IN THE NEWS

GPA Launches New Premium Printable Films Swatchbook

GPA announces the launch of the Ultra Film® Premium Printable Films Swatchbook, a valuable resource for printable film substrates. This swatchbook features over 76 printable film products samples shown under nine different product tabs: white films, window films, specialty films, ClingZ®, synthetic paper, styrene, rigid vinyl, polyester, mounting films and laminates.

A variety of the products included are flexible vinyl, polypropylene, semi-rigid vinyl, window cling vinyl, acetate, silver and gold polyester, holographic metallized rigid vinyl, phosphorescent vinyl and ClingZ®. The Ultra Film Swatchbook provides product samples for users to see and touch the substrates, and each product tab includes detailed product information on sheet sizes, availablility, and application ideas.

In addition to product listings, this swatchbook doubles as a comprehensive resource for all printable film products. It includes sections focused on "Selecting a Film Substrate," "Storage and Printing Guidelines," "General Reference" which highlights pressure sensitive adhesives, face materials, liners, and a "Glossary of Terms." GPA also offers the Ultra Bak® Premium Pressure Sensitive Paper Swatchbook for sheetfed pressure sensitive paper applications. E-mail GPA at info@labelexperts.com.

Brushfoil Offers Samples of Its Brushed, Metallized Papers

Brushfoil LLC, a manufacturer of brushed films that provide the upscale look to appliance and consumer products throughout the world, has added what it believes is another first to its expanding roster of product offerings: achieving the "brushed metal" appearance on the surface of paper stocks.

These brushed, metallized papers significantly expand the range of applications in which the appearance of brushed metal is successfully produced. Brushfoil has already begun marketing the new paper product in rolls and sheets in a wide variety of metallic colors and patterns.

"Designers and printers now have the flexibility to achieve this desirable finish with or without lamination where thinner or non-board applications are demanded," says Jim Parker, a Brushfoil partner. As with its line of films, Brushfoil papers can be printed using ultraviolet (UV) and other ink systems. Visit www.brushfoil.com for free samples of the new paper line.

Online Resource of PPA, Paperboardpackaging.org, Provides Host of Services

The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) launched its website - www.paperboardpackaging.org

to provide information to packaging decision makers. The site will be a resource for marketers, package designers, retailers, and consumers interested in understanding the value that paperboard packaging can bring to all aspects of the product value chain.

Paperboardpackaging.org will provide visitors with: Innovative paperboard packaging case studies; University program and competition information; Paperboard grade definitions; Industry research results and reports; Newsroom featuring industry press releases and publications.

The Paperboard Packaging Alliance (PPA) is a joint initiative of the PPC and AF&PA. The PPA provides the paperboard packaging industry with ongoing analysis of evolving packaging requirements and promotes the benefits of paperboard packaging and products.

NACD Opens New Web Site

The National Association of Container Distributors (NACD) web site, www.nacd.net, has been redesigned to better serve association members and the packaging community as a whole. The new web site dynamics demonstrate the NACD tagline, "We Have the Power," helping users to "Get Connected with an NACD Distributor."

With a user-friendly and robust design, the web site allows visitors to quickly find member distributors, membership information, awards and events, and public relations and advertising. The site also includes a Members link, which lists discounted services such as insurance, online recruiting, advanced data exchange, shipping, car rental, telecommunications, bank card processing, and more. The website also includes information about the Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Fund.

New Mini-Trigger Sprayers Provide Ease and Comfort

The Cosmetic Packaging Group, a division of O.BERK Company, introduces a new 24-410 Mini-Trigger Sprayer in natural color, currently available for the cosmetics and personal care market, as well as for the household and healthcare markets.

There is a locking clip to allow for non-spillage during shipping. These 24-410 Sprayers provide increased flow and output spray volume, and provide easier and more comfortable dispensing systems than standard fine mist sprayers with less finger movement.

The Cosmetic Packaging Group offers the Mini-Trigger Sprayer in small quantities and for immediate delivery to match any of its glass and plastic bottles, including the natural HDPE, with 24-410 finish. Visit www.oberk.com

Seal-It Introduces Inks For Labels That Change Color When Chilled

Seal-It, Inc., a converter and printer of heat shrink labels, is introducing thermochromatic inks for their labels. Color changes occur on the Seal-It shrink label because the ink is temperature sensitive. Seal-It prints up to 10 colors that can include a wide range of thermo-chromatic colors.

Many imaginative ideas and value added features can be displayed on the shrink labels. The consumer could be instructed to put the product in the freezer in order to see the code and see if he or she has won a prize. Seal-It is the leading converter and printer of heat shrink PVC, PETG & OPS films and manufacturer of full body labels, tamper-evident bands, and sleeves for mulitpacks, which are printed with rotogravure or modified flexography.

Sweden's Leading Dairy Company Is First to Try Latest Carton

Elopak, the global packaging systems specialist, unveiled its latest carton innovation in partnership with Swedish dairy Milko. The famous healthy low-fat, low-sugar Milko fruit yogurt drinks will be the first-to-market in the new standard Diamond Pure-Pak® Curve carton.

The new package combines the technical and ergonomic design features of the award winning Mini Diamond and Pure-Pak® Curve carton to create a totally original shaped carton. Consumer tests have demonstrated that the Diamond Pure-Pak Curve carton retains the traditional and familiar premium image of the Pure-Pak carton with the added emotional value of the unique curve feature. The cap is also easier to grip and has a bigger pouring opening.

Milko marketing manager Jonas Welander says, "We were impressed by the striking and elegant style of the carton which with the 5th panel provides new graphic possibilities and a prominent space for branding or slogans. Elopak's innovative design generates outstanding visibility and the distinct differentiation demanded for the highest quality products in an ever increasing competitive market."

