A varnish is a clear liquid protective coating that is applied over a label to prevent the ink from running. A lamination is a separate clear material applied on top of printed labels by using an adhesive to join the two substrates. Laminations allow the label to be scratch resistant, water resistant, and resistant to other non-abrasive liquids. Both varnish and lamination are available in gloss or matte options. A gloss finish will provide a shiny appearance while a matte finish will give your label a dull look. Specialty coatings are also available.  

Varnish on paper: Varnish on paper is used for dry goods such as pharmaceutical products, or other packaged goods found on store shelves. A varnish does protect from minor scratching but does not make your label completely scratch resistant.

Lamination on paper: Lamination on a paper material will make your label scratch resistant, water resistant, and resistant to other non-abrasive liquids. Examples of products that would use this type of material and coating would be refrigerated beverages (exposed to condensation), or liquid laundry detergent bottles. Paper with a lamination does make your label water resistant but does not make the label water proof.

Varnish on film: Film stock is often used on contoured package containers. The benefit of using film stock is that you can have white, clear and metallic base materials. These materials can be utilized in the artwork. A varnish on film is often used for health & beauty products such as lotions or squeezable products and some beverage products.

Lamination on film: Film with a lamination is used for water proof applications such as products going in the shower. Another market that uses this material and coating is the candle industry. Candles are frequently handled by consumers and must have a durable label to protect against wear and scratching.

Dion Label Printing has the capability to print all of the above coatings as well as specialty finishes. To learn more, contact us today via email or call us at 800.583.6366!

We all have a place where we feel the happiest, the most comfortable, at peace, or calm. For some it is a sunny beach, others find tranquility in the country, and some prefer a picturesque mountainside. Well beer company Corona Extra has released their spring marketing campaign called “Find Your Beach.” The campaigns goal was to associate the feeling of being happy and relaxed with their beer. They also had to goal of making the beer stand out more on the retail shelf to the many that will be buying beer for summer vacations.

To design the getaway packaging Corona Extra hired the brilliant designer Shikatani Lacroix who created the colorful bottles above. I have never seen another beer bottle that is as colorful and vibrant as these bottles! Utilizing shrink sleeve technology, Shikatani was able to create an allover beach inspired bottle graphic that puts you right in the surf. My favorite it without a doubt the yellow and black image of two silhouetted beach chairs overlooking a brilliant sunset on the beach. The only thing missing is a few limes and you have the perfect beer to enjoy on your next vacation! I’ve noticed that more now than ever before, beer companies are starting to use shrink sleeves as opposed to traditional paper labels. The problem with a paper label is that condensation will eventually cause it to soften, rip, and destroy the graphic. A shrink sleeve covers the entire bottle with a waterproof film material to ensure that your bottle design will never be ruined. Did you know Dion Label Printing has the capability to print this type of shrink sleeve packaging? To read more about shrink technology, check out our Shrink Sleeve market page!

We all know how it feels to get a personalized gift; it makes you feel wonderful that someone put the time into finding a custom made gift. The packaging industry has hooked onto this trend over the years with a wide variety of personalized packaging designs. As featured on our blog, Dunkin Donuts came out with a personalized gift card for the holidays and Extra Gum most recently designed a line of personalized gum packaging. Companies are also creating drinks that can be customized to the individual’s preference such as the Kraft Mio blogged about in April.

Kleenex has just announced some brand new customizable packaging for their widely sold tissue boxes. The customizable boxes start as a basic oval shaped tissue box and from there customers are free to add backgrounds, graphics, and personal messages. These personalized tissue boxes are perfect to include in a gift basket for a baby’s birthday with pictures of the infant, or in a wedding gift basket customized with a picture of the bride and groom. Did you know that Dion Label has the ability variably print labels, shrink sleeves and boxes for personalized products such as those seen here? For more information on our printing capabilities, visit the Capabilities page on our website.

To create and order your own personalized tissue box today, visit the Design Your Box webpage.

Women everywhere will agree that sometimes that urge to snack can be unbearable! Whether it’s salty or sweet we all get those cravings, but sometimes we want a snack that does not leave us feeling guilty about indulging. 100-calorie snack packs have skyrocketed to popularity since picked up by snack giant Nabisco. Well, they have recently introduced a brand new line of “indulgent” snacks that will not undo your attempts to eat healthier.

Nabisco calls the new snack line SnackWell’s, and though some are 100 calorie packs others range around 130 calories. But if the names say anything about these snacks, they seem totally worth the indulgence! Snack packs are available in flavors such as Fudge Drizzled Carmel Popcorn, Rich Vanilla Crème Brownie Bites, and Fudge Drizzled Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. I will take one of each please! The company is encouraging woman to satisfy their sweet tooth with one of these individual sized snack packs, and even markets the treats with the phrase “Be Bad. Snack Well!” The pouching is nothing but sassy, snazzy, and even a little sexy. Each vibrant green snack pouch is printed with a bright zebra print in a variety of colors depending on the flavor. My favorite combination is absolutely the Brownie Bites that have black stripes over the green pouch; the black pops against the green and the brownie images look realistic enough to eat. Did you know that Dion Label Printing has the capability to print these types of sassy pouches? To learn more about our pouching capabilities, visit the Pouching capability page on our recently redesigned webpage!

For more information on the designers behind these fantastic pouches, visit Davisdesign.ca.

Shrink sleeves are one of the top trends in the packaging world, which? Dion now has the capability to print! There are many uses for shrink sleeves besides for creating a visually appealing package; one being that it can be used to wrap two products together as I wrote about last week’s blog. However, have you ever thought about using a shrink sleeve as protective layer for the liquid inside the bottle? If not, you should because this use for shrink sleeves was able to provide a solution to LIV Organic’s problem.

