Shorewood, IL – IST America announces that the company has been selected as a UV curing system partner at Heidelberg’s newly named Print Media Performance & Training Center in Kennesaw, GA. The center opened its doors to the print media industry, customers, vendors, universities and trade associations earlier in the summer, reinforcing Heidelberg’s longstanding commitment to fostering collaborative education and industry workforce training solutions.

The 30,000 square foot Performance & Training Center is the largest print demonstration center in North America and is equipped with multiple Heidelberg printing platforms including a Speedmaster CX 104-6+LX six-color press with fully integrated IST LampCure technology in both interdeck and end-of-press positions, in addition to a Speedmaster XL 106-8P+LX eight-color press with perfector. The XL 106 press has an IST LampCure end-of-press system installed in combination with Heidelberg Drystar LED UV in select interdeck positions, making it a Hybrid UV package. The Performance & Training Center will host in-person and/or virtual demonstrations for equipment and software, showcasing Heidelberg’s newest press and ancillary equipment technology.

IST America President, Bill Bonallo, comments, “We’re honored to be partnering with Heidelberg US at their Performance & Training Center. There is no question that finding and retaining qualified production personnel is one of the most critical issues facing the greater print industry and I commend Heidelberg’s unwavering commitment to providing such an invaluable training and educational resource to the industry. IST America has been a Heidelberg partner for decades and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to support Heidelberg’s critically important efforts in this area.”

www.ist-uv.com/en-us

Cutting edge tactile varnishing, digital foiling and laser die cutting to be demonstrated at show.

Labelexpo Americas 2022 will feature a Digital Embellishment Trail showcasing the latest developments in digital decoration technology from tactile inkjet coating to digital foiling and laser die cutting.

Companies confirmed as participating in the Digital Embellishment Trail include Cartes, Epson, Konica Minolta, Kurz, Mark Andy, Prati and Xeikon. 

Tasha Ventimiglia, Labelexpo Americas show director, said, “The Digital Embellishment Trail will enable attendees to explore the full range of digital decoration options, both stand-alone and inline, with live demonstrations, sample packs and experts on site to discuss how digital embellishment can transform a converting business.”

Commented Andy Thomas-Emans, strategic director of the Tarsus Labels & Packaging Group, “After digital printing, digital embellishment will be the next big game changer for label converters and package printers. Digital embellishment means replacing analog coating, decoration and converting processes with digital. This can range from simply replacing a flexo varnish plate with an inkjet-applied spot varnish, to digital foiling, digitally applied tactile effects, simulated embossing/debossing and laser diecutting – all fully variable with on-the-fly job change and no tooling.”

“The market has embraced, through time, the possibilities of digital printing. We are at a point where it inspires digitalizing the broader aspect of label production; beyond print looking at embellishing and converting. Through the Digital Embellishment program at Labelexpo, we will explore various options which solution fits your business best.” Filip Weymans VP marketing of Xeikon, participants of the Digital Embellishment Trail added.

There will be demonstrations throughout the three days of the show. The Digital Embellishment Trail is free to attend for all Labelexpo Americas 2022 registered visitors. For more details visit www.labelexpo-americas.com.

Brookfield, WI – Colordyne Technologies, a leading manufacturer of digital inkjet print engines, and Kao Collins, Inc., a leading provider of ink formulations, continue their strategic partnership through the development of the 3800 Series WB – Retrofit, a new sustainable water-based mechanical piezo print engine for narrow web labels and packaging.

This joint development leverages the proven high quality performance of Colordyne’s 3800 Series engine design and that of Kao’s LUNAJET inks to create a new eco-friendly, water-based inkjet solution for digital printing on labels, flexible film packaging and other non-porous substrates.

The 3800 Series WB will utilize Kyocera mechanical piezo printhead technology to produce 600×600 dpi quality at speeds up to 300 fpm. Flexible in design, the new water-based print engine is offered in print width configurations ranging from 4.25 to 17 inches and supports up to 7 colors in the process direction. Colordyne’s 3800 Series WB engine is currently available as a retrofit solution that can be mounted onto an existing flexo press, turning it into a single pass hybrid printing and converting platform.