Rex Corporation Receives Five Printing Association Awards

Ken Darrow, printing manager of Rex Corporation, accepted five awards on behalf of the company at the recent International Association of Printing House Craftsmen (IAHPC) Jacksonville, FL, Chapter banquet. Rex was awarded the Gallery of Superb Printing Trophy, and the Best of Show Award for a promotional sales kit incorporating a custom-designed presentation folder and six sample cartons developed to demonstrate the unique printing and finishing capabilities of the company.

A combination of holographic and silver foil paperboard, foil stamping, UV inks and coatings, and embossing techniques were incorporated into the promotional kit. The promotional sales kit was designed by Wages Design, Rex Corporation's agency of record, and Jeff Nykerk, Marketing Manager of Rex. Rex also was honored with three "Best of Category" awards for Clairol Hydrience, Clairol Textures & Tones hair color cartons, and the promotional sales kit.

"Receiving this award on behalf of our employees is an honor," said Darrow. "I applaud our pressroom personnel and thank them for their dedication to high quality standards making these awards possible. The Clairol cartons and the promotional sales kit move on to the 86th Annual IAPHC International Convention to be judged among 3,000 entries from around the world. Visit www.iaphc.org.

Saint-Gobain Calmar Opens New U.S. Division Focusing on Cosmetics and Fragrance

Saint-Gobain Calmar recently opened a new U.S. division in New York, N.Y., specifically targeted to luxury packaging. Already, Saint-Gobain Calmar has introduced the first prestige treatment pumps featuring Pure Path™ metal free fluid path technology with their Sonnet and Aria lines.

Saint-Gobain Calmar is a leading manufacturer of dispensers and sprayers used for everything from cleaning products to pharmaceuticals, often made with injection molding technologies including trigger and pump dispensers.

The new Calmar division is headed by John Sosnovski, director of sales and Francois Danielo, technical marketing manager. "Calmar has a long rich history of providing the highest quality sprayers and dispensers for industrial and mass markets," says Sosnovski. "Now we are able to offer the same high quality, innovation, and service to the prestige markets."

MeadWestvaco Creates Versatile Beer Carrier

The French beer market is Europe's fifth largest beer producer and the fourth largest beer consumer. There is an increasing demand for specialty and premium beers bottled in glass containers, which account for 63% of total volume beer sales in France. MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems developed the new BasketWrap® carton to both showcasing these unique glass bottles and protecting them.

"Differentiating between a premium brew and a standard beer is vital for a brand's success in the French market," says Serge Sylvestre, director of marketing and development, MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems Europe SAS. "Beers with a sophisticated image sell better in this market and therefore must be packaged in a more unique and innovative way in order to convey to customers that the beer is a specialty item."

The BasketWrap carton offers the upscale presentation needed by brewers to differentiate their products on store shelves and forms a more secure environment to meet the rigors of distribution and transport. With changes to handle shape as well as bottle configuration, the package can be modified for export or differentiation on the shelf. "It really is the best blend of beauty and strength," says Sylvestre.

Crown's New Superplus™ Glass Closure Is Tamper-Evident & Color-Matched

The SuperPlus™ glass closure by Crown features a bi-material molded insert especially for glass packaging applications. Food processing companies now have a versatile, innovative option for glass that provides new levels of food safety, flexibility, and tamper evidence.

The SuperPlus™ closure is fully compliant with all EU and FDA migration standards as the new gasket contains no PVC, ESBO, ADC, or 2-EHA. SuperPlus™ metal closures provide dual tamper evidence by combining a vacuum button with a plastic tamper-evident band. This drop-down band eliminates the need for secondary packaging such as shrink films or paper tabs, and can be colored to match the closure and label. The closures are completely recyclable through conventional systems.

Easily adaptable to different markets, SuperPlus™ closures run on the same high-speed capping equipment (over 1,000 caps per minute can be applied) used for Crown's PT and PT+ closures and works with the same glass finish, enabling easy plant transition. SuperPlus closures are suitable for both pasteurization and sterilization, enabling food packagers to keep one type of closure on hand.

A Label by Spear Systems Helps Chill Earn Pioneer Design Award From Chinese Magazine

The New Weekly, a publication in Guanghzou, China, picked the Carlsberg Chill bottle as the Pioneer Awards "Design of 2004." The Chill bottle has a clear film, pressure sensitive label from Spear Systems. The beer has caught on in Chinese bars with its contemporary premium appeal both inside and out.

The gravure-printed labels provide high impact reflective gold that was key for the design agency and Carlsberg, while still maintaining opacity in the other elements of the label. In addition, Spear engineers guided the efficient transition into the using the new application equipment in-line, which enables high-speed labeling.

German Company Provides Top Level Packages for Premium Plastic Bandages

Beiersdorf, the German global player in health care and cosmetics, has recently created new packaging solutions for their plastic bandages. The Curad products for the American market clearly signal premium and high quality thanks to the glossy silver front, where the silver is not just a graphical design but is aiming to associate with the silver dressing in the pad. Silver has an accepted history of reducing bacterial growth and thereby offering quicker healing.

Convenience and a convincing performance are the major issues for Beiersdorf. Attractive and functional packs reflecting the premium character is a way for an international leading branded goods company to support its brands and win the fight for consumers.

The silver on the package is cost-efficient and minimizes the consumption of hotfoil while still achieving a reasonable silver effect. The premium concept is enhanced by selling only via pharmacies with skilled staff for consultations while their commodity products are sold in supermarkets. All of these packages, made with Frövi Bright board, have the same tamper proof opening with an ingenious closure system. After breaking the perforation, the package can still be securely reclosed to protect the contents.