The USDA certified organic company prides itself in manufacturing a great tasting sports recovery drink, similar to other products like Powerade. With only “6 ingredients, and 0 garbage” the company has created a top health and energy sports drink made from all natural rice syrup. However, the company started to notice a problem with their drink packaging. The packaging, a rectangular film label around a clear bottle, was allowing too much sunlight to be exposed to the beverage. In turn, the sunlight was fading the organic color ingredients in the drink over time. The organic company turned to the design firm TANKindustries for help with their color fading crisis, who introduced the first shrink sleeve for the drink line. A shrink sleeve has allowed the beverage color to remain intact over time, and also opened the doors to a more modern packaging design. The bottle now stands out on the shelf more than ever with its bold array of motivating sport words such as “score,” “push,” and “energize!” If you have another innovative use for shrink sleeves, leave us a comment!

For more information on this use of shrink sleeve packaging, check out the article on the Packaging World webpage.

As we have seen over the past few years, flexible packaging has continued to be one of the fastest growing industries in the packaging world. Shrink sleeves, a type of flexible packaging, allow for a label to perfectly fit even the most uniquely shaped bottle, and are a great way to make your product stand out on the shelf. However, shrink sleeves can be used for more than just a great label; they can also be used to wrap two products together! The possibilities are endless from offering a two for one deal, to a bulk or family style pack, and even bonus packaging!

Shrink sleeves can be used to wrap two food products together. The Welch’s grape juice six pack is also an example of using shrink to wrap your products together for bulk sale. Other examples of wrapping health & beauty products together are the numerous Fructis bonus packs in the photo above. Instead of two of the same products here, a sample bottle is wrapped with the main product as an added bonus. From my experience, bonus shrink packaging is overwhelmingly popular in the health & beauty industry. Companies are able to include a sample of another product from their line, such as a conditioner or serum, in hopes of hooking you on that product as well.

Did you know that Dion Label Printing can print these types of shrink sleeves used to wrap multiple products together? If you are interested in receiving a quote on a shrink sleeve, visit our Request a Quote webpage.

Whether it is New Years Eve or a Wedding, special occasions always call for a toast of the bubbly. Armand de Brignac, the world famous French champaign company, has the most extravagant packaging I have ever seen. In fact, Armand is almost as well known for their packaging as they are for their flavor quality. Leading flavors in the collection include the Brut Gold, Brut Rose, and Blanc De Blancs. The gold is a traditional French cuvèe, the Rose is a pink cuvèe, and the Blanc is a white chardonnay.

Each bottle is crafted with a pewter emblem and name plate on the bottles front, packaged in velvet pouching, and nestled in a matching box.  In fact, the elegant bottles closely resemble the look of an early French shield and coat of arms. Built on elegance and tradition, fine champaign like Armand’s does not come cheap retailing for about $300 a bottle!  However if the bubbly drink fits in your budget, the bottle is certainly extravagant enough to double as a piece of art for display.

In true Halloween spirit Dion Label was invaded with Dysfunctional Beauty Queens, Motorcycle Bikers, The Elderly and more! Everyone looked amazing in their costumes, and it will be a close call for who wins Best Costume.  Have a safe and Happy Halloween from everyone at Dion Label Printing!

Back Row: A Safety Committee Member, Two Old Ladies, Some Dysfunctional Beauty Queens, A Convict & Crime Scene Investigators, Bikers, Two Stick Figures, more Bikers, a Pregnant Nun, and a Lawyer.

Front Row: Another Safety Committee Member, more Dysfunctional Beauty Queens, and a Cop.

For over forty years, the American Package Design Awards have showcased excellence in the graphic design world.  The contest is here again! Entries can be submitted for three main categories; Package Design, Special Features, and In-Store Graphics.  The 18 sub categories range from Health and Beauty, Sustainable Packaging, and Store Logos. If you are a graphic designer wishing to submit your work, you can download the entry form at www.GDUSA.com or send your entry to the mailing address on the website.  Submissions are due by December 10, 2010 and all entries must be of products sold in stores between January 1, 2009-December 31, 2010. Best of luck to all entries and check back later in the year for our winners announcement blog!

Past winners have included Kit Kat Seasonal by Vertis Creative for Food & Beverage (top), and Juicy Couture by Elizabeth Arden for Health and Beauty (bottom).

For every purchase, we as consumers are responding to our emotions.  When shopping for the dreaded summer bathing suit we are on a quest for a suit that makes us feel good about ourselves.  Business leaders Deepa Prahalad and Ravi Sawhney have examined the emotional attachment that product design can have to the public, in their new book Predictable Magic.  According to the team, design is the best corporate edge a company can have because design directly affects our emotions.  Design is about how the product makes the consumer feel, and directly affects their buying habits.    

There are four ideas to keep in mind when it comes to consumer emotions and design.  The first is to keep it simple without cluttering packaging design with excess writing and images.  A simpler design allows the consumer to focus on a single feeling, and more easily enjoy the image.  Next, never settle for the present design.  Survey your consumers to what they want in a package design to strengthen that emotional link.  Third, the consumers should point the direction for your designs.  The customer knows best, so let them have a voice in what they want to buy.  Finally, be open to new directions based on the emotional wants and needs of the consumers.

For the full article please visit Bloomberg Businessweek online.

For another consecutive year Dion Label Printing has exhibited at the Natural Products Expo East Tradeshow.  From October 14-16^th Dion exhibited in booth #3233 held in the Boston Convention Center.  Though only 1,300 exhibitors, 200 less than last year, exhibited, the show maintained its popularity with over 20,000 attendees.  Visitors were especially interested in Dion’s pressure sensitive label options, shrink sleeves and labeling equipment. To request samples or additional information, click this link! Next year’s Expo East will wave farewell to Boston and return to Baltimore, Maryland from September 21^st- 24^th  2011. 

For the full article and recap of Expo East 2010 visit their homepage.