“LUNAJET is the first water-based, pigmented inkjet ink of its kind,” said Chris Rogers, Vice President of Kao Collins. “We take a customized and consultative approach to developing our inkjet ink solutions. Working with Colordyne allows us to combine our innovative products to provide digital print engines and inkjet ink sets that are designed for each customer’s specific printing needs. This allows both of our companies to offer greater value to every customer we serve with this technology.”

LUNAJET is Kao Collins’ proprietary technology known as nanodispersion which increases pigment concentration so the ink can spread evenly over the surface, drop by drop. This process also reduces the amount of ink on the substrate’s surface, which allows for exceptionally fast drying and smooth, superior printing results with vibrant colors.

In addition to being safe for food packaging, the eco-friendly LUNAJET ink releases extremely low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, which significantly lowers its impact on workspaces and the environment. LUNAJET’s advantages make it the best ink option for industrial printers of food packaging and pharmaceutical packaging.

“Together, we have created an innovative product to serve new markets and applications,” said Taylor Buckthorpe, Director of Sales and Marketing at Colordyne Technologies. “What makes our approach unique is the open conversation we have together with the customer. This allows us to understand the customer’s needs in-depth, so we can craft a solution that combines our custom digital print engine approach with Kao Collins’ tailored ink formulation. The end result is giving the customer’s digital business a competitive edge today and in the future.”

About Colordyne Technologies
Headquartered in Brookfield, WI, Colordyne Technologies is a leading manufacturer of high speed, high resolution and low capital cost UV-LED and water-based inkjet print engines. They are designed for integration onto existing printing and converting equipment to create an affordable hybrid production press. Colordyne Technologies recognizes the years of investments made into the people and equipment that make up a label converting press room. Colordyne’s unique retrofit approach to digital printing allows label converters to seamlessly integrate process color inkjet directly onto existing production lines at breakthrough speeds and without the loss of current press functionality. Visit www.colordynetech.com for additional information.

About Kao Collins
Kao creates high-value-added products and services that provide care and enrichment for the life of all people and the planet. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Jergens, John Frieda, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries, and Molton Brown, Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America, and Europe. Combined with its chemical division, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,420 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,500 people worldwide and has 135 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Print website for updated information: www.kaoprint.com.

Intimate event for customers will showcase the latest innovations from RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland and more, through a social and innovation showcase on September 14 from 5-7 PM CST

Oak Brook, IL – Maxcess, a global leader in innovative products and services for web handling applications, today announced its Social and Innovation Showcase 2022 in Rosemont, Illinois, on September 14 from 5-7 PM, during Labelexpo Americas. This intimate event will showcase the brands latest innovations while giving select customers a chance to discuss their most challenging applications in a more direct venue.

“With the cancellation and postponement of major trade shows and events during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the ongoing uncertainty due the invasion of Ukraine and travel challenges, we made the decision to focus on showcasing our latest innovations this fall through a more intimate event, giving us a chance to have more one-on-one conversations with our customers to help them run better, faster and smarter,” said Keith Laakko, VP of Global Marketing for Maxcess. “We also look forward to returning to the Labelexpo Europe event next fall in Brussels, when things get back to a more normal state from a travel and event perspective.”

Maxcess will feature several new Industry 4.0 products, including adjustable anvils and a new flexible die lineup from RotoMetrics, a new line guide sensor and narrow web guide from Fife, new automatic slitting system from Tidland, 100% vision systems for narrow web and performance coatings tailor-made for label applications. The Social and Innovation Showcase will give customers an excellent opportunity to discuss unique applications and challenges while enjoying cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. 

The event takes place Wednesday, September 14th from 5-7 PM CST at the Double Tree Ballroom, directly across the street from the Donald. E. Stevens Convention Center. 

Please contact your local sales representative to sign up for the event.

“We are excited for the opportunity of one-on-one interactions with some of our key customers, something that has proven to be challenging during large trade show events in the past,” said Frank Tejera, VP of Sales- Americas. “We look forward to showcasing how our latest advancements in label and narrow web can help our customers reduce downtime and scrap, while automating their process.”  

About Maxcess
Maxcess helps its customers maximize productivity through innovative products and services worldwide. By combining more than 400 years of global service and support across the storied product brands of RotoMetrics, Fife, Tidland, MAGPOWR, Webex, Valley Roller, Componex and Maxcess Vision Systems, Maxcess offers an unrivaled network of application experts and end-to-end web handling solutions to help you work better, faster and smarter.

