Winner
James Townsend & Sons
www.james-townsend.co.uk 01392 849000
Devon-based James Townsend & Sons impressed with the "consistent quality" demonstrated throughout its entries. However, perhaps fittingly given its West Country origins, it was the printer's label for Thatchers Old Rascal cider that really won the judges over. Presenting its fair share of challenges, the job required the firm to replicate a gold foil-blocked drop-shadow effect on the main wording. This was achieved by using a metallised paper to print a gold wash for the foil-blocked effect and an opaque white and buff with a matt water-based coating to give the uncoated paper look. Registration issues were avoided by printing all the text straight on the white and buff, while clever pre-press work allowed the bright gold to come through after printing straight onto the silver paper. Inter-deck drying on the firm's Heidelberg 102 eight-colour press meant that they could cure the white and print the buff along with the barcodes onto a dry surface seconds later, to give good clarity and sharpness.

Commended
Spear
www.spearsystem.com 01633 627600
Spear picks up a worthy commendation for its well-produced array of labels. Standing out were the Innis & Gunn Highland Cask labels, which were two labels printed on the same web, allowing for a reduced total cost in both the conversion and label application process. The labels were printed on Cwmbran-based Spear's own GMC proprietary press in six colours with two varnishes, including a high-viscosity tactile varnish that was applied over the main areas of the text and logo to add texture.

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