FINAT announces winners of Label Competition 2026

Judging for the 2026 FINAT Label Competition has concluded, with the panel chaired by Z. Murat Sipahioglu alongside judges Steve Wood, Phil Baldwin (BOBST, UK) and Fahri Ilazi (Kocher+Beck, Germany). This year’s competition attracted 204 entries from 43 companies across 24 countries, reinforcing its status as a global benchmark for label printing excellence.

Türkiye and Austria led participation with a combined 52 entries, followed by Spain (16) and France (15). By application, wines (32 entries), beers and spirits (24), and self-promotional labels (23) were the most represented categories. Digital printing continued its upward trend, featured in 99 submissions.

The competition spanned 25 categories across marketing/end-use, printing technologies, non-adhesive applications, and innovation/electronic printing. Group A (Marketing/End-uses) accounted for the majority of entries, highlighting both the creative and technical advancements being achieved across the label sector.

Winners were announced during the FINAT European Label Forum, held May 27 in Sevilla, Spain. The 2026 competition once again showcased the high standards, technical sophistication and innovation driving the global label printing industry.

Best in Show Winner

Multi-Color Corporation Adelaide, Australia for “Darma Rare Himalayan Blended Whisky”

A really impressive, eye catching label which was admired by the entire judging panel and unanimously chosen as the main winner. It offers the observer outstanding visual impact, with the use of embossing, debossing and partial varnish effects on the tiger image, especially taking a look at the “eyes of tiger”. This is not a label you can pass by without noticing it. The complexity of the production process is evident, particularly considering the substrate (which was a heavy wine label substrate that could easily have broken or dented under the pressure of the embossing and debossing tools) used for the label, in the use of techniques such as embossing, engraving, partial varnishing (such as the tiger’s eyes and the lines surrounding the tiger, like beams of light coming from behind), and hot foil stamping of the embossed brand logo. Litho printing process together with silk screen printing (relief screen varnishing) in combination with embossing and debossing were used to give the final impactful and outstanding result. Very effective craftsmanship and a wonderful result.

Group Winners

The Group Winners are organised into the following main groups: Marketing/End-Uses, Printing Processes, Non-Adhesive Applications and Innovation.

The winner of the Marketing/End Uses Group is Multi-Color Corporation Adelaide, Australia for “Darma Rare Himalayan Blended Whisky”.

The detailed explanation for the “Darma Rare Himalayan Blended Whisky” label can be seen above under the BIS.

The winner for the Printing Processes Group is Multi-Color Corporation America’s Wine & Spirits, USA for “Mai-Kai – Rum No.1”.

A highly colorful and dynamic label produced using combination printing. This seven-color label is printed using lithographic technology alongside screen printing, hot foiling and embossing, all completed in a single pass. The use of partial varnishing, spot screen varnishing and precisely applied embossing enhances the exceptional quality achieved.

The winner of the Non-Adhesive Applications Group is IPE Industria Gráfica S.L.U, Spain for “Chardonnay Sparkling”.
This flexible packaging label was produced using five-color flexographic printing, with a screen relief varnish applied to filmic shrink sleeve material in a single pass at 60 meters per minute. The relief varnish brings the seashells, clams and branding vividly to life. Achieving such precise application on an unsupported film substrate is extremely challenging and demands exceptional operator skill. Bravo!

The Innovation Group is a group that presents new ways of offering solutions to perceived problems in many industrial sectors using label technology. The winner is: Schreiner Group GmbH & Co.KG, Germany for “Seal with Digital Authentication Feature.”

As the entry name suggests, this label is printed on tamper-evident material using flexographic and screen technologies, and incorporates a covert digital authentication feature with a unique pattern. This can only be viewed via a smartphone camera in combination with a dedicated app developed specifically for this purpose. The design was created to seal cardboard boxes in a sustainable manner, enabling a wide range of stakeholders—such as brand inspectors and customs authorities—to verify the integrity of the seal easily and in real time throughout the supply chain using a standard smartphone. If the label is tampered with in any way—for example, if it is cut—the digital authentication will fail, immediately indicating that the box has been opened and the product compromised. The wavy design further reinforces this, making it difficult to reposition the label exactly as before.

