The judging of this year’s FINAT Label Competition took place under the new chairmanship of Z. Murat Sipahioglu, Heidelberg Turkey. After long years of chairing this prestigious event, Anthony White and his wife Connie decided to retire. The panel now consists of Messrs Z. Murat Sipahioglu, and fellow judge Steve Wood, both with more than 15 years’ experience and in-depth technical knowledge of the processes used in the label industry; two newcomers with technical expertise in their own right within the label industry: Phil Baldwin (BOBST, UK) and Fahri Ilazi (Kocher+Beck, DE), and Mick de Reuver from FroQ Brandservices BV (NL) who provided his marketing experience.

The competition attracted a total of 184 entries, with 47 companies and 21 countries from all over the world participating, hence demonstrating the competition's global popularity. Türkiye and Austria topped the list of countries entering with a combined total of 47 entries followed by Spain with 18 and Germany with 16 entries. The highest number of entries by category was led by Wines (38), Beers and Spirits (28) and with Sets of Labels in third place (16). The number of entries using digital as one of their main printing processes increased slightly to 88.

This year, the Food & Beverages and Industrial & Automotive categories, previously included under General applications, were separated hence increasing the number of categories from 21 to 23. This modification not only enabled us to see how many participants were actually interested in participating in each category, it also showed that the Food & Beverages category is still a popular category.

The awards ceremony, presented by Dr. Vlad Sljapic, was held on 21 May on the occasion of the FINAT European Label Forum in Amsterdam. Overall, the 2025 FINAT Label Competition was again a testament to the dedication of the FINAT community and the high quality of label printing around the world.

Sancak Etiket, Türkiye for Nicea Olive Oil: This was a really impressive label which was admired by the entire judging panel and unanimously chosen as a main winner. It offers the viewer outstanding visual impact, and it can easily be said that “the label was difficult to miss”. The complexity of production was evident when we examined the perfectly applied relief varnish, especially when considering the three different sizes of the labels.

Digital printing process together with silk screen printing (relief screen varnishing) was combined to give the final visually outstanding result. The use of relief screen varnish on all sizes of the labels was spot on and very effectively used to give the effect of a Nicean Tile Art, which is an art form performed in tile making around the city of Bursa in Türkiye. These tiles can be seen in many old mosques around Türkiye.

The Group Winners are organised into the following main groups: Marketing/End-Uses, Printing Processes, Non-Adhesive Applications and Innovation. The joint winners of the Marketing/End Uses Group are: Sancak Etiket, Türkiye for Nicea Olive Oil. The detailed explanation for the Nicea Olive Oil label can be seen above under the BIS.

Multi-Color Corporation North America Wines, USA for Single Malt. As for the Single Malt label it is really a work of art, with a lot going on for it. It is a big and heavy label, because of the choice of substrate. A high degree of preparation and attention was required to apply the embossing used on this label. The images and embossing were spot on. The pre-press did a wonderful job on preparing the artwork that makes the observer think it is a metallic plate. The choice of colours brings a certain luxury effect to the label. It is a digitally printed label combined with immaculately applied embossing and tinting matte varnishing.

The winner for the Printing Processes Group is Çiftsan Label and Packaging Company, Türkiye for Royal Caviar Shampoo. When thinking of how difficult it is to print fine text with screen printing, it is easy to understand why this specific label was chosen as the group winner out of the other labels. The fine text printing performed by the operator, of course coming from a perfectly prepared screen mesh, is executed to perfection. The complexity of production and the control required to achieve such results is truly remarkable which is evident when we see the finished label. The interaction of screen printing process, relief varnish finishing is perfectly applied. This label brings about a certain luxury with relief varnish effect of the letter “R” and emphasises a sophisticated feel.

The winner of the Non-Adhesive Applications Group is Optimum Group BV, The Netherlands for Best Moments Macarons. This flexible packaging label was printed with flexography in 8 colours with a cold foil application and varnishing on White Paper 130g FSC material, in one pass and 100mt/min. The artwork and pre-press is nicely prepared to bring forward the product in the pack. All of the fine line text is legible and the printing quality of flexography proves the craftsmanship.

The Innovation Group so often presents new ways of offering solutions to perceived problems in many industrial sectors using label technology. The winner is: Schreiner Group GmbH & Co.KG, Germany for Smart Syringe Box. This is a product that enables the syringes or vials that are carried in it to be used within the required terms of use (item number of syringe or vial, contents, temperature, date of expiration, etc). The circuits behind the closure brackets are connected to each other and transmit information to a phone with the application of the Smart Syringe Box. Every time a bracket is removed, the necessary information is shared with the user to prevent misuse or prevent the syringe’s or vial’s reuse. Main benefit of the product is efficiency within scope of use (hospital, laboratory, etc). It was printed using screen printing technology in one colour with varnish in a single pass combined with the etched conductor lines and PCB attachment.

A Special Judges Award was given to three companies: Multi-Color Corporation North America Wines, USA for Single Malt. The detailed explanation for the Single Malt label can be seen above under the Marketing/End Uses Group Joint Group Winner. Because of the very minor differences to the BIS, this label deserved the Special Judges Award for the effort put into the label as a whole.

Marzek Etiketten + Packaging GmbH, Austria for Braunrath Blaufränkisch. This label was printed in digital and with the use of relief varnishing the artwork was enhanced. The colours used give a kind of sophistication and minimalist approach to the label. The relief varnish images of a man and woman, with an underlay of grey gives the label a 3D effect, whilst providing a modern look at the same time. This 5 coloured label has a simple, yet effective design and together with the nicely performed relief varnish imaging it earns the Special Judges Award.

CCL Label Trittenheim GmbH, Germany for Christmas Label. Coming from the Self-Promotional labels category, this label shows us that the converter put a lot of emphasis on the use of flexography together with hot foiling with different kind of foils and micro & multi-layer embossing at the same time. The label shows the craftmanship required to apply all these processes in unison, hence the Special Judges Award.