The Boston Convention & Exhibition Center will be hosting the 25^th annual Expo East from Thursday, October 14^th- Saturday, October 16^th.  Come visit Dion Label Printing, at booth #3233, along with manufactures of natural, organic and healthy products.  We are excited to show off our eco friendly materials, water soluble adhesives, and soy based inks.  We are excited to see what innovative products and packaging other companies are coming out with.  For more information visit ExpoEast.com

As you may have noticed, Dion Label Printing has a new blog writer... Ashley Obara. But, she is so much more than that! Ashley is Dion's new Marketing Coordinator. With the addition of our new printing presses over the past few years (1 MPS flexo press and 1 new digital HP6000) as well as upgrading our artwork program, finishing, and proofreading capabilities, Dion is growing and so is our marketing department. Ashley has a variety of responsibilities including maintaining our website, blog, and new customer relations.

Ashley Obara graduated from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and minor in business. Her outgoing personality, in-depth internship experience, and passion for sustainable processes makes her a perfect fit for Dion. We are excited to have her start her career at Dion... welcome Ashley!

A new product on the market is looking to “boost” sales with packaging also designed with this idea in mind.  Presenting ZUN Energy drink; an all black shrink sleeve designed bottle in the shape of a rocket ship and rhyming with “Moon”.  Talk about lifting your sales to the stars, literally!  The innovative bottle shape is embraced in the high tech shrink sleeve label creating a sleek and smooth finish.  Shrink sleeve technology is a label that is shrunk with heat to the exact size of the bottle it is covering.  Sleeves are available in unlimited coloring and design options providing versatility for individual companies.  ZUN’s shrink sleeve color is promoted to be PET recyclable and the black pigment’s purpose is to protect the drink’s nutrients from harmful UV rays.  ZUN definitely has an edge on other “healthy” drinks that come in clear bottle packaging allowing in all UV rays.

Even though I am not usually drawn to energy drinks, ZUN is intriguing to me.  The quirky name ZUN along with the “toy like” bottle shape is creative and draws my eye to it on the shelf.  Retailing at $2.59 the energy drink is moderately priced.  Overall,  ZUN’s sleek shrink sleeve packaging is an innovative way to make the public want to lift their energy.  Plus you are left with a fun rocket ship looking toy to entertain your child when you are re- energized (seems perfect for a mom on the go)! Want to learn more about shrink sleeves? Contact Dion Label today! 

This morning I came across the redesign of Justin’s Nut Butter. Ironically, yesterday Stacy and I were just enjoying a squeeze pack of the almond nut butter. We must admit, it’s pretty good stuff. And this is what the dieline had to say about the redesign:

Justin's Nut Butter, a line of small-batch, natural and organic nut butters, was recently redesigned to increase distribution in fine food outlets (e.g. Dean &DeLuca, Whole Foods, Crystal Farms) without jeopardizing existing sales at lower-price supermarkets (e.g. Kroger, Safeway, King Sooper.)

With a focus on their environmental impact, the owner and creator of the product line explains in his blog that he is in search of a biodegradable pouching material for the squeeze packs (apparently while riding his bike).

We’ve scoured all of our resources to bring you the best of World Cup-inspired and commemorative products and packaging! I’ll even be worldlier in using the term football. Here they are:

The “Hospitality Pack” contains the most important item for football fans: their tickets. Capturing the essence of anticipation, the slider pack provides a clever and playful opening experience, creating intrigue and a sense of novelty to complement the exciting nature of receiving World Cup tickets. With the games officially now underway, the high quality format of the Burgopak design further encourages fans to retain the pack, lending itself as a keep-safe of World Cup memorabilia.

Gillette’s World Cup-inspired shaving gel and antiperspirant and deodorant cans creatively resemble a football and shows off their sponsorship.

These bracelets were made by over 400 women in South Africa for fans of the Dutch team. The orange color is the national color for the Netherlands and the assortment of colors represents the South African flag.

SAB Miller developed a can that could also function as a cup.

Special World Cup Packaging for Carlsberg beer featuring England’s team manager Fabio Capello and team players David James, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Jermaine Defoe.

England’s team received more support when Umbro commissioned the painting of the players’ numbers in their hometowns, even for manager Capello in Italy.

Coca-Cola’s commemorative cans feature French players in celebration and come in a box with a CD from K’Naan.

Miller Light cans are laser-etched with famous players captured doing their signature moves.

Please share if you’ve come across other promotional or commemorative products or packaging!

We haven’t even hit the official start of summer, but the fashion world is always ahead by at least one season. Which means that even though it feels like just yesterday that we reported on the spring colors, PANTONE has already released the fashion color report for the fall of 2010. The colors for the upcoming season include: Endive, Golden Glow, Living Coral, Lipstick Red, Purple Orchid, Chocolate Truffle, Lagoon, Woodbine, Oyster Gray and Rose Dust.

To take a look at the full report including some great designers, click here!

The DuPont Award winners for 2010 were just announced at the end of May, continuing the virtual forum format from last year. The winners proved breakthroughs in packaging with innovative developments, cost/waste reduction and improved sustainability. Diamond winners proved excellence in all three areas while Gold winners demonstrated excellence in two criteria. Silver winners were selected for their breakthrough innovation, and notable honorees were given recognition for innovative problem solving. 

Only two submissions were given the prestigious honor of a Diamond DuPont award: the GREENBOX reusable thermal management system, a sustainably-produced container used to transport sensitive medical supplies, as well as Exal Corporation’s “Coil to Can” (C2C) recyclable aluminum bottle.

To see all of the award-winning packaging innovators, click here.

