Winner's Circle
- Published: May 31, 2005, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
NPA Awards
What happens when you cross elegance with form and function? The Best of Show winners of the 55th Annual National Paperbox Assn. (NPA) Packaging Competition are a gleaming example. This prestigious event for the rigid box and folding carton industry receives entries from around the world, showcasing the industry's finest examples of craftsmanship.
The competition recognizes and publicizes the accomplishments of paperboard packaging; focuses on the innovation and accomplishments of member companies; and creates a wider demand for paperboard packaging, reports the NPA.
Gold and Excellence award winners were announced in January, while the folding carton and rigid box Best of Show honorees were recognized at the 4th International Packaging Conference and NPA's 87th Annual Meeting, held May 18–22 at the Cameron House in Loch Lomond, Scotland. Following is a look at the Best of Show honorees.
A Winning Gift Idea
Dayton Carton Kentucky, located in Louisville, takes Best of Show–Folding Carton for its 6-oz Cheese Straws, Biscuits, and Cookies carton, created for J&M Foods, Little Rock, AR. Turning heads in the Food & Beverage category, this gable-top, auto-bottom folding carton is printed on 0.015 solid bleached sulphate, coated one side, using a four-color process with aqueous coating.
The carton reportedly is streamlined to provide a very uniform and subtle appearance. The graphic design is described as clean, crisp, and uncluttered, offering upscale "gift" appeal. The graphics relate to the color palate of the packaged goods, which promotes the flavor enhancement of the old southern food product. The overall depiction of structure and design is said to be very eye catching to the consumer.
The gable-top feature allows for an easily reclosable package, and the construction of the folding carton is said to meet customer needs for easy fulfillment, which reduces costs. The end result is described as a sophisticated family of packages that stands out in the crowded retail food-packaging environment and represents the quality of the product inside.
Top of the Line
The Taylor Box Co., Warren, RI, receives Best of Show–Rigid Box for the Louis Vuitton Inclusive: The Architecture of Louis Vuitton, an entry in the Confections category.
The chipboard package features a matte film laminate, printed four-color offset with spot gloss UV coating, and is detailed with a leather strap. It was distributed at a gallery opening and was used to hold 11 postcards and one promotional booklet. Designed to correspond with the Louis Vuitton image by highlighting the elegant nature of the retail stores, the package is an extension of this well-known luxury brand synonymous with fame and fortune. The box is strong and efficient while presenting a refreshing and clean look, reports NPA.
Forty-eight rigid box and folding carton industry companies received 135 awards. Winners were selected from 30 end-use classes and five judges' categories. The judging panel designated a total of 45 Gold Awards and 90 Excellence Awards. For a complete list of winners, visit paperbox.org.