Judges’ Award

A Special Judges Award was given to:

Multi-Color Corporation America’s Wine & Spirits, USA for “Capio – Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon”.
This label is printed using two-colour lithographic technology, combined with hot foiling, embossing, varnishing and a distinctive tear effect. Notably, each label features a unique tear. A specialised tool was developed to tear the lower section to a precise width, pulling the face material together with the matrix to create individual results. The embossed interwoven rings, enhanced by detailed printing at the joins, give the design remarkable depth and tactility, hence the Special Judges’ Award.

ET Dars91-Dimitar Sabkov, Bulgaria for “Sol Negru Riesling”.
This label was printed digitally and with the use of screen relief varnishing and hot foiling the artwork was enhanced. The three different structural elements used as embossing effects giving a leathery feel in the middle of the label make the label stand out and add a kind of sophistication to the label. This 4-coloured label has a sophisticated, yet effective design and together with the nicely performed hot foiling and embossing effects earns the Special Judges Award.

Label Tech Ltd, Ireland for “Black Emerald 7 Year Single Grain Irish Whiskey”.
This digitally printed label has much to commend it. The use of hot foiling, embossing, partial varnishing and vibrant green tones enhances the imagery, while the wavy print evokes the appearance of an emerald vein within rock. Gold foil applied within the design and branding adds sophistication and distinction. The label showcases both graphic excellence and operator skill in combining these processes, earning the Special Judges’ Award.

Judges’ comments on the Category Winners

Group A Marketing/End Uses

A1 Wines

Carini GmbH, Austria for “Sauvignon Blanc Réserve Collection Wirtemberg”

This is a deceptively simple label with many positive qualities. It combines flexographic and screen printing with hot foiling and embossing, alongside a realistic rattan effect created through cut-through punching, a specialised process requiring careful craftsmanship. The interplay between the rattan pattern and the clean lettering gives the label an appealing neo-classical character.

A2 Beers and Spirits

Multi-Color Corporation Adelaide, Australia for “Darma Rare Himalayan Blended Whisky”.

The detailed explanation for the “Darma Rare Himalayan Blended Whisky” label can be seen above under the BIS.

A3 Food & Beverages

Çiftsan Label and Packaging Company, Türkiye for “Hasanbey Balsamic Vinegar”

This beautifully textured label was created by printing a silkscreen canvas pattern over a background finished with matte lamination. It combines digital printing with hot foiling to enhance the logo, relief varnish to give prominence to the logo and grapes against the matte surface, and holographic foil to highlight the production region of Bergama, İzmir, in Türkiye.

A4 General

Carini GmbH, Austria for “Flexiloona”

This label was produced in three passes. In the first pass, four colours were digitally printed. In the second, a partial release varnish was applied and the reverse side was selectively printed with adhesive, followed by transparent hot foiling on the front; the label was then laminated into a multi-layer construction. Finally, the third pass involved the application of partial relief varnish for a tactile effect, along with screen-printed varnish.

A6 Cosmetics with Joint Category Winners

Letra Graphix Pvt.Ltd., India for “Yuthika Professional UltraCare Shampoo”

A very simple yet highly impactful and beautifully produced label, printed in three colours using a combination of screen and flexographic processes. Crisp screen printing enhances the visual impact. The label’s size presents challenges during finishing, but these were handled expertly, avoiding any cutting into the filmic liner.

Ҫiftsan Label and Packaging Company, Türkiye for “Baleq Brume Corporelle Parfumée”

A joyful and colourful label produced using digital printing. The sweets, ice creams and the “Baleq” brand logo are brought to life with relief varnish, set against a soft-touch background. The addition of glitter within the varnish enhances the playful effect, creating a vivid, almost tangible appearance. Visual impact at its very best.

