Topeka, Kansas (News release) -- The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) has revealed the honorees in its 32nd Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards Competition. The competition recognizes the best in print decorating and enhancements, evaluating print and packaging submissions that utilize a wide range of finishing techniques. Submissions come in formats that include greeting cards, folding cartons, labels, book covers, posters and more.
The FSEA Gold Leaf Awards program has grown as entries are submitted from around the world by printers, finishers and designers that want to compete against the best in the industry with foil, coatings, diecuts, folds, embossed images and more. New technologies have fueled growth, with expanded award categories in areas such as digital foil and specialty UV coatings. Entries are judged on design, execution and level of difficulty.
"The variety of work and the complexity of the embellishments continue to amaze me, and the judges were awed by the design detail of pieces in each category," stated Jeff Peterson, FSEA Executive Director. "There certainly is no shortage of creativity and ingenuity within the print embellishment industry."
Gold, Silver and Bronze winners were honored during a reception held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at AMPLIFY Print in Rosemont (Chicago), Illinois. This year, more than 350 entries were received from countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, China, Copenhagen, France, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Switzerland and the USA.
Two Best of Show honorees were revealed - one awarded for the best use of traditional foil and embossing techniques, and one to the entry displaying the best use of digital embellishment.
Best of Show: Best Use of Foil & Embossing was awarded to Dreyer Kliche for The Little Mermaid Cosmetic Box. A Gold Award Winner in the category of Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Folding Carton (Creative), the white cosmetic boxes were designed to illustrate the versatility of embossing and hot foil stamping in creating rich visuals and haptics. The cartons incorporate four different foils, including foil-on-foil application, and multi-level embossing to showcase a broad range of Dreyer Kliche's capabilities.
Best of Show: Best Use of Digital Embellishments was awarded to Shenzhen Jujin Paper Packaging for Sunflower Poster. A Gold Award Winner in the category of Best Use of Digital Inkjet Coating (Raised, Textured or Glitter), this wall-sized image combined technology from Scodix and HP to create a layered print on a matte silver foil cardstock sheet. Shiny, raised embellishments and rich textures enhance the color-saturated design for a sensory experience that combines print and embellishment.
Award winners in the 32nd Annual FSEA Gold Leaf Awards, along with the categories in which the submissions won, are listed in this press release. To view photos of the pieces submitted by the Bronze, Silver and Gold honorees, visit www.fsea.com.
The Foil & Specialty Effects Association (FSEA) provides a wide range of resources to help companies remain profitable today and into the future. From cost-saving programs and educational opportunities to green initiatives proving the sustainability of foil decorated paper/board, the FSEA strives to provide its members with ideas, resources and solutions to grow in today's marketplace. www.fsea.com
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Hardback Book Cover
Gold: Destinations 2024, Jostens
Silver: The Wonderful Door, Lamplighter Ministries International
Bronze: Imagine, Lakeside Book Company
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Softback Book Cover
Gold: Bloodruth, Jostens
Silver: Perkins & Will - Current Magazine Volume 3, Sundance
Bronze: Yaira, Jostens
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Greeting Card (Creative)
Gold: Prince of Peace, Hallmark Cards
Silver: Gietz New Year Greeting Card 2025, Gietz AG
Bronze: Kurz Holiday Card, Subtle Impressions, Inc.
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Greeting Card (Difficult)
Gold: Brothers Birthday, Hallmark Cards
Silver: Loving Sister, Hallmark Cards
Bronze: Arctic Ice, The Occasions Group
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Greeting Card (Self Promotion)
Gold: PDP Holiday Card, Precise Digital Printing
Silver: Gravure Choquet Christmas Card, Gravure Choquet
Bronze: The Little Mermaid Christmas Card, Dreyer Kliche, Copenhagen
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Client Promotion/Brochure
Gold: Ross Ellis Presentation Vinyl Promotion 75th Anniversary, Gravure Choquet
Silver: The Touch Advantage, Sappi North America
Bronze: KAMA Brochure, Absolute Printing Equipment Service, Inc.