Visit them online at www.maxcess.com

BC Partners has agreed to enter into a partnership with Bain Capital to drive the next chapter of growth for the business

Graham, NC – Bain Capital Private Equity, a leading global private investment firm, has signed definitive documents to enter into a joint ownership agreement for Fedrigoni, a leading global producer of self-adhesive labels and fiber-based packaging products, with BC Partners, a leading international investment firm.

Bain Capital acquired Fedrigoni in 2017. Under Bain Capital’s ownership, Fedrigoni has more than doubled Adjusted Sales and nearly tripled Adjusted EBITDA through a combination of organic growth acceleration and M&A execution.

This new partnership will support Fedrigoni’s management team as they look to build on their successful track record of M&A. BC Partners’ owner-manager mindset has helped its portfolio companies execute over 400 add-on transactions over the last decade, and as such is the natural partner for Fedrigoni and Bain Capital to help drive value-creation opportunities.

Together with Bain Capital, the Fedrigoni Group has carried out an ambitious transformation journey that rested on five pillars: a distinctive and premium offering; superior customer intimacy and experience; operational excellence; attraction of the best talent, and development of its 4,500 people, while creating an inclusive and safe environment; acceleration in acquisitions aimed at geographical expansion; and product portfolio diversification.

Fedrigoni has also embedded sustainability into its business strategy, including ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental impact and to support customers in tackling their transition towards ecological practices and an increasingly circular business. From the research on increasingly sustainable materials to the development of products to help brands in their plastic-to-paper transition. From the reuse of waste from customers’ production processes to the development of mono-material solutions. Through its 2030 sustainability roadmap, Fedrigoni committed to reduce by 30% its carbon emissions by 2030 and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with the Science-Based Targets Initiative, with 95% recovered water and 100% industrial waste recovery across its operations. It has this year received a Platinum EcoVadis sustainability rating this year, which places Fedrigoni in the top 1% of companies in the same industry worldwide.

BC Partners has developed a thematic focus on sustainability-driven growth in packaging, investing in IMA Group in February 2021, the world leader in the production of automatic packaging machines. BC Partners has long viewed Fedrigoni as a leader in this attractive and resilient end market, addressing the need for greater sustainability in packaging.

“We are excited to welcome BC Partners as a new partner in Fedrigoni” said Ivano Sessa, Chairman of Fedrigoni Holding Limited and Co-Head of Industrials at Bain Capital Private Equity Europe. “We have partnered with Marco Nespolo and the rest of the management team over the last 4 years to transform Fedrigoni and create a global leading platform in luxury packaging and labels. In this next phase of the journey, we will work with all our partners to continue building on the great success that Fedrigoni has achieved, with a focus on strengthening its global leadership and delivering sustainable packaging solutions to an outstanding set of global luxury and consumer brands.”

Stefano Ferraresi, Partner at BC Partners, said: “We are delighted by this opportunity to invest in Fedrigoni, a leader in sustainability-focused packaging. We have long admired the quality of the Fedrigoni management team, and its operations built under Marco Nespolo’s leadership. We are confident that this partnership with Bain Capital will create significant growth opportunities across the business. We share Marco’s vision and ambitious growth agenda and view Fedrigoni as the ideal platform to invest in this attractive segment of the market, with scope to continue to build on its leading positions in luxury packaging and labels and broaden its product portfolio through acquisitions and strategic partnerships.”

“The whole Fedrigoni leadership team and I are thrilled to continue our very ambitious growth path in partnership with Bain Capital and BC Partners”, said Marco Nespolo, Chief Executive Officer of Fedrigoni. “The last 4 years have seen Fedrigoni undertake a very comprehensive and successful transformation, on product portfolio, geographic footprint, go-to-market, operating model, culture, and governance. This has been possible thanks to the great partnership with and strong support by Bain Capital. We look forward to sharing the next leg of the journey with an additional, very relevant investor and partner, whose trust makes us feel honored.”

This new partnership, a combination of reinvestment by Bain Capital and investment from BC Partners, which results in a change of control of Fedrigoni to joint control between Bain Capital and BC Partners, will support Fedrigoni’s management team as they look to build on their successful track record of M&A. The Fedrigoni family, already a partner of Bain Capital as a minority shareholder, will remain invested in the business as the entire management team.