Stacy made a stop into a Starbucks recently and returned to the office with some intriguing packaging. The small brown bag that held her lemon pound cake read:

This may be no surprise to you because this initiative was announced last summer. But it’s great to know that such an eco-conscious company is thinking just as much about their customers’ health. The bag itself is made from 100% unbleached paper with 20% post-consumer material. It’s a component of Starbucks’ Shared Planet “Environmental Stewardship” ensuring the company acts responsibly. The company releases an annual Global Responsibility Report analyzing their sustainability goals. One of the loftiest:

It is our goal that by 2015, 100 percent of our cups will be reusable or recyclable, and we will significantly reduce our environmental footprint through energy and water conservation, recycling, and green construction.

That would be pretty impressive if it’s attained. Other sustainability programs announced just since January include a campaign encouraging customers to bring in reusable tumblers rather than cups, donations to protect forests when using the Conservation International Starbucks Card and working with municipal governments in their recycling programs.

To read more about how Starbucks works toward a better future, click here.

While the eco-friendly movement continues to grow, there’s no denying there are still quite a few non-believers out there. It’s often difficult to envision how green efforts really help the environment, but as we like to say at Dion, “We cannot change this world in one day, but day by day we can help change this world for the better.”

A recent article in CRM Magazine mentions a few companies that agree. From Proctor & Gamble to Wal-mart, these companies have undertaken sustainability efforts that have resulted in significant environmental savings. Clearly they did not back down on the challenges that developing eco-friendly initiatives created for their businesses. These companies have collectively built and financed solar power buildings, reduced packaging waste, recycled materials and rainwater, and reduced electricity usage. For all of the details and to get inspired, click here, and here to see why Dion is “Proud to be Green”.

As an admitted shoe fanatic, I have to say that shoe packaging drove me crazy even before my entrance into the wonderful world of product packaging. Whether it’s my latest stilettos or even sneakers, every time I attempt to dive my tiny foot into my next potential pair, I’m instantly stopped short by the unnecessary wad of paper that was apparently jack-hammered into the toe of the shoe. Not to mention opening the box in the first place is like getting a gift covered with so many layers of tissue you’re not sure there’s even anything in the box. Perhaps I’m even lucky enough to find that the left shoe has already been unraveled, but I’ve already set free my right foot for the fitting experience. After I’ve made a complete mess in the shoe aisle, I purchase the latest addition to my collection that must now be placed in an exorbitantly large plastic bag that, while carried by my 5-foot frame, must then barely hover, or drag across the ground.

For all of these reasons, I couldn’t pass by the new Puma packaging which you can’t miss on any packaging website right now. Brand Packaging sums up all the wonderful things about it best:

After more than 2,000 ideas, 40 packaging prototypes and two years, PUMA has announced a new kind of shoe packaging. Unlike traditional shoe packaging. PUMA’s “Clever Little Bag” is made from 100 percent recycled paper and 20 percent recycled non-woven polypropylene. The new format will reduce the company’s paper usage by 65 percent, reducing its carbon emissions by 10 tons per year. It will also save 20 million Mega Joules of electricity, one million liters of fuel oil, one million liters of water, 500,000 liters of diesel and up to 275 tons of plastic by eliminating shopping bags.

HP recently sent out a press release announcing our purchase of their latest press!

Check out the capabilities our HP WS6000 press purchased in March 2010. It is the newest press on the market from HP and will increase our capabilities, including endless possibilities of substrates for printing.

“Short run, multiple SKUs, repeatable high-quality printing and the ability for variable data has helped to maintain our steady growth,” said Randy Duhaime, General Manager, Dion Label. “ The purchase of the HP Indigo WS6000 will allow us to continue this trend with longer run lengths transitioning from our conventional flexographic printing department to our digital department. WS6000 enhancements, such as its large repeat length and its ability to print on substrates from 12 microns to 450 microns, will open additional opportunities.”

Have you ever wondered how some businesses came up with their names? Or are you an entrepreneur trying to decide on the company or product name for your next venture? Well this slideshow proves that sometimes the biggest company names have come about pretty haphazardly. So when you and your partner are battling over whose name goes first, just flip a coin!

Pantone has recently announced the fashion color report for Spring 2010. The announcement has garnered attention from experts from various industries, including fashion and beauty. All are enthusiastic about the sheer, pastel colors that invoke the senses of spring and summer. And whether it’s for clothing or makeup, experts predict that wallet-conscious consumers will look for trendy additions to compliment their existing wardrobe or makeup collection. This Spring’s colors are: Turquoise, Amparo Blue, Violet, Aurora, Fusion Coral, Tomato Puree, Pink Champagne, Tuscany, Dried Herb, and Eucalyptus.

To see what fashion designers are doing with these colors, click here, and here for this season’s makeup and beauty trends!

We’ve written quite a bit about the growing competition of private label products. So what’s the big deal? For so many years established national brands stood untouched across various markets until retailers realized the opportunity to undercut their prices with comparable products. At first they were perceived as the lower-cost, lower-quality option, but as consumers switched their loyalty, retailers invested more in their own brands. Besides the obvious ability to choose preferential retail space within the store, they also developed their packaging and marketing strategy. This was the shift from the copycat “private label” to an altogether new “private brand”. The recognized threat to national brands is evident in their subsequent rebranding efforts. Rather than picking up the identical Tide bottle that your grandmother purchased for years, you can pick up a different Pepsi can every month.

A great example of a successful private brand is Via Roma from NJ-based supermarket chain A&P. We featured the packaging design when it first created a lot of buzz back in July. The design for the product line is a far cry from the private labels I remember in the 1990’s (not to mention the stigma of mom sending you to school with your classroom party contribution of generic soda). In this article from Packaging World, A&P’s vice president, Doug Palmer discusses the growing market for private labels, and why it won’t be slowing down any time soon.

