FSEA Gold Leaf Awards
The 23rd Annual Gold Leaf Awards competition now is officially closed, and FSEA has received a record number of entries this year. “I am amazed at the creativity and difficulty of the many different types of entries we received,” stated FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “I continue to be impressed by the work our FSEA members and others submit every year.” Entries are judged on design, execution and level of difficulty in over 25 categories with a gold, silver and bronze award presented in each category. A Best of Show award will be selected from among all of the Gold Award winners. All winners will be announced at the Gold Leaf Awards presentation during the 2016 FSEA National Conference, April 3-5 in Orlando, Florida.
FSEA would like to recognize the sponsors for this year’s FSEA Gold Leaf Awards:
- Platinum Sponsors
- API Foils
- Bobst North America
- Crown Roll Leaf
- h+m USA, L.P.
- ITW Foils
- Infinity Foils, Inc. – a UEI Group Co.
- Kurz Transfer Products
- Masterwork USA Inc.
- Metal Magic
- Univacco Technology Inc.
- Universal Engraving, Inc. – a UEI Group Co.
- Gold Sponsors
- Brandtjen & Kluge, Inc.
- Brausse Group
- Eagle Systems Inc.
- MGI USA
- Matik, Inc./Gietz
- Owosso Graphic Arts, Inc.
- Sakurai USA
- Sun Chemical
FSEA 2016 National Conference Provides Many Networking Opportunities
Studies show that conference attendees are looking for more opportunities to network and discuss topics peer to peer. “Today, industry professionals have many ways to gain information from a speaker or author through the web, webinars or email,” said conference Committee Chair Mark Baugh, D.E. Baugh. “What cannot be duplicated on a website is the ability to network and talk to others in your industry face to face. Venues like our FSEA National Conference this year in Orlando provide that platform.”
This year’s conference will include a special Open Forum on metallic foil decorating. This networking opportunity will discuss the transformation and continued growth of metallic foil decorating for all types of applications. Panelists will provide a perspective from their expertise and experience on what they are seeing in the market today in terms of hot foil, cold foil and new digital foil transfer. Attendees will be encouraged to participate and discuss trends they see as the industry continues to evolve.
In addition, on the second morning of the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in special networking roundtable/peer discussion sessions. Attendees will meet in breakout rooms to discuss challenges or questions pertaining to their own operations in one of four categories: Production Workflow, Healthcare/Benefits, Information Technology and Sales & Marketing. This format has been proven to provide participants with several “takeaways” that attendees can bring back to their operations and implement immediately. For details on the full conference schedule and registration, visit www.fsea.com/conference16.
USPS Adds Discount for Special Effects on Mailings
The United States Postal Service is providing a two-percent discount on mailing costs for direct mail pieces that include special effects and texture/tactile treatments. The special promotion runs March 1 through August 31, 2016. The Tactile, Sensory & Interactive Mailpiece Engagement promotion leverages some of the latest technological advances within the print industry to encourage sensory engagement. These elements include special visual effects, sound, scent, texture/tactile treatments and even taste. In addition, interactive mailpiece features such as pop-ups and infinite folds qualify for the special discount.
This is an incredible opportunity for companies providing foil stamping, embossing and specialty coatings services. The FSEA encourages its members to discuss this special promotion with customers and prospects. For large direct mailers, the postage discount can help cover the cost of the special treatment on a postcard or other mailing piece.
The requirements and specific details for this promotion can be found at ribbs.usps.gov/mailingpromotions.