The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2022, subject to approvals by relevant regulatory authorities. A group of financial institutions has committed to provide a debt financing package in support of the transaction. Fedrigoni’s existing senior secured notes are expected to be refinanced at the closing of the transaction.

Bain Capital and Fedrigoni were advised by Rothschild, Morgan Stanley, Latham & Watkins, Pirola Pennuto Zei e Associati, Kirkland & Ellis, New Deal Advisors and Bain & Company. Goldman Sachs acted as financial advisor to Fiber Bidco.

BC Partners was advised by Canson Capital Partners and Nomura as lead financial advisors, as well as by advisors including JP Morgan, Afry Capital, White & Case, PwC, Studio Legale Tributario Facchini Rossi Michelutti and Bain & Company.

About Fedrigoni
Since 1888 Fedrigoni has stood for excellence in the manufacture of specialty papers. It is one of Europe’s largest players in the production and sale of various types of high value-added paper for packaging and graphics, premium labeling products, and other self-adhesive materials. With more than 4,000 employees in Italy and abroad and 25,000 products, the Group sells and distributes in more than 130 countries and has become the third global player in the self-adhesive materials sector also thanks to recent acquisitions. The Paper business unit includes the Cordenons Group and the historic Fabriano brand, and the Self-Adhesives business unit includes Arconvert, Manter, Ritrama (since February 2020), IP Venus (since December 2020), Acucote and Ri-Mark (since June 2021), Tageos (March 2022). The American distributor GPA is also part of the Group.

For more information: www.fedrigoni.com

Sticker Mule’s Purchase of the SurePress L-6534VW UV Press Marks Epson America’s 100th Unit Sold

Los Alamitos, CA – Epson America today announced it has sold 100 SurePress® digital label presses in North America. The 100th unit was a SurePress L-6534VW UV press purchased by custom printing company Sticker Mule for its Amsterdam, N.Y. location. The SurePress portfolio is engineered to meet the production, quality and service and support demands of label converters, specialty printers and vertical manufacturers.

“Epson helped us take over the online label market and it’s a great honor to install the 100th Epson SurePress printer sold in North America,” said Anthony Constantino, co-founder and CEO of Sticker Mule. “No one can touch the combination of Sticker Mule magic and Epson print quality. Not only is the SurePress a great machine, but the Epson team behind it is an innovative powerhouse. They deserve a big congratulations for reaching such a major milestone. I only wish we owned all 100.”

Continuing its legacy as a trusted digital label and packaging press provider and innovator, Epson recently introduced two new SurePress digital label presses with fine-tuned feature sets for prime label converters and commercial printers. The SurePress L-6534VW with Digital Varnish or optional Orange Ink delivers reliable and repeatable high-speed printing of up to 2.0 million square feet per month.2 The new SurePress L-4733AW is the only digital press in its class with White Ink1 for prime labels and thin films.

“Our 100th SurePress installation in North America is a testament to the acceptance in the market of Epson technology for high-end digital inkjet label production,” said Victor Gomez, director, Industrial Labels, Epson America. “We have installed presses at label converters of all sizes, as well as at promotional products printers, print-for-use sites, and many other traditional and non-traditional label and packaging providers. It’s appropriate that this milestone was reached with the SurePress L-6534VW UV press at Sticker Mule, who coincidentally also bought the very first SurePress L-6534VW.” 

Epson SurePress digital label presses are engineered for flexibility and reliability, and with a remarkable color gamut, are designed to deliver accurate spot colors and gradients required for brand-quality color prime labels and packaging. SurePress presses are designed as a system with Epson manufactured components including ink, printheads, LED pinning and curing, offering stable, predictable production.

For additional information, visit www.epson.com/surepress. For inquiries in North America, contact:

–        Western Region: Mark Elsbernd, (818) 620-2730 or mark.elsbernd@ea.epson.com

–        Central Region: Bob Ochalla, (630) 710-6005 or bob.ochalla@ea.epson.com

–        Eastern Region and Canada: Frank Connelly, (615) 585-9058 or frank.connelly@ea.epson.com

About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to co-creating sustainability and enriching communities by leveraging its efficient, compact, and precision technologies and digital technologies to connect people, things, and information. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson’s goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of around JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

1 Compared with similar digital label presses priced at $250,000 (USD) or less as of May 2022.

2 Verified by Epson Remote Management System.

EPSON and SurePress are registered trademarks and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2022 Epson America, Inc.