A7 Pharmaceutical

Helvetikett AG, Switzerland for “Helvetikett reclosable 5-page pharma edition booklet «Setas»”

A well-executed application produced in six passes, combining lithographic and flexographic printing, lamination, varnishing, and precise cutting using both flatbed and rotary finishing to deliver labels in reel format via a fix-a-form solution. This multi-layer label is designed for pharmaceutical use throughout the entire supply chain. Unlike conventional solutions, which are typically attached to the back of the carrier tape, this innovative design incorporates a specially developed support strip on the front. The label itself is positioned like a flag beneath the top layer, enabling more reliable camera inspection and quality control. Special consideration has also been given to application on round containers, with the two lower layers shorter than the top layer. A glue-free finger lift ensures ease of opening and user convenience.

A8 Security

Schreiner Group GmbH & Co. KG, Germany for “3rd license plate RFID Hybrid Zanzibar”

This label serves as a vehicle identification document, providing proof of Periodic Technical Inspection (PTI). It is specifically designed for application to the windscreen. Security features include guilloches and serial numbering to prevent counterfeiting and tampering, along with two RFID inlays enabling both long-range (UHF) and short-range (NFC) identification. All relevant vehicle information can be uploaded to the PTI system via this “third licence label” and accessed by authorised personnel during routine inspections using UHF readers or NFC-enabled mobile devices.

A9 Booklets

Helvetikett AG, Switzerland for “Helvetikett reclosable convenience 12 pages booklet label in a clip label design «Flamenco»”

A necessary product designed for a clear purpose: to accommodate all required product information within a single label, presented here as a booklet label. This example comprises 12 pages and is printed using lithographic and flexographic processes, then finished offline through folding and a fix-a-form construction. The customer specified a silver and black colour scheme to convey sophistication and quality. A plastic layer applied to the base carrier allows the booklet to be opened and closed repeatedly, while the label can be attached to the packaging like a clip. Overall, it is a highly effective, fit-for-purpose solution.

A10 Self-Promotional

Helvetikett AG, Switzerland for “Helvetikett Security Label One «Giralda»”

This digitally printed label demonstrates the printer’s capability to deliver a comprehensive security solution for its customer. It combines digital printing with hot foiling and varnishing, offering both physical and digital brand protection.
A high-performance label, it incorporates 13 integrated features, including luminescent colours, Helvetikett lettering on the sail, security punching for tamper evidence, and full traceability. It also features four instances of digital coding (three numerical and one hyperlink), fine detailing within the head design, microtext, and three methods of verifying product authenticity (SQR, DeepIS and a unique GS1 QR code). All of these elements are successfully combined within a single label.

A11 Sets of Labels with Joint Category Winners

Marzek Etiketten+Packaging, Austria for “Crémant de Limoux Vollgut Crémant”.

This label is deceptively simple yet a highly effective example of craftsmanship. It is digitally printed and enhanced with hot foiling and embossing, which are perfectly in register across every label in the series. The bold “Vollgut Crémant” lettering creates strong visual impact, while the playful composition complements the product’s sense of extravagance. A compelling and visually joyful design.

Sancak Etiket, Türkiye for “Bioxcin Keratin & Argan Bakım Yağı 150ML”.

This specimen is printed using conventional flexographic technology, combined with cold foiling, lamination and varnishing. The fine lines and text are executed impeccably, particularly on the back label, with no haloing evident. To achieve the final effect, a broken-glass holographic foil was first applied to the reverse label, followed by layers of opaque white, cold foil, black ink and gloss varnish. This creates a striking gold appearance from the outside, while revealing a holographic effect when viewed through the bottle from the front. A highly professional use of flexo technology, executed without fault.

Group B Printing Processes

B1 Flexography

Purgina spol.s.r.o., Slovakia for “Pierre Baguette label Palivé”

This label was printed with excellent precision and quality. The imaging is sharp, reflecting accurate dot size and shape, which indicates a perfectly set impression and high-quality reprographics. The background pattern is created by overprinting two colours. Overall, this six-colour job is executed to a high standard, demonstrating fine craftsmanship.

