Topeka, Kansas — The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has announced the honorees in its 25th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition. Nearly 300 entries were received from countries around the world, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Denmark and China. Gold, silver and bronze winners were honored in 38 categories. Best of Show and two Best of Show Honorable Mention honorees were revealed during the FSEA·IADD Joint Conference, held in Franklin, Tennessee, in mid-April.

J.S. McCarthy Co., Inc., Augusta, Maine, has received the FSEA’s 2018 Best of Show award for its 2018 “Fun & Games” calendar, which was entered in the category of Best Use of Foil and Embossing – Self Promotion. Each year, J.S. McCarthy creates a marketing piece to illustrate the company’s capabilities for its customers, showcasing a compilation of the talents of its craftspeople and highlighting its printing capabilities and most-requested finishing techniques. The 12-page calendar features foil stamping, glitter, spot UV coating, embossing, debossing and even a cinnamon-bun-scented varnish. In addition to the calendar, the box contains diecut and embossed checkers, and a boxed deck of cards with gloss UV that is cradled inside a debossed and diecut cribbage table.

In an exciting turn of events, two Honorable Mention certificates were awarded – the first Honorable Mention was presented to Carlo Gasperini & C. for “Dream with Us,” a boxed, wire-bound brochure entered in the Best Use of Foil and Embossing – Corporate Brochure category; and the second to Kurz for its 2018 Kurz Calendar, which was submitted in the Best Use of Foil and Embossing – Calendar (Industry Supplier) category.

The competition evaluates submissions which utilize a wide range of specialty finishing techniques, from foil stamping and embossing to specialty coating, film laminating, laser cutting, diecutting and cold foil applications. Submissions come in a variety of formats, including book covers, point-of-purchase displays, folding cartons, promotional pieces, calendars and more. The pieces are assessed on design, execution and level of difficulty, with the highest honors going to those companies that best execute the decorative enhancements. The FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition celebrates the quality, added value, shelf presence, security and brand recognition that these finishing processes lend to the printed sheet.

To view all the 25th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Award Winners, visit www.fsea.com.

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) provides a wide range of resources to help companies remain profitable today and into the future. From cost-saving programs and educational opportunities to green initiatives proving the sustainability of foil decorated paper/board, the FSEA strives to provide its members with ideas, resources and solutions to grow in today’s marketplace.


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