North Kingstown, RI — Toray Plastics (America), Inc., announces that Mark Turano is now the Senior Director of Sales of the Lumirror® Polyester Film Division. Turano will oversee sales, contribute to long-term planning, and coordinate scheduling and logistics. Turano most recently served Toray as the Division’s Director of Sales. He joined the company in 2016 as the Lumirror team’s National Sales Manager. Prior to that, Turano worked with RKW Danafilms, Consolidated Container Company, Polycel de Mexico, and Printpack.

“Mark has been very important to Toray’s success,” says Matt Brown, General Manager of the Lumirror Division. “He possesses tremendous knowledge of the PET film industry, markets, film manufacturing, and converting, has been instrumental in the Division’s growth during challenging times, and is a thoughtful, respected leader. We’re grateful for his service and wish him continued success.”  

About Toray Plastics (America), Inc.

Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is a leading manufacturer of polyester, polypropylene, and metallized films and polypropylene and polyethylene foams. The company is committed to environmental, social, and corporate governance and aims to contribute to society through the creation of new value with innovative ideas, technologies, and products that help address global issues. R&D is focused on the development of materials that are fossil fuel-free, compostable, biodegradable, and/or recyclable. The company’s sustainability initiative, launched in 2004, includes the operating of two solar farms and two cogeneration systems, energy and water conservation, recycling, and zero landfill.

Toray Plastics (America) is a subsidiary of the Toray Group, which believes that materials can change lives and provide real solutions to the challenges the world faces. The Toray Group is the world leader in synthetic fibers and textiles, carbon fibers, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance films and has annual sales exceeding US$18.4 billion. For more information about Toray Plastics (America)’s products, contact Brenda Ockun, Brand Manager, at brenda.ockun.w9@mail.toray or 315-916-3272. Toray Plastics (America), Inc., headquarters is located at 50 Belver Avenue, North Kingstown, RI 02852-7500; telephone 401-294-4511, fax 401-294-3410.

Visit the Toray Plastics (America), Inc., website at www.toraytpa.com.

On booth 3015, Hall B, HYBRID Software focuses on virtual mockups, workflow automation, and variable data for digital label printing 

HYBRID Software, the innovative software solutions provider for labels and packaging, will showcase its recent acquisition of iC3D by showing 3-D visualization throughout the entire prepress process at Labelexpo Americas 2022, September 13-15 in Rosemont, IL. On booth 3015, Hall B, HYBRID Software and iC3D will join a number of their Hybrid Software Group sister companies, including Global Graphics Software ColorLogic, Xitron, and Meteor Inkjet.

One of the highlights will be the integration of PACKZ and iC3D, allowing HYBRID Software users to visualize 3D packaging in real time, from labels and flexible packaging to shrink wrap products. iC3D is an all-in-one visualization software package that lets users generate live 3D virtual mockups on-the-fly. At the booth, people can see how easy it is to model and drive a design, whether it’s a label or flexible package. High end effects, embellishments and lighting will be shown.

Other highlights are: 

• Version 8 version of PACKZ, HYBRID Software’s native PDF editor: Enhancements include complex layered artwork that can now be viewed in color and wired modes simultaneously, and object-based screenings can be inspected per separation. The Smart Flattener guarantees artwork quality and consistency, professionally managing spot color and transparency interactions as well as press gamut conversions. Pactions is a programmed toolset with action lists, responding to customer needs for advanced automation. It reduces the amount of operator time needed to edit, approve, and print a new package design.

• STEPZ 8, an interactive software package based on the award-winning technology of PACKZ, allows for the preparation and execution of step-and-repeat and variable data tasks for high-speed digital printing of labels.

• Variable Data Printing (VDP), an InterTech Technical Award recipient, highlighting the ease of use and capabilities of the variable data preparation and execution of files, while providing customers the use of any open output device they require.