Articles we’ve recently written about private labeling:

• National and Private Label Brands Face Off
• The Battle Continues
• National Brands vs. Private Label Brands

When listening to a friend, relative, or even complete stranger in a time of need, have you ever said, "I know how to you feel"? Often times we may not have had the exact same experience, but the shared empathy can be comforting. The same concept is carried over to the business world when we attempt to get into the minds of our customers. And now technology is providing ways to truly experience life from another person’s perspective. The Georgia Tech Research Institute has developed gloves to simulate the struggle of those suffering from arthritis. It is estimated that approximately 46 million people in the United States suffer from some form of arthritis; in 2003–2005, 50% of adults 65 years or older reported an arthritis diagnosis (CDC). This has huge implications for a company’s R&D, especially for products marketed to the aging population of baby boomers. Ease of use should be a significant factor for such products and their packaging. Rumor has it that Kraft has already caught on quickly to this concept, using the arthritis gloves to test their "EZ Grip Lid" for a new instant coffee jar. It’s evidence of a deeper understanding of their target market. How well do you know yours?

Dion is proud to be recognized for our abundance of insight across various industries. Label & Narrow Web recently looked to Dion for our professional outlook on labeling for household products:
 
As in other markets, the battle between discount brands and generics is ongoing, and a quality label is a difference maker. Stacy Santos, marketing manager for Dion Label Printing, Westfield, MA, USA, sees some developing trends resulting from the competitive nature of the market. "We are noticing that the more competitive the household products market gets, the more involved are its labels. Companies are using complex graphics or constructions, such as colorful multi-panels, for their labels," Santos says. She also notes that some household products companies are now packaging their products with shrink films, a segment Dion Label Printing has recently entered into.

For the entire article, click here.

The latest issue of Beauty Packaging Magazine features what it takes to be eye-catching in the beauty industry, mostly because getting a glance is all the time you’ll get. So you must make a good impression in an instant. The article covers various techniques to create packaging with stand-out elements. The big three here are color, sophistication and texture. Companies in the beauty industry are branching out from the black and white color schemes to a broader palate, as well as utilizing metallics on either the product label or the packaging itself. Metallic and jewel-toned packaging materials give beauty products a touch of elegance, as seen with Dior’s J’adore perfume. And if you can get the consumer to actually pick up your product, unique packaging texture will also make your product stand out from the competition (a feature that isn’t just limited to the beauty industry).

For more on techniques to achieve these various design features, read the full article here!

2009 marked the first full year for Dion’s blog, so we decided to take a moment to reflect on some of its highlights. With almost 200 entries this year we had a lot of options for choosing our favorites! Here are the top blogs we selected:

Products we’ve blogged about and tried:

"Neuro Brand Beverages": Stacy and I were lucky enough to receive samples all the way from the west coast of this product line. We loved everything from the product itself to the unique bottle design.

Colgate Wisp Blogs: Stacy likes these blogs, because not only were she and Karly able to write about these new products, but they also took the time to try them and decide how the design of the product actually had a functional purpose: the cool blue dot in the middle held the brush-able tasty liquid that helped clean our teeth, the fancy swish at the end acted as a toothpick.

• "Colgate Wisps: Hit or Miss?"
• "Brush on the go!"

"The Dear Hunter": This blog was near and dear to my heart not only because I love the design of the case but I’m also a huge fan. I also surprised myself with my respectable amateur photography skills.

Blogs highlighting good causes:

"October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month": Incorporating so many elements related to one important cause made this blog special. Non-profit organizations, products, television, celebrities, and even the world of dance came together to show support for breast cancer awareness.

"Labels Raise Awareness": Provided insight to companies that utilize their labels in raising money (and increasing sales) to help fight a disease. It’s a unique way of using labels. Some tell a story, some have funky shapes and designs… and some help save lives!

Some lighter moments:

"Sunscreen is no laughing matter!": This blog also falls into the above category, but funny man Will Ferrell always brings a little something extra. (You may have recently seen his engagement photo "crash" in the New York Times). They say that getting someone to laugh and then giving them important information helps them to retain the message. Ferrell certainly gets our attention on sun protection.

"Update on Blue Q": Once we quieted our giggles over the new humorous products from Blue Q, we stumbled upon the videos of their sales team and were off again. We’re not sure about you, but the leg lifts get us every time!

The most highlighted rebranding failure of the year:

Tropicana Blogs: The blogs about the whole Tropicana debacle is cool because it shows why packaging is such a key component of selling a product. From a marketer’s point of view, it also explains why so much research needs to go into brand changes to increase (not decrease!) sales.

• "PepsiCo and Carbon Trust Unite"
• "Out with the new, In with the Old?"

What were your favorite moments?

Happy Holidays from Dion Label Printing !

Holiday Hours:
Thursday, December 24th- closed
Friday, December 25th- closed
Friday, January 1st- closed

The market for men’s health and beauty products has been noticeably growing, which is why companies are focusing research into how to captivate the male audience. Of course these products need to stand out on the shelves from women’s products, but marketers are finding that it takes much more, starting with the brand’s identity and overall message. Needless to say it is important to know what kind of man you are targeting.

For many men, simplicity and efficiency are key making multi-function products perfect for this segment. Companies such as Nivea and TowelDry have created products specific for these needs. Nivea for Men’s Active 3 combines a body wash, shampoo and shaving gel that encourages men to simply "Shower. Shampoo. Shave." And new to the scene is TowelDry, keeping there product line minimal. After finding that their targeted men prefer to use one cleaning and one styling products the company developed hair products that clean, condition and lightly style for fine, medium, or thick hair, as well as a styling gel.

Beyond the actual product features, the entire packaging concept should reflect the brand’s message. From the packaging shape and functionality to the label design and use of color, the packaging should call out to men, especially because they browse the aisles less often than women. Aveda Men’s line of hair products reflects their eco-friendly status (made of 95% post-consumer recycled material) with neutral colors and a bottle shape more reminiscent of—fittingly—a beer bottle.