B2 Rotary Letterpress

KURESA S.A., Peru for “Amarás – Bendito Clima de Lima”

This six-colour job is enhanced by a beautifully printed screen white base and a matt varnish with a soft-touch finish, creating a refined sense of elegance. The result is a clean and tactile label. Letterpress technology has been used to an exceptionally high standard, with both reprographic quality and operator skill clearly evident in the final, sophisticated outcome.

B3 Screen Printing (silk screen)

Sancak Etiket, Türkiye for “Antalya Reçelcisi Kuru İncir Tatlısı 650G”

This digitally printed label has much to commend it, particularly the tactile quality achieved through screen relief (embossing) varnish, which adds real depth to the visual. A soft-touch lamination beneath enhances the overall sensory appeal. Embossed elements, including the head image, figs, branding and rug-inspired patterns, convey authenticity and character. The design draws on the tradition of dried figs, a well-known dessert from the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Türkiye. Details such as the woman’s head covering and the textile motifs evoke traditional craftsmanship. A well-executed and engaging example.

B4 Reel Fed Offset with Joint Category Winners

Multi-Color Corporation America’s Wine & Spirits, USA for “Mai-Kai – Rum No.1”

The detailed explanation for the “Mai-Kai – Rum No.1” label can be seen above under the Printing Processes Group Winner.

Sancak Etiket, Türkiye for “Canpetek Yüksek Yayla Petekli Çiçek Balı 430G”

A very fine example of label production. The craftsmanship demonstrates how the combination of reel-fed offset printing, screen relief (embossing) varnish and soft-touch lamination creates a refined sense of sophistication. The black and beige colour palette further enhances this effect. Hand-sketched elements, such as the beehive, honeycomb, bee and central honey dipper, are brought to life through the emboss varnish. A well-executed label showcasing excellent craftsmanship.

B5 Combination Printing

Multi-Color Corporation- America’s Wine & Spirits, USA for “Friction Viognier”

This intriguing label is produced on a solid foil substrate, overprinted in five colours. The inks are used to control the reflectivity of the surface, while embossing and foil blocking create a sculptural effect. The result has the presence of a work of art, at once highly realistic and intriguingly abstract.

B8 Hybrid

Kimoha Entrepreneurs FZCO, Dubai-UAE for “Lahab By Stallion 53”

This digitally printed label is an excellent example of combination printing with flexo, cold foil, varnish and digital tactile varnishing. The tactile varnish used on the dragon’s scales makes the dragon pop out of the label and the brand name with the tactile varnish gives the label a rich feel. The fine line and text printing are perfectly executed. A nicely produced label in its entirity.

Group C Non-Adhesive Applications

C1 Sleeves with Joint Category Winners

IPE Industria Gráfica S.L.U, Spain for “Chardonnay Sparkling – PEARLESCENT SLEEVE WITH TACTILE VARNISH AND TWO SIDE REGISTER”

The detailed explanation for the  shrink sleeve label can be seen above under the Non-Adhesive Applications Group Winner.

OVELAR, Spain for “Sleeve Olé on ice”

This shrink sleeve combines flexographic and screen printing technologies, produced at 80 metres per minute and finished in a total of three passes. As suggested by the name “OLE ON ICE”, the design conveys a strong sense of coolness, resembling glacial ice and drawing the viewer into almost a state of ‘cold sleep’. The surface texture is deliberately rough, echoing the feel of ice. A highly realistic and engaging shrink sleeve label.

Group D Innovation

D1 Innovation

Schreiner Group GmbH & Co.KG, Germany for “Seal with Digital Authentication Feature”.

This label has already been reviewed as a Group D winner.

L9 World Label Awards 2026

The judging for the L9 World Label Awards 2026 will take place during Labelexpo Americas in Chicago between September 15-17 2026. The best winning entries from the L9 Associations including FINAT will be selected for entry into this prestigious international label competition.