Gold Leaf Awards

2025 Foil & Specialty Effects Association Gold Leaf Awards

June 16, 2025

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) is delighted to announce the honorees of its 32nd Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition. The competition assesses print and packaging entries that feature a diverse array of finishing techniques, such as foil stamping and embossing, specialty coating, film laminating, laser cutting, diecutting and cold foil. Entries are submitted in a variety of formats, including greeting cards, folding cartons, labels, book covers, posters and more.

“The FSEA Gold Leaf Awards competition is an opportunity for participants to display the impressive work of their talented, innovative and dynamic team,” reported FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “Each submission is an exceptional piece that exemplifies the combination of functionality and visual appeal. We continue to be in awe of the remarkable talent being presented, integrating technology and ingenuity to create a product that is both practical and aesthetically valuable.”

Two Best of Show honorees were awarded – one for best use of traditional foil and embossing techniques (Dreyer Kliche) and one to the entry displaying the best use of digital embellishment (Shenzhen Jujin). Articles on these winners can be found on page 6 and page 8 of this issue of PostPress.

See our list of winners on pages 12 through 26 in the May/June 2025 PostPress digital edition. Photos and information about all winners will be listed on fsea.com.

31st Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards

June 18, 2024

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) is excited to reveal the honorees in its 31st Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition. The competition evaluates print and packaging submissions that utilize a wide range of finishing techniques, from foil stamping and embossing to specialty coating, film laminating, laser cutting, diecutting and cold foil applications. Submissions come in a variety of formats, including greeting cards, folding cartons, labels, book covers, posters and more.

“Our FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition showcases the incredible talent, creativity and hard work that goes into each captivating piece,” said FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “Every year, technology and ingenuity culminate into exceptional works of art that continue to inspire all of us throughout the embellishment industry.”

Two Best of Show honorees were awarded – one for the best use of traditional foil and embossing techniques (H+M USA), and one to the entry displaying the best use of digital embellishment (Print Panther Direct). Articles on these winners can be found on page 8 and page 10 of this issue of PostPress.

Visit the links below to learn more about the Best of Show honorees:

(Applications Portfolio) www.postpressmag.com/articles/2024/applications-portfolio-pushes-boundaries-with-extreme-embellishment/
(Sea Life) www.postpressmag.com/featured/2024/sea-life-poster-journeys-into-the-future-with-ai/

Check out all of the honorees for the 31st Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition at https://fsea.com/gold-leaf-awards-2024-2/.

Sea Life Poster Journeys into the Future with AI

June 11, 2024

Edited by Erin La Row, writer, PostPress

An annual project became an award-winning piece of art for the team at Hinderer + Mühlich (H+M), based in Göppingen, Germany, with a US facility in Charlotte, North Carolina. “Sea Life” merged artificial intelligence (AI) with print embellishment to create an eye-catching undersea adventure on paper. The poster, anchored by an embellished sea horse, captivated the judges at the Foil & Specialty Effects Association’s 31st annual Gold Leaf Awards, where the project won Best of Show: Best Use of Foil & Embossing.

Heike Martetschläger, marketing and design manager, said the poster first began as a project to decorate the cover of Verpackungsrundschau, a German packaging magazine. H+M used the opportunity to bring together a team of specialists in each involved area of the project (paper, foil, stamping dies, machinery) to show outstanding embellishment and give inspiration to designers and brand owners. The final cover design then was turned into a large poster. The magazine is not on the market anymore, but H+M continues the tradition of the poster, large and small. Sea Life is the 17th edition of its posters, and the team already is working on number 18.

“In our posters, we incorporate current trends in fashion, design or social trends and transform them into embossed designs,” Martetschläger said. “In doing so, we continually push the limits to showcase the exceptional potential of H+M stamping dies. We also use this project to underline our capacity for innovation and expertise.”

What sets apart Sea Life from the other posters is that its artwork was created using AI. The team used ChatGPT to formulate prompts for MidJourney, a text-to-picture AI tool, to generate imagery. The team wanted to see and experience for itself if there is more than mere functionality to AI – exploring the creative potential of AI. While brainstorming, Wohlgemuth & Company, the design agency behind the poster, suggested taking the AI experience a level higher and starting a collaboration between ChatGPT and MidJourney.

