Diamond Packaging earned six awards in the 67th Annual National Paperboard Packaging Competition, the industry’s premier showcase for all that is new and outstanding in paperboard packaging design and technology. Awards were announced at the 2010 Outlook & Strategies Conference in Cincinnati, OH.

The competition, sponsored by the Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC), is a celebration of the industry and its creative potential. It is also an affirmation of paperboard as the clear and intelligent choice for packaging in today’s eco-conscious world.

Entries in the overall competition were evaluated on three criteria. First was an examination of the package itself, specifically an explanation of the package’s development objectives, materials selection, and design, printing, and converting processes. Second was a measure of the package’s impact on production, manufacturing, and distribution, including logistics and supply chain (storage, distribution, warehousing), system economics (material substitutions, line efficiency, cost reduction), and brand enhancement and marketing. Finally, the package’s impact on retail and consumers was evaluated, including merchandising and retail strategy effectiveness, performance and functionality, product protection, sustainability, and shelf differentiation.

Competing against entries from around the country, Diamond received recognition by winning two Gold Awards and four Excellence Awards.

Diamond won a Gold Award for packaging created for Bliss 2009 Holiday Collection.

Bliss ignited a modern spa revolution by combining a clever menu of super-effective services and a fun, 'no-attitude' atmosphere. The company sought to create an eye-catching holiday campaign that captures the essence of the brand and maximizes its retail presence at Sephora and Bliss Spas worldwide.

Diamond produced inspired packaging for the collection, which includes one large and four small carriers/straight tuck cartons with a tented fifth panel, and a straight tuck carton with a printed insert.

The carriers’ unique structural design maximizes billboard space and product visibility, and eliminates the need for a separate insert. The tent structure also keeps bottles secure and prevents them from falling forward. The straight tuck carton’s paperboard insert/tray creates a “floating effect” and eliminates the need for a separate thermoform insert used in previous versions.

The cartons were offset printed with three PMS colors followed by an overall UV gloss coating and inside printed with one PMS color (two hits) in-line with an overall aqueous coating. The holiday-themed graphics were enhanced and complemented by decorative foil stamping on the front panels.

Diamond also won a Gold Award for Godiva’s 2009 Halloween Collection.

The tuck top, auto bottom and full seal end cartons feature a combination of die cutting and special coating techniques that complement the Halloween-inspired graphic design.

The cartons were offset printed with four color process inks and two hits PMS #4975 in-line with UV gloss spot coating (pumpkin, bat, swirls, and text), and an overall textured (reticulated) coating.

The reticulated coating imparts a raised, thermographic-like textured finish without utilizing specialized board or requiring a separate embossing pass.

Diamond won an Eco Excellence Award for its sustainable redesign of Zotos’ hair color packaging.

The cartons were converted from solid bleached sulfate (SBS) paperboard to .016 WCCN recycled board, resulting in saving 2725 pulp trees. The 100% recycled paperboard contains an average of 35% post consumer waste (PCW) and features a smooth printing surface, ideal for eye-catching graphic reproduction. The smooth texture of the aqueous-coated board also contributes to problem free operation on the filling lines.

The cartons were manufactured using 100% wind energy. Based upon the total projected annualized output, the environmental benefit of using wind energy during production of the packaging is equal to offsetting approximately 68 metric tons of carbon dioxide, the impact of which is equivalent to planting 61 acres of trees or not driving 157,973 miles.

All cartons feature on-pack eco visuals, including a “Carton made with 100% wind energy” logo.

Other winning highlights include Excellence Awards for Coty’s new Southern Blend by Tim McGraw fragrance, decorated with a custom-designed gold foil embossed guitar pick and an overall embossed cork pattern, L’Oreal USA/Matrix’ 2009 Holiday Collection featuring custom gold glitter, pearl-coated paperboard, and Diamond’s surfing-themed 2010 Calendar.

For more information about Diamond Packaging, contact Dennis Bacchetta at (585) 334-8030 x229 or visit the website at www.diamondpackaging.com. For more information about Diamond’s greenbox initiative, visit the sustainability microsite at www.diamondpackaging.com/green.

For more information about the PPC, contact Ben Markens at (413) 686-9191 or visit the website at www.ppcnet.org.