silver: Nifo 07, SOVEMEC Labels

Bronze: Raymond – Estate Collection, Multi-Color Corporation – Americas Wine

Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Label (Self Promotion)

Lotus won gold for Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Label (Self Promotion). | Credit: FSEA

Gold: Lotus, CARTES/Diversified Graphic Machinery

Silver: Pjafoc 184, CARTES/Diversified Graphic Machinery

Bronze: Wunder Gin Label, H+M USA

Best Use of Cold Foiling (Folding Carton)

Gold: StriVectin Holiday Collection 2023, Diamond Packaging

Silver: L’Oreal UV Defender Folding Carton, Edelmann Packaging Mexico S.A. de C.V.

Bronze: Ferrero Rocher Chocolates Folding Carton, Edelmann Packaging S.A. de C.V.

Best Use of Cold Foiling (Label)

Gold: Infatuated, Premium Label & Packaging Solutions

Silver: Trimtab 006 IPA, DMS Color

Bronze: YuMOVE Advance 360, Bay Tech Label

Best Use of Laser Cutting (Label)
Gold: Avamposto Gin, H+M USA

Silver: Charbay, Paragon Label

Bronze:  Distillery of Modern Art, Paragon Label (Resource Label Group)

To see more of the awardees, check out an upcoming print issue of Packaging Impressions.

Source: FSEA

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Packaging Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of Packaging Impressions.