Diamond Packaging of Rochester, NY has been recognized as “Best of the Best” in the 2003 Best Workplace in America awards competition, sponsored by the Master Printers of America (MPA), a committee of industry leaders belonging to the Printing Industries of America (PIA), Incorporated. The program is designed to recognize graphic arts companies for their outstanding human relations efforts in recruiting and retaining qualified staff, which contributes to a successful workplace. This year marks the third year in a row that the honor was bestowed on Diamond.

"Since 1950, the MPA has been committed to recognizing outstanding human relations practices in the graphic arts industry,” said Brian Gill, advisor to MPA. “This program is a way to give employers doing a good job the recognition they deserve, and it continues to grow in popularity.”

A team of experts carefully evaluated all of the entries and selected Diamond Packaging as a “Best of the Best” workplace in the graphic arts industry. Companies were evaluated on the following criteria:

• Work Environment and Organizational Culture
• Training and Development Opportunities
• Financial Security
• Personal/Work-Life Balance
• Recognition and Rewards
• Health and Well-Being Programs

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Master Printers of America for this award,” said Pattie Holzgartner, Director of Human Resources. “For many employees this award came as no surprise, as they have commented that we didn’t need to win an award to know this is a great place to work. The owners’ commitment to their employees is demonstrated on a regular basis, and they recognize that they are the key to the company’s success.”

Since 1911, Diamond Packaging has dedicated itself to providing the highest standard of quality, innovation and cost effective packaging for companies including The Gillette Company, Beiersdorf, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eastman Kodak, Godiva Chocolatier and L’Oreal USA. As part of the Global Packaging Alliance (GPA), Diamond Packaging and its alliance members offer packaging solutions to companies operating on an international scale. Customers receive responsive, localized service, award-winning creative designs, identical product specifications and consistent brand recognition, resulting in unparalleled worldwide packaging support.

For more information about Diamond Packaging, contact Dennis Bacchetta at (585) 334-8030 x229 or visit the website at www.diamondpackaging.com. For more information on Printing Industries of America, Inc., contact Nancy Shafranski-Campobello at (703) 519-8161 or visit the website at www.gain.net.

Choosing the proper coating is an essential step in designing and producing quality packaging. Why are coatings important? For some of the same reasons that packaging is important. While packaging protects and enhances the beauty of what’s inside, coatings help protect and enhance the appearance of the package itself. Because coatings are dually decorative and protective, they are an economical way to extend both the appearance and the lifespan of the package.

One of the goals of packaging is to catch the consumer’s eye, encouraging them to examine and explore the package and its contents. A quality coating further increases shelf appeal by imparting additional tactile elements and adding snap to printed graphics. The most common types of coatings used today are UV and aqueous. Both are available in a range of finishes from matte through satin to gloss, expanding design flexibility beyond the choice of inks.

A coating also protects the package from the rigors of assembly, fulfillment, shipping and distribution, safeguarding it from fingerprints, abrasion and scuffing. UV and aqueous coatings both demonstrate excellent abrasion and block resistance; in some cases, effectively eliminating the need for shrinkwrap or other protective layers.

Which is the best coating for a job? That depends as much on the job as it does on the coating. Expectations of performance, appearance, quality and cost are variables to weigh when making a decision. Other factors to consider include operator experience, job latitude (tolerance), storage conditions and performance requirements. We’ll begin with a comparison of UV and aqueous coatings, and then discuss the most appropriate applications of each.

Aqueous coatings are approximately 60% water and 40% solids. During the drying process, the liquids evaporate or are absorbed by the substrate, leaving the solids to form a thin film. Aqueous coatings are clear and odorless when dried, and are also available in FDA-approved formulations for use in food packaging.

UV coatings are 100% solids, and finish by light-curing rather than heat-drying. The solids cross link to form a durable plastic film that provides unparalleled gloss and hardness. UV offers a broader range of finishes than aqueous, including options such as metallized flakes or pearlized pigments. Although UV coating can be applied either in-line or off-line, in-line UV coating offers comparable finish quality plus the advantages of increased speed and reduced cost compared to the off-line UV coating process.

Both UV and aqueous coatings offer the convenience of in-line application and rapid drying, allowing for instant work and turn. In fact, either type of coating can be used with little or no spray powder, improving smoothness and creating a cleaner work environment. In addition, both coatings can be applied as an overall or “flood coating”, or as a spot covering to highlight a particular image or area.

Aqueous coatings generally cost less up front, but the quality advantages and productivity gains of a UV coating usually outweigh the higher unit costs. When comparing costs it’s helpful to think of UV as conferring all of the benefits of aqueous coating, but to a greater degree. For example:

• Aqueous dries fast — UV dries faster
• Aqueous can be glossy — UV is glossier
• Aqueous provides protection — UV provides more protection

UV coatings are particularly well suited for:

• Applications requiring the ultimate in gloss
• Applications requiring the ultimate in hardness
• Non-absorbent print surfaces (e.g. plastic, Tyvek ®, etc.)
• POS displays
• Spot coating

Appropriate applications for aqueous coatings include:

• Food packaging (for direct food contact)
• In-line heat seal blister packaging
• Primer / seal coating (to enhance gluing or subsequent UV varnish over conventional inks)
• Items that will be written on (e.g. mailers, postcards, etc.)

When you choose a coating you make an investment in the lifespan and performance of the package, and ultimately of the product inside. The more closely the package will interact with consumers or end users, the stronger the case for incorporating the coating into the overall design.