Eleven Are Awarded IMDA Accolades

Published: August 04, 2015

The In-Mold Decorating Assn. (IMDA), Scottsdale, AZ, confers 11 entries in as many categories with special recognition for their outstanding submissions to the organization's 2015 edition of its annual award competition. The trade association represents molders, printers, material suppliers, equipment suppliers and others committed to the development and growth of in-mold labeling and decorating products, technologies and markets.

Judges commented that the number of innovative applications is growing impressively, and this year's selection of winners are stellar examples.

Gold Award: Best Injection Molded (IML) Package

• Entry: Cascade Dishwasher Packs
• Submitted By: IML Labels Inc.
• Brand Owner: Procter & Gamble
• Molder: Bway
• Label Supplier: IML Labels Inc.

This new full wrap in-mold label (IML), replacing pressure-sensitive labels on front and back, creates a visually stunning package that has helped increase sales of this product significantly, according to P&G. It gives the brand 360-degree graphics with more space for additional product information. The package is now 100% polypropylene, enhancing its recyclability and customer appeal. P&G converted not only this tub but all its other tub sizes to IML, claiming significant growth in sales across the entire brand.

Gold Award: Best Injection Molded Durable IMD) Part

• Entry: Clarisonic Mia 2
• Submitted By: ZoMazz, Inc.
• Brand Owner: Clarisonic 
• Molder: Phillips Medisize 
• Label Supplier: ZoMazz, Inc.

The patented ZoMazz digital in-mold decoration (DIMD) technology is the ultimate product embellishment technology for the Clarisonic Mia 2. With ZoMazz DIMD, the Clarisonic design team was free to create endless decorative variations while meeting the most stringent chemical and abrasion resistance requirements necessary for beauty tools. The Mia 2 part incorporates complex 3D, deep draw, IMD label design, digital IMD printing, graphic distortion, graphics registering across parting lines and rotary triple shot molding to achieve a water tight world class design. The Mia 2 is a flagship product for Clarisonic. With ZoMazz DIMD, Clarisonic reports it has been able to launch 20 different graphic presentations on the Mia 2 within a year for both promotional and inbox releases.

Silver Award: Best Injection Molded Durable (IMD)

• Part Entry: Logo Plate Assembly
• Submitted By: Distinctive Plastics, Inc.
• Brand Owner: Hotspring Spa
• Molder: Distinctive Plastics, Inc.
• Label Supplier: Kurz America

This logo plate for a high-end hydrotherapy spa not only needed to be elegant and durable, says the entrants, but functional as well. The solid piano black surface boldly supports the HotSpring name in silver with a functional logo that appears white when turned off, yet the multi-colored LEDs behind the plate signal the condition of the spa when turned on. Utilizing second surface printing provided by the Kurz IMD roll method (IMR) on the back side of the plate provides for maximum durability while offering a deep elegant look through the acrylic plate. The plate is outfitted with a 2-shot light guide that channels the LED light to eliminate cross-lighting.

Gold Award: Best Label Design

• Entry: Homann Meat Salad—Golden Pickle Competition
• Submitted By: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
• Brand Owner: Homann Feinkost GmbH
• Molder: Spies Kunststoffe GmbH
• Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels

The German salad producer Homann launched a ‘Golden Pickle’ competition, opting for Verstraete’s DoubleSided IML labels for the bottom of the packaging. These innovative labels are printed on both sides, concealing the golden pickle effectively from the consumer’s curious gaze. The consumer only found discovered if a golden pickle was on the bottom of the pot and if he/she had won EUR5,000 when the last of the meat salad was served. The tub portion of the packaging incorporates a unique label design with both the sides and bottom decorated with only one label.

Silver Award: Best label Design

• Entry: Dulux WeatherShield 20-L Paint Pail
• Submitted By: PT San Darma Plastics
• Brand Owner: Akzo-Nobel
• Molder: PT San Darma Plastics
• Label Supplier: Korsini-SAF

The transition from metal pails to plastic pails for Akzo Nobel Indonesia’s top-of-the-line Dulux WeatherShield product line required an innovative and premium appearance. Utilizing pails with the IML technique from San Darma Plastics and Korsini’s meticulously designed special mirror-finished metallic ink rotogravure label, Akzo Nobel feels it has achieved a higher benchmark with a unique but impressive presentation.