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Folding Carton (Creative)
Gold: The Little Mermaid Cosmetic Box, Dreyer Kliche, Copenhagen
Silver: JSM Gingerbread Candle Box, J.S. McCarthy Packaging + Print
Bronze: StriVectin Glow & Protect, Diamond Packaging
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Folding Carton (Difficult)
Gold: Game of Thrones, Franklin Press Inc.
Silver: Batman, Franklin Press Inc.
Bronze: Scodix Champagne Box, Ha'omanim
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Folding Carton (Self Promotion)
Gold: GREEN Box, ANS Packaging
Silver: 73 Vin Rouge Box, ANS Packaging
Bronze: Kiwara Packaging Series, LPF Groupe
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Rigid Box
Gold: Remus Repeal Reserve, TPC Packaging
Silver: Emmeci boxes (Drupa 2024), Carlo Gasperini & C. s.a.s.
Bronze: BBW Into the Night, TPC Packaging
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Rigid Box (Self Promotion)
Gold: Annual gift box for customers, Enaf Sp. Z o.o
Silver: PDP Promo Box, Precise Digital Printing
Bronze: KC Jersey Box, Post Press Specialties
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Self-Promotion
Gold: 2025 Dreamworks Print Capabilities Calendar, Dreamworks Graphic Communication LLC
Silver: Imagine, Lakeside Book Company
Bronze: DATAGRAPHIC Stipple Stamp Sketchbook, DATAGRAPHIC
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Self-Promotion (Industry Supplier)
Gold: Girl with a Star, Grawer Polska Andreze Wloch
Silver: 60° - creative boxes to inspire, Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG
Bronze: The Little Mermaid Panorama Posters, Dreyer Kliche, Copenhagen
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Self-Promotion (Holiday)
Gold: SPC Snow Scape Holiday Promotion, Spectrum Packaging Corporation
Silver: Paper Machines Christmas Promotion, Indigo Ink Digital Printing
Bronze: Holiday Greeting Card, Cereus Graphics
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Presentation Folder
Gold: DATAGRAPHIC Pocket Sleeve Promo, DATAGRAPHIC
Silver: Branded Bills Presentation Folder, Cereus Graphics
Bronze: SAIC Admissions Recruitment Folder, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Presentation Folder (Self Promotion)
Gold: Feed Me Folders, Admore, Inc.
Silver: On Line Bindery Eagle Folder, On Line Bindery
Bronze: UEI Tiger Folder, Baugh Graphic Finishing House
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Label (Creative)
Gold: Hideout National Parks Vodka, Paragon Label (Resource Label)
Silver: Stephen Gould Corporation, RLG Paragon Label
Bronze: American Metal 90 Proof Whiskey, Brook + Whittle
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Label (Difficult)
Gold: Goodman Family Wines, RLG Paragon Label
Silver: Classic Chase, Multi-Color Corporation North American Wine & Spirits
Bronze: Feather, Multi-Color Corporation - Americas Wine
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Label (Self Promotion)
Gold: PDP Promo Labels, Precise Digital Printing
Silver: Kurz HotTrio, Kurz
Bronze: Valpolicella Wine & Olive Oil Labels for Cantina Salgari, Gietz AG
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Label (Digitally Printed)
Gold: Ruthless, Multi-Color Corporation North American Wine & Spirits
Silver: Prohibition Spirits, Paragon Label (Resource Label)
Bronze: Driftwood Distillery Contact Gin, Great Little Box Company/Ideon Packaging
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Label (Digital Foil/Coating)
Gold: Tucano, Prismart srl/CARTES
Silver: CLOSURE, Info Label
Bronze: Scorfiattolo, Multistampa/CARTES
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Business Card
Gold: Two Part Flip Business Card, Harry Otto Printing Co/Exclusive Bordering
Silver: Marc Friedland Couture Communications Business Card, Marc Friedland Couture Communications
Bronze: PAC Global, Print Panther Direct
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Announcement/Invitation (Creative)
Gold: F1/Wynn After Party, Marc Friedland Couture Communications
Silver: Vitale, Bella Figura
Bronze: Evan 11/11 Bar Mitzvah, Marc Friedland Couture Communications
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Announcement/Invitation (Difficult)
Gold: 2025 Golden Globes, Marc Friedland Couture Communications
Silver: M + O's Wedding Celebration, Marc Friedland Couture Communications
Bronze: Thea, Bella Figura
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Calendar
Gold: Diamond Packaging 2025 Calendar, Diamond Packaging
Silver: Calendar Gravure Choquet, Gravure Choquet
Bronze: PDP Calendar, Precise Digital Printing
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Calendar (Industry Supplier)
Gold: Calendar Kurz, Gravure Choquet
Silver: 2025 Hazen 100 Years "The Hazen 100 - Time Traveler™" Calendar, Hazen Paper Co.
