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Global Packaging Alliance Holds Annual Meeting in Japan |
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 The Global Packaging Alliance (GPA) held its annual meeting in Nagoya, Japan during the week of January 23, 2006. With members convening from all over the world, the yearly event was a much-anticipated chance to discuss strategies and goals, and provided an opportunity for alliance members to evaluate potential partnerships to supply the world’s second-largest economy.
The meeting opened with a full agenda dedicated to expanding GPA’s global presence. Among the topics addressed were: packaging trends, technical developments, investments, and benchmarking productivity measures.
GPA members visited several facilities in Osaka and Tokyo to assess which companies best complement the GPA’s current network in terms of management philosophy, technical capabilities, and markets served. The meeting also provided an opportunity to evaluate the latest in packaging technology.
“Japan faces similar economic challenges as the rest of the industrialized world,” said Harry Voss, Chairman of Diamond Packaging. “A strength of Japanese businesses is their ability to successfully combine the latest technology with innovation to maintain a strategic advantage in light of the lower labor rates of other economies.”
The Global Packaging Alliance is an international organization of independent packaging experts proficient at managing all aspects of the supply chain. With state-of-the-art production facilities and logistics centers around the world, the GPA provides responsive, localized service, award-winning creative designs, identical product specifications and consistent brand recognition, resulting in unparalleled global packaging support. Members include:
GPA members practice packaging management geared toward the needs of international companies, including Bayer, Beiersdorf, GlaxoSmithKline, Kraft Foods, L’Oreal, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Schering Plough, and Unilever. This includes designing and producing innovative paperboard and plastic packaging, as well as providing logistical services such as fulfillment and POP management. The GPA’s goal is to support clients in launching new brands or products, while significantly reducing time-to-market.
For more information about the Global Packaging Alliance, contact Dennis Bacchetta at (585) 334-8030 x229 or visit the website at www.global-packaging-alliance.com.
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| Diamond Corporate Video Premieres |
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 Diamond Packaging is an industry leader with strategic alliances all over the world. We’re experts in packaging development, product launches, and providing innovative solutions for Fortune 500 companies across the globe.
A common denominator of people touring the plant is their positive impression of our people and processes. Until we can bring them in for a visit, why not bring the plant to them?
Our new corporate video gives you an inside look at Diamond's unique capabilities, including creative design, folding carton manufacturing, and contract packaging services.
The six-minute video can be downloaded from our website and is also available as a video CD, with added features including "The Diamond Difference" and an inside look at the Global Packaging Alliance (GPA).
Click on the appropriate link to view the Diamond corporate video in PC or Mac-compatible formats:
- .wmv format (requires Windows Media Player)
- .mp4 format (requires Apple QuickTime Player)
To request a video CD, contact Dennis Bacchetta at (585) 334-8030 x229 or email him at dbacchetta@diamondpkg.com.
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Foil Stamping
by Dennis Bacchetta
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 The appearance of shiny, foil stamped packaging on retail shelves is a sure sign of the holiday season. Consumer research shows that foil is more likely to catch the eyes of busy holiday shoppers and increase their perceptions of product quality and appeal.
However, the retail environment remains crowded long after the holiday season has passed, and manufacturers are turning to more upscale packaging to enhance brand identity and shelf appeal all year around. In this competition for consumer attention, the advantages of foil stamping shine brightly.
Foil stamping, also known as hot stamping or flat stamping, is the only finishing process capable of applying a non-tarnishing metallic foil print to paper, plastic or paperboard. Foil stamping is an easy way to add elegance, excitement or other visual effects to product packaging.
In the foil stamping process, a foil sheet is pressed between a heated die and a substrate, and the combination of heat and pressure releases the coloring layer from the foil and binds it to the material.
Stamping foils are comprised of five layers:
- Polyester film carriers
- Release coat – promotes the release of the foil from the film carrier when heat and pressure are applied
- Color coat (or lacquer layer) – contains the colored dyes or pigments
- Metal coat – provides reflective quality
- Adhesive layer – bonds the foil to the substrate
Most foils are available in matte and gloss finishes, in a wide range of colors and patterns including geometric, holographic, brushed metal, pearlescent, rainbow, wood grain, and imitation leather. Special techniques such as printing over foil (overprinting) and foil embossing expand the benefits of foil even more, resulting in unlimited graphic possibilities.
Foils can be stamped either before or after printing for maximum design flexibility, and some foils are available with scratch resistant, fade resistant or chemical resistant properties for increased durability/wearability.
Qualified packaging finishers employ a variety of foil stamping techniques, each designed to impart a distinctive look to the finished package:
- Flat foil stamping – results in a foil image that does not rise above the paper substrate
- Foil over foil – adds special color options through an additional pass
- Refractive stamping – a finely engraved brass die renders a refractive foil stamped image with fine texture and detail
- Foil embossing (combination stamping) – use of a combination die unites foil stamping and embossing into one press pass
- Printing over foil – a cost effective way to add color and visual “pop”
As with any finishing technique, the viability of foil stamping as a design option depends on a number of variables: desired look of the finished package, stock and ink selection, type size, registration, run length, project budget, etc.
In our next issue we will discuss foilboard, an alternative to foil stamping that may offer production and economic advantages, depending upon the application.
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