“We used ChatGPT to formulate prompts for MidJourney, swiftly generating around 300 images. Precision in prompt wording proved crucial, guiding the AI to meet our creative vision. Our approach merged fashion, design and jewelry with an underwater theme, prioritizing visual impact over realism,” Martetschläger said.

While Midjourney produced astonishingly realistic results, occasionally it resulted in flaws. “Embracing AI presents an opportunity to learn and innovate, despite occasional quirks like six fingers or peculiar facial features,” Martetschläger added. But with the speed of improvements in AI tools, Martetschläger said she believes the flaws in their process now would be reduced.

With the design determined, the team set out to create the final product. David Bohne, general manager at H+M USA, said, “The poster was designed to combine various visual and tactile styles, such as nanoembossing, microembossing and textured embossing. The big posters were printed on Algro Design Advanced 315 gm while the small poster was made on Algro Design Duo 250 gr – both by Sappi. Details and respective art files for the various foil and embossed elements were meticulously created for H+M to produce the highest quality and precision brass dies for this project, and then stamped and embossed on a Gietz FSA 720 foil stamping press.”

To create the larger Sea Life poster, there was a total of six passes on the Gietz foil stamping press. This included several flat stamp passes of foils, nanoembossing and customized texture in the top Sea Life headline, and a final intricate sculptured embossing of the sea horse. The gems on the sea horse were created with a combination of a clear foil and round embossing.

Art is subjective. The effectiveness of the previous posters depended on the audience – some people related to the design while others didn’t, Martetschläger said, adding there is a lot of interest in the story behind the project and the use of AI to get the design. “Sea Life is one of the designs in recent years that created interest and positive feedback from almost everybody – especially when people get to hold it in their hands,” Martetschläger said. “We even received pictures of customers showing where they had hung it up at their workplaces and their homes.”

Applications Portfolio Pushes Boundaries with Extreme Embellishment

June 7, 2024

Edited by Erin La Row, writer, PostPress

The team at Print Panther Direct, a commercial printer in Oakville, Canada, prides itself on creating beautiful, meaningful print. Printing print that matters is the philosophy that guides each project, including the Extreme Digital Guide 4 – the fourth of its Designer Guides – that was created to highlight the company’s print embellishment capabilities. The Extreme Digital Guide 4, christened the Applications Portfolio, weaves together the essence of its predecessors while further pushing the boundaries of embellishment with incredible detail. The Applications Portfolio’s aesthetic and tactile appeal captured the judges’ attention at the Foil & Specialty Effects Association’s 31st annual Gold Leaf Awards, where the project won Best of Show: Best Use of Digital Embellishment.

“Each spread was crafted to showcase our expertise but also to resonate with the evolving market demands, such as the cannabis packaging segment,” said Christine Yardley, president of Print Panther Direct. “The Applications Portfolio represents an evolving journey with Konica Minolta (KM), building upon the foundation laid by three previous Designer Guides.”

The creation of the portfolio began with research identifying emerging trends and market demands. From there, the Print Panther team conceptualized each spread, considering both aesthetic appeal and practical application. The design phase involved digital mock-ups and iterative refinements until each spread met the company’s exacting standards.

“We opted for a premium turned-edge binder/box to elevate the portfolio’s visual and tactile appeal. By using high-quality materials, we aimed to convey a sense of quality and craftsmanship that would resonate with our audience,” Yardley said.

The graphics for the portfolio were created using a combination of digital design software and traditional artistic techniques. Special consideration was given to the integration of imagery and typography to create visually compelling spreads that effectively communicated each concept. Additionally, the Print Panther team ensured that the design was adaptable to various printing techniques and embellishments, allowing it to achieve the desired visual impact.

The portfolio features a range of specialty effects and embellishments to enhance its visual appeal and tactile experience. This includes digital foil and varnish applications, as well as laminations, which add depth and dimension. Yardley said that these embellishments not only elevate the aesthetic quality of the portfolio but also highlight the versatility of KM’s printing technologies. The paper stock used was Supreme Silk Cover 12 point pages/box 80 lb text, laminated.

State-of-the-art printing technologies played a crucial role in achieving the desired quality and consistency across each spread. Stunning visual effects and unparalleled print quality were achieved with various KM Accurio presses, including Print Panther Direct’s Accuriowide 160 Press. Extreme embellishment was achieved with the KM JETvarnish 3D Evolution press.

Creating a product that has multiple embellishments and design processes can be challenging. Throughout the project, the team encountered various design and production challenges, including adhesion issues when applying CMYK on top of a chosen lamination.