Bronze: Sakurai 2025 Calendar, Sakurai USA, Inc.
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Direct Mailer
Gold: Dragon Post Card, Absolute Printing Equipment Service, Inc.
Silver: Parkland Direct - Bunny with Shades Envelope, Parkland Direct
Bronze: On Line Bindery Event/Invitation, On Line Bindery
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Miscellaneous Product
Gold: CCM/Auston Matthews, Gravure Choquet
Silver: LPG Greeting Cards - 3 versions, Meridian
Bronze: Dancing Butterflies, K Laser Technology
Best Use of Holographics
Gold: Retro Disco Ball Box, DMS Color/ Gold Leaf Print & Packaging
Silver: Hazen 2025 Super Bowl Stadium Edition Program, Hazen Paper Company
Bronze: Formes de Luxe Brochure, Unifoil Corporation
Best Use of Holographics (Self Promotion)
Gold: Paris 2024 Olympic Cold Transfer Trading Cards, Univacco Technology Inc.
Silver: Indigo Child Makeup, GPI
Bronze: Radiant Freshness: Elevating Toothpaste Packaging with Cold Transfer, Univacco Technology Inc.
Best Use of Embossing (Creative)
Gold: Safari Book & Clamshell Box, highresolution
Silver: Diamond Packaging 2025 Calendar, Diamond Packaging
Bronze: Perkins & Will - Current Magazine Volume 3, SunDance
Best Use of Embossing (Registered)
Gold: Elevate, Carlo Gasperini & C. s.a.s.
Silver: Dragon, H+M USA
Bronze: Moonlight Horse e Sunrise Phoenix, Carlo Gasperini & C. s.a.s.
Best Use of Embossing (Blind)
Gold: The Little Mermaid and The Octopus, Dreyer Kliche, Copenhagen
Silver: On Line Bindery Eagle Folder, On Line Bindery
Bronze: Mr. Elegator, H+M USA
Best Use of Overprinting Foil
Gold: Insects Reimagined, Univacco Technology
Silver: Advent Season, Post Press Specialties
Bronze: Foil Fantasy, CE Printed Products
Best Use of Refractive Foil
Gold: Embossed in Gold the Bloom, Univacco Technology
Silver: Marc Friedland Collection Agent of Love, Marc Friedland Couture Communications
Bronze: Through the Eyes of a Cougar, Jostens
Best Use of Cold Foiling (Label)
Gold: Lion, LP2i étiquettes / CARTES
Silver: Barefoot Beachwood™, Premium Label & Packaging Solutions (PLPS)
Bronze: Reserve Spanish Cowboy Wine Label, Myka Estates
Best Use of Cold Foiling (Self Promotion)
Gold: Imagine, Lakeside Book Company
Silver: Justice League Unlimited #3 Cover, Carlson Print Group
Bronze: Cyberfrog Heartsick Horror, Carlson Print Group
Best Use of Cold Foiling (Folding Carton)
Gold: Scent & Shine: Cold Transfer Brilliance in Fragrance Packaging, Univacco Technology Inc.
