AFTER attending the FTASA Print Excellence Awards luncheon for the first time in 2019 to obtain an understanding of what the benchmarks are and how things work, Sasolburg-based InkOn Labels entered for the first time in 2021.

‘We were always aware of this prestigious awards programme, but didn’t bother to enter as we produce printing plates by means of conventional/traditional flexo with film and analogue plates,’ explains studio manager Ferdie Odendal. ‘However, we entered after finding that we were producing higher quality work than leading repro houses, which in many instances produced products of the same quality, if not better, than that of our competitors.’

When asked what she ascribes the production team’s success to as first-time entrants in terms of labelling and flexible packaging, general manager Kirsten Goosen says it’s exceptional teamwork. ‘We have over 80 years of experience between us and each link in the chain brings their A-game to the table. We also have multiskilled employees who cross-pollinate ideas and expertise in the quest for greatness,’ she asserts. ‘Additionally, InkOn Labels offers every facet of the production process, from design and prepress to print and finishing, under one roof. Collectively, it makes us a team to be reckoned with.’

According to Ferdie, the whole concept for the silver award-winning Seven Oaks Noble Late Harvest 2021 self-adhesive label was conceived at design level to create a uniquely sophisticated masterpiece. ‘Most seasoned designers place simplicity above all else. We value simple things because they are harmonious, do all the things we need easily and none of the things we don’t,’ he notes. ‘One of my favourite quotes by Leonardo Da Vinci, which plays on the idea that being simple isn’t banal but elegant, is “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.’

The challenge with this label design was to maintain an elegant, classic look in a relatively restricted space because of the nature and dimensions of the bottle. Furthermore, a great deal of information had to be added without generating a claustrophobic or cluttered visual experience and maintaining a reasonable scale to the copy and graphic content. ‘The simple linework on two separate labels (front and back) creates a unique three-dimensional visual experience that transforms the separate elements (glass, wine, polypropylene, ink and foil) into a unified packaging solution that is easy on the eye, with a touch of bling,’ he remarks. ‘Over and above the actual design, there are plenty of highly technical print techniques, for instance, reverse printing with inline foiling on clear and over-lamination with dairy film to enhance the finished effect of the front and back label combination.’

According to Ferdie, the deceptively simple-looking line/tone self-adhesive label for Seven Oaks Pinotage Rose Sahara 2020 won a bronze award in 2021 because it conceals the complexity and care taken to achieve a raised varnish effect by removing the doctor blade.

Through the years, the team has played around and adopted silver substrates in combination with the placement of the white and tints of colour over the silver as its go-to solution for foiling. ‘This is because it provides a cost-effective method to create an upmarket-looking foiled label that stands up to any multicoloured/processed foiled label,’ Ferdie asserts. ‘In combination with clever design, it produces interesting visual effects. The silver award for Valentin Oral Cool Mint Water Additive was a good result considering this labelling job was achieved on an older, basic press.’

He describes the Rock Candy Kings of Rock flexible packaging as a challenging narrow web process job with tight registration maintained on a very thin 30µm BOPP, over-laminated with 12µm PET dry laminate.

Ferdie adds that InkOn Labels has been business partners with SArepco for over 20 years. ‘SArepco has always offered great advice and exceptional service as far as production-related equipment, service and tooling go. Its team has a great deal of knowledge and top technicians ensure our presses are kept in pristine working condition so that they can produce high-quality work.’

SArepco’s sales director, Paul Bouwer, agrees and explains that in 2003, InkOn Labels bought a Mark Andy 2200 series six-colour press that was upgraded to an eight-colour UV ink curing machine in 2004. ‘Up until that stage, the company had used local equipment to manufacture very basic flexo labels. This investment put them on the self-adhesive label map,’ Paul asserts. ‘The Mark Andy 2200 series has been the “go to press” for many smaller label companies wanting to grow and gain market share.’

In 2016, SArepco installed a Mark Andy Performance P5 series servo-driven press that enables InkOn Labels to produce premium quality labels, including shrink sleeves, quicker and more easily.

Paul believes that this hands-on team has been so successful at the FTASA awards because general manager Kirsten Goosen pushes the company to do better and better and because production manager Willem van Straaten knows the equipment well and even runs presses from time to time.