Film & Foil A sustainable route to
stand-out shelf appeal Kingfisher Labels has introduced a more sustainable method of making metallic labels pop. Sales director Andy Watts explains the technique and details an example of a collaborative client approach that allowed a product to achieve stand-out status on shelves
W
e always look for new ways to support our customers at Kingfisher Labels. We’re just as driven as they are to become
more sustainable and environmentally friendly over time. Suppliers have a huge role to play in helping businesses make every part of their process less harmful to the environment, and we’re keen to do this without asking for any aesthetic compromise.
SEARCHING FOR A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE
Most metallic labels use PP (polypropylene) film to produce bold, bright colours. Though PP film can be recycled, research suggests that most PP label waste still goes to landfill. Plus, some customers are very interested in exploring plastic-free options, ensuring that even recyclable plastic doesn’t contribute to the world’s plastic pollution problems. This is where cold foil comes in. Cold foil is a more sustainable alternative to PP film. It’s a lightweight, flexible option for all types of self- adhesive labels and doesn’t contain polyester. The only downside is that it can take a long time to order shades other than the standard silver and gold.
Many of our customers need high-quality labels quickly, and these order times didn’t align with our needs, so we had to get creative. We needed a fast, cost-effective way to make cold foil fully customisable. And we found one. Our research into pioneering work in the printing industry revealed that cold foil in any shade could be easily made using certain equipment – and we already had the necessary equipment on hand in our production centre.
SHARING INDUSTRY EXPERTISE Our printers can now use spot colour printing and cold foil to create a climate-conscious, aesthetically striking result. It’s a simple and fast
customers, we can use our work with Bristol-based brewery Wiper and True as an example. We created a new label for Wiper and True using the cold foil spot printing method, and all involved were satisfied with the results.
Wiper and True wanted to create a sustainable label with blue metallic details for its new alcohol-free beer. A pre-made cold foil wasn’t the right shade and would’ve taken weeks to arrive, even if it was – so we began creating a custom solution. Working collaboratively with the brand, we tested Pantone colours to find a shade that aligned with their branding, and we found a great option with impressive shelf impact. The final product is bound to attract plenty of beer lovers looking for an alcohol-free option, and it’s even more satisfying to have created an attractive label that doesn’t compromise Wiper and True’s commitment to the environment.
solution for clients looking for metallic labels who don’t want to wait weeks for the final product (but still want to be as eco-friendly as possible). Using either a gold or silver cold foil base, the exact shade our customer wants can be spot printed on top to create stand-out detail.
This new method is the latest in a long line of innovative investments and adjustments we’ve made as a business. Last year, we were delighted to install a second Edale FL1 PRIME Press. The hardworking machine helped us diversify further and increase our capabilities, and we’re excited to continue improving our operations with similar investments in 2023.
A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH To exemplify our method and how well it suits
THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT For many companies and manufacturers, sustainability is no longer a choice. There’s customer pressure, regulatory pressure, and a general increasing desire to protect our planet. As eco-friendly options become the norm, we’ll continue investing in this area and experimenting with different approaches to combat the climate crisis.
New equipment that transforms how we work for the better will always be welcome at Kingfisher. I’m incredibly fortunate to be part of a team that’s always looking for the best way to help the customer and solve a problem, and I know this will remain the case regardless of the challenge. Who knows what other exciting innovations 2023 will bring for Kingfisher Labels?
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April 2023
www.convertermag.com
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