“By leveraging our collective expertise, we were able to overcome these challenges and deliver a portfolio that exceeded expectations,” Yardley said.

Response to the Applications Portfolio has been overwhelmingly positive. Yardley said the portfolio has served as a valuable resource for designers and print professionals, inspiring creativity and showcasing the capabilities of KM’s printing technologies.

“Winning Best of Show in the Gold Leaf Awards was a moment of immense pride and validation for our team. It was a testament to our dedication, creativity and unwavering commitment to embellishments,” Yardley said. “We celebrated this achievement with gratitude knowing that it wouldn’t have been possible without the collective effort of every team member involved.”

‘Willy’ Print Pushes Boundaries, Engages Imaginations

June 5, 2023

by Erin La Row, editor, PostPress

If there is one movie character who has helped shape childhood imaginations for decades, perhaps it’s the eccentric and mysterious Willy Wonka – founder and proprietor of the Wonka Chocolate Factory. Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory first came to life on the big screen in the 1971 musical fantasy film adaptation Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, with Willy Wonka immortalized by the late Gene Wilder. The movie ignited imaginations, leaving many children dreaming of dipping their hands in a river of chocolate or dancing through a park of lollipop flowers and gummy bear trees. Others were shaken by the ominous undercurrent of Wilder’s character (let’s not forget the tunnel scene). Regardless, Wilder delivered a Golden-Globe-nominated performance – veering from charming to mildly sadistic candy maker – that still is captivating more than 50 years later.

When the team at Post Press Specialties in Independence, Missouri, needed to design a piece to demonstrate the company’s overall capabilities and how fine of a dot could be foiled on its digital embellishment machine, the titular candy man became the inspiration.

“I first asked for a duotone photo and, after a few days of playing around, Willy Wonka was targeted and we went above the two colors originally planned,” said Andy Humble, president of Post Press. The graphics were created in Adobe Illustrator. The challenge, Humble said, was to intermingle small dots of opaque foil to create an image resembling a lithographic photo. The team was surprised it could produce foil halftone dots in different foil colors in a way none of the team members had ever seen before. The result: a striking image of Wilder’s Willy Wonka in his signature top hat and purple jacket, simply called “Willy.”

The process

“Willy” was a piece of whimsy from the start, created on a leftover scrap piece of board that the team laminated. The project was done, design to finish, in an afternoon, with fewer than 10 copies made. It was produced as a sample to show customers.

“We showed the print to people as we did plant tours and a few samples were given away over time,” Humble said.

When asked if the company had anything to enter into the FSEA Gold Leaf Awards, Humble said the team found the last two copies and made frames out of paper in the shop. The team then added a black soft-touch laminate they had been given to try and added a quote from Willy Wonka himself: “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.”

The piece was produced on a Konica Minolta JetVarnish EVO 3D using foils made by Crown Roll Leaf. On the MGI, inkjet heads print the image based on the foil pattern and the Willy photo was adjusted to create layers of foil. The UV coating on the sheet then cures under a UV lamp before being re-heated under a hot foil stamp roller, which allows foil to transfer to the areas printed previously with UV. The paper stock used was 24-point CIS with 1.5 mil FeatherTOUCH matte laminate from Leading Edge.

Inspired by a “world of pure imagination,” Post Press Specialties moved quickly to create the project. “We have a special machine – we have great operators. Let’s make something to show the limits to engage customers’ imaginations,” Humble said. “We have different foil colors and the guidance of, ‘We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of the dreams’ [a Wonka quote lifted from the poem, Ode by Arthur O’Shaughnessy], and – the next day – 10 samples of this were shared.”

Now, the team at Post Press Specialties is celebrating “Willy” for winning Gold in the category Best Use of Digital Foil (Self Promo) in the 30th annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards competition. It then took the Best of Show award from among all gold award winners for Digital Embellishments.

“The ‘Willy’ poster is an amazing demonstration of what can be accomplished with digital embellishments,” said FSEA Executive Director Jeff Peterson. “Even with having a record number of entries this year in the FSEA Gold Leaf Awards, it really stood out and was awarded Best of Show.”

Humble said he couldn’t be happier about the win: “We enjoy pushing the limits of equipment and operators in an effort to create something never done before. Thanks for the selection of Best of Show!”

