Dufex process helps Frith’s Flexible Packaging win trophy in Interpack 2014

Frith’s Flexible Packaging was the recipient of an Alufoil Trophy for an outstanding decorative print finish on a limited edition cigar humidor made for Integral Logistics.

The Alufoil Trophy 2014 featured many original, yet practical, solutions for products using alufoil packaging and aluminium closures. The panel awarded 12 trophies from 67 entries, recognising excellence in all five competition categories, plus one discretionary award, presented to the winners at Interpack.

The judges gave the Discretionary award for Frith’s Flexible Packaging’s Bugatti wooden humidor, which incorporates engraved aluminium foil crafted to give a 3D effect on the lid, to create a unique affect and enhance the point of sale appeal.

The bespoke print and embossing process, known as Dufex, allows the company to create a product which is both individual and affordable, it says.

Eight micron foil laminated with 35gsm wax to 130gsm paper is initially printed using special inks on a lithographic printer. To emboss the printed material a master engraving of the graphic is hand produced by skilled studio staff, to create the final 3D, almost holographic, effect. Once the alufoil is applied to the humidor box lid it is finished with a high gloss piano lacquer.

Reflecting the unanimous views of the judges Dr Mark Caul, technical manager for packaging at Tesco, who headed the panel, said: “The process combines both the reflectiveness and malleability of aluminium and demonstrates the unique properties of the material as a decorative medium – enabling it to be used to add value to a wide range of products. We were hugely impressed by the five star print quality of this unusual pack, which could only be achieved with alufoil.”

Dufex is a registered process, developed in the UK, that can be used on both lithographic and label presses, making it available to a wide range of products, allowing producers and retailers to differentiate their products. It has applications in a wide range of markets including point of sale, packaging, security and arts & crafts. Once the master has been produced large-scale production is possible. The technique of printing and engraving on a specially formulated foil laminate is a versatile process, receptive to new ideas and developments.

Talking about the technique, Doug McBride, director, Dufex Foils, told Packaging News: “It’s for the craft industry and therefore has to be affordable.

“The whiskey industry is certainly interested [in Dufex], as it would lend itself well to that type of packaging. The cosmetics industry too. We are also looking at the label sector as well as its use in the POS/Packaging market,” he added.

On hearing of the award David Watson managing director of Frith’s Flexible Packaging said, “We are delighted to receive this award. This specialist use of aluminium combined with the unique ‘Dufex’ engraving technique demonstrates the diverse applications of aluminium that can be used to both protect and enhance a wide range of packaging products.”