Gold Award: Best Part Design

• Entry: Eggyplay
• Submitted By: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
• Brand Owner: Eggs Posure 
• Molder: Eggs Posure
• Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels

Eggs Posure wanted to develop creative packaging concepts for the egg industry. The Eggs Posure showpiece, Eggyplay, serves as a packaging and a sustainable toy because the egg boxes work like clickable building blocks. This innovative 100% recyclable package weighs less than traditional egg packaging and takes up half the stacking space. The dishwasher-proof IML labels, produced by Verstraete IML, are claimed resistant to repeated exposure to high temperatures, moisture, and detergents that are said to offer optimal protection for the bright colors.

Gold Award: Best Product Family

• Entry: 4800 Series Bait Bucket
• Submitted By: Plano Synergy
• Brand Owner: Plano Synergy-Frabill Div.
• Molder: Plano Synergy
• Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels

Plano Synergy set out to upgrade the functionality of its bait storage buckets in terms of ease of use for anglers, but it also wanted to establish a unique visual look on the shelf that sets the Frabill brand apart from the competition. Each of the five new buckets starts with a unique IML decorated base calling out the model and feature configurations of specialized lids, strainers, foam insulation, and aerators. After an in-depth review of innovative branding technologies, Frabill proceeded with a new IML automation system, leveraging past successes with IML and existing knowledge of the IML process on previous projects.

Silver Award: Best Product Family

• Entry: SealPack Pint
• Submitted By: IPL Inc.
• Brand Owner: Safeway
• Molder: IPL Inc.
• Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels

Safeway approached IPL Inc. looking for a new clear package to replace an opaque paper container for their Gelato, Sorbet, and Premium Ice Cream. The new container needed to be clear with a clear IML decoration while meeting the -40°F freezable impact requirements. The result was a high-clarity 16-oz SealPack Pint frozen food container. This clear PP container with IML and lid is 100% recyclable. The embossed colored lid and the clear container with complimentary quality graphics for each flavor generate consumer appeal.

Gold Award: Best Prototype Package

• Entry: Fresh
• Submitted By: Stephanos Karydakis Printing House SA
• Brand Owner: Jokey Plastics
• Molder: Jokey Plastics
• Label Supplier: Stephanos Karydakis Printing House SA

This prototype package claims to have the first multi-interactive label in the market using several technologies. It has thermo-chromic ink in printed areas, which changes color reversibly over the temperature range of -10 and +69°C (14 and 149°F). Also, the design of the label incorporates invisible digital watermarking technology. The consumer can scan the package at any location on the label utilizing a custom-designed smart phone app that immediately redirects them to a specific internet page without the need of a QR-code. The label comprises a printed metallized substrate, which can be statically charged and molded, including spot gloss and matte lacquers.

Gold Award: Best Thermoformed IML Package

• Entry: ConAgra Foods/Tech II IML-T 
• Submitted By: Verstraete In-Mold Labels
• Brand Owner: ConAgra Foods Inc.
• Molder: Tech II
• Label Supplier: Verstraete In-Mold Labels

ConAgra Foods wanted to re-brand their round, direct-printed packaging to a capture eye appeal on the store shelves. Together with Tech II, they developed a thermoformed square 15-oz package they now consider highly decorative offering great communication opportunities thanks to the five-sided IML label, printed by Verstraete IML. Decorating this packaging is now a one-step process.

Gold Award: Best Thin-Wall Package

• Entry: Olympus Greek Yogurt
• Submitted By: Stephanos Karydakis Printing House SA
• Brand Owner: Olympus Dairy
• Molder: Kotronis Plastics
• Label Supplier: Stephanos Karydakis Printing House SA

The BackPrint technology offers a totally scratch-free label surface and reportedly makes perfect sense for pasteurization, autoclave procedures, and dish washer resistance as well as direct lip contact. Simultaneously, the package claims to have the highest possible gloss without the use of UV lacquers, even in thin-wall packages.

For more information on the In-Mold Decorating Assn. and this competition, visit: www.imdassociation.com.

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