The magic will live on, immortalized in film and print. Humble added that one customer asked for his own copy of “Willy.”

“He took it and had it matted and framed, and it’s now hanging in his house,” Humble said. “That very much surprised me!”

In the years since the movie’s debut in 1971, Johnny Depp has added his spin to the quirky character. Later this year, Timothée Chalamet is expected to bring Willy Wonka back to the big screen in the “Wonka” prequel.

Award Certificates at a Level Above

June 5, 2023

by Erin La Row, editor, PostPress

The team at Gravure Choquet had quite the task – take an already impressive, framed award that its client, RE/MAX Real Estate, had been using for years and make it even better.

First, Gravure Choquet started with a little inspiration. “We showed [the client] the foil and emboss Mandala we created that won the Best of Show in the Gold Leaf Awards two years ago,” said Yoan Robitaille, sales and business development with Gravure Choquet. “They said, ‘WOW!’ and wanted to do something like it. That was a big demand, but it was something that we were able to accomplish.”

Robitaille said the Gravure Choquet team went to work, producing different designs for the framed award certificates that impressed not just the client but the client’s members as well. “Our mission was accomplished,” he said.

The team at Gravure Choquet created a series of stunning foil-embossed awards, one of which also impressed judges in the 30th annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards. With this particular piece, Gravure Choquet won Gold under the category of “Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Miscellaneous Product” and Best of Show within all categories for Best Use of Foil and/or Embossing.

Robitaille said it was quite a process going from start to finish. The team provided a few designs to the client. “We worked in collaboration with them,” Robitaille said. “The client had only one request – it needed to be a ‘wow’ like the Mandala project.”

First, the outside box that the framed award sits in was created with a 14 pt. stock laminated with a black soft-touch lamination. The laminated stock then was diecut and assembled into the outside box. The outside frame of the prestigious award was an extruded profile that included a brushed gun metal foil finish.

For the certificate itself inside the frame, a 20 pt. white Invercote stock was used that allows for crisp, deep embossing with the black soft-touch lamination. Then a Classic Crest 18 pt. stock was used as a second layer cover that was also laminated with the black soft-touch.

The hard work was just beginning, Robitaille said. More than 35 different versions of the award were manufactured. Within these 35 different versions, there were between eight to 16 passes through the presses, depending on the version. Each framed award was 20 x 14″ in size, creating even more challenges in completing all of the different processes. There were several passes of foil, including flat rainbow foil stamping, silver foil with a textured die and passes of black foil.

“We did a variation of the different categories with a clear holographic foil, a matte silver and an emboss/deboss with brass dies,” Robitaille said. “We then embossed in register the client’s logo with a deep multilevel emboss brass die. We diecut the two layers for perfect registration for the different categories of the certificates. We added a filler integrated behind the certificates to create weight and depth between the two layers. Finally, all the components were assembled in the frame and integrated in the presentation box.” A textured foil stamping die was used for several of the awards to help adhesion and stability since it was working on soft-touch material.

“The different foils and deep multilevel embossing brought these pieces to another dimension,” he added.

A variety of equipment was used during the project, including presses from BOBST, Kluge, Thomson and Sheridan. And while many foil application techniques were used to create the awards, Robitaille said the team didn’t use any new or special technology on the project – only pure craftsmanship and years of experience. The foil stamping engravings were produced in-house by Gravure Choquet and the multi-level embossing dies were produced by Metal Magic. The foils used for the project mainly came from Kurz Transfer Products but also from ITW ShineMark and Univacco.

“The project required a huge amount of collaboration from our entire team,” Robitaille said. Client requests changed over the course of the project, which was challenging. But Robitaille said working as a team and with experienced press operators – combined with the best equipment on the market – enabled Gravure Choquet to meet the client’s expectations.

“The client had big expectations for this project – changing something that was used for over 10 years and having members endorse the change to this new product was not a small affair,” Robitaille said. “But after the first gala, I can say the mission was truly accomplished.”

Capturing Creativity with Konica Minolta’s Extreme Digital Guide

September 9, 2021

By Jewlissa Frickey, writer, PostPress

“The ongoing renaissance of print is driven by the desire to create a touchpoint in an increasingly touchless world,” said Print Panther in the Konica Minolta Extreme Digital Guide. “Power in print is evolving, materializing into an all-encompassing medium that is able to captivate and inspire. Print, as it is today, is rekindling the connection between art and exhibition, providing the wanted corporeal element to brand, product and experience.”