 For more on packaging for this market, read the full article here!

Who better to promote an iPhone application that addresses the fear of flying than someone who seemingly has no fears? Virgin Atlantic’s leader Sir Richard Branson introduces a video clip explaining this new app to wary travelers. In the hopes that those too afraid to fly will overcome their fears and reward Virgin Atlantic with their consumer loyalty, the app is inspired by the company’s Fear of Flying course offerings. Because they were so successful, Virgin Atlantic launched this program which is far more accessible and cost-conscious.

"This is Virgin Atlantic innovation at its best. Our first iPhone app will bring the benefits of our successful Fear of Flying course to millions of people around the world who are now using mobile technology to make their lives better. The app will put many travelers at ease and enable them to prepare for their first Virgin Atlantic flight." –Sir Richard Branson

The Dion Label crew is embracing the Halloween spirit. The highly secretive costume planning was a hit. We hope you enjoy a happy & safe Halloween weekend!

Back Row: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Renaissance woman, Gorilla, “A Day Off”, firefighter, a bunch of hippies, construction worker

Front Row: Banana, 4^th of July, New Year’s, & St. Patrick’s Day

The 2009 packagePRINTING Excellence Awards were announced and featured in their recent publication. Receiving an award in the digital label category was Dion for the Antipasti Tuscani label! This was the 23rd annual print competition for the packagePRINTING Excellence Awards giving awards for categories ranging from wine labels, labels, flexible packaging, folding cartons, and corrugated materials, as well as a new category for sustainability. A total of 82 awards were announced to various winners.

The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) took place in October, 1985, making this month the 25th year for the program. With other organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Cancer Society on the Board of Sponsors, attention continues to grow for breast cancer awareness. Due in part to the collective efforts behind NBCAM, there has been a 2% annual decrease in breast cancer death rates since 1990. The increased survival rate is inspirational, but the fight continues.

About 192,370 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in American women in 2009. In 1975 the incidence of breast cancer was 107 per 100,000 for white women and 94 per 100,000 for black women. Thirty years later in 2005, the number of new cases per year had risen to 126 per 100,000 for white women and 114 per 100,000 for black women.

As you go about your normal shopping habits this month, notice the various promotions to support breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure alone has over 150 corporate partners that make generous donations (proudly, some are customers of ours), which include percentage donations based on sales. For example, every pink Yoplait lid mailed back to the company contributes 10 cents to Susan G. Komen. Or if you’re in the market for a new car, Ford will donate $20 for each Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle test driven at a Ford dealership – up to $1 million until December 31st. For a full list of corporate sponsors and how your purchase can help, click here.

As huge "So You Think You Can Dance" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" fans, we also wanted to share this video in celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Newsweek has recently announced their "exclusive environmental ranking of America's 500 largest corporations." After working for over a year, the magazine has developed a ranking system based on actual environmental performance, policies and reputation. Hewlett-Packard was at the top of not only their industry (beating out Dell, Intel, and IBM), but also at the top of the Top 500. They are recognized for their "strong programs to reduce GHG emissions," as "the first major IT company to report GHG emissions associated with its supply chain," and for their efforts "to remove toxic substances from its products."

The Green Score for each company is based on three components: the Environmental Impact Score, the Green Policies Score, and the Reputation Score.

HP’s Green Score: 100 (out of a possible 100; companies at the top scored in the 80’s or 90’s); Ranked 1st in their industry and 1st in the Top 500

The Environmental Impact Score takes into account over 700 variables to compile the total cost of the environmental impact the company has for its global operations.

HP’s EIS Score: 64.80 (out of a possible 100; the average EIS was 50.12); Ranked 35th in their industry and 175th in the Top 500.  

The Green Policies Score is an assessment of the company’s environmental policies and performance. "Its scoring model captures best-in-class policies, programs and initiatives, as well as regulatory infractions, lawsuits and community impacts, among other indicators."

HP’s Green Policies Score: 97.90 (out of a possible 100; the average was 39.91); Ranked 2nd in their industry and 3rd in the Top 500.

The Reputation Score is "based on an opinion survey of corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals, academics and other environmental experts who subscribe to CorporateRegister.com. CEOs or high-ranking officials in all companies on the Newsweek 500 list were also invited to participate."

HP’s Reputation Score: 88.44 (out of a possible 100; the average was 34.44); Ranked 1st in their industry and 5th in the Top 500.

Dion Label Printing shares this eco-conscious mindset, and our digital press comes from HP. One of the environmental benefits of digital printing is a significant reduction of color setup waste. For more on the advantages of digital printing, click here!

To check out Newsweek’s Green Rankings 2009, click here!

For those of you in the design field, or if you’re just generally intrigued by stylish packaging, take a look at these unique packaging concepts. The blog is run by a Brazilian-based team enthusiastic about design and the internet. Get inspired!

Funny guy, Will Ferrell, is taking sexy to another level with his introduction of three SPF 30 lotions- in Sun Stroke, Sexy Hot Tan, and Forbidden Fruit. Each label has a picture of Ferrell in various, almost naked poses. 100% of the proceeds from Will Ferrell Sunscreen will benefit the charity Cancer for College, a charity that awards scholarships to current and former cancer patients who are currently attending either a four year accredited university, junior college and/or graduate school.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable. However, melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous, especially among young people. Approximately 65%–90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light or sunlight.

To learn more about the dangers of skin cancer, click here. To purchase Will Ferrell sunscreen and support Cancer for College, click here.

Consumer purchasing habits are changing in today’s economy. One such shift is that consumers are moving away from national brands to private label brands. It appears that consumers will stay loyal to store brands even when the economy improves. Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) and GfK Custom Research North America have been conducting ongoing research to find that "91% of respondents will keep buying store brand products after the recession ends, while only 8% say they will stop buying these products once the economy turns around." This is due to consumer perception that private label brands are just as good, or even better than, national brand products.