• CLOUDFLOW will be highlighted to demonstrate workflow management controlled from a web-browser. Featured CLOUDFLOW components include PACKZFLOW, PROOFSCOPE, CLOUDFLOW RIP, and the plug-in suite that facilitates interaction with the workflow, from the desktop or from Adobe Illustrator and PACKZ.

• SmartDFE combines products from all Hybrid Software Group companies to provide a turnkey digital front end (DFE) for high-speed digital presses.  It combines Harlequin Direct, the world’s fastest RIP, along with Meteor Inkjet’s printhead electronics, ColorLogic color mapping, and CLOUDFLOW’s workflow automation tools into a powerful DFE that is fast to integrate and efficient in its hardware requirements. SmartDFE will be featured by key OEM partners at Labelexpo Americas 2022.

“The conference’s theme is ‘Turn your converting playbook from good to great.’ HYBRID Software believes it has been doing that for its clients for years—and we continue to build on PACKZ, the standard for PDF editing and the CLOUDFLOW enterprise packaging workflow system,” comments Mike Agness, HYBRID Software executive vice president, Americas. “While we have always worked well with complementary systems—including MIS/ERP—we now have a roster of new sister companies including iC3D and ColorLogic. HYBRID Software is in an ideal position to combine our label and packaging print expertise to build all-encompassing systems for any printer or converter. We believe Labelexpo attendees can benefit from a visit to our booth, and look forward to meeting them.”

About HYBRID Software
With offices in Belgium, Germany, US, UK, Spain, France, Italy, and China plus a global partner network, HYBRID Software is an enterprise software development company focused on innovative productivity tools for the graphic arts industry.

HYBRID Software’s CLOUDFLOW workflow, PACKZ and STEPZ editors, and print quality solutions offer a unique set of advantages that include native PDF workflows, enterprise cloud solutions, scalable technology with low cost of ownership, and direct integration with leading MIS solutions and output devices. These products are used by thousands of customers worldwide in all areas of prepress and print, including labels and packaging, folding cartons, corrugated, wide format and digital printing. HYBRID Software is a subsidiary of Hybrid Software Group.

www.hybridsoftware.com

Schaumburg, IL – The marketing team at Great Lakes Brewing Company in Cleveland recently received their trophy for winning the third annual Colored by INX Can Design Contest. An independent panel of judges determined their TropiCoastal Tropical IPA craft beer entry featured the best design of this year’s entrants, allowing them to claim back-to-back titles after winning in 2021.

All submitted entries required designers to use the INX Metal Color Catalog to produce a commercial can design before December 31, 2021. Jameson Campbell, creative manager for Great Lakes Brewing Company, said the catalog inspires his team to find the right combination of colors to deliver each beer’s unique story, create shelf appeal and build strong brands.

“Our goal was to expand our IPA portfolio with a year-round offering that delivers big, ripe tropical fruit aromas,” he remarked. “So how do you achieve that feeling visually, especially when your beer is primarily sold in regions where a plane ticket is required to capture those vacation vibes? With immersive, enveloping splashes of color.”

Acknowledging his team took a different approach with the TropiCoastal Tropical IPA entry, Campbell explained the steps they took to achieve the winning design.

“With illustrator Sam Hadley, we set out to create the invigorating feeling of discovering your own tropical oasis. It draws the can holder into a warm, beachfront sunset scene amidst cool, green and teal foliage that extends beyond the can’s front face,” he said.

“To deliver on our promise of a liquid getaway, TropiCoastal received its own tiki inspired type from Sam, which influenced the voice and style of the brand’s supporting materials. Our primary logo, generally shown in black, white and gold, also received a brighter color treatment. We did it to better align with the lightness of the scene and break the traditional convention of our year-round brands.”

Great Lakes Brewing Company will be eligible to defend its contest title next year. Look for 2023 contest details to be made available on the INX website in either January or February.

About INX International Ink Co.
INX International Ink Co. is the third largest producer of inks in North America, with full-service subsidiaries in Europe and South America and is part of Sakata INX worldwide operations. We offer a complete line of ink and coating solutions technology for commercial, packaging and digital applications. As a leading global manufacturer of inkjet inks, we provide a full palette of digital ink systems, advanced technologies and integrated services.

To stay in touch with the latest developments, follow INX on Facebook and Twitter and visit www.inxinternational.com.