The FSEA Gold Leaf Awards program assessed entries submitted from around the world by finishers and binders that want to compete against the best in the industry. New technologies have fueled growth with expanded award categories in areas such as digital foil and other specialty UV coatings. Entries are judged on design, execution and level of difficulty in more than 35 categories, with a gold, silver and bronze award presented in each category.

Best of Show Honorable Mention at the 28^th Annual Gold Leaf Awards went to Print Panther for its Konica Minolta Extreme Digital Guide for showcasing the inspiring, tactile coatings and foils that now can be achieved digitally with Konica Minolta’s MGI JETVarnish 3DS with iFoil-S. “We wanted to make print an experience,” said Christine Yardley, president of Print Panther, “and I think we accomplished that with this piece.”

Every feature was deliberate, conveying a message with each design and copy. “The lead page says Extreme – and we wanted to say that first because print is becoming extreme,” said Yardley. “Having something with a touchpoint gives it that extreme edge.”

Each page features a unique image and technique. Print brings bears to life with the use of Invercote 11.4pt paper combined with a matte lamination, spot varnish, copper foil and matte gold foil. Imagery expands on another page as viewers sense the crisp coolness of a soda can where condensation leaves a vivid mark on Supreme Matte Cover 110lb paper with soft-touch lamination and spot varnish.

The guide used a cross section of papers and laminates and included foils, spot varnishes, flood varnishes, foil on foil, varnish on foil, and multiple foils. Each page utilizes a different effect, highlighting topography and the design elements. “We worked with amazing typography, photography and illustration – each page had a purpose,” Yardley said.

Each page was meant to exhibit a different embellishment with the print quality of the AccurioJet KM-1e LED UV inkjet press and the AccurioPress as the colorful backdrop. However, the guide required the use of various machinery, including the AccurioJet KM-1, AccurioPress, AccurioWide 160 and MGI JETVarnish 3DS with iFoil-S.

Within the guide is a detailed production note page. It outlines the types of paper, lamination, varnish, foil and any other specifications used for each page. “Papers such as the Neenah Starwhite Astrosilver Cover were the perfect papers for the Accurio KM-1 LED UV inkjet press, really illustrating the amazing print quality on a textured stock” Yardley said.

Other papers featured throughout the guide include a Supreme Gloss Cover, Pacesetter Semi Gloss Label Stock, Tango C2S, Cougar Cover and more.

The paper stocks were accented with gold foil, silver foil, diecuts, soft-touch and matte laminations and raised spot vanishes – all bringing to life toucans, zebras and bears … oh my!

With so many moving parts, so comes its challenges. “We had to tweak a few of the diecut pages, but overall once we had the plan in motion it ran wonderfully,” noted Yardley. The decision on using a split bindery method with wire-o was no exception to the challenges. “It made the process more time consuming, but overall, it was worth it in the end,” Yardley said.

Despite the global pandemic, Print Panther saw an opportunity to reach people with its digital guide. “The world is going to be looking for new ideas when we emerge from this, and print can tell a story like nothing else can,” Yardley said.

Print Panther’s objective was to make print an experience. Completing the project left only one question: Inspired? On the last page of the digital guide, viewers were left to contemplate the imagery they had seen, the last attempt to rekindle the connection between consumers and print. From design to copy, every part conveyed a message. The lead-in page delves into the renaissance of print and the desire for touch.

The overwhelming response to Print Panther’s Konica Minolta Extreme Digital Guide solidified its placement at the FSEA Gold Leaf Awards. “It was a labor of love that did us proud,” said Yardley. “I still smile when I look at the Inspired? page. It’s just a wonderful marriage of foil, typography and message.”

28th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards

June 11, 2021

PostPress

The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has announced the honorees of is 28th Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, entries were received from around the world – and many companies submitted entries to the competition for the first time. Gold, silver and bronze winners were honored in more than 35 categories.

Gravure Choquet, Montreal, Canada, was awarded the 28th Annual Best of Show for “Mandala.” The stunning poster was entered in the Best Use of Foil/Embossing – Self Promotion category and featured eight passes of foil, UV coatings and diecutting. This piece of art wowed the judges with its technical difficulty and use of multiple techniques. Print Panther, Ontario, Canada, was awarded Best of Show Honorable Mention for the KM Extreme Digital Guide – Capturing the Feel of Creativity.