Not only are private label brands proving that they can get the repeat buy from customers, but they are increasingly attracting new buyers. The recession is an important purchasing decision factor for 54% of the study’s respondents, and a very important factor for 35% of respondents. This has increased the amount of purchasers switching to store brand products. In 1999, 18% of food and beverage purchases were store brands. This has increased to 24% in 2008, with 97% of all US households consuming private label foods and beverages on a regular basis.

A drop in sales for national brands is predicted (MediaBuyerPlanner reported that Procter & Gamble decreased in global sales volume by 5% for its Q3 2009) with private label brands to benefit.

Take advantage of our summer special! Dion Label Printing is offering 10% off your next new label project. To request a quote, simply click on the coupon below. But hurry! This offer expires July 31, 2009!

Up to $100 maximum. Offer cannot be used on existing items. Limit one per customer. Tooling and art not included. Expires July 31, 2009

With stringent budgets, it’s more important than ever to produce effective marketing collateral. When considering the ways you reach out to your customers, you may find that digital printing can increase your marketing return on investment:

• Digital printing reduces the setup costs and does not use plates. Fewer steps means a shorter setup time and turnaround time.

• By printing shorter runs, it is far less likely that you will waste your marketing materials (whether they are outdated or a product is pulled). Not only does this save you money, it reduces waste.

• Digital print proofs are printed on the exact material and machine used to print your labels. This allows you to see exactly what your label will look like when printed.  

• Customizing your marketing materials has shown far higher response rates. Whether it is personalized to an individual or changed slightly for varying markets, "research by PIA/GATF found that adding color and personalization to a direct mail piece increases responses by 134%." Digital printing allows for variable data printing (VDP). This allows you to change text or the graphics on each piece without slowing the press. There are also various levels of VDP allowing more complicated VDP.

• Digital printing also allows for printing PURLs (personalized URLs) that are unique to the prospect. If your marketing campaign is utilizing this growing strategy through direct mail, look to digital printing. PURLs are known to increase response rates and therefore give more return on your marketing investment.

• If you are employing these personalization techniques, a good calculation of your ROI should be in terms of response rate. By dividing the cost of producing and mailing a piece by the number of responses, you will find the cost per response decreases as your responses increase through personalization.

 

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is an independent, non-profit, non-government organization that tests products for public safety. It is a trusted worldwide resource on product safety. Product samples can be submitted to UL for testing and evaluation. If the product meets the standards of safety, UL issues a certification which allows the manufacturer to put the appropriate UL Mark on the label of their product. The UL website states:

The decision to use the UL Mark on your product is a powerful one that differentiates your product and your company from those that can't pass the UL test.

Dion Label Printing is a UL authorized label supplier. Only with approval by UL can a supplier print labels with the UL Mark for certified products. Dion is a PGAA listing which gives authorization to print a UL logo on any substrate (listing number: PGAA.LP1597). Dion is also a PGDQ2 listing for Marking and Labeling Systems (listing number: PGDQ2.MH29628).

For more information on UL, visit their website at: www.ul.com

Today is Karly Grimaldi's last day! Karly has been interning here since September 2008. She is graduating from Bay Path College in May. Dion Label Printing, Inc. will miss you and we wish you the best of luck!

Dion Label Printing, Inc. was recently featured in the January/February 2009 issue of Label and Narrow Web Magazine. Check out our article by clicking here!

Localgreenie.org is a free online listing of green and socially responsible businesses. Their directory covers environmental impact, fair trade, recycling, solar energy, community support, and more. Users of the localgreenie.org site can utilize the site as a guide to green products and services, or even learn about how the local businesses in your community are taking steps to becoming green. We have recently printed some promotional materials for Localgreenie.org on PLA material.

PolyLactic Acid (PLA) is an environmentally-friendly material that is made from corn. PLA is biodegradable; when PLA comes into contact with an organic substance, such as soil, it will decompose completely in about 100 days. Due to its biodegradable nature it has become useful for loose-fill packaging, compost bags, and food packaging. PLA is only one of the many options we have at Dion Label Printing for eco-friendly material. Visit our sustainability page for more information!  

Variable printing is a process in which text, graphics, and images can be changed from one printed piece to the next. This process is done without stopping or slowing down the printing process and extracts the information from a database or external file. Variable printing is one of the many benefits of Dion’s HP 4050 digital press.

There are several levels of variable printing. The most basic form of variable printing is changing the name on each label. For instance, with mass mailings each piece can be personalized with the use of the database, making your labels customizable. A more complicated form of variable printing is where either the text or images may differ based upon the segment. The full variable form of printing is when each label has completely different text and images. This would be used for a variety of situations, you could have a front and back label for your product or even just two separate labels running for the same line of products. With digital printing, you can get multiple images and printing on the same roll of labels!

Do you want Dion Label Printing to help you with your variable printing needs?

Contact Us!

Universal Product Codes (UPC), also known as "bar codes", were made originally for grocery stores to help speed up the check out process, but now have spread to all retail products. The Uniform Code Council (UCC) created the UPC bar codes; when manufacturers want to obtain a bar code they must apply to the UCC. In return the manufacturer pays a fee annually for their six-digit manufacturer identification number. This six-digit identification number appears in all standard 12 digit UPC bar code. Dion Label Printing, Inc. prints UPC code labels for a number of different industries. Most times, a product’s prime label contains a certain area where the UPC code will go versus having a separate label for this classification number. We have in-house UPC verification equipment which we use on all UPC printed labels to ensure quality.