Silver: Oral B Toothpaste folding carton, Edelmann Packaging Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Bronze: StriVectin Glow & Protect, Diamond Packaging
Best Use of Digital Foil (Carton)
Gold: Bruno Cellars Wine Box, Harris & Bruno International
Silver: JC Newman, Elite Print Finishing
Bronze: Savoir Chocolate box, Hudson Printing
Best Use of Digital Foil (Varnish Adhesive)
Gold: Imagine. Play. Experience. Brochure, American Printing Company
Silver: Konica Minolta, Print Panther Direct
Bronze: "Timeless", H+M USA
Best Use of Digital Foil (Self Promotion)
Gold: 2025 Calendar Planner, American Printing Company
Silver: Meridian Power Bank Wrap, Meridian
Bronze: 12 Days of Christmas, Elite Print Finishing
Best Use of Digital Inkjet Coating
Gold: Sunflower Poster, Shenzhen Jujin Paper Packaging
Silver: Citicom Notebook, Citicom
Bronze: Tennessee Whiskey, Hudson Printing
Best Use of Specialty UV Coating
Gold: Central's Year in the Stars, Jostens
Silver: Trek Kids, Resource Label Group Franklin
Bronze: Sylvamo Catalog of Brands Cover, Harris & Bruno International
Best Use of Laminating Film
Gold: Meridian Capabilities Booklet, Meridian
Silver: Limitless 2024, Jostens
Bronze: Pharma Brands, Print Panther Direct
Best Use of Laser Cutting
Gold: Charbay, Paragon Label (Resource Label)
Silver: Winter Calm, The Occasions Group
Bronze: Blooming Pastels Invitation with Pocket and Laser Cut Layer, The Occasions Group
Best Use of Special Diecut
Gold: Snowflake Awe, The Occasions Group
Silver: JSM Gingerbread Candle Box, J.S. McCarthy Packaging + Print
Bronze: Paradise Awaits (Southeast Toyota) Save The Date, Blue Ocean Press
Best Use of Letterpress/Thermography
Gold: Forsythe, Bella Figura
Silver: With Great Pride & Pleasure, Harry Otto Printing/Exclusive Bordering Co.
Bronze: Delicate Enclosure Invitation, The Occasions Group
Best Use of Unique Fold
Gold: Retro Disco Ball Box, DMS Color/ Gold Leaf Print & Packaging
Silver: Holiday Greeting Card, Cereus Graphics
Bronze: 3D Star, K Laser Technology
Best Use of Unique Binding
Gold: Topo A Topographical Design, Hudson Printing
Silver: The Lucky Bag, Jostens
Bronze: Hear The Year Foothill High School, Jostens
Best Use of Film Casting (Cast & Cure)
Gold: Sports Card, Carlson Print Group
Silver: 1st Phorm - Sherbert Smash, FS Label Manufacturing
Bronze: Gothem City Sirens - 4 issues, Carlson Print Group
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Sustainable Design
Gold: Formes de Luxe Brochure, Unifoil Corporation
Silver: GUESS Iconic Men, Diamond Packaging
Bronze: Widian Harrods Box and Mouilettes, Carlo Gasperini & C. s.a.s.
Best Use of Transfer Metallization
Gold: Hazen Paper 2025 Calendar, Hazen Paper Co.
Silver: Hazen 2024 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Booklet, Hazen Paper Co.
Bronze: Parkland Direct - Northern Lights "Soft Metal Envelope", Parkland Direct
Best Use of Foil/Embossing - Posters
Gold: Humming Bird Poster, Shenzhen Jujin Paper Packaging Co.
Silver: Scodix Futurists posters, Scodix
Bronze: Monaco, H+M USA
Best Use of Embellishments - Sample/Education Guide
Gold: Extreme Digital Guides, Print Panther Direct
Silver: Scodix Sample Box, Scodix
Bronze: The Touch Advantage, Sappi North America