Flint Group Narrow Web announced the winning labels in the 6th annual Narrow Web Print Awards on Wednesday, September 15 at Labelexpo Americas 2010.  The winning companies will be presented with an exclusive award from their Flint Group Narrow Web local representative recognising them for outstanding print execution.

"The Print Awards continue to be a fantastic tribute to our customers globally who demonstrate the most creative use of colour, equipment, and materials possible in narrow web label and print designs", explains Niklas Olsson, Flint Group Narrow Web Global Brand Manager.  Numerous entries from label converters from all over the world were critically evaluated by a panel of industry judges. Criteria for judging followed the guidelines that are standards set by the industry associations FINAT and TLMI and included: registration, smoothness of dot/vignette, overall print quality, and degree of difficulty.  In addition, the judges reviewed each label for creative use of inks and colour – rewarding those prints that exhibit extra-ordinary use of inks.

Awards were presented in nine different categories – all print submissions using inks, coatings and specialty products supplied by Flint Group Narrow Web.  "We are proud of the results printers put forth using our products – each year, we see more and more creative use of inks, creating beautiful works of art.  We are extremely proud, as an ink supplier, to host these awards each year, and receive the great response from our customers," says Niklas Olsson.  He continues, "This year we also noticed entries utilising more complicated print methods for specialised labels and for brand security applications.  As a supplier, we continue to push the boundaries of narrow web; we are pleased to see that our customers also push these boundaries to create fine art and innovative solutions through label printing".

One example of the fine piece of art is the winning label in the category of Combination Printing.  This label, Cachaca Purissima Exclusiva", submitted by Baumgarten Grafica Ltda in Brazil, exhibited true excellence in print, design and execution – utilising a Rotary Screen Opaque White, UV Flexo Foil Effect Silver Inks, UV Rotary Offset Inks, and a special UV Flexo Coating.
Other top winners included:
- Smyth in Minneapolis, MN
- Collotype Labels R.S.A. in South Africa
- S.E. Industries Inc. in the Philippines
- Automacao Ind. E. Com. De Rotulos Etiquetas Ltd in Brazil
- M&R Graphics in Chicago, IL
- Consolidated Label in Longwood, FL
- Nosco in Dallas, TX
- Skanem Skurup AB in Sweden
- And…Label Works in Mankato, MN who won Flint Group's special award for 2010 – the FORCE award for outstanding print using Flint Group's latest innovation in UV Flexo inks, Flexocure FORCE.

Mike Buystedt, Flint Group Narrow Web North America commented; "We look forward to the label submissions each year; to see our inks playing a key role in these excellent designs is truly rewarding.  And, judging them is a great challenge!  Oftentimes, we have to make a choice between several excellent print samples, and decide to honour some entries as highly commended."

The Narrow Web Print Awards will continue in 2011 at Labelexpo Brussels in September 2011.  Companies are encouraged to once again join the friendly and professional competition in the arena of colourful use of inks, design, and print.