The UPC symbol has 2 parts to it. First, you have the actual bar code which is machine readable. Second, you have the 12 digit number which is broken down by the manufacturer identification number and item number. The UPC coordinator assigns item numbers to products and makes sure each item has a different code, making sure retired codes from products are removed as well. For example, let’s look at Pepsi. Pepsi has a different item number for a can of Pepsi, 1 Liter, 2 Liter, 12 pack, 24 pack, and so on. Keeping track of all the codes is just one of the many tasks of the UPC coordinator.

The last digit of the UPC code is called the check digit. This digit is to ensure that the bar code has been scanned properly.

"Here is how the check digit is calculated for the other 11 digits, using the code 63938200039 from "The Teenager's Guide to the Real World" example shown above:

1. Add together the value of all of the digits in odd positions (digits 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11).
6 + 9 + 8 + 0 + 0 + 9 = 32

2. Multiply that number by 3.
32 * 3 = 96

3. Add together the value of all of the digits in even positions (digits 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10).
3 + 3 + 2 + 0 + 3 = 11

4. Add this sum to the value in step 2.
96 + 11 = 107

5. Take the number in Step 4. To create the check digit, determine the number that, when added to the number in step 4, is a multiple of 10.
107 + 3 = 110

The check digit is therefore 3. "

Thankfully the scanner does this calculation for you everytime an item is scanned. If the check digit does not come out properly then the scanner knows that the item needs to be scanned. Click here to learn more about UPC codes. Would you like Dion Label Printing, Inc to help you with your UPC questions? Contact Us

Dion Label Printing, Inc's new MPS EFh410, 16", 8 station full servo flexo printing press is now up and running! Dion is the first label converter in the United States to take receipt of the advanced functionality of the EF Hybrid Printing system. We look forward to bringing you more printing capabilities as the year unfolds.
 
MPS Press Features:
1. Our new MPS press is servo controlled. It prints full auto registration at speeds to 650 feet per minute. Each printing station, laminating station and NIP point of the press is controlled by a separate Servo Motor/Control System. This allows us to maintain web tension throughout the press, thus reducing waste and improving overall quality.
2. Full UV Flexo capability with IR (Air) drying available in any station for use with water-based printing inks. UV Inks allow for higher speeds, cleaner print and more vibrant colors!
3. Web chillers on all stations to control web temperature. This allows us to run unsupported films, including shrink sleeves. This custom, large diameter, driven chiller rolls eliminate material distortion due to temperature changes in the printed web. With chillers and servo tension controls we are able to run very thin unsupported films.  These include heat seal foils/film and shrink/ stretch films.
4. Ability to use both print sleeves and print cylinders - even simultaneously on the same print job. The MPS press is the only press in our industry that allow the use of either print sleeves or print cylinders. All other presses are limited to one or the other. Print sleeves are lighter and easier to work with, but do require special care in storage.
5. Two side printing, including adhesive side. Adhesive side printing makes it possible to print extended content labels.
6. Two sided corona treater. Corona treating the web during the press run ensure optimum adhesion of the printing inks to even the most difficult to print materials.
7. Two sided web cleaner. Cleaning of the web prior to printing ensures defect free printing.
8. Advanced programmable BST camera system. This system is programmable to give feedback to the operator when the printed image is not exactly like a preapproved master.
9. Cold foil transfer. Cheaper initial investment and high press speeds make cold foil a perfect fit for the alternative to Hot Stamp.
10. Gearless print cylinders.  No Gears means no barring in your printing!
11. Gearless anilox roll technology.
12. Rubber coated, free spinning impression rolls ... for reduced DOT Gain.
13. Lean Inking® pump system with no need for meter rolls.
14. Waste break, web break and splice detect sensors.
 

When it comes to label applications, one size does NOT fit all. Our team of experts will help you determine the best label applicator to meet your needs and speed your production line. Below are brief descriptions of the CTM Label Applicator Systems we have available.

360 Series Label Applicator

Do you want free packaging news sent right to your email? Then sign up for our bimonthly free newsletter! Each issue contains new features we have to meet your labeling needs. We highlight current consumer trends and ways to better market your products through labeling! Your image is our business, and we want to make yours grow. Maximize your return on investment with your customers by subscribing to our newsletters and learn how to get the most out of your labels!

Designers. Marketers. Everyone thinks our jobs are glamorous. We get to be creative, we get to have "fun." If they only knew. When consumers see a cool packaging technique, they think "What a clever idea. The person who came up with this is a genius." Marketers and designers alike know that with every good idea, come days (sometimes months) of painful droughts of nothingness. We search pictures, articles, quotes, anything and everything that will give us this one glimpse of a brilliant packaging idea. And, after staring at a computer screen for 8 hours straight (usually for several days), that glimpse of brillantness will usually present itself at 4 a.m. after tossing and turning restlessly in your sheets.

Often, we will spend hours upon hours creating [what we feel is] a great design that ends up getting shut down in upper management and we have to repeat the cycle of agony all over again. But sometimes, just sometimes, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and your 4 a.m. idea becomes a consumer's admiration of genius. If you think this idea is far fetched, share this story with a designer or marketer and ask them how they feel.

When it comes to packaging design, we all need a little inspiration. We hope these websites help spark some packaging ideas!

www.trendwatching.com- Learn what a trend is and how to apply a trend to your current operations. This site demonstrates various trends going on in multiple markets. 

www.thedieline.com- the great thing about this really cool design blog is that articles are not only segmented by date, they are segmented by industry and even events!

www.packworld.com

- read articles about packaging techniques, download white papers and get the latest headline packaging news.

Top 50 Graphic Design Blogs - Visit this blog by David Airey to see the top 50 graphic design blogs

www.packaginguniversity.com- Learn how to integrate packaging with customer's wants and needs

www.beautypackaging.com - Check out the latest in health & beauty packaging designs.

What website inspires you? We want to know!

There are companies who market themselves as "green" just to make a profit? Don't fall victim to greenwashing!